There are the eureka moments in crosswords, those glorious flashes when a particularly convoluted
crossword clue
finally unravels, revealing its elegant deception. There are also the groaners, the clues that confound and frustrate, demanding a deep dive into esoterica or a complete re-wiring of one’s brain to grasp the setter’s logic. But then there’s the third category, a vast and often overlooked territory of the simply… meh.
This isn’t about bad clues, mind you. A bad
crossword clue
is often memorable for its unfairness, its clunky phrasing, or its outright error. “Meh” is something far more subtle. It’s the
crossword clue
that functions perfectly well, adheres to all the rules, and yet leaves no lasting impression whatsoever. It simply occupies its slot, guiding the solver efficiently from hint to answer, without a whisper of delight or a moment of challenging contemplation.
Consider the journey of solving a puzzle. Each
crossword clue
is a mini-adventure. Some are thrilling escapades into wordplay, others are intellectual mountaineering. The “meh” clue, however, is more like walking down a perfectly flat, well-paved sidewalk. It gets you from point A to point B, no fuss, no drama. You’ve moved forward, yes, but the scenery hasn’t changed much, and you wouldn’t necessarily recommend the route to a friend.
What makes a
crossword clue
land in this purgatory of mediocrity? Often, it’s a reliance on overly familiar definitions, a lack of surprising misdirection, or a word that’s simply too common to offer any real satisfaction upon its discovery. Perhaps it’s a straightforward literal definition of a relatively common item, or a very basic anagram where the components are immediately obvious. There’s no clever pun that makes you smile, no ingenious double-meaning that makes you marvel at the setter’s wit. It’s just… the thing, clued as the thing.
Sometimes, the feeling of “meh” extends beyond a single
crossword clue
to an entire theme or even a puzzle as a whole. A theme that feels a bit too transparent, or one that uses a concept that has been rehashed many times without a fresh twist, can elicit this same lukewarm response. The puzzle is solvable, the grid is clean, the words fit. It’s technically sound. But it doesn’t sparkle. It doesn’t sing. It doesn’t stick with you hours after you’ve filled in the final square.
The very subjectivity of “meh” is fascinating. What one solver finds pedestrian, another might appreciate for its straightforwardness or its accessibility. A particular
crossword clue
that feels uninspired to an experienced solver might be a perfect entry point for a beginner, offering a gentle nudge into the world of word puzzles without the intimidating layers of trickery. This particular reflection was prompted by a
crossword clue
encountered recently, one that perfectly exemplified this sense of functional adequacy without flair. It wasn’t bad, it wasn’t hard, it just was.
These “meh” evaluations are part of the puzzle landscape. They underscore the sheer artistry involved in crafting a truly memorable
crossword clue
or a captivating puzzle experience. When every clue is a spark, the puzzle burns brighter. But sometimes, a little bit of functional meh is just what’s needed to bridge the gaps, allowing the truly brilliant clues to shine even brighter by contrast. They are the quiet, unassuming workhorses of the grid, ensuring the machinery keeps turning, even if they don’t capture the imagination.
Available Answers:
MEDIOCREREVIEWS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Wednesday’s Daily By Gerry Wildenberg / Ed. Patti Varol