Okay, here’s the intro to a crossword blog post targeting “crossword clue” and dealing with the clue “Pertaining to the stomach (7)”:
My Gut Feeling on This Week’s Crossword: Digging Deep into ‘Pertaining to the Stomach (7)’
Hello fellow crossword enthusiasts! This week, I’ve been wrestling with a particularly tricky clue, a real head-scratcher that had me reaching for everything from anatomy textbooks to old medical dictionaries. We’re talking about “Pertaining to the stomach (7)“. It’s a classic example of how a seemingly simple phrase can lead you down a rabbit hole of possibilities.
Seven letters. That’s our constraint, our guiding star in this inky abyss. At first glance, you might think of words directly related to food, digestion, or even just feeling… well, you know…
uncomfortable
after a big meal. But crossword constructors are masters of misdirection, and the obvious answer is rarely the
right
answer.
The beauty (and sometimes the frustration) of a good crossword clue lies in its ambiguity. “Pertaining to” opens up a world of possibilities. It’s not necessarily
part
of the stomach, or
within
the stomach, but rather
related
to it. This allows for a broader interpretation, encompassing everything from the scientific to the colloquial.
Consider the medical aspects. The stomach is a complex organ, the site of initial food breakdown and acid production. There are numerous scientific terms, conditions, and processes associated with its function. Are we looking for a term used in gastroenterology? Perhaps something related to gastric secretions?
Or maybe, just maybe, the constructor is playing with a double meaning. “Stomach” can also refer to one’s tolerance or appetite for something, not necessarily just food. Could the answer be related to something one can “stomach” or “not stomach”? This is where the real mental gymnastics begin.
My usual process involves a multi-pronged attack. First, I brainstorm a list of words even tangentially related to the stomach. Then, I consider common prefixes and suffixes that might fit the “pertaining to” requirement. For example, think about words beginning with “gastro-” or ending with “-al.” Next, I cross-reference these possibilities with the crossing entries in the grid. Crucially, the existing letters that intersect with our seven-letter word can either confirm a hunch or completely eliminate it. Sometimes, just one or two strategically placed letters are enough to unlock the whole puzzle.
I also find it helpful to examine the overall theme of the crossword, if one exists. Is there a particular subject matter that seems to be recurring? Is there a pun or play on words that might be relevant? Clues are rarely isolated entities; they often relate to each other in subtle and clever ways.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of synonyms. Think about different ways to express “pertaining to” or “stomach.” What are other words that convey a similar meaning? This can open up new avenues of thought and lead to unexpected solutions.
So, grab your pencils, engage your cerebral cortex, and let’s dive into this intriguing “Pertaining to the stomach (7)” crossword clue. Let me know what avenues
you’re
exploring in the comments below! I’m eager to hear your ideas and maybe, just maybe, collaboratively crack this perplexing puzzle.
Available Answers:
GASTRIC.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Quick Crossword Clues Wednesday, 30 July 2025