A tariff-driven competition stirs up the Vice President
In the intricate world of cryptic crosswords, the word for "tariffs" holds a unique place. The solution to a cryptic clue can often be a word like "tariffs," constructed through wordplay such as anagrams and hidden insertions, designed to lead solvers on a puzzle-solving journey.
One such example is a clue that defines "tariffs" as "Harrassed staff gathering right information for taxes." Here, "Harrassed staff" suggests an anagram of the word STAFF, while "Gathering right information" likely corresponds to inserting R (for "right") and INFO (information) or similar wordplay. The definition part of the clue is "taxes," which aligns with the meaning of "tariffs" — taxes or duties imposed on imports or exports.
Outside the realm of cryptic crosswords, tariffs are taxes on goods crossing borders. These taxes can be complex due to regulatory regimes and can create economic rents or distortions, as evidenced in discussions on tariffs as trade barriers with assigned rates based on product origin and other criteria.
Meanwhile, in the world of cryptic crosswords, solvers are also challenged to find synonyms for common words and phrases. For instance, the cryptic puzzle "Ethnic origins of Joey Eliot?" requires finding a synonym for ethnic, and suggests Joes and a poetic Eliot.
Other clues in the crossword may lead solvers to uncover historical facts, such as the ancient region of northeastern Africa containing the kingdom of Kush, or modern-day trivia, like the Palio horse race held annually in a specific Italian city.
For those eager to test their cryptic crossword-solving skills, the Financial Times offers a variety of puzzles, including the Cryptic, Polymath, and FT Weekend crosswords. You can access these puzzles by visiting https://www.our website/puzzles-games or downloading the iOS and Android apps.
In addition to the challenges found in cryptic crosswords, solvers might also encounter words like "mitigate," which in the context of a scandal involving MIT, means to mollify. And, of course, there are the occasional linguistic curiosities, such as the British English spelling of grey, which is grey, and its American counterpart, gray.
Whether you're a seasoned crossword solver or a newcomer to the world of cryptic crosswords, these puzzles offer a fun and engaging way to exercise your mind and expand your vocabulary. So why not give it a try and see what hidden gems you can uncover?
Books filled with entertaining cryptic puzzles provide a means to exercise one's mind and enrich one's vocabulary. These collections often include clues for words like "entertainment," which might be defined as the satisfaction one receives from amusing or diverting activities. Such books can offer a delightful escape from the challenges of deciphering cryptic clues, while still providing intellectual stimulation.
