Navigating the Murky Waters of “Unclear if old boy’s above cold river (7)“
Hello, fellow crossword enthusiasts! Another week, another enigma presented to us in the form of a deceptively simple clue. This time, we’re tackling the seemingly straightforward yet undeniably tricky “Unclear if old boy’s above cold river (7)“.
Immediately, the structure beckons us to dismantle it into its component parts. We’re dealing with a seven-letter word, so that eliminates a vast swathe of possibilities right off the bat. But that’s about all we know at this stage.
Let’s break down the clue:
“Unclear if”
: This feels like a hint towards some form of ambiguity, uncertainty, or perhaps a state of confusion. It points away from a direct synonym and nudges us towards something more abstract. Could it be a word related to vagueness, obscurity, or a lack of definition? Or even something that sounds ‘Unclear’?
“Old boy’s”
: Ah, the familiar territory of crossword abbreviations and colloquialisms. “Old boy” almost certainly refers to the common crossword staple “OB”. We can safely assume this needs to be incorporated into the answer, either directly or indirectly. How does it relate to the rest of the clue, though? Is it simply a letter insertion, or does it contribute something more conceptually?
“Above”
: This preposition is critical. It suggests a spatial relationship between elements of the word. It implies that something is
over
or
on top of
something else, either literally within the letters of the answer or figuratively within the meaning of the word. “Above” typically means one word is positioned ‘on top’ of another.
“Cold river”
: The most concrete element of the clue. “Cold” immediately paints a picture of frigidity, perhaps even ice. “River” adds another layer of specificity. We’re looking for a river typically associated with cold temperatures. This is our anchor point, and identifying the river is essential. Is there a common crossword river that has cold waters? Or is the cold more figurative?
Possible Avenues of Investigation:
Given these elements, let’s explore potential solving strategies:
1.
The River First:
Identifying the cold river is perhaps the most logical starting point. Research famous, cold rivers and see if any of their shortened or altered names fit into the seven-letter structure when combined with “OB” and the idea of “unclear.”
2.
The “Above” Mechanic:
Focus on how “above” influences the letter placement. Does “OB” sit literally “above” another abbreviation of the ‘cold river’?
3.
The Ambiguity Angle:
Ponder synonyms for “unclear.” Can any of these seven-letter words be logically connected to a river and an “old boy”? Perhaps the solution isn’t a direct synonym but rather a concept related to confusion or uncertainty.
4.
Cryptic Construction:
Consider if this is a cleverly disguised cryptic clue. Perhaps “unclear if” is an anagram indicator, and we need to rearrange the letters of other parts of the clue.
This is one that requires a little bit of lateral thinking and perhaps a quick geography lesson! Good luck, and remember to share your thoughts and breakthroughs in the comments below. Happy solving!
(Don’t forget to let me know if you figured it out! 😉)
Available Answers:
OBSCURE.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Friday, 19 September 2025