The daily ritual of diving into a fresh crossword puzzle often presents a delightful challenge. Some days, the answers flow smoothly, a gratifying cascade of words slotting perfectly into place. Other days, however, a single phrase can stop you dead in your tracks, demanding a moment of quiet contemplation, a deep dive into the nuances of language. These are the moments that truly define the joy and frustration of the crossword experience, and today, we’re zeroing in on one such particularly intriguing crossword clue: “One might start with a knock.”
This isn’t just any ordinary crossword clue; it’s a masterclass in elegant misdirection, a testament to the setter’s ability to craft a phrase that is both perfectly literal and yet wonderfully misleading. At first glance, your mind might race through a litany of possibilities. A door, perhaps? That’s the most immediate association with a “knock.” But a door doesn’t
start
with a knock; rather, a
person
might knock on a door. This immediate jump to the obvious is precisely what the setter intends, sending you down a well-worn path that ultimately leads to a dead end in the grid.
The beauty of a well-constructed crossword clue lies in its ability to force you to shed your initial assumptions and consider alternative interpretations of common words. “Knock” itself is a remarkably versatile word in the English language. It can refer to a physical strike, a sound, a criticism (“to knock someone’s efforts”), a type of engine trouble (“engine knock”), or even a state of being (“to knock about”). And then there’s the phrase “one might start.” This isn’t specifying
who
or
what
but rather
what action
or
event
could commence in a particular way. Is it a person? A game? A performance? An item? The ambiguity is palpable and entirely intentional within this specific crossword clue.
Experienced solvers know that the best crossword clues often play on these multiple meanings, or on common idioms, or even on a slight twist of an expected phrase. You find yourself mentally cycling through synonyms, antonyms, related concepts, and even homophones, all in the pursuit of that elusive “aha!” moment. For “One might start with a knock,” the challenge is to peel away the layers of literal interpretation and find the precise context that the setter had in mind. It’s a testament to the richness of our language and the cleverness of those who craft these daily intellectual workouts.
When faced with a crossword clue like this, the temptation is often to give up, to declare it unsolveable. But the true satisfaction comes from persevering, from letting the clue marinate, and perhaps returning to it after tackling other parts of the grid. Sometimes, another answer will provide a crucial crossing letter, suddenly illuminating the path forward. Other times, it’s just a matter of a mental breakthrough, a sudden realization of the less obvious, but perfectly valid, meaning.
This particular crossword clue is a prime example of why we love puzzles so much. It’s concise, yet complex. Simple in its wording, yet profound in its potential for misdirection. It demands not just vocabulary, but a certain lateral thinking, a willingness to consider the unexpected. It’s the kind of crossword clue that makes you smile once you’ve figured it out, appreciating the elegant simplicity of the answer hidden beneath layers of clever wordplay. And that, dear solvers, is the enduring allure of the daily crossword puzzle.
Available Answers:
JOKE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Sunday’s Daily By Christina Iverson / Ed. Patti Varol