Welcome, fellow word sleuths, to another dive into the fascinating world of cryptic crossword clues! There’s something uniquely satisfying about unraveling a well-crafted cryptic, isn’t there? The way the layers peel back, revealing a perfectly logical, yet delightfully obscure, path to the solution. Today, we’re taking a closer look at one such gem that recently caught my eye: “Edit colourful show (6)“.
At first glance, this crossword clue might seem a bit perplexing. A demand to ‘edit’ something, followed by a seemingly straightforward description, and then a number in parentheses. But for those familiar with the elegant deception of cryptic crossword puzzles, the magic immediately begins to unfold. The brilliance of this particular crossword clue lies in its conciseness and its masterful use of what we call an “anagram indicator.”
The word “Edit” here is a classic signal, a friendly nod from the setter that the letters in the phrase immediately following it are about to be scrambled, reshaped, or ‘edited’ into something new. It’s not instructing you to get out your red pen and correct grammar; rather, it’s a verb that
indicates
manipulation of letters. Other common indicators you might encounter in similar crossword clues include words like ‘rearranged’, ‘muddled’, ‘broken’, ‘confused’, ‘mixed’, or ‘new’. Each one points to the same instruction: take the letters that follow and form a new word.
Now, let’s consider the second part of this intriguing crossword clue: “colourful show”. This phrase pulls double duty, which is a hallmark of truly excellent cryptic crossword clues. On one hand, “colourful show” acts as the definition for our six-letter answer. It’s what we’re trying to describe. But on the other hand, it also provides the
fodder
for our anagram. The letters contained within “colourful show” are precisely the ones that need to be reordered and rejigged to form the solution.
The setter has cleverly ensured that “colourful show” not only defines the answer but also contains exactly the right letters. This kind of synergy between the definition and the wordplay is what elevates a good crossword clue to a great one. It’s not just a puzzle; it’s a miniature linguistic masterpiece.
So, your task, should you choose to accept it, is to take all the letters from “colourful show”, “edit” them (as per the indicator), and arrange them into a six-letter word that means a “colourful show”. Think about the synonyms for ‘colourful show’ that are exactly six letters long. Then, see if you can form that word using only the letters available in the phrase.
This type of crossword clue offers a fantastic mental workout. It requires both an understanding of common cryptic indicators and a keen eye for vocabulary and letter manipulation. The ‘aha!’ moment when the jumbled letters suddenly snap into place, perfectly matching both the definition and the letter count, is pure crossword bliss. It’s a testament to the setter’s skill and the solver’s deductive reasoning.
Whether you’re a seasoned solver or just dipping your toes into the rewarding waters of cryptic crossword puzzles, this clue provides a wonderful example of the elegance and ingenuity you can expect. Take a moment, ponder the letters, and let the magic of the anagram unfold. It’s a classic example of how a seemingly simple crossword clue can hide a brilliant linguistic challenge. Good luck, and happy solving!
Available Answers:
REDACT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 18 July 2025