There’s a unique satisfaction that washes over us seasoned solvers when we stare down a particularly vivid crossword clue. It’s not just about filling in blanks; it’s about unraveling a miniature linguistic puzzle, a delightful brainteaser often rooted in the rich tapestry of our shared cultural lexicon. And few types of clues offer as much charm and potential for a clever “aha!” moment as those that lean heavily on common idioms and well-worn phrases.
Today, we’re diving into a classic example that often appears in various daily crossword iterations: “Thick as ___ soup.” At first glance, it seems straightforward, yet its simplicity can be deceptive. It’s a crossword clue that immediately conjures images and, for many, a very specific meaning. This isn’t just about culinary density; it’s about a widely understood idiom that paints a picture far beyond the kitchen.
When we encounter a crossword clue like this, our minds immediately jump to several places. Firstly, the literal aspect: what kind of soup is famously, robustly thick? We think of hearty, substantial bowls, often made with ingredients known for their filling texture and ability to create a deep, satisfying viscosity. It’s the kind of soup that sticks to your ribs, a meal in itself, often associated with rustic comfort and wholesome ingredients.
But then, the linguistic twist. “Thick as ___ soup” isn’t merely a descriptor of a dish; it’s a colourful turn of phrase, a metaphor that has long been a part of English vernacular. The “thickness” here extends beyond the physical properties of a broth or puree. It alludes to a certain quality, often concerning perceptiveness or understanding. The idiom implies a lack of quickness, a certain slowness in grasping concepts, or perhaps a stubborn resistance to new ideas. It’s a vivid, almost tactile way of describing someone’s intellectual pace, suggesting a mind that processes information with the ponderous slowness of a deeply viscous liquid.
The beauty of this particular crossword clue lies in its dual nature. It taps into our knowledge of food and our understanding of idiomatic expressions. To crack this kind of crossword clue, you need to engage both your culinary vocabulary and your grasp of colloquial English. Is it a vegetable? A legume? Something else entirely? The common ingredient that completes this phrase is instantly recognizable, a humble yet mighty staple that lends itself perfectly to both literal heartiness and figurative density.
Such a challenging crossword clue reminds us why we love these puzzles. They’re not just tests of memory but exercises in cultural literacy and flexible thinking. They invite us to explore the nuances of language, to appreciate how words can build bridges between the tangible world of food and the abstract realm of human intellect. The sheer delight of pinpointing that single, perfect word to complete the idiom, to fill in that blank with an answer that feels utterly inevitable once you see it, is what keeps us coming back, day after day, for another dose of wordplay. It’s a testament to the richness of our language and the enduring appeal of a well-crafted crossword clue.
Available Answers:
PEA.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Universal Crossword – Go With the Flow By Derek Ruttan