Peanuts In My Pocket

I use ChatGPT for a wide range of activities, many of which involve assisted learning, whether I’m picking up a new skill or trying to understand how something works. At $20 a month, it’s a worthwhile investment because I can see tangible improvement. For instance, my crossword-solving skills have steadily improved, partly thanks to the Q&A sessions I have with Wally, my ChatGPT agent.

Sunday’s Mini Crossword stumped me with the clue: “Group of five found in ‘Julia Roberts’ and ‘Austin Powers.’” The answer? AEIOU. I had most of the puzzle solved, but this clue threw me off completely. My wife, a puzzle master, provided the answer with a quick explanation, but I wanted a deeper understanding—so I turned to Wally.

---

🧠 Prompt

I’m learning to solve crosswords and sometimes I stumble over the clues. For example: “Group of five found in ‘Julia Roberts’ and ‘Austin Powers’”, with the answer being AEIOU. I just couldn’t see it until my wife explained it. Can you help me understand how to read clues like this?

---

🤖 Wally’s Answer

Absolutely, Joseph. Crossword clues can be deceptively simple. That one is a great example of how puzzle setters play with language and structure.

Let’s break it down:

1. “Group of five” – This is the definition part of the clue. It refers to something commonly known in a set of five. In this case, it’s the vowels: A, E, I, O, U.
2. “found in ‘Julia Roberts’ and ‘Austin Powers’” – This is the wordplay part. It suggests the answer is hidden within both phrases. If you look closely:
   • Julia Roberts contains A, E, I, O, U.
   • Austin Powers also contains all five vowels.
     Though not in order, each name includes all five vowels. That’s the trick.

This clue uses cryptic-style misdirection, even though it’s from a standard crossword. It invites you to look literally and laterally at the same time.

---

🧩 Wally’s Crossword Solving Tips:

🔍 Watch for literal definitions

• Phrases like “group of five” may seem vague but often point to fixed sets, such as vowels, continents, or senses.

🧩 Look for wordplay indicators

• Words like “found in,” “hidden,” “inside,” or “contains” suggest the answer is embedded in another phrase.

🔄 Split clues into two parts

• Many clues have a definition and a wordplay segment. Identify and separate them to reduce confusion.

🪞 Think laterally

• Crosswords often reward indirect thinking. Try to interpret the clue in more than one way.

---

Armed with this insight, I asked for additional practice examples. Wally delivered them one at a time, allowing me to reason through each one. He corrected my missteps and offered guidance along the way. I’m hopeful this will improve my performance on both the Mini and larger puzzles, and so far, the progress is promising.