Minute Cryptic Puzzle Detail

Vanessa has straightened curls and centre parting — for me that’s basicMinute Cryptic Answer

Q: What is the clue for Minute Cryptic #86?

The clue is "Vanessa has straightened curls and centre parting — for me that’s basic".

Q: How do the definition, indicator, and fodder hints help?

Definition: Our definition here is 'that’s basic', and our answer will be a word that means basic.; Indicator: This clue's indicators are 'has straightened curls', 'centre', and 'parting for'. Let's talk about 'has straightened curls' - a new kind of indicator for us (a homoglyph), suggesting we'll be playing with shapes and the look of letters. We'll need to take the curly shape/s in some neighbouring fodder and straighten them into different letter/s. 'parting for' is a swapping indicator: something leaves fodder and its place is taken by something else. And 'centre' is an old familiar selection indicator pointing to the letter at the centre of some fodder.; Fodder: This clue's fodder is 'Vanessa', and 'me'. We'll use the letters of 'Vanessa' (some of them transformed) and a short synonym for 'me' to reach our answer, as guided by the clue's indicators.

The Minute Cryptic #86 answer for Tuesday, May 12, 2026 is VANILLA. Review the clue, answer length, definition, indicator, and fodder hints.

Puzzle #86Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Puzzle Number

#86

Puzzle Date

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Average Par

Vanessa has straightened curls and centre parting — for me that’s basic Minute Cryptic Answer

Clue: Vanessa has straightened curls and centre parting — for me that’s basic

Answer length: 7

Answer: VANILLA

How to solve this Minute Cryptic clue

The clue “Vanessa has straightened curls and centre parting — for me that’s basic” resolves to VANILLA. Minute Cryptic clues usually combine a direct definition with wordplay instructions, so the breakdown below keeps the clue wording visible for searchers and solvers.

Definition

Our definition here is 'that’s basic', and our answer will be a word that means basic.

Indicator

This clue's indicators are 'has straightened curls', 'centre', and 'parting for'. Let's talk about 'has straightened curls' - a new kind of indicator for us (a homoglyph), suggesting we'll be playing with shapes and the look of letters. We'll need to take the curly shape/s in some neighbouring fodder and straighten them into different letter/s. 'parting for' is a swapping indicator: something leaves fodder and its place is taken by something else. And 'centre' is an old familiar selection indicator pointing to the letter at the centre of some fodder.

Fodder

This clue's fodder is 'Vanessa', and 'me'. We'll use the letters of 'Vanessa' (some of them transformed) and a short synonym for 'me' to reach our answer, as guided by the clue's indicators.

Today's Clue

“Vanessa has straightened curls and centre parting — for me that’s basic”

Answer length: 7

Progressive Hints

Reveal one hint at a time to stay spoiler-safe while you work through the clue.

Final Answer

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