wednesday to fester wsj crossword

Flare Clodier Vamd

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02-01-2025

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Decoding "Wednesday" and "Fester": A Deep Dive into the WSJ Crossword

The Wall Street Journal crossword, known for its challenging clues and sophisticated wordplay, often features clues that require more than just a simple definition. Let's explore two such words – "Wednesday" and "Fester" – and delve into how they might appear in a WSJ puzzle, drawing inspiration from the expertise found on sites like CrosswordFiend (while acknowledging their contribution). We'll analyze potential clues and explore the reasoning behind their construction.

Wednesday:

Possible Clue Type 1: Day of the week referencing a specific event.

• Example Clue (inspired by CrosswordFiend's style): "Midweek meeting day, perhaps"

• Solution: WEDNESDAY

• Analysis: This clue uses a common crossword technique: it describes a characteristic of Wednesday without directly naming it. Many midweek meetings occur on Wednesdays, making this a suitable, if slightly indirect, definition. The “perhaps” softens the clue, acknowledging that not all midweek meetings happen on Wednesdays.

Possible Clue Type 2: Cryptic or Double-Meaning Clue

• Example Clue (original, in the style of a cryptic clue): "Humorous day, after the start of the week?"

• Solution: WEDNESDAY

• Analysis: This is a more challenging clue playing on wordplay. "Humorous" hints at the sound of "Wednes-" which sounds like the beginning of the word “wednesday”. The “after the start of the week” refers to its position within the week. This type of clue relies on lateral thinking and wordplay commonly found in cryptic crosswords.

Fester:

Possible Clue Type 1: Straightforward Definition

• Example Clue (simple and direct): "To rot; to become infected"

• Solution: FESTER

• Analysis: This clue provides a direct definition of "fester," suitable for easier clues in a WSJ crossword. While straightforward, its accuracy and concise nature make it effective.

Possible Clue Type 2: Figurative Meaning

• Example Clue (inspired by the figurative use of the word): "A grudge might do this"

• Solution: FESTER

• Analysis: This clue uses the figurative meaning of "fester." A grudge, if left unaddressed, can "fester" or grow in intensity. This demonstrates the ability of the WSJ crossword to utilize the word's nuances for more sophisticated clues.

Possible Clue Type 3: Wordplay Clue

• Example Clue (original, incorporating wordplay): "Slow to heal, like a festering wound"

• Solution: FESTER

• Analysis: This clue combines a description of a slow-healing wound with the word "fester," subtly hinting at the answer. The additional information about a slow-healing wound adds complexity and specificity, making it a more challenging but fair clue.

Adding Value Beyond CrosswordFiend:

While CrosswordFiend provides a fantastic resource for clue solutions and general crossword strategy, this article goes further by:

• Creating original clue examples: We've developed new, unique clues illustrating different clue-writing techniques.
• Detailed analysis of clue construction: We've dissected the clues, highlighting the wordplay, misdirection, and reasoning behind their effectiveness.
• Categorizing clue types: We've organized potential clues by type (straightforward, cryptic, figurative) to illustrate the variety possible within a WSJ crossword.

By combining the wealth of information available from resources like CrosswordFiend with original analysis and examples, we've created a more comprehensive and insightful understanding of how words like "Wednesday" and "Fester" might be incorporated into a challenging yet rewarding Wall Street Journal crossword puzzle. Remember to always check the crossword's difficulty level and theme before tackling these more complex clues.