Every morning, the ritual begins. Coffee brewing, the newspaper spread, or perhaps a favorite crossword app open on the tablet. And then, the moment of truth: scanning the clues, looking for an entry point, a foothold into the day’s linguistic labyrinth. Some days, the answers leap out, an effortless flow of letters filling the grid. Other days, we encounter
that
crossword clue—the one that stops us dead in our tracks, makes us reread, scrunch our brows, and then stare blankly at the ceiling for a moment of profound contemplation.
Today, for many of us, that
crossword clue
was “Nondrinking age?“. Immediately, our brains, conditioned by years of societal norms and perhaps a few too many news reports, jump to the legal age for alcohol consumption. We think of 21, or 18, depending on the jurisdiction. Our mental Rolodex of numbers spins, ready to confidently jot down an answer. But then, a flicker of doubt. This is a
crossword clue
, after all, and constructors are notoriously clever wordsmiths, masters of misdirection and linguistic sleight of hand. They thrive on taking common phrases, well-worn idioms, and twisting them just enough to send our minds down a completely different, often delightful, path.
This particular
crossword clue
is a prime example of that art form. It’s not about the legalities of beverages; it’s about a more abstract, perhaps metaphorical, interpretation of the words. The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
like “Nondrinking age?” lies in its ability to force us to shed our conventional understanding and explore the broader spectrum of meaning. What else could “drinking” imply, outside of imbibing liquids? And how might “age” be used in a context that doesn’t refer to chronological years or periods of history?
The best
crossword clues
are not just questions; they are invitations to a deeper dive into the nuances of language. They challenge us to think laterally, to consider synonyms, homophones, or completely different semantic domains. This “Nondrinking age?“
crossword clue
compels us to break down the phrase, to examine each word for its multiple interpretations, and then to reassemble them in a way that creates an entirely new, often surprising, meaning. It’s the kind of brain teaser that reminds us why we love these puzzles so much—the thrill of the chase, the intellectual sparring with the constructor, and the ultimate satisfaction when that “aha!” moment finally strikes, illuminating the ingenious wordplay. It’s a testament to the power of a truly great
crossword clue
to both baffle and enlighten. Finding the solution to such a brilliant
crossword clue
feels like uncovering a hidden gem, and that’s precisely the joy we chase every day.
Available Answers:
DRYJANUARY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Saturday’s Daily By Rafael Musa & Geoffrey Schorkopf / Ed. Patti Varol