The Clue That Made Us All Say, “Eww, Hard Pass!”
Every seasoned crossword solver knows the feeling. You’re sailing through the daily puzzle, feeling like a wordplay wizard, and then BAM! You hit
that
crossword clue. Not just a tricky one, not just a cleverly disguised pun, but a crossword clue that elicits a genuine, involuntary shiver down your spine. A clue that makes you want to physically recoil from the page, or at least strategically skip ahead, hoping some crossing letters will magically appear to spare you the discomfort.
We’ve all been there. Some days, the grid feels like a warm, comforting embrace of linguistic challenge. Other days, it feels like it’s actively trying to make you squirm. And then there are those rare, unforgettable moments when a single, perfectly crafted crossword clue manages to tap into a universal human experience so potently, so vividly, that your immediate reaction is less about cracking the code and more about, well,
grossing out
.
This week, we encountered just such a beast. A particular crossword clue that perfectly encapsulates that gut-level feeling of absolute revulsion, of wanting to nope out of a situation with extreme prejudice. It’s a phrase that has permeated modern culture, a shorthand for rejecting something utterly unappealing, whether it’s a questionable food item, an unsavory proposition, or even a truly terrible fashion trend. You know the one I’m talking about. It’s that succinct, slightly dismissive, utterly unambiguous declaration of “absolutely not.”
The brilliance of this particular crossword clue lies in its ability to take a very contemporary, informal expression and elevate it to the precise, often elusive, world of crossword construction. It’s a testament to how the language of our everyday lives, even its most casual utterances, can find its way into the hallowed halls of grid-solving. And when it does, it often does so with a punch.
Approaching such a loaded phrase as a crossword clue requires a different kind of mental gymnastics. It’s not just about synonyms or anagrams; it’s about understanding the
vibe
of the phrase, its cultural weight, and how that translates into a specific, usually short, answer that fits neatly into the available squares. It challenges you to think beyond the literal, to embrace the idiom, and to recall moments in your own life where you’ve felt that same undeniable impulse to simply shut something down.
This particular daily crossword clue was a masterclass in evoking that exact sentiment. It’s the kind of entry that, once you solve it, you can almost hear a collective groan of recognition from solvers everywhere. It’s memorable, it’s modern, and yes, it might just make you briefly question your dinner plans. But that’s the beauty of a truly great, challenging crossword clue, isn’t it? It doesn’t just make you think; sometimes, it makes you feel. And this one definitely made us
feel
. Get ready, because diving into this one might require a strong stomach and a good sense of humor!
Available Answers:
UGHNO.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Doubles Down By Frederick Lavoie