Hello, fellow word warriors and cryptic crossword clue enthusiasts! Ever stumble upon a clue that makes you pause, smile, and then immediately dive deep into its clever layers? Today, we’re tackling one of those delightful brain-teasers that really showcases the magic of a well-crafted crossword puzzle. Our challenge for today, a six-letter gem, is: “Write badly, but son has swimming style (6)“.
Now, at first glance, you might think you’re looking at two entirely unrelated concepts – the art (or lack thereof) of putting pen to paper, and an aquatic athletic endeavor. But that, my friends, is the beauty and genius of cryptic crosswords. They take the mundane and twist it into something extraordinary, often leading us down delightful linguistic rabbit holes before hitting us with that ‘aha!’ moment. If you’re new to solving crosswords or just getting into the swing of cryptic clues, this is a fantastic example of the kind of playful misdirection and double-meaning you’ll encounter within any daily crossword.
Let’s dissect the first half of this intriguing crossword clue: “Write badly”. What immediately springs to mind when you think of someone writing badly? We’re talking about words that are hard to read, perhaps illegible, or just generally messy. Think of a rushed note, a hurried signature, or even a child’s early attempts at penmanship. The synonyms are plentiful here, ranging from scribbling to defacing. The key is to capture that essence of poor handwriting, that lack of clarity and precision. For a six-letter answer, this first definition is quite direct, offering a clear path to one aspect of our mystery word. This is often the case in cryptic crosswords; one part of the clue gives you a straightforward definition, while the other offers the cryptic wordplay. This initial definition provides a solid anchor in your crossword strategy.
Then we move to the second, more whimsical part: “but son has swimming style”. This is where the fun really begins with this crossword clue. “Swimming style” immediately conjures images of laps in a pool, Olympic athletes, or even just a leisurely dip. There are distinct ways to propel oneself through water – the butterfly, the breaststroke, the backstroke, and of course, a few others that are universally recognized. But what about “son has”? This little addition is the spice in our cryptic crossword stew. Is “son” merely a red herring, or does it play an integral role in revealing the swimming style in question? Often, in complex cryptic clues, single words like ‘son’ can be indicators for a specific letter, a sound-alike word, or even a component in a larger wordplay construct. The setter might be asking us to think phonetically, or to isolate a particular letter from the word “son” itself, which then combines with a known swimming technique. This is where your understanding of cryptic crossword rules truly comes into play – dissecting each word for its potential secondary meaning or function within the clue’s framework. This kind of clue analysis is key to solving crosswords successfully.
The crucial part of solving crosswords like this is understanding how these two seemingly disparate definitions – “write badly” and “son has swimming style” – converge into a single, elegant six-letter word. It’s a masterclass in how different aspects of language can point to the same concept, or how wordplay can cleverly construct a word that also has a direct definition. The “but” acts as a bridge, connecting these two ideas, implying that both phrases lead to the same solution. This type of crossword clue requires you to hold both interpretations in your mind simultaneously, letting one confirm or illuminate the other. It’s a delightful brain teaser that truly rewards careful thought.
So, take a moment. Ponder the possibilities. What word fits both the description of writing badly and can be cleverly derived from “son has swimming style” to make a six-letter word? It’s a truly satisfying moment when all the pieces click into place while solving crosswords. Share your thoughts on how you approached this fantastic crossword clue in the comments below! Happy solving, and keep those brains buzzing with the joy of the daily crossword!
Available Answers:
SCRAWL.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Sunday, 12 October 2025