There are those crossword clues that stop you dead in your tracks, aren’t there? The ones that initially seem impenetrable, a jumble of words offering no clear path. Then, slowly, painstakingly, the layers peel back, revealing the elegance of the setter’s craft. That’s precisely the journey I embarked upon recently with a particularly captivating
crossword clue
: “Backlash about musical section (12).”
This isn’t just any daily crossword challenge; it’s a prime example of how a master setter can weave together definition, cryptic indicator, and misdirection into a single, cohesive puzzle. The beauty of this specific crossword clue lies in its deceptive simplicity and the multi-layered potential of its components.
Let’s dissect it, as any seasoned solver would. Our target word, as indicated by the number in parentheses, is twelve letters long. A good, meaty word, which often suggests a compound term or a substantial single entry. This length immediately tells us that we’re not looking for something trivial.
First, consider “Backlash.” This word carries a strong semantic weight. It points to a strong, negative reaction, a recoil. In the world of cryptic crosswords, however, words associated with “back” can often be indicators of reversal. Could it mean a word spelled backwards? Or perhaps a phrase that, when reversed, gives us a part of the solution? The ambiguity is intentional, designed to make you ponder its precise role. Is it part of the definition, describing the
type
of musical section, or is it a crucial piece of the wordplay?
Then we have the little word, “about.” Oh, “about.” This is a classic in the cryptic solver’s arsenal. “About” frequently acts as an anagram indicator, hinting that the letters of another word or phrase are “about” to be rearranged. But it can also mean “around” something, perhaps implying that letters need to be moved around a central core, or that a word is inserted “about” another. The possibilities are tantalizing and, at first glance, overwhelming.
Finally, “musical section.” This is undoubtedly the definition component of our crossword clue. We are looking for something that is a distinct part of a musical composition. This could range from a specific movement in a symphony, to a particular passage for an instrument, or even a section of a song with a specific function. The scope is broad, and it requires us to dig deep into our musical vocabulary.
The challenge, and the genius, of this particular
crossword clue
lies in how these three elements interact. If “backlash” is a cryptic indicator (say, for reversal), and “about” is another (say, for an anagram), how do they combine? Do they apply to “musical section” directly, or to some hidden word within the clue itself? Is “backlash” part of the definition, and “about musical section” the wordplay? Or vice-versa? The misdirection is subtle but powerful.
The breakthrough moment with such a crossword clue often arrives when one considers the less obvious meanings of the words, or when a common cryptic device suddenly clicks into place with an unexpected interpretation of the definition. You start playing with the letters implied, shuffling them, trying them forwards and backwards, seeing if any combination begins to form a plausible 12-letter musical term. It’s a process of trial and error, deduction, and flashes of insight.
For this specific clue, the elegance truly comes through when you realize how each component, once correctly interpreted, precisely guides you to the intended answer. It’s a testament to the setter’s craftsmanship, transforming an initially perplexing jumble of words into a perfectly logical and satisfying solution. That feeling, when all the components of a complex
crossword clue
fall into place, is precisely why we keep coming back for more.
Available Answers:
REPERCUSSION.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 12 August 2025