That Crossword Clue Got My Goat (Cheese-iously!)
Alright, puzzle fiends, let’s dive into another brain-tickling conundrum that had me staring blankly at the grid for a little longer than I’d like to admit. Today’s focus:
“Cheese for girl keeping something barred (7)“
.
Immediately, the length constraint, seven letters, is our starting block. It’s a tight squeeze, which helps narrow down possibilities significantly. We know it has to be a word commonly associated with cheese, and the wordplay hints at a female connection
and
something being obstructed or prevented. That’s quite a bit to unpack!
The beauty of crossword clues lies in their layered meanings. “Cheese” can be literal, of course, referring to the dairy delight. But it can also be a verb, meaning to stop doing something, or even a slang term. That ambiguity is where the fun (and frustration) lives!
“Girl” is relatively straightforward. We’re likely looking for a name, a descriptor of a young woman, or a term of endearment. Don’t automatically assume it’s a super common name; crosswords often reward lateral thinking and obscure knowledge. Think beyond “Jane” and “Mary.”
The real kicker, in my opinion, is the phrase “keeping something barred.” This strongly suggests containment or restriction. The ‘girl’ is holding back, preventing access, or guarding something that is ‘barred’ – literally or figuratively.
This could mean a physical barrier like a gate, a prison cell, or even a cage. Or, more abstractly, it could refer to a rule, a law, or a societal norm that restricts something. The “something barred” might not even be a tangible object! It could be an emotion, an idea, or a piece of information. The girl, in this scenario, is the gatekeeper.
Consider the wordplay – it’s not just about defining a cheese. The clue cleverly weaves together different elements to create a semantic puzzle. Think about cheeses that might be named after people (historical figures, even!), or cheeses that have origins tied to specific regions with notable female figures.
The structure of the clue also offers clues. The word “for” could be interpreted in different ways. Does it mean “suitable
for
a girl”? Does it imply that the cheese
belongs to
a girl? Or could it simply be a connector linking the “cheese” element to the “girl keeping something barred” element?
Therefore, don’t limit yourself to just cheese types. Maybe the answer relies on a common word associated with girls, intertwined with “barred” in a cheesy pun.
Remember the fundamentals of cracking crossword clues. Look for anagrams (though less likely with such a short word), think about common crossword abbreviations, and consider homophones. Also, look to the crossing letters in the grid for potential confirmation or elimination of your theories. They act as vital anchors!
Hopefully, by breaking down the components of this tricky clue, you’re now better equipped to tackle it. Let me know your thoughts and the reasoning behind your strategies in the comments below. Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
RICOTTA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 19 September 2025