“Goddess finding Meissen potty! (7)“
What an absolute cracker of a cryptic crossword clue! Seriously, if there was ever a single string of words designed to make a solver pause, ponder, and eventually,
chuckle
, this is it. Today, we’re diving headfirst into one of those delightful brain-teasers that truly exemplifies the art of cryptic clue construction. This particular crossword clue, short and seemingly whimsical on the surface, hides layers of ingenious wordplay beneath its playful exterior. It’s the kind of challenge that makes you remember why you love solving puzzles.
Right off the bat, the image it conjures is simply superb. A goddess, perhaps one of the classical figures we all know, unexpectedly discovering a Meissen potty. Meissen, for those unfamiliar, is synonymous with exquisite European porcelain. So we’re not just talking any old chamber pot here; we’re imagining a highly ornate, valuable, perhaps even regal ceramic piece. The exclamation mark at the end only adds to the theatricality, making you wonder if the goddess is surprised, amused, or perhaps even a little put out by her discovery. It’s a vivid, almost cartoonish scene, and that’s precisely where the deceptive brilliance of a good cryptic crossword clue begins. The surface reading is designed to capture your imagination and subtly lead you down a scenic but ultimately incorrect path.
As seasoned puzzle solvers know, the surface reading of a cryptic clue is almost always a carefully crafted piece of misdirection. It’s designed to paint a picture, tell a mini-story, or present a seemingly coherent phrase, all while slyly concealing the true, often very different, meaning required for the solution. This particular crossword clue does that with exceptional flair. We have “Goddess” acting as one part of the puzzle – is it the definition? A component? A homophone? Then we have “Meissen potty!”, a phrase brimming with potential for clever wordplay that demands a closer look.
Consider the elements. “Meissen” immediately brings to mind craftsmanship and fine art, a touch of elegance or historical significance. What could “potty” signify in a cryptic context? Is it referring to the literal object, the kind one might find in a stately home or an antique shop, or is it an adjective meaning ‘mad’ or ‘crazy’? The best cryptic crossword clues often play on these multiple meanings, turning common words into tricky linguistic traps that challenge your vocabulary and your lateral thinking skills. And that exclamation mark? Oh, the possibilities! It could be an indicator for an anagram, a signpost for a certain type of wordplay, or simply part of the charming surface reading that guides your eye away from the underlying mechanism of the crossword clue.
The beauty of tackling such a brilliant crossword clue lies in slowly peeling back these layers. You start with the vivid mental image, then you begin to question each word, each phrase, considering its various definitions, its sounds, its potential to be manipulated through different cryptic devices. It’s a mental gymnastics routine, a linguistic treasure hunt, and this specific crossword clue provides a particularly satisfying workout. It’s a quintessential example of how a concise phrase can contain so much depth for a solver.
For anyone who loves the challenge of a well-constructed cryptic, this one is a masterclass. It combines cultural reference (Meissen), a strong definitional candidate (Goddess), and an intriguing, multi-faceted piece of wordplay (“potty!”) all wrapped up in a concise, seven-letter solution. It’s the kind of crossword clue that makes you appreciate the genius of the setter and the endless possibilities of the English language when put to such creative use. We’re not just looking for a word; we’re unraveling a mini-mystery, and the journey of solving this excellent crossword clue is half the fun. Stay tuned as we break down the path to cracking this brilliant puzzle!
Available Answers:
NEMESIS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 3 October 2025