Minute Cryptic Solution: Gorilla's Face, Allergy, Bananas

Today's Minute Cryptic puzzle from James & Ollie challenges solvers with the clue: "Gorilla's face broke out from allergy - bananas, in fact." This cryptic gem hides the answer REALLY (meaning "in fact") through clever wordplay. Average par is 2—quick for veterans, but let's break it down step by step for newcomers and pros alike.

Step 1: Spot the Definition

Cryptic clues split into a definition (straight synonym) and wordplay (puzzle to build the answer). Here, "in fact" defines the answer—a synonym for "really" or "actually." Focus on constructing "REALLY" from the rest using the fodder: Gorilla and allergy.

Step 2: Decode the Indicators

Indicators guide the manipulation:

• Bananas: Anagram indicator—rearrange letters to make something "crazy."
• Broke out from: Deletion indicator—remove letters from fodder.
• Face: Selection indicator—pick specific letters, like the front (face) of a word.

These point to combining Gorilla and allergy with rearrangements, deletions, and selections.

Step 3: Build the Wordplay

1. Select the face of "Gorilla": "Face" means the first letter: R from Gorilla.
2. Anagram "allergy" (bananas fodder): Rearrange A-L-L-E-R-G-Y to form ALLERGY → REALLY (drop one L later).
3. Deletion with "broke out from": From the anagram of "allergy" (G-R-E-A-L-L-Y), "broke out from" signals removing letters. But wait—link it back: Take REALLY from "allergy" anagram, then "broke out from" refines by deleting extras.

Precise parse: R (face of Gorilla) + EALLY (anagram "bananas" of ALLERGY minus "G" or refined deletion). Core: Anagram of ALLERGY is REALLY + G, but G "broke out from" Gorilla's face (R stays). Actually, elegant flow: "Gorilla's face" = R, then "broke out from allergy" = delete from anagrammed allergy, but hits REALLY directly as "bananas allergy" minus bits yields it, fronted by R.

Full construction: (Gorilla's) face = R + really (bananas = anagram of allergy with broke out from deleting one L or G implicitly). Wait, spot-on: "ALLERGY" anagrammed "bananas" is "REALLY G," then "broke out from" deletes G (from allergy's extra), leaving REALLY, led by Gorilla's face positioning.

Step 4: Verify the Surface

The misleading surface reads like a gorilla's allergic reaction causing wild behavior (bananas = crazy). Classic cryptic misdirection—ignore the story, chase the wordplay!

Why It Works: Cryptic Essentials

This clue blends:

• Selection: Face = initial letter[1].
• Anagram: Bananas signals scramble (like "mixed" or "wild")[2].
• Deletion: Broke out from = remove letters[1].

REALLY fits perfectly as "in fact." Practice spotting these in daily Minute Cryptic for faster solves.

Mastered it under par? Share your time! Tomorrow's puzzle awaits—happy cryptic solving.