Ever stared at a
crossword clue
that just perfectly encapsulates the delightful agony of a good word puzzle? You know the feeling. That initial blank stare, then a flicker of recognition, followed by the deep dive into semantic gymnastics and lateral thinking. Sometimes, a clue comes along that isn’t just a test of vocabulary, but a playful jab at your intellect, forcing you to re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about language. Today’s feature
crossword clue
is a prime example of such brilliant mischief, a truly festive head-scratcher that perfectly blends the holiday spirit with a touch of melancholy.
The
crossword clue
in question, “Sing festive songs and cry about donkey (7),” immediately grabbed my attention. Seven letters, two distinct parts, and a wonderfully quirky juxtaposition. As seasoned solvers know, the magic of a clever
crossword clue
often lies in its ability to mislead, to present seemingly unrelated ideas that, upon closer inspection, resolve into a single, perfectly fitting word. This one is a masterclass in that art.
Let’s unpack the first half: “Sing festive songs.” This part feels relatively straightforward, doesn’t it? Our minds immediately jump to carols, holiday cheer, and the joyous sounds of the season. We’re thinking about melodic expressions of celebration, perhaps congregational singing or the cheerful tunes that fill the air during special times of the year. This half of the
crossword clue
sets a very specific, almost heartwarming, tone. It conjures images of warmth, community, and the general good feeling associated with festive gatherings. It’s the part that makes you feel cozy and perhaps a little nostalgic, guiding you down a familiar path in your search for the right word.
Then comes the curveball, the part that makes this
crossword clue
truly shine: “and cry about donkey.”
Cry about donkey
. Suddenly, our cozy festive scene takes a sharp turn. Donkeys are not typically known for “crying” in the human sense; they bray. And what does “crying about a donkey” even mean? Is it sorrow over a beloved pet? A literal lament concerning an equine creature? Or is the setter, in their infinite wisdom, playing a clever trick on us? This is where the genius of the
crossword puzzle
setter really comes to the forefront. Is “cry” meant in a very specific, perhaps less common, sense? Could it refer to a sound, or a type of vocalisation that, when combined with the donkey element, points towards something unexpected? The ‘about’ also adds another layer of intrigue – it’s not just a donkey’s cry, but crying
about
one. This ambiguity is precisely what makes a challenging
crossword clue
so satisfying to unravel.
The challenge, then, lies in finding a single seven-letter word that beautifully, and perhaps humorously, marries the concept of joyful, festive singing with the peculiar notion of crying over a donkey. It demands a leap of logic, a creative reinterpretation of common phrases, and an appreciation for the subtle nuances of language. It’s a testament to how brilliant a well-crafted
crossword clue
can be, pushing us to think beyond the obvious and delve into the fascinating world of wordplay. This isn’t just about finding an answer; it’s about appreciating the journey of discovery, the “aha!” moment when disparate ideas click into perfect alignment.
This particular clue is a brilliant example of how daily
crossword puzzles
keep our brains nimble and our spirits high, even when faced with a seemingly contradictory instruction. It’s clues like these that remind us why we love the challenge of solving crosswords, transforming what could be a frustrating obstacle into an exhilarating intellectual exercise. It’s a wonderful bit of wordplay that truly captures the essence of what makes a good
crossword clue
so engaging and memorable.
Available Answers:
WASSAIL.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 21 September 2025