The Sunday Sermon…And a Sunday Solve: Decoding “Competition for High Churchmen?”
Alright, fellow cruciverbalists, gather ’round the virtual table! Sunday mornings are made for coffee, contemplation, and cracking those cryptic clues that seem designed to simultaneously frustrate and delight. And today, we’ve got a particularly interesting one simmering on the back burner:
“Competition for High Churchmen? (12)“
This clue, clocking in at a respectable twelve letters, immediately screams “anagram possibility!” at least to my brain. Whenever you see a question mark lurking at the end of a longer clue, especially one with a length indicator, it’s almost a guarantee that the setter is employing some wordplay trickery. It’s practically a neon sign pointing towards hidden definitions, indirect anagrams, or perhaps even a bit of misdirection more devious than a used car salesman.
The phrase “High Churchmen” is definitely grabbing my attention. In crossword land, specific references like this often serve as a crucial element of the puzzle. We’re talking about something beyond just “priest” or “cleric.” “High Church” implies a specific tradition within Christianity, generally associated with elaborate rituals, ornate vestments, and a more formal style of worship. Understanding this nuance could be the key to unlocking the entire clue.
Then we have “Competition.” This could mean a straight-up rivalry, a contest for a prize, or even something more abstract, like a struggle for influence or power. The beauty (and occasional agony) of cryptic crosswords is that words rarely mean what they
immediately
seem to mean. We need to consider all the possible connotations and how they might interact with the “High Churchmen” element.
So, where do we begin? A standard anagram solve usually involves rearranging the letters within the clue itself. However, the question mark hints that we might be dealing with a more complex manipulation. Perhaps we need to consider a
hidden
anagram – meaning only a portion of the clue’s letters need to be rearranged. Or, maybe, just maybe, the entire clue is pointing towards a
different
word, or a combination of words, that then need to be anagrammed.
Another approach is to consider the
sound
of the words. Are there any homophones lurking in the phrase? Does “High” sound like anything else? Could “Churchmen” be hinting at a different, similarly sounding word? The setters of these puzzles are masters of deceptive listening!
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of pattern recognition. Do any twelve-letter words related to religious competition immediately jump to mind? Brainstorming broadly, even if the initial thoughts seem far-fetched, can sometimes trigger a chain reaction that leads to the solution.
My head’s already spinning with possibilities, and I haven’t even started seriously attacking it yet. Let’s remember to break down the clue into its component parts, consider all the possible interpretations, and be open to unconventional thinking. This one’s going to be a good one!
Happy solving, and may your crossword puzzles be ever in your favour!
Available Answers:
STEEPLECHASE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 16 August 2025