Green vines tangled around outcropping (7) Minute Cryptic Crossword Clue
Searching for the answer to “Green vines tangled around outcropping (7) ” in today’s Minute Cryptic Crossword? Look no further! We’ve provided the solution to help you finish the puzzle and make the most of your crossword-solving experience.
Hints
'Tangled', 'around', and 'cropping' are our indicators — one tells us to anagram some letters, one tells us to place letters around the outside of others, and a third tells us to delete something.
Our fodder is 'vines' and 'out'. We'll use these letters as directed by the indicator(s).
The definition is 'Green' — but vines aren't this kind of green.
The answer to "Green vines tangled around outcropping (7)" is ENVIOUS.
The answer to the clue "Green vines tangled around outcropping (7)" is "ENVIOUS. Green vines tangled around outcropping" humorously evokes the image of a member of the Queen’s Guard momentarily abandoning their formal uniform—typically the iconic red tunic and bearskin hat—perhaps due to it being washed ("spin-cycle"), thus requiring alternative attire. In this scenario, the guard might don casual, everyday civilian clothes such as jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers, representing a playful contrast to their renowned ceremonial dress.
The context "ENVIOUS" adds a layer of camp or parody, suggesting the imagined outfit could be flamboyant, exaggerated, or theatrical, as seen in drag performances, thus transforming the guard’s look into something eye-catching and deliberately over-the-top, poking fun at the seriousness of their usual uniform.
Minute Cryptic
A Minute Cryptic is a type of crossword puzzle that focuses on very short, often tricky clues that require quick and sharp thinking. These puzzles typically feature concise clues that challenge solvers to think outside the box and consider alternative meanings, wordplay, or indirect references.
Unlike traditional cryptic clues, which may have more detailed explanations, Minute Cryptics are designed to be solved in a very short amount of time, often making them ideal for quick bursts of mental exercise. They tend to require both a good understanding of wordplay and a high level of familiarity with common crossword conventions, but their brevity makes them a fun and engaging challenge for puzzle enthusiasts.
