What Is a "Widget" in Crossword Puzzles?

In crossword puzzle slang, a widget is a playful term for a clue—especially one that's particularly obscure, tricky, or difficult to parse. It's not an official term, but it captures the puzzler's experience of wrestling with a clever or deceptive hint. Think of it as an inside joke among solvers: when a clue makes you groan, you've encountered a widget.