Alright, fellow word enthusiasts and puzzle adventurers!
There are some days when a crossword clue just stares back at you, audacious and enigmatic, practically daring you to solve it. Then there are clues that, at first glance, seem utterly nonsensical, forcing you to recalibrate your entire approach to wordplay. Today’s entry, “Driving platforms?“, definitely fell into the latter category for me. And let me tell you, it was a magnificent wrestle.
When I first encountered this particular crossword clue, my mind immediately went to the most literal interpretations, as it so often does in the initial, flustered moments of a challenging grid. “Driving platforms?” My brain conjured images of car dealerships, perhaps even the elevated sections of a test track where cars are put through their paces. Or maybe it was about actual platforms used for driving instruction? The elevated seat a driving instructor uses? These mundane ideas, while perfectly plausible in the real world, rarely hold the key to a truly clever crossword clue.
That’s the beauty and the beast of the daily crossword. It’s not just about knowing words; it’s about understanding the subtle, often mischievous, dance between their multiple meanings. A good crossword clue is designed to make you bark up the wrong tree, to send you down a rabbit hole of literalism before gently, or sometimes brutally, nudging you towards the lateral thinking required to unearth the true solution.
So, with “Driving platforms?“, I knew I had to push past the obvious. Let’s break down the components. First, “Driving.” This word alone is a linguistic chameleon. It can mean operating a vehicle, yes, but it also means propelling something forward, influencing, creating a strong impetus, or even referring to a specific type of range or area. Are we talking about ‘driving’ as in pushing something to its limit? Or perhaps a
type
of ‘driving’ that isn’t vehicular at all? The possibilities are surprisingly vast, and each one offers a new path to explore when you’re staring down a stubborn crossword clue.
Then there’s “platforms.” Another word ripe with polysemy. We think of physical structures – railway platforms, stages, diving boards. But “platform” also refers to a technological base, a software system, or even a political manifesto. Are we looking for something that physically supports an action? Or something that serves as a foundational concept or system? The duality of “platform” here is crucial. The genius of a challenging crossword clue lies in how it leverages these multiple interpretations.
The real trick, as with many such perplexing crossword clues, is to consider how “driving” and “platforms” might interact in a way that isn’t immediately obvious. It often comes down to one of the words having a lesser-known, or less frequently used, definition that, when paired with a similarly re-contextualized version of the other word, suddenly clicks into place. It’s that exhilarating “aha!” moment, when the seemingly disparate parts of the crossword clue coalesce into a single, elegant solution. It’s the reward for resisting the urge to reach for the answers too soon, for sticking with the intellectual grind.
This particular crossword clue truly embodies what makes the daily crossword such an enduring mental exercise. It challenges your vocabulary, certainly, but more importantly, it hones your ability to think flexibly, to see beyond the surface, and to appreciate the intricate artistry of language. It forces you to play detective, sifting through layers of meaning, looking for that one perfect intersection. And when you finally find it, the satisfaction is immense. It’s the purest joy of puzzle-solving.
So, how did you fare with this one? Did “Driving platforms?” send you on a similar linguistic wild goose chase? Let me know your initial thoughts on this tricky crossword clue!
Available Answers:
TEES.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Sunday’s Daily By Jared Cappel / Ed. Patti Varol