Welcome back, fellow word nerds and puzzle enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a type of crossword clue that truly elevates the game – the kind that not only asks you to fill in a blank but also challenges you to connect the dots across the entire grid. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of watching disparate pieces click into place, especially when guided by a beautifully crafted, overarching thematic crossword clue.
We’ve all encountered those straightforward definitions, the clever puns, and the cryptic indicators. But then there are the masterpieces, the revealers that tie the whole shebang together. These aren’t just any crossword clue; they’re the architects of the grid’s grand design. And today, we’re zeroing in on a particularly delightful example that came across my desk recently – one that made me pause, smile, and appreciate the sheer ingenuity of crossword construction.
The crossword clue in question reads: “Moving on to an unrelated subject … and a hint to how the last words of 15-, 22-, 49- and 58-Across can be scrambled.” Now, if that doesn’t immediately pique your interest, then I don’t know what will! This isn’t just a simple query for a six-letter word; it’s a treasure map, pointing directly to a hidden layer of meaning within the puzzle. It’s the kind of crossword clue that demands you keep your wits about you, not just for the immediate answer it might lead to (which, for now, we’ll keep under wraps!), but for the broader connection it establishes.
What makes this particular crossword clue so compelling is its dual nature. First, there’s the ‘Moving on to an unrelated subject’ part – a phrase that initially feels like a conversational non-sequitur, almost a misdirection. It’s designed to make you think about a transition, a pivot in discourse. But then comes the crucial second half, the true heart of this incredible crossword clue: “…and a hint to how the last words of 15-, 22-, 49- and 58-Across can be scrambled.”
This is where the magic truly happens. You’ve likely been diligently filling in those across answers, perhaps without realizing the common thread weaving through their very endings. This kind of crossword clue forces you to go back, re-examine your completed entries, and look for patterns you might have overlooked. It’s a meta-challenge, a puzzle within a puzzle, and it’s precisely these layers that make the world of crosswords so endlessly fascinating. Every good crossword clue is a mini-mystery, but a revealer like this is a full-blown detective novel.
Think about the mental gymnastics involved. You find the last words of those specified entries. You pull them out, perhaps scribble them down on a scrap piece of paper. Then, with this extraordinary crossword clue as your guide, you begin the delightful task of trying to rearrange their letters. It’s an anagrammatic quest, a linguistic puzzle box waiting to be unlocked. The satisfaction of figuring out not just the answer to the revealer itself, but
how
it connects to those other words, is truly unparalleled. It’s the ultimate “aha!” moment that every crossword solver lives for.
So, how do these seemingly disparate final words — from 15-, 22-, 49- and 58-Across — come together? What secret phrase or word do their scrambled letters form, guided by that wonderfully enigmatic crossword clue? That, my friends, is the journey we’re embarking on today. Get ready to put your anagramming skills to the test, because this specific crossword clue is about to reveal a clever secret hiding in plain sight.
Available Answers:
SHIFTINGGEARS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Transmission Transition By Robert E.L. Morris