Alright, fellow word nerds, gather ’round! Today, we’re diving into a genuinely fascinating
crossword clue
that’s been flapping around my brain like the very bird it mentions. These are the kind of clues that make you appreciate the genius of setters – seemingly straightforward, yet packed with layers of subtle misdirection. The beauty of a cryptic
crossword clue
lies in its ability to offer two paths: a definition and a piece of wordplay. And sometimes, those paths intertwine in the most delightful, baffling ways.
Let’s zero in on our star of the show: “Robin flying above, initially not natural (6)“.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
might conjure images of birds soaring, perhaps a sense of elevation or artificiality. But as any seasoned solver knows, we need to dissect every single word, every comma, every parenthetical number (which, in this case, tells us the answer is six letters long).
First, let’s look for the definition. In a cryptic
crossword clue
, one part will give you the direct meaning of the answer. Here, the phrase “not natural” immediately jumps out as a strong candidate. It’s clear, concise, and offers a straightforward concept. So, we’re looking for a six-letter word that means something along the lines of artificial, synthetic, or man-made. Keep that in your mental notepad.
Now for the fun part: the wordplay. This is where the magic (and sometimes the madness!) of cryptic crosswords truly unfolds. The remaining portion of our
crossword clue
is “Robin flying above, initially”. And the crucial word here is “initially”.
“Initially” is a classic indicator in cryptic crosswords. It almost invariably tells us to take the
first letters
of subsequent words. Think of it as a signpost pointing to an acronym or an initialism. So, if “initially” applies to “not natural”, that would imply we’re taking the first letters of words that mean “not natural”. But the phrasing “initially not natural” feels like a blended instruction, meaning that the
initial
part of the wordplay is focused on “not natural,” while the rest of the clue gives us context.
However, the placement of the comma is key: “Robin flying above, initially not natural”. This structure often means that “Robin flying above” is the cryptic fodder, and “initially” applies to
that
, potentially combined with “not natural” as the definition.
Let’s consider the phrase “Robin flying above, initially”. If “initially” is guiding us to take first letters, we need to find six words that are hinted at by “Robin flying above”. How does “Robin flying above” translate into a six-word phrase whose first letters form our ‘not natural’ answer? This is where the setter’s cleverness truly shines.
Could “Robin” be the first letter? (R). What about “flying”? (F). And “above”? (A). That only gives us three letters (RFA). We need six! This tells us that “Robin flying above” isn’t a simple collection of three words from which we take initials. Instead, it’s a more elaborate hint, guiding us towards a
set of words
whose first letters collectively spell out a six-letter synonym for “not natural”.
Perhaps “Robin flying above” is the
description
of the words we need to find, words that themselves fit the “not natural” definition. Or, maybe “initially not natural” is pointing to a well-known acronym or initialism that means “not natural,” and “Robin flying above” cryptically hints at the individual words within that initialism.
The challenge here is to expand “Robin flying above” into a sequence of six elements that, when stripped of their first letters, give us our artificial solution. It requires us to think about what a robin flying above might
represent
or
suggest
in a broader sense, beyond just the literal imagery. Is it a type of structure? A system? An acronym from a specific field? The possibilities, while numerous, narrow down considerably when we remember that crucial six-letter constraint and the ultimate definition of “not natural.”
So, take a deep breath, reread the
crossword clue
, and consider the clever interplay between the bird, its aerial movement, and the instruction to look for initial letters that define something quite contrary to nature. It’s a beautifully crafted puzzle, and the satisfaction of cracking it is immense! What do
you
make of this avian enigma?
Available Answers:
INBORN.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 1 November 2025