Decoding the Cryptic: Unlocking Today’s Most Puzzling Crossword Clue
Welcome, fellow word nerds and puzzle aficionados, to another dive into the delightful depths of the crossword world! Today, we’re tackling a clue that’s been causing a delightful buzz, a real head-scratcher that plays with our expectations and demands a keen eye for linguistic nuance. This particular clue, “Inaccessible bank holding (In this answer, note the first 3 letters + the last 2),” is a masterclass in misdirection and clever construction. It’s the kind of clue that makes you pause, reread, and then, with a triumphant “Aha!”, unravel its intricate layers.
The beauty of cryptic crosswords lies in their ability to transform ordinary words into extraordinary challenges. They invite us to think beyond the literal, to embrace puns, homophones, anagrams, and hidden words. This clue, in particular, leans into the art of
container
clues and
selection
. The phrase “Inaccessible bank” immediately conjures images of physical locations, perhaps a remote island, a fortified vault, or a perilous cliff face. But in the cryptic realm, “bank” can also refer to a
group
of something, a
collection
, or even a specific
type
of establishment. And “inaccessible”? That’s our first hint that we need to look for something that’s either difficult to reach or perhaps, more subtly, something that is
contained
or
enclosed
.
The parenthetical instruction, “(In this answer, note the first 3 letters + the last 2),” is the crucial key to unlocking the solution. This isn’t just a helpful hint; it’s an integral part of the clue’s construction. It tells us that the final answer isn’t derived solely from the definition part of the clue (“Inaccessible bank”), but also requires us to extract specific letters from within that answer. This is a common and often elegant device in cryptic crosswords, forcing solvers to not only find the correct definition but also to dissect the word itself.
Let’s break down the potential interpretations. When we consider “bank,” what springs to mind? It could be a financial institution, a river bank, a blood bank, a data bank, or even a bank of oars. The adjective “inaccessible” then modifies these possibilities. Is it a financial institution that’s hard to get into, perhaps a secretive offshore entity? Is it a river bank that’s prone to flooding or guarded by treacherous terrain? Is it a blood bank that’s under tight security, or a data bank that requires specialized clearance?
The genius of this clue lies in how it guides us towards a specific type of “holding.” The word “holding” itself can refer to physical possession, but in a financial context, it’s a very specific term for ownership or investment. This overlap between the literal and figurative meanings of “bank” and “holding” is where the magic happens. The clue is subtly nudging us towards a financial interpretation, but not in the straightforward way you might expect.
The constraint of taking “the first 3 letters + the last 2” from the answer is a vital piece of information. This means that the answer word will be longer than five letters. It also implies that the definition “Inaccessible bank holding” will lead us to a word, and then we need to perform a specific letter extraction from that word to arrive at the final solution. This two-step process is what elevates this clue from a simple definition to a true cryptic puzzle.
Think about how different kinds of “banks” might be described as “inaccessible” and how they might involve “holding” something. Is there a type of bank that inherently suggests difficulty of access, perhaps due to its function or location? And within that type of bank, does the word itself contain the specific letters the clue asks for?
The beauty of this particular crossword clue is its elegance. It’s not overly convoluted, but it requires a precise understanding of wordplay. It rewards solvers who can think laterally and consider multiple meanings of words. The journey to the answer is as satisfying as finding the solution itself. So, as you ponder this “inaccessible bank holding,” remember to look for the words that fit the definition and then, most importantly, remember to follow the instructions within the parentheses. The answer, like many great cryptic solutions, is hiding in plain sight, waiting for the right combination of definition and extraction to reveal itself. Let’s put on our detective hats and see if we can crack this one!
Available Answers:
FROZENACCOUNT.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Cut the Act By Jake Halperin