comment while washing one's hands crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for the solution to "comment while washing one's hands" from your latest crossword puzzle, you've come to the right place. We provide accurate answers and detailed explanations to help you complete your puzzle and understand the clever wordplay behind the clues.
Solutions for "comment while washing one's hands crossword" by Letter Count
7 Letters
SOAPBOX: This is the most fitting answer. It's a clever double entendre. "Washing one's hands" relates to 'soap', and a 'soapbox' is a metaphorical platform for making a public 'comment' or speech.
More About "comment while washing one's hands crossword"
The clue "comment while washing one's hands" is a brilliant example of a cryptic crossword clue, relying on wordplay and often a pun. The word "SOAPBOX" perfectly fits because it combines two distinct meanings. Literally, a 'soapbox' could be where soap is kept, tying into 'washing one's hands'. Figuratively, to stand on a 'soapbox' means to express one's opinions or make a 'comment' publicly and passionately.
Understanding these types of clues is crucial for becoming a proficient crossword solver. They encourage lateral thinking and a deep appreciation for the English language's nuances. This particular clue is a favorite among solvers for its elegant simplicity and effective misdirection, leading you to think about literal actions while the answer points to a metaphorical platform for speech.
Such clues challenge you to look beyond the obvious. Instead of just thinking about washing hands, you must consider the items associated with it (soap) and then how that word can combine with another to form a common phrase or object that also relates to the 'comment' aspect of the clue.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Deconstruct the Clue: For wordplay clues like this one, try breaking the clue into segments. "Washing one's hands" points to 'soap', and "comment" points to 'box' in the sense of a platform for speech.
- Think Beyond the Literal: Always consider if the clue is hinting at a metaphorical meaning, a pun, an idiom, or a homophone. Crossword setters love to trick you with literal interpretations.
- Consider Word Lengths: Even if you have a strong idea, check if it fits the number of letters provided in the grid. This can confirm or rule out a potential answer quickly.
- Look for Double Meanings: Many clever crossword clues play on words that have multiple meanings, just like "SOAPBOX." Train your mind to spot these potential dual interpretations.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SOAPBOX the answer to 'comment while washing one's hands'?
The clue 'comment while washing one's hands' is a classic example of crossword wordplay, specifically a pun or double meaning. 'Washing one's hands' directly relates to 'soap'. A 'soapbox' is also a metaphorical term for a platform or opportunity to express one's opinions, thus 'comment'. The two meanings of 'soapbox' are cleverly combined in the clue.
How does this clue demonstrate typical crossword wordplay?
This clue showcases common crossword wordplay techniques by using a single word, 'SOAPBOX', that has two distinct meanings, each hinted at by a different part of the clue. The first part, 'washing one's hands', activates the literal sense of 'soap' (as in soap + box), while 'comment' invokes the idiomatic meaning of 'soapbox' as a public platform for speech. This type of clue requires solvers to think beyond literal definitions.
What other types of crossword clues use similar wordplay?
Crosswords frequently employ various forms of wordplay beyond double meanings, such as anagrams (e.g., 'A great mix' for 'TEA'), hidden words (e.g., 'Found in PARI Sforza' for 'ARIS'), cryptic definitions (e.g., 'One might get burned here' for 'SUN'), and homophones (e.g., 'Sound of a deer' for 'HART'). Recognizing these patterns is key to becoming a better solver.