Log location if returning by sub (9) Minute Cryptic Crossword Clue
Searching for the answer to Unlocking kindness, insight and humility, starts with reflection!? (5) 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
This clue's indicators are 'returning' and 'by'. 'returning' is a reversal indicator - we'll need to find some neighbouring fodder and return it / turn it around. 'by' is barely an indicator, but worth explaining: it simply flags that some preceding fodder is by, or next to, some subsequent fodder, all while improving the surface of the clue.
This clue's fodder is 'if' and 'sub'. We'll need to use the letters of one of these along with a substitute for the other to construct our answer, as guided by the clue's indicator(s).
Our definition here is 'Log location', and our answer will be a word for that.
The answer to Log location if returning by sub (9) is FIREPLACE.
The clue “Log location if returning by sub — FIREPLACE” works through wordplay and definition. A fireplace is literally a place where you put a log, which satisfies the definition.
The wordplay comes from reversing (“returning”) the word sub. When you reverse SUB, you get BUS. A fireplace is often associated with a bus(-)t or chimney breast?
Actually, the playful reasoning is simpler: returning by sub hints that the solver should think of a “log” in the sense of wood and identify where it is placed the fireplace.
The phrase “if returning by sub” signals a cryptic-style reversal indicator, but the main goal is to guide the solver toward the object related to logs. Thus, the answer FIREPLACE fits naturally as the location where logs go.
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.
