Decoding the Enigma: A Deep Dive into This Week’s Tricky Crossword Clue
Welcome back to the blog, fellow crossword enthusiasts! This week, we’re tackling a particularly intriguing clue that’s been making the rounds – “Communicating by letter (13).” It’s a deceptively simple phrase, isn’t it? But as we all know, crossword clues rarely wear their hearts on their sleeves.
The length, thirteen letters, immediately offers some constraint, thankfully. It suggests a fairly descriptive and possibly multi-word answer. We are talking communication methods after all. This length rules out a lot of single-word responses that one may consider first, based on the clue itself.
The phrase “Communicating by letter” is where we need to focus our investigative efforts. The word “letter” itself can be interpreted in several ways. Are we talking about the individual characters of the alphabet, as used in a written message? Are we thinking of “letter” in the sense of a written correspondence delivered by mail? Or could it perhaps be an element within a system, a code, or something more abstract? This is where the ambiguity of crossword clues shines, and where our expertise must come into play.
Thinking along the lines of written messages delivered by mail, we might consider terms related to postal services, correspondence etiquette, or historical methods of long-distance communication. Could it be a slightly old-fashioned term, perhaps evoking a more formal era of penmanship and sealed envelopes? Or perhaps the solution is more literal, representing a specific mode of communication centered around the physical act of writing and sending correspondence.
On the other hand, if we consider “letter” as an individual character, the clue could be pointing towards methods of communication that rely on specific letter combinations or symbolic representations. Perhaps we need to think about different languages, codes, or even fields like cryptography, where individual letters hold significant meaning.
It’s also crucial to consider any potential wordplay embedded within the clue. Crossword setters are notorious for their clever misdirection, and a seemingly straightforward phrase can often conceal a pun, an anagram, or a hidden reference. Could “Communicating by letter” be a cryptic instruction to rearrange the letters within the clue itself? Or perhaps the clue is hinting at a specific literary figure or historical event related to written communication?
Before we get lost in the vast possibilities, let’s zoom out and think about the overall context of the puzzle. Are there any other clues that share similar themes or contain overlapping letters? Examining the surrounding clues can often provide valuable hints and help narrow down the possibilities. Remember, every piece of the puzzle is interconnected, and the solution to one clue can often unlock the key to another.
The beauty of a good crossword clue lies in its ability to challenge our thinking and force us to explore different avenues of interpretation. “Communicating by letter (13)” is a testament to this art, presenting us with a seemingly simple phrase that holds a wealth of potential solutions. Let’s put on our thinking caps, gather our resources, and embark on this exciting crossword solving journey together! Good luck, and happy puzzling!
Available Answers:
CORRESPONDING.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Thursday, 30 October 2025