Clue used to be spelled “clew”. This was due to clew meaning “a ball of twine” which was symbolic of following the string through a maze and helping find “the way” or “an answer”.

‘Clue’ or ‘Clew’?

A clew was originally a ball of twine, and the idea of following a string through a maze led to the more metaphorical idea of a “clew” being something that helps you find your way or find an answer. It started being spelled “clue” in the 1600s. In modern times, the “clew” spelling has been declining since around 1900s.

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, as you can imagine, and decided I would start reading one of my favorite detective series from the very start: the incomparable Ellery Queen.

Ellery Queen was the author as well as the main character of more than 30 mystery novels. Set in New York City in the late 1920s and 1930s, Ellery helps his police inspector father, Richard Queen, solve difficult and complex murders. I’ve… Continue Reading (5 minute read)