The Rhyme That’s Not Quite Right: Unraveling a Trickster Clue
Crossword puzzles are full of surprises, and sometimes, those surprises come in the form of tricky clues. This week, I stumbled upon a particularly fascinating one that had me scratching my head for a good while. It presented a classic “rhyme, but not a homophone” scenario, making it both playful and challenging.
The clue itself was deceptively simple: “
Rhyme of 19-Across, but not a homophone of 46-Across
.” Ah, the classic “rhyme, but not a homophone” – a beloved staple of the crossword world! The key is to identify two words that rhyme but aren’t pronounced the same way. The twist, of course, lies in the connection to the other two clue numbers.
To tackle this beast, we need to remember the cardinal rule of crossword solving:
everything is connected.
The clue doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s a piece of a larger puzzle, and the answers to 19-Across and 46-Across hold the key to unlocking the mystery of this rhyming enigma.
Let’s dive into the detective work:
Step One: Analyze the Clue Numbers:
19-Across and 46-Across are our critical points. We need to find out what words fit those clues and what their relationship might be.
Step Two: Seek Out the Rhyme:
Once we know what words are hidden behind 19-Across and 46-Across, we need to find a word that rhymes with the former but is not a homophone of the latter.
This is where the fun really begins! You’ll need a keen eye for detail, a good vocabulary, and maybe a thesaurus or two.
The beauty of this type of clue lies in its cleverness. It’s not just about finding the right word; it’s about understanding the intricate relationship between words and their pronunciation. So, grab your pencil, your dictionary, and a healthy dose of patience. This crossword clue is waiting to be unraveled, and I can’t wait to see how you tackle it!
Available Answers:
COW.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 7 Aug 24, Wednesday