“Skittles slogan, or a hint to 19-, 31- and 41-Across?” – now
that’s
a crossword clue that immediately signals a brilliant piece of puzzle construction! This isn’t just a straightforward fill-in-the-blank; it’s a classic example of a theme revealer, a clever design element found in many challenging crossword puzzles. When you encounter a multi-layered crossword clue like this, you know you’re in for a rewarding puzzle-solving experience that goes beyond simple word recall.
The first part of this intriguing crossword clue, “Skittles slogan,” instantly brings to mind that famously colorful candy and its highly recognizable advertising. Slogans are prime material for crossword setters because they tap into a shared cultural consciousness. We’ve all heard it, seen it in commercials, and it likely evokes a particular sensation. Recalling it for a crossword clue tests our pop culture retention, a common and often enjoyable element in modern crosswords. But if that were the entirety of this particular crossword clue, it would be a much simpler task, a direct test of memory. The “or a hint to” clause is where the true ingenuity of this crossword clue shines.
This second phrase signals that the answer to this central crossword clue isn’t merely the direct slogan itself, but rather a concept, instruction, or wordplay derived from that slogan. This derived answer then acts as a guiding principle, unifying three other seemingly disparate entries within the grid at 19-, 31-, and 41-Across. This is the very essence of a themed crossword, where a central idea, often revealed by such a clue, unlocks the full cleverness of the constructor’s design. For any seasoned solver navigating a daily crossword puzzle or even a more complex cryptic crossword, recognizing a theme revealer is a crucial step in deciphering the entire grid and appreciating the puzzle’s underlying architecture.
So, what should you be looking for when you approach 19-, 31-, and 41-Across? These are the themed entries, the elements that will share a common thread, a specific wordplay mechanism, or a conceptual link that the Skittles slogan-inspired answer clarifies. Perhaps the slogan provides a literal instruction for how to interpret the words in those longer answers. Or maybe it points to a phonetic trick, a pun, or a categorization that applies to all three. The inherent beauty of such a complex crossword clue is in the eventual “aha!” moment, that satisfying click when all the pieces of the puzzle-solving strategy fall into place.
Solving crosswords often involves a delightful dance between deduction and intuition. You might choose to tackle the themed entries first, gathering letters and trying to spot a pattern, then return to this revealer crossword clue hoping it illuminates what you’ve found. Conversely, if the essence of the slogan comes to you immediately, you might use that insight to directly attack 19-, 31-, and 41-Across, seeking words or phrases that embody the slogan’s core instruction or concept. This back-and-forth engagement makes a crossword puzzle truly captivating.
This type of crossword clue doesn’t just ask for an answer; it demands an understanding of the puzzle’s intricate construction. It’s a masterclass in how constructors embed layers of meaning within a grid. The “Skittles slogan” isn’t merely a solution; it’s a key, a meta-clue that unlocks deeper comprehension. Mastering these themed crosswords means mastering the art of connecting abstract ideas, not just letters and words. The journey from initial confusion to the immense satisfaction of seeing how this brilliant crossword clue ties everything together is precisely why we keep coming back to these wonderful challenges. Happy solving for this particular crossword challenge!
Available Answers:
TASTETHERAINBOW.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Colorful Language By Gavin Shirey