Today’s little brain-teaser from the grid had me nodding in appreciation for its elegant simplicity, yet subtle trickiness. The
crossword clue
in question? “Tahoe or Cherokee, in brief.” Oh, the fun! It’s one of those delightful entries that, at first glance, seems utterly straightforward, yet harbours a layer of delightful ambiguity that makes the “aha!” moment all the more satisfying.
When you encounter a
crossword clue
like this, your mind immediately goes into overdrive, sifting through categories. Tahoe. Cherokee. Two distinct words, both with multiple meanings. Tahoe can be a stunning lake, a popular SUV model from Chevrolet, or even a community. Cherokee brings to mind the indigenous people of North America, a specific language, a county, or, yes, another well-known SUV from Jeep. The common thread, the shared category, is what the
crossword clue
is pointing towards.
The key phrase here, and often the most crucial part of any good
crossword clue
, is “in brief.” This little two-word tag is a massive signpost. It tells you that the answer isn’t the full name, or a description, but rather a shortened, abbreviated, or initialised form of something. It’s the crossword setter’s way of winking at you, hinting at a common shorthand or an acronym. Without “in brief,” the
crossword clue
could lead you down a very different path, perhaps towards a shared geographical feature or a type of natural beauty. But with it, the scope narrows considerably.
Think about the vehicle connection first. Both Chevrolet Tahoe and Jeep Cherokee are iconic names in the SUV world. They are often referred to, in casual conversation or even in advertising, by a truncated version of their full names. This is a very common trick in
crossword clue
s – using brand names or models that are frequently abbreviated. It’s a testament to the setter’s understanding of everyday language and how we simplify complex terms for convenience.
But it’s not just about the vehicles. The genius of a
crossword clue
like “Tahoe or Cherokee, in brief” lies in its ability to potentially mislead you if you don’t consider all possibilities. What if it wasn’t about the cars? What other shared “brief” aspect could these two disparate entities possess? Could it be a shared initialism for something broader? Or a category that both fall under when reduced to their essence? This is where the true beauty of deciphering a challenging
crossword clue
lies – in exploring all the avenues before settling on the most elegant fit.
These types of
crossword clue
s also serve as a fantastic reminder of how much general knowledge plays a role in solving. You need to know not just the full names but also the common ways they are referred to in everyday parlance. It’s not just dictionary definitions; it’s cultural awareness. It’s why sometimes a
crossword clue
feels like a test of trivia as much as wordplay.
The elegance of this specific
crossword clue
is that it forces you to reconcile two seemingly different concepts – a lake/vehicle and a people/vehicle – under a single, concise umbrella. It’s about finding the common denominator, then reducing it to its “brief” form. It’s a wonderful example of how setters can craft a
crossword clue
that is both precise and wonderfully ambiguous, leading to that satisfying moment when the penny drops.
So, as you ponder “Tahoe or Cherokee, in brief,” consider the implications of that little phrase, and the most common, succinct way these two are often grouped or referred to. The answer, as always, is waiting to reveal itself once you’ve truly unlocked the setter’s intent.
Available Answers:
SUV.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0806-25 NY Times Crossword 6 Aug 25, Wednesday