podrida crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're stuck on the "podrida crossword clue", you've come to the right place. We provide all possible answers, organized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to get you unstuck quickly.
Solutions for "podrida crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
OLLA: Often found in "olla podrida", a Spanish stew. "Olla" refers to the pot or the stew itself.
STEW: A direct description of "olla podrida", a type of Spanish stew.
FOUL: Relating to the "rotten" or "decayed" meaning of "podrida", indicating an unpleasant state or smell.
RANK: Describes a strong, unpleasant smell or taste, akin to something rotten or putrid, which aligns with "podrida".
5 Letters
STALE: Implies a lack of freshness or a state of decay, a milder interpretation of "podrida".
6 Letters
ROTTEN: This is a direct translation and primary meaning of "podrida" in Spanish, referring to decomposition.
PUTRID: A strong synonym for 'rotten', indicating a state of decay and often an offensive smell, directly related to the meaning of "podrida".
7 Letters
DECAYED: Another strong synonym for "rotten", describing something that has undergone decomposition, perfectly matching a core meaning of "podrida".
More About "podrida crossword clue"
"Podrida" is a Spanish word with a rich linguistic and cultural context that makes it an interesting and sometimes tricky crossword clue. Primarily, it means "rotten" or "decayed." This direct translation can lead to answers like ROTTEN, DECAYED, or even FOUL. However, its most common appearance in crosswords is often tied to the phrase "olla podrida."
"Olla podrida" translates literally to "rotten pot" but refers to a traditional, hearty Spanish stew made with various meats, chickpeas, and vegetables. The "rotten" aspect likely comes from the slow, long cooking process that "breaks down" the ingredients, or perhaps from an archaic sense of "rich" or "powerful." When "podrida" is clued, especially in longer puzzles, the setter might be hinting at "OLLA" as part of the well-known dish, or focusing on the stew's nature, leading to answers like STEW.
Understanding this duality – both the literal meaning of decay and its role in a famous Spanish dish – is key to mastering clues involving "podrida." Crossword constructors love these kinds of words because they offer multiple paths to a solution, challenging solvers to consider both common knowledge and specific linguistic meanings.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Dual Meanings: For clues like "podrida," always think if the word has a common phrase it's part of (e.g., "olla podrida") as well as its literal translation. Many foreign words in crosswords exploit this.
- Check Surrounding Letters: If you have a few letters filled in from intersecting words, use them to narrow down the possible length of "podrida" answers. This is especially helpful when there are multiple possibilities.
- Think Broadly for Synonyms: If the primary translation doesn't fit, consider synonyms for "rotten" or descriptions of a stew (e.g., FOUL, RANK, DECAYED for 'rotten'; STEW for 'olla podrida').
- Expand Your Culinary Vocabulary: Many crosswords feature foreign food terms. Familiarizing yourself with common ones from Spanish, French, Italian, or Japanese cuisine can give you an edge.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'podrida' mean in the context of crosswords?
In crosswords, 'podrida' most often refers to its Spanish meaning 'rotten' or 'decayed'. However, it's very commonly encountered as part of the phrase 'olla podrida', which is a traditional Spanish stew. This dual meaning allows for various answers depending on the setter's intent.
How is 'olla podrida' relevant to crossword puzzles?
'Olla podrida' is a classic crossword entry, often clued with hints related to 'Spanish stew' or 'old pot'. When 'podrida' appears alone, it often points to 'OLLA' as an answer, leveraging the common knowledge of the full phrase.
Are there other Spanish food terms commonly used in crosswords?
Yes, Spanish food terms frequently appear in crosswords. Beyond 'olla podrida', you might encounter 'PAELLA' (a rice dish), 'TAPAS' (small appetizers), 'GAZPACHO' (cold soup), and 'CHURRO' (fried pastry) as common answers. Familiarity with these can greatly aid in solving.