Stocking run (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: LADDER (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Stocking run" with 6 letters is "LADDER".Ladder refers to a tear or break in a stocking or pantyhose, where the fabric runs in a line, creating a visible "ladder" shape. It happens when a small hole expands, causing the fabric to unravel along a path, often making the stocking unwearable.
Why “Ladder” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “stocking run.” The answer, LADDER, fits perfectly:
- Stocking run: Ladder is the term used to describe a tear or run in a pair of stockings or tights where a thread has broken, causing a vertical line to appear — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With six letters, ladder fits the enumeration precisely.
- Precise meaning: The word captures both the appearance and nature of a stocking run — a thin line resembling a step-by-step ladder pattern extending up or down the fabric.
The word ladder originated from a common household item but evolved metaphorically in textile terminology:
Origin and usage: Derived from Old English hlǣder (meaning “steps or rungs”), ladder first referred to climbing equipment. By the 20th century, its figurative meaning had extended to hosiery, describing how broken threads in stockings create parallel lines resembling ladder rungs.
Fashion context:
- In nylon or silk stockings, a ladder begins when one thread snaps, causing the adjacent fabric weave to unravel downward or upward.
- The resemblance to the side rails and rungs of a physical ladder gives the damage its descriptive name.
Examples:
- “She sighed when she noticed a ladder in her tights.”
- “Running late, she had to change because her stockings had a ladder.”
- “A clear nail polish can stop ladders from spreading.”
In quick crosswords like “Stocking run (6),” clues involving clothing or materials often rely on straightforward, dictionary-based definitions:
- Definition: The expression “stocking run” directly defines ladder, reflecting a well-known clothing fault terminology.
- Clue type: Simple definition clue — familiar to anyone aware of textile or fashion terminology.
Solving approach:
- When a clue includes “tights,” “stockings,” or “run,” recall common garment issues or features.
- The 6-letter enumeration suits ladder, making it the natural and only fitting answer.
Crossword pattern: Practical, everyday vocabulary — often referencing household, fashion, or maintenance terms — forms the backbone of most Quick Crossword clues.
