Alright, fellow word nerds and puzzle enthusiasts, gather ’round! There are some days when a crossword clue pops up, and it just demands your full attention, doesn’t it? It sits there, unassuming yet utterly captivating, practically daring you to unravel its layers. Today, for me, that clue is a real corker, and I couldn’t wait to share my initial thoughts on its intriguing structure. We’re talking about:
Fools with second estimate (6)
Now, at first glance, you might think “Fools” is the straightforward definition, and for many a daily crossword clue, it would be. Our brains immediately cycle through synonyms: idiots, jesters, buffoons, nitwits. But then your eye catches the rest of the phrase, “with second estimate,” and that’s where the real fun begins, and the trusty cryptic crossword antennae start twitching. This isn’t just a simple synonym hunt; this is a finely crafted piece of wordplay.
Let’s break down the components of this clever little challenge. We know the answer needs to be a six-letter word. The definition, “Fools,” seems clear enough on the surface. But in the world of cryptic crosswords, even the most obvious definitions can sometimes carry a subtle twist or a specific nuance. Are we looking for literal fools, like court jesters, or someone acting foolishly? The possibilities, even within that single word, can be surprisingly varied, adding another layer of delightful complexity to the whole crossword clue.
Then we get to the core of the wordplay: “second estimate.” This is where the magic (or the madness, depending on your caffeine levels!) truly happens. What exactly does “second estimate” imply? Cryptic setters are masters of misdirection and clever double meanings. Does “second” refer to the ordinal number – as in, the second letter of a word, or a second attempt at something? Or could it be hinting at something being ‘re-done,’ like a “re-estimate”? The word “estimate” itself is also ripe for interpretation. It could be a noun, referring to a judgment or calculation, or a verb, meaning to form an approximate judgment. Each interpretation sends your mind down a different rabbit hole, exploring various avenues of word association and construction.
Perhaps “second” is a wordplay indicator itself, guiding us to a specific letter or a prefix. And “estimate” could be a synonym like “guess,” “rate,” or “assess,” with “second” modifying it in some ingenious way. Is it a charade, where one part of the solution comes from “second” and another from “estimate”? Or is it a more sophisticated construction involving anagrams (though no obvious anagram indicator here) or even a hidden word element cleverly disguised?
This is precisely the kind of crossword clue that makes you pause, sip your coffee, and admire the setter’s wit. It promises an “aha!” moment that’s well worth the brain power. It’s clues like these that elevate the simple act of solving a crossword puzzle into an engaging mental workout. I’m already buzzing with possibilities, trying to connect “Fools” with the intricate dance of “second estimate” to arrive at that elusive six-letter word. This one is a gem for any serious crossword solver, a testament to the art of cryptic clue creation.
Available Answers:
ASSESS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 29 November 2025