Hello, fellow word wranglers and clue conquerors! Today, we’re diving headfirst into a
crossword clue
that, at first glance, might just make you scratch your head and wonder if the setter had a particularly mischievous glint in their eye. These are the kinds of clues we live for, aren’t they? The ones that seem utterly baffling until that glorious “aha!” moment hits.
The
crossword clue
currently gracing our virtual whiteboard is: “Stupid, that is, to hug granny (5)“.
Now, before you reach for your dictionary or despairingly toss your pen aside, let’s take a deep breath and dissect this beauty. The first thing we always note is the number in parentheses – (5). Five letters. A nice, manageable length, but long enough to pack a punch. This numerical hint is your first and most reliable friend when tackling any
crossword clue
.
Our journey to unraveling any complex
crossword clue
begins with identifying the definition and the wordplay. In this instance, “Stupid, that is” immediately jumps out as a strong contender for the definition. The phrase “that is” is a classic setter’s device, often used to clarify or introduce an equivalent. Sometimes it’s a sly nod to its Latin abbreviation, ‘i.e.’, but here it feels more like a direct pointer to the definition. So, we’re looking for a five-letter word that means “stupid.” Simple enough, right? If only. Finding a suitable definition is often just the tip of the iceberg for a challenging
crossword clue
.
The real fun, and the core challenge of this particular
crossword clue
, lies in “to hug granny.” This is where the setter earns their stripes, crafting intricate wordplay that tests our lateral thinking. The word “hug” in crosswords is a huge red flag – in the best possible way. It almost invariably signals a container or inclusion type of clue. Think of one set of letters
hugging
or
embracing
another. It means something goes
inside
something else. This construction is a staple of many an ingenious
crossword clue
.
So, if we’re looking for a five-letter word meaning “stupid,” and the wordplay involves something
hugging
“granny,” we need to think about what “granny” could represent in a crossword context. Is it literal? Unlikely to be the full word “granny” in a five-letter solution. Could it be an abbreviation? Perhaps. Or is it a common synonym for ‘granny’ that then gets “hugged”? Crossword setters love to play with synonyms and less common interpretations of everyday words to create a captivating
crossword clue
.
Let’s consider the mechanics of “to hug granny.” If we interpret “hug” as ‘around,’ then some letters representing “granny” might be placed
inside
another set of letters. Or, conversely, another set of letters might
hug
the letters for “granny.” This kind of construction is fairly common in cryptic crosswords, and mastering it is key to conquering many a tricky
crossword clue
. Don’t be afraid to experiment with how words can enclose each other.
The brilliance of this
crossword clue
is how seamlessly the definition and the wordplay are woven together. We have “stupid” as our target meaning, and “to hug granny” as our method of construction. Your task, should you choose to accept it, is to figure out what letters represent “granny” in this cryptic setting, and what ‘hugs’ them to ultimately spell out a five-letter word for “stupid.”
Don’t rush it. Ponder the possibilities. What common terms or abbreviations relate to “granny”? What other words fit the “stupid” definition? And how can you make the “hugging” action work with these elements? This isn’t just about finding an answer; it’s about appreciating the cleverness behind the construction of a superb
crossword clue
. Unlocking the logic behind such a well-crafted puzzle is half the fun.
Keep those gears turning, fellow solvers. The satisfaction of cracking a
crossword clue
like this one is immense. It’s a testament to your linguistic agility and your growing mastery of cryptic crossword conventions.
Happy solving!
Available Answers:
INANE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 22 November 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Thursday, 9 October 2025