Bobtailed horse of ‘Camptown Races’ crossword

Unraveling the Crossword Clue: "Bobtailed Horse of 'Camptown Races'"

Crossword puzzles delight many solvers because they test knowledge and vocabulary. The clue "Bobtailed horse of 'Camptown Races'" appears this day. We now look for the answer plus tell the story behind the musical hint.

The "Camptown Races" Connection

A Lively Folk Song

Stephen Foster published the American folk song "Camptown Races" in 1850. The tune describes a horse race in the fictional town of Camptown. A "bobtailed nag" runs against other horses. The lyrics stick in the ear and the melody stays upbeat. The piece became part of American culture through minstrel shows but also barbershop quartets.

The Bobtailed Horse

The crossword clue refers to the "bobtailed horse" from the song "Camptown Races." A bobtailed horse has a tail that is naturally short or has been cut short. In the past certain horse breeds displayed this trait. The short tail gave the horse in the song a distinctive appearance that listeners and puzzle solvers remember.

Exploring the Possible Answer: "NAG"

Defining the Term "Nag"

The word that fits the clue is "NAG." In the song, a nag is a horse that is small, old or no longer in its prime. The word carries a tone that ranges from affectionate to dismissive - yet it suits the horse in the song.

Verifying the Answer

The answer "NAG" aligns with the "bobtailed nag" in the lyrics. The term matches the horse as the song describes it - a creature with a clipped tail and a worn out appearance.

• The song names the horse a "bobtailed nag." That is a small, worn out horse with its tail cropped short.
<liPeople use "nag" for an ordinary horse, not a champion - yet one that still has a place in the story. <liThe clue leads directly to "Camptown Races," so the five letter answer is NAG. <liNo other word matches the squares as neatly.

Conclusion

The Camptown racer with a docked tail is the humble NAG. The answer locks the square to the square and the solver to the song.