This Puzzle’s Subject: A Cryptic Challenge
Crossword puzzles are a fantastic way to flex your mental muscles, but sometimes those clues can feel like a cryptic language all their own. Today, we’re tackling a particularly tricky clue that’s been stumping solvers for weeks.
This clue isn’t about a specific person, place, or thing, but rather a concept. It requires a bit of lateral thinking, a dash of wordplay, and a healthy dose of perseverance.
Let’s break down the clue and see if we can crack it together.
The Clue:
“What do you call a king who’s lost his crown?”
This clue is a classic example of a cryptic clue, meaning it uses wordplay and hidden meanings to obscure the answer.
Let’s Deconstruct:
The first step is to identify the wordplay.
“King” is a straightforward clue, referring to a monarch.
“Lost his crown” is the tricky part. It’s not a literal loss of a physical crown, but rather a metaphorical one.
Now, consider the context: What could losing a crown metaphorically represent?
Power:
A king loses his power when he’s dethroned.
Status:
A king loses his status when he’s no longer recognized as a ruler.
Respect:
A king loses respect when his authority is questioned.
Putting it Together:
Now that we’ve identified potential meanings, we can start brainstorming answers that fit the theme of a king losing something metaphorical.
Think about synonyms for these concepts:
Power:
Might, dominion, strength
Status:
Rank, authority, position
Respect:
Honour, esteem, reverence
Are there any words that relate to these concepts that could also be associated with a king?
This clue is a great example of how cryptic crosswords can test your vocabulary, your ability to think creatively, and your knowledge of various concepts.
Are you ready to crack this clue? Let’s see what you come up with! Feel free to share your thoughts and deductions in the comments below. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
OLYMPIC FLAG.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: NY Times Crossword 28 Jul 24, Sunday