Tackling a Medical Mystery: “Transmit key blame to that female hospital worker (12)“
Every now and then, a crossword clue lands on your desk (or screen!) that just makes you pause. It’s not just about finding a word; it’s about unraveling a miniature linguistic puzzle, a delightful challenge that sharpens the mind. Today, we’re diving into one such gem:
“Transmit key blame to that female hospital worker (12)“
.
Right off the bat, this cryptic crossword clue signals a fantastic mental workout. At 12 letters, we know we’re looking for a substantial word, and the surface reading itself tells a curious, almost narrative tale. But as seasoned crossword enthusiasts know, the surface is often just a cleverly crafted illusion designed to lead you astray, if you let it.
Our first step with any cryptic crossword clue of this nature is always to identify the definition. Here, it’s quite clear: “female hospital worker.” This is our target. We know the solution must fit this description, and it must be exactly twelve letters long. Knowing the length is crucial, as it immediately narrows down the possibilities for our answer, helping us sift through potential synonyms and ensuring our wordplay leads to the correct count.
Now, for the fun part: dissecting the wordplay – “Transmit key blame to that.” This is where the setter’s genius truly shines, and where the most satisfying
aha!
moments in crossword puzzle solving occur. When faced with such a phrase, our minds instinctively cycle through the classic cryptic techniques.
Is it an anagram? Could “Transmit key blame to that” be jumbled up to form our 12-letter medical professional? We look for an anagrind – a word that signals rearrangement, like “mixed,” “broken,” “jumbled,” or even “transmit” itself in some contexts. The sheer length of the fodder here, combined with the precise 12-letter answer length, often points towards a clever and perhaps multi-layered construction. You might find yourself scribbling out letters, trying different combinations, and testing out various anagrind possibilities.
But don’t stop there! Cryptic crossword clues are masters of misdirection. Could this be a charade, where multiple smaller words are joined together? Or perhaps a subtraction clue, where letters are removed? For this particular crossword clue, it’s worth considering if there’s a phonetic element at play. Do any parts of “Transmit key blame to that” sound like something else when spoken aloud? Sometimes, the key to unlocking a tricky crossword clue lies in
listening
to the words, rather than just reading them. The way a phrase
sounds
can sometimes lead to a breakthrough when you’re utterly stumped by the written word.
The beauty of a crossword clue like “Transmit key blame to that female hospital worker (12)” lies in its complexity. It forces you to think outside the box, to consider multiple angles, and to appreciate the intricate craftsmanship behind it. There’s a particular satisfaction that comes from peeling back the layers of such a clue, understanding the setter’s train of thought, and finally seeing how all the pieces – the definition, the wordplay, the letter count – slot perfectly into place. It’s a rewarding mental exercise that reminds us why we love the world of crosswords so much.
What was your approach to this fascinating crossword clue? Did you focus on a specific part of the wordplay first, or did you try to let the definition guide you? Share your thoughts on how you’d tackle such a cryptic challenge (without giving away the solution, of course!). Happy solving!
Available Answers:
RADIOGRAPHER.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: –Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Saturday, 25 October 2025
Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 8 August 2025