The brilliance of a truly exceptional crossword clue lies in its ability to simultaneously illuminate and obfuscate, to offer a tantalizing glimpse of meaning while expertly veiling the solution. And few phrases embody this enigmatic quality quite like the simple, yet profoundly complex, “High lights?“. This isn’t just any daily crossword clue; it’s an invitation to a linguistic dance, a mental workout that demands more than just a passing acquaintance with vocabulary. It calls for lateral thinking, an appreciation for wordplay, and perhaps, a touch of intuition.
At first glance, the mind might drift towards the literal. What lights are physically high? The sun, moon, and stars immediately spring to mind, celestial beacons that grace our skies. Or perhaps the towering lights of a stadium, illuminating the field for a night game, or even the strategically placed lights on a skyscraper, marking its ascent into the clouds. A lighthouse, perched on a rugged coast, casting its guiding beam across treacherous waters, offers another compelling image of “high lights.” This initial, straightforward interpretation is often the first trap a seasoned crossword solver learns to navigate. The constructors of these challenging puzzles are rarely so direct.
Then, the inner monologue shifts, searching for a more colloquial or idiomatic understanding. Could “high lights” refer to the peak moments, the most memorable or prominent features of an event or experience? We speak of the “highlights” of a vacation, the “highlights” of a conference presentation, or the “highlights” of an athlete’s career. These are the shining examples, the standout elements that truly capture our attention and remain etched in our memory. This interpretation adds a layer of abstraction, moving from the tangible to the conceptual, a common twist in a clever crossword clue.
But the true genius of “High lights?” often resides in its potential for wordplay, a specialty of many a cryptic crossword clue. Is it a pun? A homophone? A double entendre designed to lead the solver down multiple garden paths before the singular, elegant solution emerges? The very sound of “high lights” can conjure images that are far removed from literal illumination or peak moments. The world of beauty and fashion, for instance, immediately presents a familiar usage: the process of adding lighter strands to hair. This cosmetic procedure, involving careful application to achieve a specific effect, perfectly fits the dual meaning inherent in many a perplexing crossword clue. It’s high, in terms of style or visual impact, and it’s certainly about light.
The beauty of such a concise yet loaded crossword clue is how it forces you to engage every corner of your lexicon and logical reasoning. You might consider the grammatical structure: is “lights” a noun, or a verb? Is “high” an adjective describing the lights, or is it part of a compound word or phrase? The ambiguity is deliberately crafted, a testament to the constructor’s skill in crafting a daily challenge that truly makes you think.
Dissecting a particularly knotty crossword clue like this becomes a meditative exercise for many solvers. It’s a journey through linguistic possibility, a mental scavenger hunt where the treasure is the satisfaction of unearthing the perfectly fitting answer. It reminds us that language is a flexible, vibrant thing, capable of endless permutations and surprising connections. When you finally arrive at the solution, there’s an immediate “aha!” moment, a flash of insight that clarifies all the preceding mental gymnastics. It’s a reminder of why these puzzles, and this specific type of insightful crossword clue, remain a beloved pastime for millions. The quest to decipher “High lights?” is more than just finding a word; it’s about appreciating the art of the puzzle itself.
Available Answers:
AURORA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 1016-25 NY Times Crossword 16 Oct 25, Thursday