If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, you might have encountered the clue “Bit of white in a sea of blue” in the New York Times Mini Crossword on October 19, 2022. This clue, with just five letters, was one of the most challenging ones in the puzzle, as it had many possible answers. What could it be? A cloud? A star? A sail? A swan? A pearl?

The correct answer: CLOUD

According to several sources, the correct answer for the clue “Bit of white in a sea of blue” is CLOUD. A cloud is a visible mass of tiny water droplets or ice crystals that float in the atmosphere above the earth’s surface. Clouds can have different shapes, sizes, and colors, depending on the temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. Clouds can also form different patterns in the sky, such as cumulus, stratus, cirrus, and nimbus.

Why CLOUD is a tricky answer

Some solvers might have guessed CLOUD as the answer, but others might have been confused or doubtful. Why is CLOUD a tricky answer for the clue “Bit of white in a sea of blue”? Here are some possible reasons:

• The clue is ambiguous. A bit of white in a sea of blue could refer to many things, not just a cloud. For example, a star is also a bit of white in a sea of blue, if you think of the night sky as a sea of blue. A sail is also a bit of white in a sea of blue, if you think of the ocean as a sea of blue. A swan is also a bit of white in a sea of blue, if you think of a lake as a sea of blue. A pearl is also a bit of white in a sea of blue, if you think of an oyster as a sea of blue. The clue does not specify what kind of sea of blue it is referring to, so it leaves room for interpretation.
• The clue is misleading. A bit of white in a sea of blue might imply that the white thing is small and the blue thing is large. However, a cloud can be very large and cover a large portion of the sky, which is not a small bit of white. A cloud can also be gray, black, or even pink, depending on the weather and the time of day, which is not a white color. The clue does not mention the size or the color of the white thing, so it might mislead some solvers into thinking of something else.
• The clue is obscure. A bit of white in a sea of blue is not a common phrase or expression that people use in everyday language. It is not a metaphor, a simile, a proverb, or a cliché that people are familiar with. It is not a reference to a famous work of art, literature, music, or film that people can recognize. It is not a trivia question that people can answer with general knowledge. It is a vague and poetic description that requires some imagination and creativity to solve.

How to solve crossword clues like this

Crossword clues like “Bit of white in a sea of blue” are designed to challenge and entertain the solvers. They are not meant to be easy or obvious, but rather to test the solvers’ vocabulary, logic, and lateral thinking skills. Here are some tips on how to solve crossword clues like this:

• Use the crossing words. One of the best ways to narrow down the possible answers for a crossword clue is to use the letters that are already filled in by the crossing words. For example, if you have the letter C as the first letter of the answer, you can eliminate some of the options that do not start with C, such as STAR, SAIL, SWAN, and PEARL. If you have the letter D as the last letter of the answer, you can eliminate some of the options that do not end with D, such as STAR, SAIL, SWAN, and CLOUD. By using the crossing words, you can reduce the number of choices and increase the chances of finding the correct answer.
• Think of synonyms and antonyms. Another way to find the possible answers for a crossword clue is to think of synonyms and antonyms of the words in the clue. For example, if the clue is “Bit of white in a sea of blue”, you can think of synonyms and antonyms of the word BIT, such as PIECE, PART, CHUNK, DROP, SPECK, LOT, or NONE. You can also think of synonyms and antonyms of the word WHITE, such as PALE, LIGHT, BRIGHT, BLANK, PURE, SNOWY, DARK, BLACK, or COLORFUL. You can also think of synonyms and antonyms of the word SEA, such as OCEAN, LAKE, RIVER, POND, POOL, SKY, LAND, or DESERT. By thinking of synonyms and antonyms, you can generate more ideas and possibilities for the answer.
• Use your imagination and creativity. The most fun and rewarding way to solve crossword clues like this is to use your imagination and creativity. For example, if the clue is “Bit of white in a sea of blue”, you can imagine different scenarios and contexts where you might see a bit of white in a sea of blue. You can think of different places, times, seasons, events, objects, animals, plants, or people that might fit the clue. You can also think of different ways to describe or interpret the clue, such as using metaphors, similes, analogies, or wordplay. By using your imagination and creativity, you can enjoy the puzzle and discover the answer.