Types of clues (Not a puzzle) -
Apr 4, 2021 8:44:58 GMT
bridgeplayer, CuriousJM, and 2 more like this
Post by johnluke on Apr 4, 2021 8:44:58 GMT
There are, I've noticed, several types of clues. Here is a short list of what I think are the most common, but I'm sure more types of clues can be found. Feel free to add categories or sub-categories you've spotted. 
1) The first one is a type of clue I have now decided to call the "TIKT" Clue". Meaning the "Thanks I Knew That" Clue. It is a clue that tells me what I already know and have known since I first saw the puzzle. Something that didn't help me solve it then, and still doesn't. I have already "TIKT" that box.
2) There's the Wannabe Clue. It is a variant of the first one, the TIKT Clue. It says or shows just a bit more than the OP, but so little more that it might as well be nothing more. Wanna be a clue, but doesn't quite make it.
3) There's the Puzzle Clue. I also call it the W-T-F Clue. It is a clue that is more of a second puzzle than a real clue. It is often a clue that I can understand only after I read the solution of the puzzle. Which doesn't always mean I will understand it.
It is this type of puzzle that once made me write: "I need a clue to the clue." I used this infamous sentence as a signature for a long time. Krenek never misses a chance to remind me of it. 
4) There's the Answer Clue. The opposite of the Puzzle Clue, you might say. It is a clue that really is the answer but doesn't want to admit it. It is so easy that you feel dumb actually using it. It's as if the poster, before giving the real answer, wanted some last extra player to make a complete fool of himself.
5) And then there's the perfect, helpful, useful, beautiful, refined, informative yet elegant, challenging yet engaging, expertly designed yet subtly simple clue.
I personally call it: Le Clue.
I was going to call it Le Clue Royal, but I thought it would be a bit too much.
JL (aka Inspecteur Clues-Oh
)
1) The first one is a type of clue I have now decided to call the "TIKT" Clue". Meaning the "Thanks I Knew That" Clue. It is a clue that tells me what I already know and have known since I first saw the puzzle. Something that didn't help me solve it then, and still doesn't. I have already "TIKT" that box.
2) There's the Wannabe Clue. It is a variant of the first one, the TIKT Clue. It says or shows just a bit more than the OP, but so little more that it might as well be nothing more. Wanna be a clue, but doesn't quite make it.
3) There's the Puzzle Clue. I also call it the W-T-F Clue. It is a clue that is more of a second puzzle than a real clue. It is often a clue that I can understand only after I read the solution of the puzzle. Which doesn't always mean I will understand it.
It is this type of puzzle that once made me write: "I need a clue to the clue." I used this infamous sentence as a signature for a long time. Krenek never misses a chance to remind me of it. 
4) There's the Answer Clue. The opposite of the Puzzle Clue, you might say. It is a clue that really is the answer but doesn't want to admit it. It is so easy that you feel dumb actually using it. It's as if the poster, before giving the real answer, wanted some last extra player to make a complete fool of himself.
5) And then there's the perfect, helpful, useful, beautiful, refined, informative yet elegant, challenging yet engaging, expertly designed yet subtly simple clue.
I personally call it: Le Clue.
I was going to call it Le Clue Royal, but I thought it would be a bit too much.
JL (aka Inspecteur Clues-Oh
)