Deciphering the Devious: A Look at “Suffering Gout, One Swallows Unknown Meat”
There are some crossword clues that jump out at you, instantly demanding your full attention. They paint a picture, perhaps a little bizarre, a little unsettling, but undeniably vivid. Today’s challenge falls squarely into that category, serving up a perplexing puzzle that’s ripe for the kind of intricate wordplay only the best cryptic crossword clues can offer.
We’re honing in on a particular head-scratcher that recently crossed my path, one that perfectly exemplifies the delightful trickery inherent in solving crossword clues:
“Suffering gout, one swallows unknown meat (2-6)“
Just reading it aloud is an experience, isn’t it? It’s the kind of cryptic crossword clue that makes you pause, scratch your head, and then, inevitably, smile at the sheer audacity of its construction. On the surface, it’s a somewhat unpleasant scenario – gout, a painful condition, combined with the ingestion of something unidentified. But as seasoned solvers of crossword clues know, the surface reading is almost always a carefully crafted distraction, a red herring designed to lead you down the garden path.
Let’s break down the elements that make this such a fascinating and challenging crossword clue, without, of course, giving away the ingenious solution.
First, consider “Suffering gout.” Gout itself is a type of arthritis, known for causing intense pain. In the world of cryptic crossword clues, words like “suffering,” “ailing,” “troubled,” or indeed, a condition like gout, often serve as indicators. Are we looking for an anagram here? Or is “suffering” guiding us to something else entirely? Is the disease itself a component of the definition, or is it merely flavour text designed to set a scene and misdirect our focus from the true wordplay? This is where the beauty of a clever crossword clue truly shines – multiple interpretations are always simmering beneath the surface.
Next, we encounter “one swallows.” This is a classic piece of cryptic language, loaded with potential meanings. “One” is frequently a stand-in for a single letter – often ‘I’ for “I” (myself). And “swallows”? This verb can mean to ingest, to consume. But in cryptic crosswords, “swallows” can also be a container indicator, implying that one thing
encompasses
or
holds
another. Think of a word literally “swallowing” a letter or another word. And let’s not forget, a “swallow” is also a bird. Could there be a clever double-entendre at play, perhaps a subtle hint at another layer of meaning that ties into the clue’s overall structure? The best crossword clues often exploit these linguistic ambiguities.
Finally, we arrive at “unknown meat.” “Unknown” is another powerful indicator in cryptic crossword clues. It frequently signals that letters are missing, jumbled, or need to be derived from a less obvious source. Is it a placeholder? A letter to be determined? And “meat”? This feels like a more direct, definitional component. What kind of “meat” could fit the bill, especially when combined with the other elements of the clue? The genius lies in how all these disparate parts – gout, one, swallows, unknown, meat – must come together seamlessly to form a coherent answer that satisfies both the definition and the wordplay.
The bracketed (2-6) is our structural guide: the solution is a two-word phrase, with the first word having two letters and the second word having six. This provides a crucial framework as you start to mentally piece together potential answers. It helps narrow down the vast lexicon of the English language, giving your mind a specific shape to fill.
This type of daily crossword clue is a testament to the creativity of setters. It’s an intricate dance of linguistics, logic, and lateral thinking. The satisfaction of finally cracking such a challenging crossword clue is immense, a true “aha!” moment that makes all the head-scratching worthwhile.
So, take a moment. Let this fantastic cryptic crossword clue marinate. Ponder its layers, its potential misdirections, and the elegant simplicity that often underpins the most complex puzzles. The answer, when it comess, is a marvel of construction.
Available Answers:
OXTONGUE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 25 November 2025