Saint Petersburg, once

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Saint Petersburg, Once… A Cryptic Crossword Clue

Ah, the joy of a tricky crossword clue. You stare at the grid, the blank squares mocking your intelligence. The letters you’ve managed to fill in offer no obvious connection, and the definition feels like a riddle wrapped in an enigma. But then, a flash of inspiration! The answer leaps out, and you revel in the satisfaction of cracking the code.

This week’s clue has me stumped, but not in a bad way. It’s one of those beauties that makes you think, “That’s clever!” The clue itself is simple:

Saint Petersburg, once

But the simplicity is deceptive. It’s a classic case of a cryptic clue, relying on wordplay and double meanings to hide the answer. Let’s break it down:

“Saint Petersburg”

is a direct reference to the city in Russia.

“once”

is the key. It implies a change over time.

So, what could have changed about Saint Petersburg? Is it a historical reference? A change in name? A shift in political status?

The possibilities are endless, making this clue a real brain teaser. I’ve been pondering it all day, and I’m starting to get a few ideas. Do you have any guesses?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s see if we can crack this one together!

Saint Petersburg, once

Available Answers:

PETROGRAD.

Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 11 Jul 24, Thursday