The world of crosswords is a delightful maze of words, wit, and linguistic gymnastics, offering a daily dose of mental calisthenics. Every so often, a particular
crossword clue
leaps out, making you pause, scratch your head, and then, after that glorious ‘A-ha!’ moment, marvel at its ingenious construction. Today, we’re diving into one such gem that’s bound to spark conversation among enthusiasts: “Showed preference for cold pipe (5)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
presents a wonderfully vivid, if slightly unusual, image. We picture someone, perhaps a connoisseur of unique experiences, deliberately choosing a pipe that has been left to chill. Maybe it’s a specific type of tobacco pipe, meant to be smoked cool, or even a water pipe designed for a refreshing draw. The immediate thought leans towards a literal interpretation, painting a picture in our minds of someone
actively seeking out
a low-temperature smoking apparatus. But as seasoned solvers know, the surface reading of a cryptic
crossword clue
is often a meticulously crafted red herring, designed to lead us down the garden path while the true meaning hides in plain sight, or more accurately, in clever wordplay and misdirection.
The structure of this particular
crossword clue
is fairly standard for many cryptic puzzles: a definition combined with a wordplay element, all leading to a five-letter answer. Our definition seems to be “Showed preference for,” which immediately tells us we’re looking for a past-tense verb. This is a crucial piece of information. The answer isn’t a noun describing a type of pipe, nor an adjective describing its state; it’s an action, performed in the past. This narrows down the field significantly, even before we tackle the more enigmatic part of the clue. The five-letter constraint further refines our search, making every potential letter count.
Then we come to “cold pipe.” This is where the magic, and often the initial frustration, of a good
crossword clue
truly begins. What could “cold pipe” possibly signify in the grand scheme of cryptic wordplay? We can start by dissecting its components. The word “cold” itself can have multiple meanings in a crossword context. Beyond its literal temperature meaning, it can imply a lack of warmth, unfriendliness, an absence of emotion, a state of being unprepared, or even something defunct. Similarly, “pipe” is a remarkably versatile word in the English language and thus in crossword setting. It can refer to a smoking implement, a musical instrument (like a flute or recorder), a conduit for liquids or gases, or even a verb meaning to utter a high-pitched sound, or to convey something through a system. Each of these interpretations opens up a different avenue of thought for solving this engaging
crossword clue
.
The challenge, and indeed the sheer joy, lies in finding the precise intersection where “cold” and “pipe” combine to subtly point towards our five-letter, past-tense verb meaning “showed preference for.” Is it a clever homophone, where “cold pipe” sounds like something else entirely? Is it an anagram of some hidden letters, perhaps within a larger phrase related to “cold pipe”? Or is it a more sophisticated double-definition, where “cold pipe” itself has a less common meaning that, when combined with “showed preference for,” makes perfect sense? Often, these types of clues rely on a slightly archaic term, a less common idiom, or a very specific interpretation of one of the words that you wouldn’t initially consider.
Consider the possibility that “cold” isn’t about temperature at all, but about a state of rejection or a lack of welcome, making the “preference for” an ironic twist. And “pipe”? Could it be a less common usage, perhaps hinting at communication or a specific type of utterance that, when “cold,” implies something avoided? The art of solving such a meticulously crafted
crossword clue
involves shedding preconceived notions and allowing your mind to wander through the labyrinth of linguistic possibilities. It’s about recognizing how setters play with words, bending their meanings, and juxtaposing them in unexpected ways to form a cohesive, yet hidden, path to the solution.
When you finally crack a
crossword clue
like this, the satisfaction is immense. It’s not just about filling in the squares; it’s about appreciating the wit and the linguistic dexterity of the puzzle constructor who crafted such an elegant riddle. So, take a moment. Ponder “Showed preference for cold pipe (5).” Think about verbs of preference or avoidance. Consider the many faces of “cold” and “pipe.” The answer, like all good crossword solutions, is elegant in its simplicity once revealed, but wonderfully opaque beforehand. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
CHOSE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 29 November 2025