What’s the etymology of the word “clue”?
- “Clue” comes from the Old English word “clew,” meaning a ball of thread or yarn.
📜 History: In Greek mythology, Theseus escaped the Minotaur’s labyrinth by following a ball of thread given by Ariadne—his literal “clew”. Over time, “clew” evolved metaphorically into “clue”—meaning a guide or hint out of confusion.
🤔 Trivia: Shakespeare was the first to use “clue” in this figurative way, in The Comedy of Errors (1594).
