Shirt, shoe, or comma (6) - Crossword Clue
Answer: OXFORD
Understanding the Oxford Clue
- Oxford is the answer to "Shirt, shoe, or comma (6)" because this historic English city lends its name to three distinct items: the Oxford shirt, Oxford shoes, and the Oxford comma.
- The crossword clue cleverly combines these three meanings into one cryptic reference, testing your knowledge of fashion, footwear, and punctuation conventions.
What Makes Something an "Oxford"?
- The term Oxford connects these items through their shared association with Oxford University and British heritage.
- Oxford shirts feature a specific basket-weave pattern and button-down collars, while Oxford shoes are characterized by their closed lacing system where the eyelet tabs are stitched under the vamp.
- The Oxford comma, also called the serial comma, appears before the conjunction in a list of three or more items, providing clarity in written communication.
Tips for Solving Similar Clues
- Look for location-based wordplay - Many crossword clues reference cities or universities that have given their names to common items or concepts.
- Consider multiple meanings - When a clue lists several unrelated items, the answer often connects them through shared terminology or origin.
- Think about British culture - Oxford references frequently appear in crosswords, reflecting the university's influence on language, fashion, and academic traditions.
- Count the letters carefully - The "(6)" indicates you need exactly six letters, which eliminates longer alternatives like "Cambridge" or shorter options like "shoe."
- Watch for clothing and punctuation clues - These categories often overlap in cryptic crosswords, especially when referencing traditional British institutions.
Shirt, shoe, or comma (6) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q:Why is it called an Oxford shirt?
The Oxford shirt gets its name from the Oxford cloth fabric, which was one of four basket-weave fabrics developed by Scottish mills and named after British universities (the others being Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale).
Q:What's the difference between Oxford and Derby shoes?
Oxford shoes have closed lacing where the eyelet tabs stitch under the vamp, creating a sleeker appearance, while Derby shoes feature open lacing with eyelet tabs stitched on top of the vamp for a more casual look.
Q:Do I really need to use the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma isn't universally required, but it prevents confusion in sentences like "I love my parents, Lady Gaga and Beyoncé" versus "I love my parents, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé" - the comma clarifies whether you're listing three separate entities or claiming your parents are famous singers.
Q:Is Oxford a common crossword answer?
Yes, Oxford appears frequently in crossword puzzles due to its multiple meanings and its six-letter length, which fits perfectly in many grid patterns and allows for clever, multi-layered clues.
Q:Can Oxford refer to anything else?
Beyond shirts, shoes, and commas, Oxford can reference the city itself, Oxford University, the Oxford English Dictionary, or Oxford bags (wide-legged trousers popular in the 1920s), though these meanings appear less commonly in crossword contexts.
