Crossword Clue Conundrums: When Puns Just Don’t Click
Alright, fellow crossword enthusiasts, let’s dive headfirst into a clue that’s been making the rounds and causing a fair bit of head-scratching. Today’s focus is on a seven-letter word, hinted at by the somewhat cryptic phrase: “Only short puns, oddly, bewilder (7)“.
Now, before we get lost in a labyrinth of linguistic legerdemain, let’s break down the components of this clue. Crossword compilers are masters of misdirection, and this clue is a perfect example of their art. We have three distinct segments to analyze:
“Only short puns”
: This suggests we’re dealing with puns that aren’t elaborate or lengthy. Think of the briefest, most concise examples of wordplay. The emphasis is on the brevity of the puns. Could it be a hint towards single-word puns or puns that rely on very direct homophones? The word ‘only’ further restricts the scope, indicating we need to focus on puns in their most distilled form.
“oddly”
: This is where things get interesting. “Oddly” almost always indicates some sort of letter manipulation. It could be hinting at taking letters from odd positions within a word, rearranging letters, or perhaps even substituting letters based on some odd characteristic. It’s a flashing red light signalling a playful twist in the construction of the answer. Maybe we should be focusing on what letters are in the odd positions of the words in the clue?
“bewilder”
: This is our definition portion of the clue, the part that hopefully provides a more direct path to the answer. “Bewilder” is a synonym for confuse, baffle, or perplex. The answer, therefore, should be a seven-letter word that fits this meaning.
So, putting it all together, we’re looking for a seven-letter word that means “bewilder,” but is cleverly disguised through “only short puns, oddly.” The presence of both the pun element and the “oddly” indicator suggests a multi-layered approach. We’re not just looking for a synonym; we’re looking for a word that’s been cleverly constructed using wordplay
and
some kind of letter manipulation technique.
Let’s consider potential avenues of attack. The ‘puns’ element suggests thinking about common short puns or homophones relating to concepts of bewilderment. What words sound like “bewilder”? Are there any common, very short puns associated with confusion? Could the answer itself be the punchline of a short, easily overlooked pun?
Alternatively, focusing on “oddly,” what if we take the letters in odd positions from the phrase “only short puns”? This gives us “ol hr pn,” which doesn’t immediately leap out as helpful, but it’s worth exploring. Could rearranging these letters lead us down the right path? Or, could we be looking at the letters in the odd positions of another word entirely?
Remember, the key to cracking these clues is lateral thinking. Don’t be afraid to try different approaches, combine ideas, and look for connections that might not be immediately obvious. Sometimes, the most baffling clues yield to the simplest of solutions, hidden in plain sight. Happy solving! I will not give the answer because it is supposed to be the intro for the blog post.
Available Answers:
NONPLUS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 23 July 2025