The satisfying thud of a morning paper, the comforting glow of a screen displaying your favourite puzzle – there’s nothing quite like settling down with a fresh crossword. And then, there are those specific
crossword clues
that jump out, demanding your full attention, whispering promises of elegant deception and a triumphant “aha!” moment. Today, we’re diving into one such gem that’s been perplexing solvers and sparking lively debate across forums:
“Protection terribly fat? Yes (6)“
.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
might seem a jumble of unrelated words, a playful taunt from the setter. “Protection” points vaguely towards a definition, but then “terribly fat? Yes” veers off into what feels like a bizarre non-sequitur. This is precisely where the magic of cryptic crosswords truly shines. The apparent randomness is, in fact, a carefully constructed pathway, designed to lead you down the garden path before revealing a perfectly logical, often witty, solution.
Many seasoned solvers will immediately recognise certain tell-tale signs within this
crossword clue
. The word “terribly,” for instance, stands out like a neon sign in a dark alley. In the world of cryptic crosswords, adverbs that suggest chaos, destruction, or rearrangement – words like “terribly,” “madly,” “broken,” “confused,” or “shaken” – are frequently employed as anagram indicators. They signal that the letters in the following word or phrase need to be jumbled up to form a new word. This is a fundamental technique that every aspiring cryptic solver must master. Identifying these indicators is often the first crucial step in unravelling a complex
crossword clue
.
But it’s not just the anagram indicator that makes this particular
crossword clue
so intriguing. Consider the phrase “fat? Yes.” On its own, it’s a simple question and affirmation, almost conversational. Yet, when paired with “terribly” and framed within the context of a cryptic puzzle, it transforms into the raw material for our wordplay. The setter isn’t just asking if something is fat; they’re providing a literal string of letters that, once rearranged, will give us our answer. This clever manipulation of common language is what elevates a good
crossword clue
to a great one. The challenge lies in isolating the exact letters that need to be scrambled, distinguishing them from the rest of the clue that might provide the definition or other structural hints.
The final piece of the puzzle, the “(6)” at the end, is our length indicator. This tells us precisely how many letters the solution will contain, a vital piece of information that helps confirm our deductions once we start piecing together potential answers. It’s a guiding light, ensuring we’re on the right track as we test out various combinations derived from the wordplay.
This specific
crossword clue
perfectly encapsulates the blend of linguistic precision and playful deception that defines the best cryptic puzzles. It demands that you shed your conventional understanding of language and embrace the setter’s unique lexicon. It’s a test of pattern recognition, vocabulary, and a healthy dose of lateral thinking. For anyone looking to sharpen their cryptic solving skills, this clue offers a fantastic workout. It’s a microcosm of everything that makes solving a challenging
crossword clue
such a rewarding experience, transforming confusion into clarity, and a collection of seemingly random words into a single, elegant solution. Getting to the bottom of clues like “Protection terribly fat? Yes (6)” is why we keep coming back for more, week after week.
Available Answers:
SAFETY.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Wednesday, 8 October 2025