Welcome back to the daily grind, where the coffee is hot, the pencils are sharpened, and the blank squares are staring us down with judge-y eyes. Today, we’re diving into a classic fill-in-the-blank that has graced the grids of everything from the
New York Times
to the
LA Times
and the
Wall Street Journal
. It’s a short, punchy clue that often acts as a gatekeeper to the mid-section of the puzzle:
Marble __
.
When you encounter this specific crossword clue, your brain immediately starts scanning through a variety of different categories. That’s the beauty—and the frustration—of the English language. “Marble” can be a material, a flavor profile, a game piece, or even a landmark. Depending on the day of the week and the constructor’s mood, this clue could be asking for something sweet, something structural, or something historical.
If you’re staring at a four-letter or five-letter gap, you might find yourself stuck between the kitchen and the courtyard. One of the most common iterations of this crossword clue refers to a beloved dessert. We’ve all seen those beautiful swirls of chocolate and vanilla, creating a pattern that mimics the metamorphic rock itself. It’s a staple of bake sales and coffee breaks alike, and it’s a frequent flyer in the Monday and Tuesday puzzles because of its straightforwardness.
However, if the grid is leaning more toward the architectural, your mind might wander toward London or historical monuments. There are famous structures where “Marble” serves as a proper noun prefix, leading you toward a specific gateway or an iconic archway. In these cases, the crossword clue is testing your knowledge of world geography or urban landmarks.
Solving a crossword clue like this often requires looking at the “crosses”—those intersecting words that provide the vital letters you need to narrow down the field. If you have a “K” or an “H” at the end, the path becomes much clearer. But without those anchors, “Marble __” remains one of those tantalizingly open-ended prompts that reminds us why we love (and occasionally loathe) the hobby.
As you work through today’s grid, remember to consider the context of the surrounding clues. Is the theme related to geology? Is it a food-centric puzzle? Or perhaps it’s a “hidden” theme where “Marble” is part of a larger wordplay? Sometimes the simplest clues are the ones that provide the most “Aha!” moments once that final letter clicks into place.
Whether you are a seasoned “cruciverbalist” or a casual solver just trying to finish the daily mini, encountering this crossword clue is a rite of passage. It’s a reminder that even the most solid, stone-cold clues can have multiple layers. Keep your eraser handy, stay focused on the intersecting vowels, and you’ll have this section of the puzzle carved out in no time. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
RYE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Friday’s Daily By Nate Curry & Kevin Curry / Ed. Patti Varol