Decidedly Meh: A Journey Through Neutral Territory (and a Crossword Clue)
Welcome back to the blog, fellow cruciverbalists! Today, we’re tackling a seemingly simple, yet deceptively nuanced clue: “Decidedly meh.”
On the surface, this appears straightforward. We’re looking for a word that expresses a feeling of indifference, apathy, or a lack of enthusiasm. Think beige, lukewarm, utterly unremarkable. But, as seasoned crossword solvers know, the devil is always in the details.
The first hurdle is often length. How many letters are we working with? This drastically narrows down the possibilities. A three-letter word conveying this level of blandness is far different than a ten-letter option. Once you have that number, you can start mentally riffing through your internal thesaurus of synonyms for “meh.”
Think about the synonyms themselves. Is the clue leaning towards something negative, like “unsatisfactory?” Or is it more passively neutral, like “so-so?” The subtle shifts in meaning can guide you down the right path. Also, consider the register of the word. Is this likely to be a formal word, or something more colloquial? “Indifferent” is a perfectly good synonym for “decidedly meh,” but it might feel out of place if the overall tone of the crossword is more lighthearted.
Then comes the crossword puzzle’s grid itself. Look for any crossing letters you already have. These can be invaluable lifelines. Imagine you already have a “_A_D” sequence. Suddenly, your options become far more limited. Plug in potential words, one letter at a time, and see what feels most plausible based on the surrounding clues.
Another crucial strategy is to think about the typical vocabulary employed by crossword constructors. There are certain words that pop up again and again. Knowing these common fill words can save you considerable time and frustration. When facing a vague clue like “decidedly meh,” drawing on this accumulated knowledge base can be incredibly helpful.
Don’t underestimate the power of pattern recognition. Crossword constructors often favor certain letter combinations or prefixes/suffixes. Are there any common patterns that seem to fit the bill here? For example, words ending in “-ISH” often convey a sense of approximation or slightness, which could be relevant here.
Finally, remember that context is king. How does this clue fit into the broader theme or overall difficulty of the crossword puzzle? Is it a particularly tricky clue meant to stump solvers, or is it a more straightforward entry designed to offer a helping hand? Answering these questions can give you valuable clues about the likely answer.
So, as you contemplate this “Decidedly meh” crossword clue, remember to consider the length, synonyms, crossing letters, common fill words, patterns, and overall context of the puzzle. Happy solving! Good luck!
Available Answers:
SOSO.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Friday’s Daily By Kyle Beakley & David Levinson Wilk / Ed. Patti Varol