There are moments in every crossword solver’s journey that feel like pure magic. You’ve been staring at a grid, a particular
crossword clue
mocking you with its inscrutability. The pen hovers, the brain whirs, and then,
click
. A sudden insight, a connection made, a piece of the puzzle slotting perfectly into place. And in that glorious moment of clarity, a silent, or perhaps not-so-silent, thought echoes through your mind: “That’s useful information.”
It’s a phrase that perfectly encapsulates the thrill of a breakthrough. Whether it’s a tricky cryptic
crossword clue
finally yielding its secret, a clever pun revealing itself in a standard grid, or simply a well-placed common synonym that unlocks a whole section of the
crossword puzzle
, that feeling of acquiring truly
useful information
is what keeps us coming back day after day. It’s the engine of all satisfying
puzzle solving
.
Think about it. We start with a blank canvas of squares and a list of enigmatic phrases. Each
crossword clue
is a mini-mystery, a linguistic riddle waiting to be cracked. Sometimes, the path to the solution is straightforward. Other times, we hit a wall. We might have several possibilities for a single answer, or perhaps we’re just drawing a complete blank. That’s when the hunt for
useful information
truly begins. It could be gleaned from crossing letters, from recognizing a specific type of wordplay, or even from recalling a bit of obscure trivia that suddenly becomes incredibly relevant to the current
crossword clue
.
The beauty of
solving crosswords
lies in this accumulation of insight. One small piece of “useful information” can cascade, illuminating adjacent clues, confirming earlier hunches, and transforming a frustrating deadlock into a flowing river of correct answers. It’s the moment when the fog lifts, and the intricate design of the puzzle creator starts to make beautiful sense. For anyone who enjoys the intellectual gymnastics of a challenging
daily crossword
, this phrase isn’t just an observation; it’s a testament to the process itself.
What makes information
useful
in the context of a
crossword clue
? It’s not just about knowing the answer directly. Often, it’s about understanding the
type
of answer required, recognizing a common abbreviation, or spotting a hidden indicator in a cryptic construction. A single letter, a dash, a subtle hint in the phrasing of the
crossword clue
itself – these are all potential sources of “useful information” that savvy solvers learn to identify and exploit. They are the keys that unlock the trickiest of word puzzles.
We’ve all experienced that profound relief when a previously opaque
crossword clue
suddenly becomes transparent because of a newly acquired piece of context. It’s a testament to the power of connection and deduction that makes
solving crosswords
such a captivating pastime. That perfectly apt, sometimes even surprising, detail makes all the difference, guiding us through the labyrinthine logic of a well-crafted
crossword clue
.
So, whether you’re tackling a quick morning grid or diving deep into a complex
cryptic crossword clue
, remember the immense value of every morsel of insight you gain. Because often, it’s that single, perfectly timed realization – “That’s useful information” – that transforms a potential giving-up moment into an exhilarating “aha!” experience, leading you straight to the satisfying conclusion of another solved puzzle.![]()
Available Answers:
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Last seen on the crossword puzzle: 0914-25 NY Times Crossword 14 Sep 25, Sunday
