Happy Monday, crossword solvers! Hope you’re diving into the grids with gusto this week. Today, I want to zero in on a specific element that truly makes a puzzle sing: the revealer clue. You know, that one particular crossword clue that ties everything together with a neat little bow.
And oh, what a bow it was in today’s challenge! We’re talking about the brilliant, yet initially perplexing, ‘“And bringing up the rear …” or an apt description of the ends of 17-, 26- and 46-Across.’ What a fantastic crossword clue, right? It’s the kind of clue that makes you pause, scratch your head, and then, with a glorious ‘aha!’ moment, everything clicks into place.
This isn’t just any ordinary crossword clue; it’s the linchpin. It’s the moment where the seemingly disparate long answers suddenly form a coherent, elegant pattern. When you’re tackling a difficult crossword clue like this, the trick isn’t just about knowing vocabulary; it’s about making connections, seeing the bigger picture that the constructor so cleverly hid in plain sight.
The beauty of ‘“And bringing up the rear …”’ lies in how it directs your attention to specific parts of other answers. Those referenced entries at 17-, 26- and 46-Across? They’re not just random fill. Their very
ends
hold the key. It’s a wonderful example of how a constructor can guide your eye and your mind towards a specific logical conclusion without giving anything away upfront.
For me, the journey to solving this particular crossword clue was as satisfying as the solution itself. There’s a certain joy in the process of chipping away at the grid, filling in the easier entries, and then slowly, painstakingly, working towards understanding what this overarching crossword clue was hinting at. It’s a detective story, a puzzle within a puzzle, and when that final piece drops, it’s pure crossword bliss. Mastering any crossword clue of this magnitude is a testament to perseverance.
The elegance of
this
theme is truly something to behold. It’s so well-integrated, so organic, that once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It perfectly illustrates how clever constructors elevate a simple grid of squares into a work of art. Thinking about how to describe the ‘ends’ of things in a fresh, evocative way—that’s the challenge, and this crossword clue nails it. The precise wording of “bringing up the rear” and “apt description” makes it a top-tier crossword clue, guiding you just enough without spoon-feeding the answer.
So, if you found yourself staring at that revelatory crossword clue this morning, wondering what grand design lay beneath, you’re in good company. Join me as we break down each of those theme entries and celebrate the sheer genius behind today’s puzzle. Let’s dig deeper into the nuances of 17-Across, 26-Across, and 46-Across, and truly appreciate how ‘“And bringing up the rear …”’ acts as the perfect descriptive bow on this expertly crafted puzzle. Ready to unravel the magic? Let’s dive in! Understanding such a complex crossword clue is always a rewarding experience.
Available Answers:
LAST BUT NOT LEAST ….
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0609-25 NY Times Crossword 9 Jun 25, Monday