colossus back tooth crossword

Sandra Almird

2 min read

·

02-01-2025

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The crossword clue "Colossus's back tooth" is a clever cryptic clue, and understanding its solution requires a bit of lateral thinking. While a simple Google search might not yield immediate results, understanding the structure of cryptic clues and leveraging resources like CrosswordFiend (where many solvers share their expertise) can help. Let's delve into this particular puzzle.

The Clue: Colossus's Back Tooth

This clue relies on wordplay, a common characteristic of cryptic crosswords. It doesn't refer to a literal back tooth belonging to a giant statue. Instead, it uses "Colossus" as a wordplay indicator.

The Solution: USS

The answer, as confirmed by multiple sources including community contributions on sites like CrosswordFiend, is USS. This is because "USS" is an abbreviation for "United States Ship," found at the back (end) of "Colossus".

Breaking Down the Cryptic Clue:

• "Colossus": This acts as the main word from which the answer is derived.
• "Back": This indicates we need to look at the end or last part of the word "Colossus".
• "Tooth": This is a cryptic crossword misdirection. It doesn't refer to a dental structure but is there to make the clue more challenging and less obvious.

Why this clue is effective:

This clue demonstrates several key elements of good cryptic crossword construction:

• Misdirection: The "tooth" element leads the solver away from the straightforward meaning, adding an extra layer of difficulty.
• Conciseness: The clue packs a lot of meaning into a few words.
• Fairness: While challenging, the clue is solvable with careful consideration of the wordplay.

Expanding on the Clue:

To make the clue even more challenging (and arguably more fun), a setter could modify it subtly. Consider these variations:

• "Giant's rear molar": This retains the "back tooth" element but replaces the direct reference to "Colossus" with "Giant," still hinting at the same answer.
• "Last part of the statue's grinder": This uses synonyms ("last part," "grinder") while keeping the cryptic nature intact.

Other potential solutions (although unlikely):

While USS is the most likely and widely accepted answer, cryptic clues can sometimes have multiple valid solutions, depending on the crossword's difficulty and the setter's intent. It's important to consider the surrounding clues and the overall crossword grid to confirm the best fit. However, in this case, USS fits perfectly within the expected answer length and thematic consistency.

Conclusion:

The clue "Colossus's back tooth" is a prime example of how cryptic crosswords combine wordplay, misdirection, and clever word associations to create a challenging yet satisfying puzzle. By understanding the techniques employed in such clues, solvers can confidently tackle even the most intricate crossword puzzles. Remember to consult resources like CrosswordFiend and engage with other solvers to enhance your cryptic crossword skills!