There’s nothing quite like the satisfying
thunk
of a new day’s crossword settling into place, especially when you’re facing a particularly engaging clue. The thrill isn’t just in filling the grid, but in the delightful mental gymnastics required to decipher each individual
crossword clue
. Today, we’re shining a light on one that might have had you reaching for your culinary knowledge, or perhaps just appreciating the cleverness of its construction: “Included was a bit of Japanese horseradish (6).”
At first glance, this
crossword clue
immediately directs our thoughts to a specific, pungent green condiment, synonymous with sushi and a fiery kick. That core definition – “Japanese horseradish” – is our anchor, the foundational meaning around which the wordplay is built. It’s what setters call the ‘definition’ part of the clue, and without it, we’d be completely lost in a sea of letters. This directness, even within a cryptic-style
crossword clue
, is always a welcome starting point.
But, as any seasoned solver knows, it’s rarely just about the straightforward definition. The real artistry of a good
crossword clue
lies in the wordplay. Here, the phrase “Included was a bit of” is where the magic (or the initial head-scratching) truly begins. This isn’t just filler; it’s a vital indicator, pointing towards a specific type of word manipulation. When you see phrases like “included was,” “containing,” “in,” or “part of,” your solver senses should immediately tingle with the possibility of a hidden word or an enclosure. The answer to a hidden word
crossword clue
is literally
within
the letters of the preceding words. Does “Included was a bit of” give us a hint towards letters lurking in “Included was a bit of Japanese horseradish”? Perhaps, perhaps not – but it’s certainly a avenue to explore.
Then there’s “a bit of.” This seemingly innocuous phrase can also be a significant pointer in a
crossword clue
. Sometimes it indicates a partial anagram, where only a selection of letters from a given word are used to form part of the solution. Other times, as here, it might simply be reinforcing the idea of a component, a small serving, or a part of a larger whole that leads to the final word. The beauty of this specific
crossword clue
is how these seemingly disparate elements coalesce.
And, of course, we can’t forget the crucial (6) at the end. This tells us the exact letter count. In the world of
crossword clue
solving, the letter count is your best friend and final arbiter. Once you’ve got a strong candidate based on definition and wordplay, counting the letters to confirm it matches the grid is an essential last step. It’s the moment where all the pieces click into place, transforming a challenging
crossword clue
into a satisfying triumph.
This particular
crossword clue
exemplifies the joy of solving daily crosswords: it blends general knowledge with clever linguistic tricks, leading to that wonderful “aha!” moment when the answer reveals itself. It’s a testament to the skill of the clue setter, who can craft a seemingly simple sentence into a delightful linguistic puzzle. The satisfaction of cracking such a
crossword clue
is what keeps us coming back to the grid day after day.
Available Answers:
WASABI.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 11 June 2025