So, I got this bug in my head the other day about making an ‘exclusive’ crossword clue. Not just a tough one, you know, but something that felt really specific, almost like a secret handshake. Maybe for a puzzle I was putting together for some friends, wanted to add a personal touch, something tricky.
First thing I did, I grabbed my trusty old notebook and a pen that actually works. Sat down at the kitchen table. Thought I’d start with a word first, then figure out the ‘exclusive’ angle. Picked a simple enough word. Let’s say… ‘SECRET’. Okay, how to make a clue for ‘SECRET’ feel exclusive?
My initial thought was, easy, use an inside joke! Remembered that time Dave wore mismatching socks to that fancy dinner. Could do something like “Dave’s dinner party sock style (6)”. But then I stopped. Who else besides our little group would ever get that? That’s not really exclusive, it’s just… obscure. Pointless for anyone else. Felt kinda dumb, actually. Scrapped that idea quick.
Alright, round two. Maybe ‘exclusive’ means really, really specific definition? Or linking it to something unique? Still thinking ‘SECRET’. How about “What Victoria keeps? (6)” Hah. A bit cheeky. But still, maybe too broad? Or too niche depending if you know the brand. Doesn’t quite hit that ‘exclusive’ vibe I was picturing.
This whole ‘exclusive’ thing started feeling really slippery. It’s tough. You want clever, you want that ‘aha!’ moment, but you don’t want people just giving up. You need a way in, even if it’s narrow. I spent a good while just staring out the window, doodling in the margins. Made another coffee.
Then I thought, maybe the clue itself should hint at exclusion? Less about the answer, more about the feeling. What about a word like ‘ALONE’? Clue: “How you might feel trying to solve this clue? (5)”. Getting warmer, maybe? A bit meta, but it plays with the idea. Or for ‘PRIVATE’? Clue: “Not for public eyes (7)”. That’s okay, standard stuff though.
Trying a Different Angle
I decided to flip it. Instead of a common word with an exclusive clue, what about a word that means exclusive? Like ‘SOLE’ or ‘UNIQUE’ or even ‘EXCLUSIVE’ itself. Okay, let’s try ‘EXCLUSIVE’.
- “Like a club with a strict door policy (9)” – Getting there.
- “Shutting others out (9)” – I kinda liked this one. It’s direct, fits the meaning, but still makes you think. Is it about a door? A group? The word itself?
- “Reserved for the few (9)” – Also decent.
I wrestled with these for a bit. “Shutting others out (9)” felt the strongest. It had a nice, slightly negative edge that matched the word ‘exclusive’. It wasn’t an inside joke, wasn’t impossibly specific, but still felt… pointed. You know?
Didn’t nail down the perfect, mind-blowing exclusive clue I dreamed up initially. Turns out, it’s a real balancing act. Making something feel special without just being impossible or relying on things only you know. But working through it, trying out different paths, scrapping bad ideas – that felt productive. Learned that the ‘exclusivity’ is often more in the cleverness and the misdirection than in making it actually unknowable.
Ended up jotting down “Shutting others out (9)” for ‘EXCLUSIVE’ as my best attempt for the day. Might try it out in that puzzle for my friends. See if they groan. That’s usually a good sign, right?
