There’s a unique kind of delight, and sometimes a dash of delightful agony, that comes with facing a crossword clue that seems impossibly short, yet utterly profound in its implications. These aren’t the sprawling, descriptive clues that paint a whole picture, but rather the concise, almost minimalist prompts that force you to dig deep into the nuances of language. Today, we’re focusing on a prime example of such a linguistic puzzle: the deceptively simple
“Not still.”
At first glance, it feels like a straightforward negating of a common adjective. What isn’t still? Well, many things, right? And that’s precisely where the brilliance of this particular crossword clue truly shines. It leverages the inherent ambiguity of English, playing on the multiple hats a single word like “still” can wear. For seasoned solvers, this is familiar territory. We know that a compact crossword clue often holds a labyrinth of potential meanings, each a viable path until proven otherwise by intersecting letters or the overall theme of the puzzle.
When you encounter a crossword clue like “Not still,” the initial impulse might be to jump to the most obvious interpretation of “still”—that of being motionless. If something isn’t motionless, then it must be in some form of… well, you start filling in the blanks. But the skilled crossword enthusiast quickly learns to pump the brakes and consider the wider semantic field. What else does “still” imply? It can refer to a lack of sound, a quietude. It can also denote continuity in time, as in “still happening” or “still waiting.” And let’s not forget its use as a conjunction, meaning “nevertheless” or “yet.” Each of these interpretations offers a different avenue for what “not still” could ultimately represent in your grid.
This kind of crossword clue demands a multi-pronged attack. You start by mentally (or literally, if you’re a purist with a pen and paper) listing the various definitions of “still.” Then, for each definition, you consider its negation. If “still” means quiet, what is “not still”? If “still” means motionless, what is “not still”? The intellectual gymnastics involved in this process are part of the enduring appeal of the daily crossword. It’s a mental workout that sharpens your lexical agility and your ability to think laterally, shifting perspectives with each potential meaning.
The beauty of a compact crossword clue like “Not still” is how it forces you to confront the elasticity of our language. It’s a reminder that words are rarely one-dimensional, especially in the hands of a clever puzzle setter. The solution isn’t just about finding an antonym; it’s about identifying which particular sense of “still” is being invoked by the context of the puzzle, and then finding the perfect word that captures its inverse. That moment when the correct interpretation clicks, and the solution to that stubborn crossword clue suddenly appears, is one of the most satisfying rewards in puzzling. It’s that elusive “aha!” moment that keeps us coming back for more, day after day, eager to tackle the next challenging crossword clue. So, the next time you see a two-word gem like “Not still,” take a moment to appreciate the depth it conceals beneath its unassuming surface. It’s more than just a crossword clue; it’s a testament to the power of words.
Available Answers:
INMOTION.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Go With the Flow By Derek Ruttan