Introduction
The air crackles with anticipation. Pencil poised, you stare at the blank grid, a challenge staring back. You’ve reached the section riddled with clues that seem to taunt you, filled with cryptic hints, and often, the bane of any crossword enthusiast: the dreaded “Old Sayings” clue. Suddenly, you find yourself face-to-face with a clue that reads, “Look before you….” Your mind races, scrambling for the wisdom, the pithy advice, the age-old proverb that fits the bill. Welcome to the world of “Old Sayings” crossword clues, a realm of cultural history, linguistic precision, and, often, a delightful puzzle to solve.
Understanding and conquering these clues is a crucial skill for any aspiring crossword aficionado. These aren’t just random words; they are portals to wisdom, windows into the past, and reflections of the collective human experience. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, equipping you with the knowledge and tools needed to decode these challenging clues and unlock the secrets of the crossword puzzle. We will explore the nature of old sayings, delve into the strategies needed to crack the codes, and provide a wealth of examples to sharpen your skills.
Understanding “Old Sayings”
“Old Sayings,” also frequently referred to as proverbs, are concise, often memorable statements that express a truth, a principle, or a piece of advice. They’re cultural jewels, distilled wisdom passed down through generations, often originating from folklore, literature, or the common experiences of humankind. These sayings serve many purposes: they offer guidance, warn against potential pitfalls, encourage certain behaviors, or simply provide a succinct way to capture a complex idea.
These phrases aren’t just random collections of words; they share several distinguishing characteristics. First and foremost, they are typically brief and memorable. This brevity is key to their widespread use; a short saying is easier to remember, to quote, and to transmit across time and cultures. Next, they often employ figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and hyperbole, to convey their meaning. Think of “A rolling stone gathers no moss,” which uses a powerful metaphor to illustrate a point about a nomadic lifestyle. Many Old Sayings are rooted in observing the world around us, often using natural phenomena or everyday objects to illustrate their points. Finally, many of these sayings encapsulate a moral lesson or a nugget of wisdom, offering insight into how we should live our lives.
The variety within the realm of Old Sayings is vast, often categorized by theme or topic.
Categories of Old Sayings
Let’s begin with weather-related examples. These often draw from observation of nature. A common clue might be “Red sky at….” with the answer being “night, sailor’s delight; Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.” These are often simple and direct.
Next, sayings about time frequently appear. “Time…,” for example, followed by “flies” or “is money.” These highlight the precious nature of time or the need to use it wisely.
The sphere of work and money is another rich source. We find clues such as, “A penny…,” which requires the answer “saved is a penny earned” or “Early…,” which relates to “the early bird gets the worm.” These sayings encourage diligence, thrift, and planning.
Relationships also lend themselves well to these expressions. Think of clues like, “Birds of a feather…,” or “Two wrongs don’t…,” leading to “flock together” and “make a right.” These explore the dynamics of friendships, love, and conflict.
And, of course, sayings about character abound. A common clue is “Honesty is the best…,” which of course ends with “policy”. “As you sow, so…,” prompts a response about reaping the consequences of our actions. These touch on ethical behavior, virtues, and flaws of personality.
Decoding Clues: Strategies and Techniques
Decoding the crossword clues that point to these “Old Sayings” requires a combination of analytical thinking, wordplay acumen, and a decent familiarity with the sayings themselves. Let’s unpack some of the techniques.
Identifying the clue’s purpose is your first step. Look for telltale keywords that suggest the answer will be a proverb. These often include the words “saying,” “proverb,” “aphorism,” “maxim,” or similar terms. Furthermore, keep your eye out for phrases that hint at advice or a general truth. If a clue starts with “It is better to…,” or “As the saying goes…,” then an “Old Saying” is likely the target.
Understanding the type of clue being used will further narrow down your possibilities. Direct clues state the subject matter and then require you to find the answer. Take, for instance, a clue like “Look before you….” The word “look” directs you to a saying about being careful or thoughtful.
Figurative clues don’t name the saying directly. They describe the concept behind the saying. For example, the clue “What happens when you are too greedy?” may point to the saying “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Definition clues offer a concise definition or a brief summary of the meaning of the saying. For instance, the clue “To start something new at the beginning” might refer to the saying, “A new broom sweeps clean.”
Wordplay can also be involved. This may involve homophones, such as “See” as in “See how the other…,” meaning “See how the other half lives.” This could use a pun, or a play on words. You may also find hidden words within the clue, and some puzzles may feature anagrams of the answer, or the answer with a word missing to add difficulty.
The grid itself provides invaluable assistance. When solving crossword clues, remember the value of using crossed answers. If you have already correctly filled in several letters of a crossing word, the possible answers for your “Old Saying” clue will be greatly narrowed. Also, consider the number of letters. This, of course, is essential. If the grid indicates that your answer has only eight letters, you can eliminate many potential sayings.
Common “Old Sayings” Clues and Examples
Let’s see how all of these techniques work together with some concrete examples.
Take the clue: “Don’t count your … before they hatch.” In this example, we see the keyword “Don’t,” which alerts us to advice about avoiding being too hasty. The answer here is “chickens.” We can deduce this because it fits the number of letters, the subject, and the theme of the clue.
Here are a few more examples, organized by categories, to illustrate how these clues manifest in the crossword world, along with potential clues you might see:
Work Ethic
Clue: “A stitch in….” (Answer: time saves nine)
Clue: “All that…,” (Answer: glitters is not gold)
Time
Clue: “Time …,” (Answer: heals all wounds)
Clue: “Make hay while the…,” (Answer: sun shines)
Actions and Consequences
Clue: “Actions speak louder…,” (Answer: than words)
Clue: “What goes around…,” (Answer: comes around)
Relationships
Clue: “Two wrongs don’t…,” (Answer: make a right)
Clue: “A friend in need…,” (Answer: is a friend indeed)
Wisdom/General Truth
Clue: “Early…,” (Answer: bird gets the worm)
Clue: “Where there’s a…,” (Answer: will, there’s a way)
Resources and Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these phrases is the most important tool in solving “Old Sayings” clues. But how do you grow that knowledge?
There are numerous resources available. Dictionaries of proverbs are a superb place to begin. Several print dictionaries contain extensive listings and explanations of these sayings. The Internet is also a rich resource. Websites like “The Free Dictionary” offer compilations of proverbs and their meanings.
Online crossword puzzle websites are invaluable. Many sites offer extensive crosswords with well-crafted clues. Solving a variety of puzzles exposes you to different types of clues. Practice is key. Solve as many crosswords as you can, paying careful attention to the “Old Saying” clues. Try to understand the reasoning behind each clue.
Tips for Success
One important tip is to pay attention to the context within the clues. The words surrounding the gap often provide the most helpful hints. Start with the simplest clues first. Don’t be afraid to look up the answers; in the process of researching the sayings, you will likely learn many more.
Finally, build your own vocabulary. Start a list of “Old Sayings” that you come across. Keep track of the clues that stumped you. Learn the meaning of each saying, and how it’s used.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering “Old Sayings” crossword clues is a rewarding challenge. It enhances your vocabulary and your understanding of language and culture. By applying the strategies and utilizing the resources outlined in this article, you will not only be able to tackle these clues with confidence but will also gain a greater appreciation for the wisdom they embody. Remember the phrase, “Knowledge is power,” and the power you need to solve crosswords is within reach. So, the next time you encounter “Old Sayings” in a crossword puzzle, embrace the challenge with renewed optimism. Keep practicing, keep learning, and keep enjoying the delightful world of crosswords. You’ll quickly find that you “know which side your bread is buttered on!”
