It arrived on my desk with a wink, this particular
crossword clue
: “The cost of this sort of pig? (6)“. At first glance, it seems disarmingly straightforward, doesn’t it? A common animal, a simple question of price. But as any seasoned solver knows, the most innocent-looking
crossword clue
often conceals layers of ingenious wordplay, a veritable onion of meaning waiting to be peeled back. And believe me, this one is a prime example of the setter’s art, a masterclass in misdirection and linguistic acrobatics that keeps you pondering long after you’ve filled in the grid.
My initial thought, as I imagine yours might be, was to consider the literal. What kind of pig? A porker? A sow? And what’s the ‘cost’ of such a creature? The six-letter constraint immediately starts to narrow things down, but none of the obvious answers seemed to quite fit the bill, or the character count. This is where the magic of a truly clever
crossword clue
begins to unfold. You find yourself pushing past the surface, questioning every word, every nuance. The beauty of a well-crafted
crossword clue
lies in its ability to force this deeper engagement, making you think not just about definitions, but about associations, sounds, and the wonderfully bizarre pathways of the English language.
The phrase “this sort of pig” is the first significant breadcrumb, or perhaps, the first well-placed snare. It signals that we’re not just talking about
any
pig. There’s a specific
kind
of pig being referenced, one that might not be found rooting around in a sty. This subtle qualifier is the setter’s way of nudging us away from the farmyard and into a realm where words take on alternate identities. Could “pig” be used metaphorically? Is it slang for something else? A greedy person, perhaps, or a device that consumes a lot of resources? The possibilities, even with a strict letter count, begin to proliferate, turning a seemingly simple animal into a complex linguistic puzzle. This is the hallmark of a cryptic
crossword clue
– a clue that gives you all the information you need, but in a disguised form.
Then there’s the word “cost.” Is it monetary? Is it a burden? An expense in a broader sense? When you’re faced with a tricky
crossword clue
like this, you have to consider all permutations. The “cost” of something might not just be its price tag; it could refer to what’s required to produce it, or what it consumes. This broad interpretation is key to unlocking many a challenging
crossword clue
, allowing your mind to roam beyond the most literal dictionary definition. It’s a dance between precision and lateral thinking, a mental workout that is both frustrating and incredibly rewarding.
This particular
crossword clue
exemplifies why we love them so much. It’s concise, yet packed with potential meaning. It takes an everyday concept and turns it on its head, inviting us to play along with the setter’s wit. It challenges our assumptions and rewards careful consideration of every single word. As we delve further into how this brilliant six-letter solution is arrived at, you’ll see the stunning layers of wordplay that make this an absolute classic. Deciphering a cryptic
crossword clue
of this caliber is a truly satisfying experience, proving that sometimes, the most mundane words can hide the most extraordinary secrets. So, let’s peel back those layers and discover the genius behind “The cost of this sort of pig? (6).” Get ready to have that ‘aha!’ moment that every solver lives for, that glorious feeling of mastering a challenging
crossword clue
.
Available Answers:
GUINEA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Monday, 24 November 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 19 August 2025