“Gander-herding call?” — Now there’s a
crossword clue
that makes you pause, isn’t it? This particular brain-teaser landed on my grid recently, and it perfectly encapsulates the delightful blend of perplexity and eventual triumph that makes daily
crossword puzzles
so addictive. It’s one of those expertly crafted linguistic puzzles that immediately sparks a flurry of mental gymnastics, challenging you to look beyond the obvious and delve into the cunning world of wordplay.
My first instinct, like many a diligent
crossword solver
, was to consider the literal interpretation. A gander, of course, is a male goose. So, what sort of command or sound would one use to herd a flock of ganders? We have familiar cries for pigs (“Sooey!”), cattle (“Here, bossy!”), and dogs (“Come, Fido!”). But a gander? The image itself is rather whimsical, conjuring up pastoral scenes that might exist only in cartoons. Do people even
herd
ganders in the traditional sense, driving them with specific calls? This initial, straightforward line of questioning quickly suggested that this
crossword clue
was not asking for an actual, practical agricultural term. The setter was clearly inviting me to a more intricate game.
And that’s precisely where the brilliance of a good
crossword clue
truly shines. The word “gander” itself is a master of disguise. Beyond its avian identity, it also serves as an informal verb: “to take a gander,” meaning to cast a look or a glance. This kind of dual meaning is a classic and much-loved arrow in the
crossword setter’s
quiver. When a
crossword clue
presents a word with such distinct alternative definitions, it’s a strong signal that you’re being artfully led down one path, while the actual solution cunningly resides on another. Is the “herding call” then, somehow linked to the act of looking, rather than to geese?
Then we unpack the “herding call” component of the
crossword clue
. A “call” can be an exclamation, an invitation, or simply a sound. If we’re not talking about literal geese, what else could be “herded” or “called” in a metaphorical sense? Could it be ideas, attention, or perhaps even something that
calls
you to herd, or to look? The possibilities for ingenious wordplay become virtually endless once you dissect a
crossword clue
like this into its constituent parts. It’s akin to being presented with a handful of seemingly disconnected puzzle pieces and being tasked with constructing something entirely unexpected, yet perfectly logical in its own quirky way.
These are the
crossword clues
that truly test your mettle, compelling you to step outside the confines of conventional thought. They demand a certain intellectual flexibility, a playful willingness to explore absurdities and forge connections that might not immediately present themselves. The initial blank stare slowly gives way to a nascent flicker of understanding, which then blossoms into a growing certainty as the various linguistic pieces begin to snap into place. That electrifying moment of realization, when the seemingly disparate elements of the
crossword clue
suddenly coalesce into a perfect, often witty, answer – that, my friends, is the pure, unadulterated magic of
crossword solving
. It stands as a testament to the puzzle setter’s profound ingenuity and a deeply satisfying reward for the solver’s unwavering perseverance.
This particular
crossword clue
serves as an exemplary illustration of why we dedicate ourselves to our daily mental workouts with
crossword puzzles
. It transcends the simple act of filling empty squares; it’s about engaging in a delightful battle of wits, meticulously unraveling intricate linguistic puzzles, and experiencing that profoundly satisfying “aha!” moment. It serves as a powerful reminder that language itself is an expansive and exhilarating playground, brimming with double meanings, clever puns, and unexpected, yet brilliant, turns. When you encounter a challenging
crossword clue
like “Gander-herding call?“, you instinctively know you’re in for a genuine treat—a mental workout that promises to leave you feeling a little sharper, a touch more clever, and undoubtedly more entertained. It’s a flawless fusion of challenge and charm, unequivocally proving that the very best
crossword puzzles
are, in their own right, exquisite forms of intellectual artistry.
Available Answers:
EYESONME.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Saturday’s Daily By Kelly Morenus & Erik Agard / Ed. Patti Varol