This clue kind suggests a ready, ordered standing, just like queuing in a deli or different service-oriented atmosphere. A typical clue could be “Subsequent in line, maybe” with the reply being PATIENT or WAITING. The clue depends on the solver understanding the social conference of taking a quantity and ready one’s flip.
Such clues provide a concise and evocative option to trace on the answer. They faucet into commonplace experiences, making them relatable and accessible to a variety of solvers. Traditionally, numbered queues have been used for hundreds of years, including a contact of timeless familiarity to the sort of crossword puzzle clue. Their effectiveness lies in bridging the summary nature of the answer phrase with a concrete, simply visualized state of affairs. This connection enhances the solver’s engagement and may result in a satisfying “aha!” second upon appropriately figuring out the reply.