What a day for a crossword! There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of settling down with a fresh grid, coffee in hand, ready to tackle those clever, convoluted word puzzles that challenge the mind and tickle the linguistic fancy. Every seasoned solver knows that glorious blend of anticipation and mild dread as you scan the clues, looking for that first hook. And then, there are those rare gems, those perfectly crafted
crossword clue
masterpieces that stand out from the rest, making you pause, ponder, and truly appreciate the artistry of the setter.
Today, we’re diving into one such beauty that caught my eye:
“It’s material that saloon is carrying doctor in charge (7)“
.
At first glance, a seven-letter answer – not too long, not too short. The kind that often hides a truly devious piece of wordplay. And let me tell you, this particular
crossword clue
is a prime example of cryptic brilliance. It’s got layers, it’s got misdirection, and it certainly keeps you on your toes!
Let’s break down why this specific
crossword clue
is such a fascinating challenge. The definition part, “It’s material,” seems straightforward enough. We’re looking for a type of substance, perhaps a fabric, a building component, or even something less tangible. But as always with cryptic crosswords, the real meat of the puzzle lies in the wordplay.
The operational phrase here is “saloon is carrying doctor in charge.” Ah, the classic “carrying” indicator! This immediately flags it as a potential container clue, suggesting that one word (or part of a word) is being inserted into another. This is a staple of cryptic crosswords, and recognizing these common indicators is a huge step toward cracking the code. Many a challenging
crossword clue
has been solved by spotting these little signals.
Now, let’s consider the components within the “carrying” structure. We have “doctor in charge.” For anyone familiar with common abbreviations in crosswords or even just general professional titles, ‘doctor’ frequently translates to ‘DR’. And ‘in charge’? That’s almost invariably ‘IC’. Put them together, and you have a rather neat four-letter abbreviation. So, it seems highly probable that this four-letter combination is the payload being ‘carried’ within the wordplay.
The next piece of the puzzle is “saloon.” This is where the setter truly earns their stripes. What comes to mind when you hear “saloon”? A Wild West bar, perhaps? A vintage car, like a sedan? Or could “saloon” be part of a larger word, or even a verb meaning to frequent saloons? Cryptic
crossword clue
setters love to play on multiple meanings, so we must be wary of jumping to the most obvious conclusion. The trick is to think about how a word representing ‘saloon’ could serve as the container for our four-letter payload, all while summing up to seven letters and defining “material.” It’s a true test of lateral thinking, which makes a good
crossword clue
so rewarding.
The elegance of this
crossword clue
lies in how it weaves together these seemingly disparate elements. The surface reading of “a saloon carrying a doctor in charge” paints a vivid, albeit slightly odd, picture. But beneath that surface, the linguistic gears are grinding, trying to fit together a common abbreviation, a word with multiple meanings, and a container mechanism, all to arrive at a type of material. It’s a masterclass in misdirection and precision, characteristic of the best cryptic
crossword clue
setting.
If you’re staring at this
crossword clue
right now, feeling that satisfying mix of frustration and excitement, you’re not alone. It’s designed to make you work, to make you explore different avenues of thought, and ultimately, to deliver that glorious ‘aha!’ moment when all the pieces suddenly click into place. That’s the enduring appeal of the cryptic
crossword clue
– the journey of discovery, the linguistic gymnastics, and the sheer intellectual satisfaction of decoding a hidden message.
So, take a moment. Reread it. Think about the synonyms for “saloon.” Ponder the different ways ‘DR’ and ‘IC’ might fit. Consider what seven-letter materials exist. This isn’t just about finding an answer; it’s about appreciating the cleverness embedded within every word of a well-constructed
crossword clue
.
Available Answers:
CAMBRIC.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 10 June 2025