The Deceptive Simplicity of “Blatantly Obvious” in Your Daily Crossword
There are some moments in crossword solving that are pure gold. That satisfying click when a particularly tricky cryptic unravels, or the smug grin when you nail a pop culture reference. But then there are those times when a
crossword clue
lands in front of you, seemingly innocent, yet it somehow eludes you for far longer than it should. Today, we’re diving into one such phrase that perfectly encapsulates this paradox: “Blatantly obvious.”
What makes a
crossword clue
like “Blatantly obvious” so fascinating? Is it truly
obvious
? Or does its very directness hide a layer of clever misdirection that only the most seasoned solvers can navigate with ease? When you encounter this kind of straightforward phrase in your daily puzzle, it can trigger a cascade of thoughts. Is the setter genuinely asking for a simple synonym, or is there a subtle twist, a double meaning, or perhaps an idiomatic expression they’re hinting at? This particular
crossword clue
challenges our expectations in a profound way.
The human brain is a funny thing. When presented with something labelled “blatantly obvious,” our immediate instinct might be to overthink. We scour our mental lexicons for obscure words, for puns, for anagrams, for anything
but
the most straightforward interpretation. And why? Because we’ve been conditioned by countless tricky
crossword clues
to expect complexity. This is where the beauty of a
crossword clue
like “Blatantly obvious” truly shines. It challenges our assumptions. It makes us question our own definition of what is truly plain to see. It’s a masterclass in psychological misdirection, often by simply being exactly what it seems.
Think about the myriad ways we describe something that is clear, evident, unmistakable. We might say it’s self-evident, transparent, crystal clear, patent, apparent, overt, manifest, plain as day, staring you in the face. Each of these carries a slightly different nuance, a particular shade of obviousness. And it’s this rich tapestry of language that makes tackling such a
crossword clue
a delightful linguistic exercise. The setter has chosen “blatantly obvious” for a reason. They’ve picked a phrase that feels robust, direct, almost aggressive in its obviousness. This isn’t just “clear”; it’s
blatantly
clear. That adjective adds a punch, a lack of subtlety, which can be a key indicator for the perfect solution to this challenging
crossword clue
.
It’s a testament to the
crossword clue
setter’s skill that they can take a concept so fundamental to human perception and turn it into a captivating puzzle element. They know we’ll likely hesitate. They know we’ll cycle through a dozen possibilities before, perhaps, circling back to what was right in front of us all along. This type of
crossword clue
isn’t about obscure knowledge; it’s often about common sense and a willingness to trust the simplicity of the English language. It’s about stripping away the layers of complex solving techniques and appreciating the elegance of a direct challenge. It reminds us that sometimes, the simplest path is the most difficult one to accept.
And when you finally crack it – when the penny drops and the correct word for this particular
crossword clue
clicks into place – there’s a unique satisfaction. It’s not the triumph of deciphering a cryptic code, but rather the quiet contentment of recognizing an undeniable truth. It’s the feeling of “Of course! Why didn’t I see that sooner?” That very feeling is what makes “Blatantly obvious” such a brilliant
crossword clue
design. It makes you feel both a little silly for overthinking and utterly clever for finally seeing the light.
So, whether you’re a seasoned solver who breezes through such challenges or someone who occasionally gets tripped up by their apparent simplicity, let’s explore the nuances behind this intriguing
crossword clue
. We’ll delve into the common pitfalls, the linguistic relatives, and perhaps even some historical usage that might give you an edge the next time you encounter “Blatantly obvious” staring back at you from the grid. Let’s uncover the secrets hidden in plain sight.![]()
Available Answers:
OVERT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Any Fries With That? By Robert S. Gard