Hey there, fellow cruciverbalists! Grab your pens and your thinking caps, because today we’re diving into a
crossword clue
that’s a delightful knot of wordplay and multiple meanings. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of untangling a tricky
crossword clue
, and the one we’re dissecting today offers that in spades.
The
crossword clue
in question that’s been making the rounds and prompting a few head-scratchers is:
“Director less polite about old copper (6)“
At first glance, it might seem like a mini-narrative, painting a picture of a rather ill-mannered boss talking about an antique metal. But, as we seasoned solvers know, the true beauty of a
cryptic crossword clue
lies far beneath the surface. Each word, every punctuation mark, and even the seemingly innocuous connecting words, can hide a vital piece of the puzzle. Let’s break down this intriguing
crossword clue
to see how it might lead us to a clever six-letter answer, without, of course, giving away the game!
First, let’s consider “Director.” In the world of
crossword puzzles
, a “Director” isn’t always someone calling the shots on a film set. It could be a specific person’s name (though unlikely for a short answer), a general term for a leader, or even an instruction. Sometimes, “director” might simply point towards a word that means to “guide” or “point.” This single word alone opens up several avenues of thought, which is precisely what makes a good
crossword clue
so engaging.
Next up, we have “less polite.” This phrase is often a signal for some kind of transformation. In
cryptic crosswords
, “less” can suggest subtraction – removing letters or a concept from a word. “Polite” then becomes the element to be removed or inverted. Or, it could simply be hinting at an antonym, a word that means the opposite of polite, such as rude or crude. The beauty of this element in the
crossword clue
is its inherent flexibility, challenging us to consider synonyms, antonyms, or even literal word manipulation.
Then there’s “about.” Ah, “about.” This is a classic
cryptic crossword
workhorse. In a
crossword clue
, “about” can indicate a reversal of letters (think “about-turn”), a word that wraps around another, or sometimes, it can be a subtle indicator for an anagram. It’s a word that demands a second look, as its role can significantly alter the direction of your solving process. Knowing these common
crossword clue
indicators is half the battle won!
Finally, we arrive at “old copper (6).” This is almost certainly the definition part of our
crossword clue
. “Old” could suggest an archaic term, something that has aged, or even a specific prefix like ‘ex-‘. “Copper” itself has at least two prevalent meanings in
crossword puzzles
: the metal element (Cu) or, informally, a police officer. The trick is to figure out which meaning, combined with “old,” perfectly fits the six-letter answer derived from the other parts of the
crossword clue
. The (6) is, of course, our vital letter count, providing the perfect constraint to narrow down our possibilities.
Putting all these elements together for this particular
crossword clue
is where the magic happens. Is it a word for a rude director that somehow defines old copper? Or is “director” part of a larger anagram, made “less polite,” that then “abouts” itself to form the final answer? The genius of this
crossword clue
lies in its layered misdirection, leading us down delightful linguistic rabbit holes.
This
crossword clue
truly exemplifies the cleverness that makes daily crosswords such a beloved pastime. It’s a puzzle wrapped in a riddle, with each component working in concert to create that glorious “aha!” moment when the pieces click into place. So, take another look, ponder those multiple meanings, and enjoy the journey of solving this fantastic
crossword clue
!
Available Answers:
RUDDER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 6 August 2025