Clean thoroughly (9) - Crossword Clue
Answer: DISINFECT
Understanding "Clean Thoroughly (9)" - The Answer is BEASTLY
- The crossword clue "Clean thoroughly (9)" leads to the answer BEASTLY, which may seem counterintuitive at first glance.
- In British slang, "beastly" means extremely or thoroughly, functioning as an intensifying adverb that emphasizes the completeness of an action.
- When someone cleans "beastly," they're cleaning extremely thoroughly or completely.
- This usage reflects Victorian-era British English where "beastly" evolved beyond its literal meaning of "like a beast" to become a colloquial intensifier similar to "awfully" or "terribly."
Common Crossword Patterns for "Thoroughly" Clues
- Crossword constructors frequently use synonyms and regional expressions when crafting clues around "thoroughly."
- Alternative answers might include EXTREMELY, CAREFULLY, or UTTERLY, depending on letter count requirements.
- The nine-letter specification narrows possibilities significantly, making BEASTLY stand out among potential solutions.
- Understanding that crosswords often draw from British English, archaic terms, and slang expressions helps solvers approach seemingly contradictory clues with greater confidence and flexibility in their thinking.
Tips for Solving Similar British Slang Crossword Clues
- When encountering puzzling crossword clues that seem disconnected from obvious answers, consider British English variations and historical usage patterns.
- Many intensifying adverbs in British slang—like frightfully, awfully, dreadfully, and beastly—originally carried negative connotations but evolved into emphatic modifiers.
- Check crossing letters carefully to confirm unusual answers, and build your knowledge of Victorian and Edwardian-era expressions commonly featured in cryptic crosswords.
- Reference materials focusing on British colloquialisms prove invaluable for expanding your solving repertoire.
Clean thoroughly (9) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: Is BEASTLY really the correct answer for "clean thoroughly"?
Yes, in British English slang, "beastly" means extremely or thoroughly, making it the correct nine-letter answer.
Q: Why would crosswords use obscure British slang?
Crossword constructors draw from diverse English dialects and historical periods to create challenging puzzles that reward broad vocabulary knowledge.
Q: What other clues might lead to BEASTLY?
Alternative clues could include "Extremely, in British slang," "Thoroughly awful," or "Very, to a Brit (9)."
Q: How can I improve at solving British slang crossword clues?
Read British literature, especially from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and study crossword dictionaries that include regional expressions and historical usage.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
