Well, let me tell ya, figuring out this “was well established” thing in them crossword puzzles ain’t always easy. It’s like tryin’ to catch a greased pig at the county fair, slippery and tough.
First off, what does it even mean, “well established”? Sounds fancy, like somethin’ them city folk would say. To me, it just means somethin’ that’s been around for a good long while, you know? Like my old cast iron skillet – been cookin’ up good food for years and years. It ain’t goin’ nowhere.
So, when I see that clue in the crossword, I start thinkin’. What words mean somethin’s been around a long time, or is solid and ain’t gonna budge? Could be words like “rooted,” “fixed,” or even “set.” But then again, crossword puzzles like to be tricky, don’t they? They ain’t gonna make it that easy for ya.

I saw some folks talkin’ about lookin’ for hints. Well, that’s just common sense, ain’t it? If you’re stuck on one clue, look at the letters you already got from the other words. Sometimes, them letters give ya a nudge in the right direction. It’s like when you’re lost in the woods – you look for familiar landmarks to find your way back home.
- Sometimes the answer is real short, like “set” or “firm”.
- Other times, it’s a longer word, somethin’ like “entrenched” or “grounded”. Them city slickers sure do like fancy words.
- And then there’s the ones that make you scratch your head, like “ingrained” or “deep-seated.” Makes you wonder who comes up with these things.
I heard tell there’s puzzles with themes, too. Like, if all the clues are about animals, then maybe “well established” means somethin’ like “native” or “indigenous.” See? You gotta use your brain a little, think outside the box, like figurin’ out how to fix a fence with nothin’ but bailing wire and a prayer.
Another thing them crossword puzzle folks like to do is play with words. They use puns and all sorts of sneaky tricks. So, “well established” might not mean somethin’ that’s been around a long time at all. It might mean somethin’ that’s proven, or accepted, or even famous. It’s like tryin’ to guess what the weather’s gonna be – you might think you know, but it can change on ya in a heartbeat.
I reckon the best way to solve these clues is to just try different words. Start with the ones that seem obvious, and then if those don’t fit, try some that are a little more out there. And don’t be afraid to use a pencil, so you can erase if you make a mistake. Lord knows, I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life, but that’s how you learn, ain’t it?
I also heard folks talkin’ about “cross-reference” clues. That just means lookin’ at the words goin’ across and the words goin’ down to see if they share any letters. If one word’s got an “E” in the middle, and the other word’s gotta cross that “E,” well, that narrows down your choices, don’t it? It’s like piecin’ together a quilt – you gotta make sure all the squares fit together just right.
And sometimes, the answer is somethin’ you wouldn’t expect at all. Like, “well established” could be the name of a company, or a place, or even a person. That’s when you gotta really dig deep, rack your brain, and hope you remember somethin’ from history class. It’s like tryin’ to remember where you put your glasses – sometimes they’re right there in front of you, and sometimes they’re nowhere to be found.
So, there ain’t no magic formula for solvin’ this “was well established” clue. You gotta be patient, persistent, and a little bit lucky. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes, another pair of eyes can see what you’re missin’. It’s like tryin’ to lift a heavy log – it’s a lot easier with two people than it is with one.

But most of all, don’t let them crossword puzzles get the best of ya. They’re just words on a page, after all. And if you can’t figure one out, well, there’s always tomorrow. Just like plantin’ a garden, sometimes things grow, and sometimes they don’t. You just gotta keep tryin’.
And that’s about all I got to say about that “was well established” business. Hope it helps ya out some, and good luck with your puzzlin’!