Stretching Your Mind and Body: A Crossword Clue Yoga Pose
Ah, the joys of the crossword puzzle. That daily mental workout, the satisfying
click
of a correct answer slotting perfectly into place, the quiet triumph over cryptic clues. And today, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing one – a clue that weaves together the worlds of etymology, animal husbandry, and…yoga?
Crossword clues often play on multiple meanings, hidden references, and clever wordplay. This particular clue is a perfect example, inviting us to consider the inherent qualities of two very different, yet familiar, animals. When constructing a crossword clue, the author strategically uses common knowledge and associations to lead the solver down a path of logical deduction.
Think about the characteristics we immediately associate with a
cat
. Lithe, flexible, graceful, stretching and arching with seemingly effortless ease. Consider their innate ability to contort themselves into impossible positions, seeking out sunbeams and comfy nooks. These associations will be instrumental in discovering the answer.
Now, shift your focus to the
cow
. What comes to mind? Perhaps images of placid grazing, gentle movements, and a certain grounded presence. A cow’s gait is quite deliberate and a deliberate pace, perhaps even meditative. Think about this as you try to untangle the clue.
The phrase “e.g.” is another crucial component of the clue. In the crossword world, “e.g.” (short for
exempli gratia
, meaning “for example”) indicates that the answer is not
literally
a cat or a cow, but something that falls under the umbrella of the clue. This suggests we’re looking for something broader, something
inspired
by these animals.
Crossword clue writers frequently employ this type of example-based wording to avoid explicitly naming the solution, further testing the solver’s mental agility. It asks the solver to think laterally, consider the defining features of the examples provided, and then connect those features to a larger concept.
Yoga, of course, is a discipline of physical and mental well-being that relies on specific poses or postures. These poses often draw inspiration from the natural world, mimicking the shapes and movements of animals, plants, and other elements of our environment.
This clue is cleverly linking the physical postures of yoga with the inherent characteristics of the cat and the cow. Therefore, we must consider what yoga poses may be inspired by their movement, flexibility, and/or the overall impression of these animals.
So, take a moment to reflect. Imagine the way a cat stretches, the way a cow gracefully bends. Ponder the connection between these animals and the world of yoga. What specific pose might be conjured by their combined imagery? Consider the movements of each animal, how their bodies contort, and any yoga poses that might share visual or functional similarities. The answer, you’ll find, is likely more apparent than you realize.
Keep thinking about the yoga pose that connects cats and cows! Good luck, crossword solvers!
Available Answers:
POSE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Thursday’s Daily By Kathy Lowden / Ed. Patti Varol