The pursuit of a perfectly crafted
crossword clue
is a journey filled with delightful misdirection and sudden clarity. Today, we’re diving into one such gem that’s sure to spark that satisfying “aha!” moment: “OK, ran round taking a waterproof (6)“. This particular
crossword clue
is a fantastic example of how seemingly straightforward words can twist and turn into a clever piece of wordplay, challenging even seasoned solvers to think outside the box.
At first glance, your eyes might dart straight to “waterproof (6)”, immediately identifying the definition and the required length. Six letters. Simple enough, right? But the real magic, and the true challenge of any well-constructed cryptic
crossword clue
, lies in unraveling the preceding wordplay: “OK, ran round taking a”. This sequence of words holds the key, disguised by the very familiarity of its components.
Consider the enigmatic opening “OK”. How many ways can this seemingly innocuous interjection play a role in a
crossword clue
? It could be an exclamation, a synonym for approval, or even just a single letter representing its sound. Its inherent ambiguity is precisely what makes it such a great opener in cryptic puzzles, expertly guiding your thoughts down multiple delightful rabbit holes before revealing its true, often simpler, purpose. This is a classic tactic in cryptic crosswords – to use common phrases in uncommon, unexpected ways, testing your lateral thinking skills.
Then comes “ran round”. This phrase is loaded with potential interpretations within the unique lexicon of
crossword clues
. “Ran” is a verb, the past tense of run, simple enough in isolation. But “round”? In the world of cryptic
crossword clues
, “round” very frequently signals the letter ‘O’ – a circle, a zero, going round and round. Is “ran round” suggesting that ‘ran’ literally goes
around
an ‘O’? Or perhaps that ‘O’ goes
around
‘ran’? Or, given the dynamic and active feel of “ran”, could it be an indicator for an anagram, with “round” contributing an ‘O’ to the mix of letters to be rearranged? The very best
crossword clues
often present these delightful ambiguities that make you ponder every single word and its potential for reinterpretation.
Finally, we have “taking a”. This is often the most direct and less ambiguous part of the wordplay in a cryptic
crossword clue
. “Taking a” almost invariably points to the inclusion or insertion of the letter ‘A’ within the developing solution. It’s a straightforward instruction, a small anchor amidst the more fluid and multiple interpretations of the other components. Yet, even this can sometimes serve as a subtle red herring, a reminder that we should never take any part of a cryptic
crossword clue
entirely for granted, always double-checking against the final definition.
Piecing together these intricate elements – the enigmatic “OK”, the dynamic “ran round”, the inclusive “taking a”, and the solid definition of “waterproof (6)” – requires a mental agility that makes solving this kind of
crossword clue
incredibly rewarding. It’s about letting the letters dance, rearranging them in your mind, and listening to the subtle whispers of the wordplay until that glorious “aha!” moment strikes, and the perfect six-letter word for a waterproof material emerges from the linguistic puzzle.
Available Answers:
ANORAK.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 4 September 2025