They Follow The Nus Crossword Clue

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Post on Jan 15, 2025

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They Follow the Nus Crossword Clue: Unlocking the Answer

The crossword clue "They follow the Nus" is a cryptic one, requiring solvers to think laterally and understand the wordplay involved. This article delves deep into the solution, exploring the linguistic puzzle, providing potential answers, and ultimately revealing the most likely solution. We'll also explore similar cryptic clues and techniques to help you master this style of puzzle.

Understanding Cryptic Clues

Cryptic crosswords differ significantly from standard crosswords. Instead of direct definitions, cryptic clues use wordplay, puns, and misdirection to conceal the answer. Understanding the different types of wordplay is crucial to solving them. Common techniques include:

• Anagrams: Letters of a word or phrase are rearranged to form the answer. Indicators like "confused," "mixed," or "jumbled" often signal an anagram.
• Hidden Words: The answer is hidden within the clue itself.
• Double Definitions: The clue provides two definitions, both leading to the same answer.
• Homophones: The clue uses a word that sounds like the answer.
• Charades: The answer is built up from several parts, like a theatrical performance.
• Container Clues: One word is placed inside another.
• Reversals: The answer is a word spelled backward.

Deconstructing "They Follow the Nus"

The clue "They follow the Nus" hinges on understanding the word "Nus." While it might not be immediately obvious, "Nus" is likely a reference to Singaporean universities (National University of Singapore). This is because "NUS" is the common abbreviation for the National University of Singapore, a prominent institution.

Therefore, the clue implies something that follows or comes after students graduating from or associated with the NUS. Several possibilities arise:

Potential Answers and their Justification:

1. ALUMNI: This is arguably the most likely answer. Alumni are graduates or former students of a university. "They follow the Nus" perfectly encapsulates the relationship of alumni to the institution.

2. CAREERS: Graduates often embark on new careers after their studies. This is a plausible answer but less precise than "alumni." The phrasing "follow" isn't as direct a connection.

3. JOBS: Similar to "careers," this is a viable option, but lacks the direct link "follow" implies.

4. GRADUATES: While accurate, it lacks the elegance and wordplay found in other potential answers. A more direct clue might use "NUS graduates" rather than the cryptic phrasing.

5. PROFESSORS: While professors are associated with the NUS, "follow" is a weaker connection here. The clue doesn't imply a sequential or chronological relationship.

Why "Alumni" is the Strongest Answer

The word "follow" in the clue is crucial. It suggests a chronological or consequential relationship. Alumni are those who come after their time at NUS. They are the continuation, the legacy, the "followers" of the institution's history and educational output. The other potential answers don't possess this same direct sequential connotation.

Expanding Cryptic Clue Solving Techniques

To improve your skills in solving cryptic crossword clues, consider these additional strategies:

• Look for indicator words: Words like "before," "after," "within," "sounds like," or "anagram of" are strong signals indicating specific wordplay techniques.
• Identify potential anagrams: If you see a group of letters that seem jumbled, try rearranging them to form a word.
• Consider different meanings: Words often have multiple meanings; look beyond the first definition that comes to mind.
• Work backward from the cross-letters: The letters already filled in from intersecting words can provide valuable clues and constraints.
• Use a cryptic crossword dictionary or solver: These tools can be helpful, especially for particularly challenging clues.
• Practice regularly: The more cryptic crosswords you solve, the better you'll become at identifying patterns and techniques.

Conclusion

The cryptic crossword clue "They follow the Nus" is a clever example of wordplay, relying on the solver's knowledge of abbreviations and institutions. While several answers might seem plausible at first, "Alumni" emerges as the strongest and most elegant solution due to its precise reflection of the relationship described by the clue's phrasing. Mastering the art of cryptic clue solving requires practice, patience, and a keen eye for linguistic nuances – but the satisfaction of unlocking the answer is certainly worth the effort. By understanding the various wordplay techniques and applying them strategically, even the most complex cryptic clues can be conquered.