“That’s My Aim” Crossword Clue: The Riddle That Has Baffled Experts For Years
Few phrases in the English language are as deceptively simple yet philosophically weighty as “That’s my aim.” On the surface, it is a statement of intention, a declaration of purpose, or the satisfying conclusion of a target successfully struck. However, within the meticulous and often maddening world of crossword puzzles, this seemingly innocuous sentence has evolved into one of the most notorious and enduring challenges for constructors and solvers alike. For years, cryptic crossword experts have grappled with the precise way to clue “That’s my aim,” transforming it from a casual remark into a legendary riddle that exposes the intricate, sometimes infuriating, always logical architecture of the cryptic crossword.
The crossword community’s fascination with this specific phrase is not merely anecdotal; it is a cornerstone of cryptic crossword lore, illustrating the delicate balance between a phrase’s natural language and the rigid, rule-based system required to encode it into a grid. To understand why “That’s my aim” has baffled experts for years, one must first understand the fundamental principles of the cryptic crossword, a form of wordplay that demands both a literal and a lateral interpretation.
Unlike a standard definition crossword, where a clue simply describes a word, a cryptic clue is a miniature puzzle in itself. It is typically composed of two parts: a definition and a wordplay. The definition is a straight synonym for the answer, usually at the beginning or end of the clue. The wordplay, which constitutes the bulk of the clue, is a set of instructions for constructing the answer from individual letters, words, or parts of words. This can involve anagrams, hidden words, reversals, homophones, and a wide array of other devices, all of which rely on a strict and often obscure set of conventions. The skill lies in presenting these elements in a way that is both fair and entertaining, offering solvers a “Eureka!” moment upon deciphering the mechanics. “That’s my aim” presents a unique challenge because its natural language is so perfectly suited to one of these functions—the definition—while simultaneously obscuring the wordplay needed to complete the clue.
The most common and elegant solution to this riddle is the word **POINT**. In the context of a crossword, “point” serves a dual purpose that perfectly encapsulates the clue’s genius. Firstly, “point” is the literal definition of an aim or target. When an archer hits the center of the board or a marksman aligns their rifle, they have achieved their “point.” Secondly, and more cryptically, “point” is a crucial structural element of the crossword grid itself. In crossword terminology, a “point” can refer to a sharp corner or, more importantly, a white square, particularly one that is isolated or forms a sharp angle in the pattern. This is where the phrase “That’s my aim” achieves its brilliant, meta-layer of meaning. The setter is not just telling you the definition of the answer; they are, quite literally, indicating where the answer should be placed. By writing “That’s my aim,” the setter is effectively pointing to the very square, or “point,” where the word “POINT” will sit. It is a clue that comments on its own construction, turning the act of solving into a moment of self-realization.
This specific formulation has been the subject of intense debate and analysis within the crossword community for decades. The precise wording of the clue can vary—variants include “My mark, maybe,” “Target, I’m told,” and the most famous of all, “That’s my aim, in a way”—but the underlying puzzle remains the same. The phrase is a form of “self-referential” or “meta” clue, a category that delights in turning the clue itself into part of the answer. Solvers and constructors alike appreciate the elegance of a clue that so perfectly marries its surface reading with its internal logic. As renowned crossword historian and editor, Mike Selinker, has often noted in his writings and talks, the best cryptic clues create a sense of inevitability. “The moment you see the answer, you understand why the clue was written exactly that way,” Selinker explains. “With ‘That’s my aim,’ the setter is performing a small, perfect magic trick. They are using the language of the game to play the game itself.”
The enduring appeal of this clue also speaks to the broader culture of the crossword. It is a testament to the intellectual camaraderie and competitive spirit that defines the pastime. For years, novices might have stared blankly at the phrase, unsure of its meaning. Seasoned solvers, however, would recognize it as a hallmark of a skilled setter, a puzzle within the puzzle. It represents a shared language and a collective “in-joke” among enthusiasts. The clue’s longevity is a direct result of its perfect difficulty curve. It is not so obscure as to be unfair, nor is it so simple as to be mundane. It requires a solver to think beyond the dictionary definition and into the very mechanics of the puzzle they are inhabiting. It forces you to consider the grid not just as a place to put words, but as a landscape of clues and answers, a physical space where language and structure intersect.
Furthermore, the clue highlights the critical importance of “surface reading” in cryptic crosswords. The seemingly straightforward, conversational tone of “That’s my aim” is a masterclass in misdirection. It lulls the solver into interpreting it literally, as if it were a standard English sentence. This surface reading is often the biggest hurdle, as it obscures the technical, almost mechanical nature of the wordplay. It reminds solvers that in the world of cryptic clues, nothing is quite as it seems. A phrase can be a definition, a container, an anagram, or, in this case, a piece of commentary. The ability to switch between these modes of thinking is what separates a competent solver from a true expert.
In the decades since its inception, “That’s my aim” has secured its place in crossword history. It has been featured in countless major publications, from The New York Times to The Times of London, and has been the subject of countless solver discussions and blog posts. It has been used to teach new solvers about the concept of a definition double-meaning and to remind veterans of the elegance possible within strict constraints. It is a puzzle that has been solved and re-solved by millions, yet it retains its power to delight and confound. It is a riddle not just for an individual solver on a rainy afternoon, but for the entire cryptic community, a challenge to its collective ingenuity. The question it poses is deceptively simple: can you see the point? For those who can, the answer is not just a word, but a deeper appreciation for the art and craft of the cryptic crossword.
