Decoding the Delights of a Deceptive Crossword Clue: Article, One by River, Belonging to Those People (5)
Welcome, fellow word nerds and crossword enthusiasts, to another deep dive into the captivating world of cryptic clues! Today, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing five-letter puzzle: “Article, one by river, belonging to those people.”
At first glance, this clue might appear straightforward. We have three distinct elements to consider: an “article,” a river (implied proximity), and something that indicates possession by “those people.” The challenge, as always, lies in the clever wordplay and the potential for multiple interpretations.
Let’s dissect each component individually.
The Article:
When we see “article” in a crossword clue, our minds often jump to the grammatical kind – ‘a’, ‘an’, or ‘the’. This is a very common trick crossword setters use. But, and this is important, ‘article’ can also refer to a written piece, a clause in a legal document, or even a commodity. It’s crucial not to lock ourselves into a single definition too early. Consider the context of the surrounding clues; are we dealing with a particularly grammar-heavy puzzle, or something more thematic? Keeping an open mind is key.
One by River:
This section hints at a geographical element. “One” could refer to a single individual, a place, or even a number – the numeral ‘1’ is a very common crossword trick. The phrase “by river” suggests proximity to a river. Think of famous cities situated on rivers, or even specific landmarks located near a particular waterway. Consider famous rivers like the Nile, the Amazon, Thames or even smaller, lesser-known rivers. The size of the solution and complexity of the river depends on the difficulty of the crossword. River names are crossword gold! Also think about the word “bank” when considering rivers.
Belonging to Those People:
This is where the possessive element enters the fray. The phrase “those people” implies a collective identity, possibly a nation, a tribe, or a group of individuals with a shared characteristic. The word “belonging” suggests a possessive adjective or pronoun, indicating ownership or association. Think along the lines of their, ours, its. The real challenge here is deciphering
which
group of people the setter is referring to. Could it be a well-known ethnic group? A fictional race? Or something more abstract? The possibilities are vast.
Putting it all Together:
The beauty of cryptic clues lies in the interaction between these seemingly disparate elements. We need to find a five-letter word that somehow embodies
all three
aspects. Think about words with double meanings, homophones, and clever abbreviations.
For example, could the “article” be hidden
within
the word, perhaps cleverly embedded within a longer word that relates to the river or the group of people? Could the river be used as an anagram indicator, rearranging letters within the phrase to form the solution?
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Write down potential answers based on each individual element and see if you can find any overlap. Try different combinations and permutations. The key is persistence and a willingness to explore all possibilities.
Remember, solving crosswords is a mental workout! Embrace the challenge, enjoy the process, and relish the satisfaction of cracking the code.
Available Answers:
THEIR.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 24 July 2025