“Cost I’m revising for funny TV offering (6)” – now there’s a crossword clue that immediately catches the eye, isn’t it? It’s one of those gems that, at first glance, presents a delightful puzzle, hinting at layers of wordplay while promising a satisfying solution. For anyone who relishes the mental gymnastics of a good grid, this kind of crossword clue is pure gold. It’s got a lovely rhythm to it, a blend of directness and playful misdirection that makes the pursuit of the answer all the more engaging.
When faced with a crossword clue structured like this, the first thing many solvers will notice is the number in parentheses: (6). That single digit is our anchor, telling us precisely how many letters we’re hunting for. It’s a fundamental piece of information, grounding our search and immediately ruling out a vast swathe of possibilities. Beyond that, the clue itself can typically be broken down into two main components: the definition and the wordplay. Discerning which part is which is often the initial challenge with any given crossword clue.
Let’s look closer at “funny TV offering.” This phrase very clearly sounds like a definition. It paints a vivid picture, conjuring images of entertainment and humor. It gives us a strong conceptual category to work within, narrowing down the field of potential six-letter words significantly. We’re not looking for a type of food, or a geographical location, but something specific to television that evokes laughter. This semantic hint is invaluable when tackling any intricate crossword clue.
Then we come to “Cost I’m revising.” This is where the magic of the wordplay truly begins to shine. The word “revising” is a classic indicator in the world of cryptic crosswords. It’s a signal, a flashing light, telling us to rearrange letters. It means that the letters contained within the phrase “Cost I’m” are not to be taken in their given order, but rather as a jumble, a collection of letters awaiting a new configuration. This type of wordplay is a favourite among setters and solvers alike because of the sheer cleverness involved in embedding a hidden instruction right within the surface reading of the clue. Identifying these indicators is a crucial step in cracking many a challenging crossword clue.
So, we have a set of letters – C, O, S, T, I, M – and an instruction to rearrange them. The goal is to shuffle these six letters until they form a word that perfectly matches our definition: “funny TV offering.” This isn’t just about finding
any
six-letter word from those letters; it has to be one that precisely fits the conceptual meaning established by the definition part of the crossword clue. The elegance of such a clue lies in this dual requirement – the wordplay must lead inexorably to the definition.
The process of solving this particular crossword clue involves holding these two pieces of the puzzle simultaneously. You might find yourself mentally, or even physically, shuffling the letters from “Cost I’m,” testing different combinations. Meanwhile, in the back of your mind, you’re constantly evaluating these combinations against the idea of a “funny TV offering.” The moment when a rearranged set of letters clicks into place, not just forming a valid word but also perfectly aligning with the definition, is one of the most satisfying experiences a crossword solver can have. It’s the “aha!” moment that makes all the deliberation worthwhile, showcasing the brilliance of the crossword clue itself.
This clue is a fantastic example of a well-constructed cryptic, offering a clear path to the solution for those familiar with the conventions, but still requiring that moment of insight. It celebrates the concise, witty nature of language and the thrill of discovery that makes solving a crossword clue such an enduring pastime. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most complex answers emerge from the simplest rearrangement.
Available Answers:
SITCOM.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 9 January 2026