Oink If You Love a Good Crossword Clue: Untangling This Four-Letter Enigma
Welcome, fellow word nerds, to another deep dive into the captivating world of crossword puzzles! Today, we’re wrestling with a particularly intriguing clue: “Article in pigpen will remain in place (4).”
Right off the bat, we can see we’re dealing with a four-letter word. That’s our first solid piece of information. It instantly narrows down the possibilities and helps us structure our thinking. Before we even consider the specifics of the clue, remember the golden rules of crossword solving: think short, common words first, and always consider multiple meanings.
The clue itself presents us with two distinct elements: “Article in pigpen” and “will remain in place.” The brilliance of a well-crafted clue is often in its ability to mislead, to send you down rabbit holes of interpretation before the true meaning reveals itself.
Let’s start with “Article in pigpen.” What springs to mind when you picture a pigpen? Mud, straw, perhaps a trough. But what “article,” in the grammatical sense, could possibly reside within such a space? Could it be a literal article, like “a,” “an,” or “the” hidden somewhere within the pen? Possibly, but unlikely given the length of the answer.
This is where lateral thinking comes into play. Forget the literal interpretation of “article” as a grammatical term. Could it refer to a specific item, an “article” of clothing, perhaps? Maybe something that a pig might encounter in its enclosure? We need to brainstorm objects commonly associated with pigpens and see if any fit the “article” description.
Now, let’s consider the second part of the clue: “will remain in place.” This suggests a sense of permanence, of immobility. Something that is fixed, static, or difficult to move. This constraint is just as important as the first part of the clue. It adds another layer of complexity to the puzzle and forces us to consider words that not only fit the “Article in pigpen” description but also embody the idea of remaining in place.
Could the “Article in pigpen” somehow
cause
something to remain in place? Or is the act of remaining in place a characteristic of the article itself? These are the kinds of questions we need to ask ourselves.
Remember to consider homophones and synonyms. Crossword compilers are notorious for using words that sound alike or have similar meanings to trick solvers. Could “in” be a homophone for something else? Are there synonyms for “remain” or “place” that might unlock a different avenue of thought?
Don’t be afraid to look at the surrounding answers in the crossword. Often, intersecting letters can provide valuable clues and help you narrow down the possibilities. Even if you don’t have a definitive answer for the intersecting clues, the letters you
do
know can act as constraints, eliminating options that don’t fit the pattern.
Consider common crossword puzzle conventions. Acronyms, abbreviations, and foreign words are frequent inhabitants of the crossword grid. Is there a well-known abbreviation that could relate to either “Article in pigpen” or “will remain in place”?
Ultimately, solving this clue requires a combination of knowledge, intuition, and a willingness to think outside the box. It’s a process of elimination, a dance between logic and creativity. So, put on your thinking caps, embrace the challenge, and prepare to unravel the mysteries hidden within this deceptively simple clue! Happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
STAY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 25 July 2025