Every so often, a crossword clue lands on your grid that just… clicks. Or, perhaps more accurately,
challenges
you to click, to untangle the ingenious knot of words the setter has presented. Today, we’re diving into one of those beautifully crafted brain-teasers that truly epitomizes the joy of a good cryptic. We’re talking about the six-letter gem: “Skater’s crazy to go like the clappers (6).”
At first glance, this particular crossword clue might seem like a straightforward definition, or perhaps a slightly odd descriptive phrase. But as any seasoned solver knows, with cryptic crossword clues, the surface reading is almost always a cunning disguise. The real magic lies beneath, in the interplay between definition and wordplay. And this clue, coming in at a neat six letters, is a masterclass in misdirection and clever construction. When you encounter a challenging crossword clue like this, the first step is always to break it down.
Let’s start with the phrase “to go like the clappers.” This is a fantastic idiom, universally understood to mean moving very, very quickly, with great speed or intensity. It’s a vivid, evocative phrase, and in the world of daily crossword clues, idioms often serve as brilliant, concise definitions. So, we have a strong candidate for the definitional part of our crossword clue: something that means “very fast.” The word we’re looking for must convey this sense of incredible velocity, fitting perfectly into those six blank squares. It’s the kind of direct, yet characterful, definition that sets up a fascinating challenge for the wordplay element. Identifying this core meaning is often the key to unlocking many a tricky crossword puzzle clue.
Now for the intriguing part: “Skater’s crazy.” This is where the true brilliance of the cryptic crossword clue shines. How does “Skater’s crazy” contribute to a word that also means “to go like the clappers”? Is “crazy” an anagram indicator? Is it part of a charade? Does “Skater’s” suggest a type of person who is inherently “crazy” in a particular way, or perhaps performing an action that could be described as such? The apostrophe ‘s’ is also a tiny detail that can hold immense significance in a cryptic crossword clue, potentially indicating possession, a contraction, or even a hidden instruction for manipulation.
This portion of the crossword clue could be playing on a common characteristic associated with skaters (think daring, fearless, perhaps even reckless), or it could be a much more abstract, wordplay-driven element. Perhaps “crazy” itself is a component in an anagram, or “Skater’s” provides letters for a cunning charade or a phonetic hint. The setter wants us to consider multiple interpretations, to chase down every linguistic rabbit hole before we land on the precise path that leads to the singular answer. It’s this beautiful ambiguity that makes solving a crossword clue so incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about knowing words, but about understanding the
language
of crosswords.
The elegance of this particular crossword clue lies in how seamlessly it blends these two distinct elements – the vivid idiom and the seemingly descriptive, yet potentially deeply cryptic, opening phrase – into a cohesive whole. It’s a test of lateral thinking, a push to look beyond the obvious. When you finally connect “Skater’s crazy” with “to go like the clappers” to arrive at that six-letter word, there’s an undeniable rush of satisfaction. It exemplifies why we keep coming back to these grids, eager for the next challenging crossword clue. It’s a journey of deduction, misdirection, and ultimately, linguistic triumph. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this captivating clue.
Available Answers:
STREAK.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 19 August 2025