“Tedious trials.” A phrase that perfectly encapsulates my solving experience with yesterday’s grid. You know those days when every single crossword clue feels like it’s actively trying to outsmart you? When the setter isn’t just challenging you, but perhaps gleefully observing your escalating frustration? Yeah, it was one of
those
days.
I started my morning coffee ritual, eager to dive into what I hoped would be a gentle start to the week’s puzzles. But from the very first glance at the top-left corner, I knew this wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. The setter seemed to have a particular fondness for misdirection, and every seemingly straightforward crossword clue morphed into a linguistic labyrinth upon closer inspection.
There was one particular long answer, stretching across the middle of the grid, that became my personal Everest. I stared at the blank squares, then back at the cryptic crossword clue, then back at the squares, willing the solution to appear. It wasn’t just tough; it was
obdurate
. It was a true test of patience, a challenge that felt less like a puzzle and more like an interrogation. I tried breaking down the clue, looking for hidden words, anagram indicators, double definitions, and every trick in the setter’s book. Each attempt felt like chipping away at a granite wall with a toothpick. My usual reliable strategies for deciphering a complex crossword clue seemed to fail me at every turn.
The beauty of crosswords, of course, lies in this very struggle. It’s the mental gymnastics, the subtle shifts in perspective required to untangle a particularly knotty crossword clue. But even for a seasoned solver, there are limits to how much fun repeated failure can be. I confess, at one point, I considered abandoning the grid entirely. The lure of an easier, less demanding puzzle was strong. “Perhaps tomorrow,” I mused, “I’ll find a crossword clue that doesn’t feel like a personal affront.”
But something kept me going. Maybe it was the stubbornness inherited from years of wrestling with particularly fiendish crossword clues. Or perhaps it was the quiet whisper of satisfaction that only comes from conquering a seemingly unconquerable challenge. I took a break, walked away, made another cup of coffee, and came back to it with fresh eyes. And slowly, painstakingly, the pieces began to click.
It wasn’t a sudden ‘aha!’ moment, more like a gradual unfolding. One crossword clue led to another, which provided a crucial intersecting letter for that stubborn long one. And then, finally, after what felt like an eternity, the answer to that Everest of a crossword clue revealed itself. The sense of triumph was immense, disproportionate even, for simply filling in a few more squares. But that’s the magic of it, isn’t it? The journey, the “tedious trials,” make the eventual success all the sweeter.
This experience reminded me why we keep coming back to these daily mental workouts. It’s not just about getting the right answer; it’s about the process, the learning, the pushing of one’s own cognitive boundaries. Every difficult crossword clue serves as a tiny brain gym, strengthening our vocabulary, our lateral thinking, and our sheer perseverance.
So, if you too found yourself battling a particularly recalcitrant crossword clue recently, know that you’re not alone. Share your own tales of ‘tedious trials’ in the comments below. What was the toughest crossword clue you’ve faced this week?
Available Answers:
SLOGS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0808-25 NY Times Crossword 8 Aug 25, Friday