Affirmative at sea … or a phonetic hint to what’s found sequentially in 20-, 31- and 41-Across

Affirmative at Sea … or a Phonetic Hint to What’s Found Sequentially in 20-, 31- and 41-Across

Ah, the classic crossword clue – a cryptic phrase that sends you spiraling down a rabbit hole of wordplay and deductions. This week’s puzzle threw me for a loop with a particularly intriguing clue: “Affirmative at sea … or a phonetic hint to what’s found sequentially in 20-, 31- and 41-Across.”

Let’s break it down. “Affirmative at sea” – a clear indication that we’re dealing with a nautical term, specifically a signal of agreement. But the clue goes further, adding a phonetic twist. “Phonetic hint” suggests that the answer isn’t the word itself, but a sound it makes.

The final piece of the puzzle: “what’s found sequentially in 20-, 31- and 41-Across.” This tells us we’re looking for a letter sequence, and it’s not just any sequence – it’s one that appears in three specific answers across the grid.

So, we have a nautical signal, a phonetic hint, and a specific location within the grid. Where do we start?

The key here is to think outside the box. Forget about literal meanings and focus on the sounds the words might make. What nautical signal sounds like a letter sequence? What letter sequence could be found in three seemingly unrelated answers?

This clue isn’t about finding a direct match, it’s about deciphering a code. It’s about using your knowledge of crossword conventions and your own linguistic creativity to crack the puzzle.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve got any ideas, and let’s work together to solve this intriguing clue!

Available Answers:

AYE AYE, CAPTAIN.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 17 Jun 24, Monday