Gotcha! Unpacking a Deceptive Crossword Clue
Another day, another crossword conquered… or at least,
almost
conquered. Today’s puzzle offered a particularly slippery customer, a clue that left me scratching my head and muttering to myself for a good long while. The culprit? “That was my trick!”
This deceptively simple statement initially suggested something theatrical, a conjurer’s flourish, a magician’s reveal. My mind immediately jumped to misdirection, sleight of hand, and the dramatic unveiling of something unexpected. I considered words related to performance, stagecraft, and illusion. After all, “trick” is a word deeply embedded in the world of entertainment.
I ran through a mental Rolodex of famous magicians and their signature moves. Houdini’s escapes, Penn & Teller’s deconstructions, David Blaine’s endurance feats – none of them seemed to quite fit the bill. The length of the answer suggested something more concise, less elaborate.
Then, I shifted my focus slightly. Perhaps the clue wasn’t referring to a professional performer. Maybe it was a more personal, everyday sort of “trick.” Was it a strategy, a ploy, a clever scheme employed to achieve a specific outcome?
I considered words related to deception and cunning. “Ruse,” “ploy,” “stratagem,” and “gambit” all felt like plausible contenders. I revisited surrounding clues, checking for potential cross-references that could help narrow the possibilities. Sometimes, a neighboring answer can provide a crucial hint, a subtle nudge in the right direction.
However, the intersecting letters weren’t immediately revealing. They offered a few possibilities, but nothing concrete enough to confidently commit to. The uncertainty was maddening. It felt like the clue was intentionally obscuring its true meaning, playing a game of cat and mouse.
I decided to try a different approach. What if the “trick” wasn’t necessarily malicious or deceptive? Could it be a simple method, a shortcut, a clever way to solve a problem? This line of thinking opened up a new avenue of possibilities.
I thought about common sayings and expressions that used the word “trick.” Phrases like “trick of the trade” or “doing the trick” came to mind. These suggested a practical solution, a specific skill or technique. But still, the answer eluded me.
I circled back to the initial question: “That was my trick!” The possessive pronoun “my” seemed significant. It implied a personal connection, a unique approach. Was the clue hinting at a particular individual’s characteristic behavior or style?
The longer I stared at the clue, the more enigmatic it became. The simplicity of the language masked a deeper layer of complexity, a hidden meaning that refused to be readily revealed. It was a masterclass in crossword clue construction, a testament to the puzzle maker’s ability to challenge and intrigue.
This “trick” truly tested my deduction skills. It forced me to consider multiple interpretations, to explore different angles, and to exhaust every possible avenue of inquiry. It’s a reminder that the best crossword clues are not always the most obvious ones. They are the ones that require patience, persistence, and a willingness to think outside the box.
Available Answers:
TADA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Sunday’s Daily By Zachary David Levy / Ed. Patti Varol