Today’s featured crossword clue is a delightful little puzzle that might have you scratching your head over your morning coffee. We’re looking at: ‘Firstborn (or second) starts chopping herbs to make beetroot soup (7)‘. This particular crossword clue is a prime example of the rich tapestry of wordplay and misdirection that makes cryptic crosswords such an engaging mental exercise.
When you encounter a crossword clue like this, the first instinct is often to try and pinpoint the exact definition. Is it ‘Firstborn (or second)’? Or is the definition wrapped up in the ‘beetroot soup’ part? The beauty – and sometimes the frustration – of cryptic crosswords lies in discerning which part of the clue is giving you the meaning and which is providing the clever route to the answer. Understanding this fundamental distinction is crucial for any crossword solver tackling a complex crossword clue.
Let’s break down some of the intriguing elements present in this seven-letter crossword clue. We have the numeric-sequential ‘Firstborn (or second)’, which immediately sets the mind wandering towards ordinal numbers, perhaps a type of hierarchy, or even specific names associated with birth order in literature or history. It’s a phrase that carries a lot of potential weight, inviting you to consider multiple interpretations. Could it be a direct synonym for ‘first’ or ‘second’ in a less obvious context? Or is it guiding us to something else entirely within this cryptic crossword clue?
Then there’s the action-oriented phrase, ‘starts chopping herbs’. In the world of cryptic crossword clues, phrases beginning with ‘starts’ or ‘ends’ are often signposts pointing to initial letters, or sometimes final letters. ‘Chopping herbs’ itself sounds wonderfully culinary and adds a sensory detail to the clue. If we follow the ‘starts’ indicator, we’re likely looking at the first letter of ‘chopping’ and ‘herbs’. This technique is a common, yet often cleverly disguised, element of cryptic wordplay. But how do these initial letters tie into ‘Firstborn (or second)’ or the ‘beetroot soup’? This is where the magic of the puzzle truly unfolds. Unravelling such intricate wordplay is what makes each crossword clue a rewarding challenge.
And finally, the evocative ‘to make beetroot soup’. Beetroot soup, of course, immediately brings to mind vibrant colors, perhaps Eastern European cuisine, and a certain earthy deliciousness. Is this the definition itself? Is the answer a type of beetroot soup? Or is ‘to make beetroot soup’ part of the wordplay, perhaps leading to an anagram, or a sound-alike, or even a hidden word structure? The genius of a well-crafted crossword clue is its ability to blend seemingly disparate concepts into a cohesive and solvable whole. This element of the clue offers a rich cultural context that can sometimes be a direct route to the answer, or cleverly conceal it.
This particular crossword clue is a masterclass in how different elements can contribute to a single, elegant solution. We have potential indicators for letters, phrases that could be direct definitions, and cultural references that might narrow down the field. The challenge is to correctly parse each component and understand its role in leading you to the seven-letter answer. It demands a careful consideration of synonyms, homophones, anagrams, and other classic cryptic devices. Each step in deciphering such a crossword clue deepens your appreciation for the art of puzzle construction.
For any keen crossword solver, this crossword clue provides a rich vein for exploration. Thinking about the interplay between sequence (‘Firstborn (or second)’), action (‘starts chopping herbs’), and a specific food item (‘beetroot soup’) is key. Is there a word that encapsulates all these ideas, or at least two of the three, with the third being the definition? That’s the question that will unlock this fascinating brain-teaser.
Don’t rush to an answer; instead, take a moment to savour the ingenuity of the clue. Consider all the angles. What if ‘Firstborn (or second)’ isn’t directly defining the answer, but rather indicating a position within a larger word or phrase? What if ‘to make beetroot soup’ is the
entire
definition, and the rest is all wordplay? These are the kinds of analytical steps that elevate a casual attempt at a crossword clue to a true intellectual pursuit.
This is more than just a crossword clue; it’s an invitation to engage with language and logic in a playful yet rigorous way. Happy puzzling, and remember to keep those mental gears turning!
Available Answers:
BORSCHT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 3 December 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 16 November 2025