What in Tarnation is an Extremely Informal Crossword Clue?

Have you ever attempted to complete a cryptic crossword puzzle, only to come across a clue that seems completely nonsensical? You’re not alone! Crossword puzzles are beloved for their challenging nature, but they can be incredibly frustrating at times – especially when you’re trying to solve a clue that seems to defy all logic.

One particularly perplexing type of crossword clue is the extremely informal clue. If you’re not familiar with this type of clue, it might leave you scratching your head and wondering “what in tarnation” it could possibly mean.

What is an Extremely Informal Crossword Clue?

Extremely informal crossword clues are exactly what they sound like – clues that are written in a very casual or conversational tone. Unlike most crossword clues, which are straightforward and to the point, extremely informal clues are often filled with wordplay, puns or idiomatic expressions.

An extremely informal clue might be something like “Big bird is a dumbo (4)”. To solve this clue, you need to think creatively – and you’ll quickly realize that the answer is “swan”, with “dumbo” being a reference to the classic Disney movie about an elephant with big ears.

Why Are Extremely Informal Crossword Clues So Challenging?

Part of the appeal of crossword puzzles is their ability to challenge us and get us thinking outside the box. However, extremely informal clues take this to a whole new level. They require the solver to not only think creatively, but to also be familiar with certain slang terms, idioms or cultural references.

This means that extremely informal crossword clues can be particularly difficult for non-native speakers of a language, or for people who are not as familiar with the culture in which the puzzle was created.

Examples of Extremely Informal Crossword Clues

Here are a few more examples of extremely informal crossword clues:

• “Krusty’s sidekick loves his two poems (8)” (Answer: Sideshow Bob. “Krusty’s sidekick” refers to the character from The Simpsons, and the two poems are probably Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” and “The Bells”.)
• “Zippy fisherman in Canterbury, perhaps (8)” (Answer: Hippieish. “Zippy” is an anagram indicator for “fisherman”, and “Canterbury” is a reference to the hippie movement in the 1960s.)
• “Say it’s the last cup of coffee (7)” (Answer: Espresso. “Say it’s” could be interpreted as the phrase “express so”, and “the last cup of coffee” is a reference to how espresso is often served at the end of a meal.)

Conclusion

Extremely informal crossword clues are a fun, albeit challenging, aspect of crossword puzzles. They may seem confusing or nonsensical at first, but with some creative thinking and a bit of knowledge about slang and cultural references, they can be solved just like any other clue. So next time you come across an extremely informal clue, don’t be afraid to dive in and see what you can come up with!