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Original poster

Cryptic Crossword Clues

142 replies

IrvinaYalom · 08/09/2018 11:32

Right, I am aware that this might be a bit niche and that I may be totally alone in thinking that this would be a good thing to exist but I am going to go ahead and ask anyway and hope that I am not as alone as I think I might be!

I have recently discovered the joys (oh yes- the joys are multiple!) of doing cryptic crosswords. Being new I am obviously no expert and during these early days of crossword exploration and discovery I have repeatedly bemoaned the lack of "clue explanations". Now it may well just be me who experiences this but I quite regularly find that even upon discovering the answer to a more challenging clue I don't quite understand exactly how or why the clue in question lead to that particular answer. So this leads me to ask...

Would anyone else out there be interested in an ongoing thread upon which we could post about cryptic crossword clues and help each other see what's what?

anticipates tumbleweed

OP posts:
Original poster
IrvinaYalom · 09/09/2018 21:57

What Eanair says is very true. I found that when I was just starting out a few months ago the best way to give myself a proper shot of completing a whole puzzle was was to go to the Guardian's online archive and search for old Rufus puzzles. He doesn't set anymore (I don't think) but I was tipped off that his were renowned for being super simple and they really are great "entry level" material.

OP posts:
FantailsFly · 09/09/2018 22:06

The Observer has a good mid-level one. I often find you can look again tomorrow with fresh eyes and get a few more clues. Love a cryptic!

eddiemairswife · 09/09/2018 23:07

..I often find that if you leave them for a few hours and then go back some solutions just jump out at you.
I have a go at the Guardian Cryptic every day. Paul is now my favourite compiler.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Games
Original poster
IrvinaYalom · 09/09/2018 23:13

Paul is great (your username made me temporarily envious and lead me to google @eddiemairswife. I do now know with 100% certainty that you are not... )

OP posts:
cariadlet · 10/09/2018 00:03

This is one of my all time favourite clues:

H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O (5 letters)

magimedi · 10/09/2018 08:01

Water.

H2O

TheRattleBag · 10/09/2018 10:35

Thanks for the warning about the Guardian! The one I'm trying first is a Boatman one (about half way through) but the second one I have lined up is Paul...... maybe I'll put that the back of the queue!

Sometimes I can look at a clue for ages and not have a clue... but the instant I read it aloud to someone it suddenly clicks. It's as though saying the words makes me hear it differently.... is this just me?

Original poster
IrvinaYalom · 10/09/2018 11:09

Anyone doing the Guardian's today, we definitely need to start using 5d in everyday chit chat- great word and appropriate to describe so many people discussed on here!

OP posts:
DGRossetti · 10/09/2018 12:02

For some reason, one of my favorites is

"Capital in Czechoslovakia" (4)

Eanair · 10/09/2018 12:46

I didn't like 24A, but loved 16d, even though it took me a long time to get it.

gussiefox · 10/09/2018 12:54

My favourite is: Gegs (9,4)

Pamdoo · 10/09/2018 13:00

Ooh following as I love a cryptic! I'm not great at them but I think that's part of the fun!

CrunchieFriday · 10/09/2018 13:04

What was the 16d clue @Eanair? I only get a newspaper on Sundays, but DH gets always gets me a Cryptic crossword book for Christmas, so I can get my fix midweek, too!

PickleNeedsAFriendInReading · 10/09/2018 13:10

I usually do the one in the 'i', because it's the cheapest newspaper to buy!

It varies from day to day, too. If you want to start off, I think the easier ones are set by 'Phi' or "Quixote'. (Often Mondays)

Eanair · 10/09/2018 13:17

@CrunchieFriday - "Strong, virile types submitted to
surgeon (8)"

CrunchieFriday · 10/09/2018 13:17

I started out nearly 40 years ago with Roger Squires who compiled for the Yorkshire Post ( who was also Rufus in the Guardian) and Ann Remington-long. I was 10 and used to sit with my Granny after school to do the crossword!

GeorgeTheHippo · 10/09/2018 13:18

I like the big Dave website if you do the telegraph cryptic

CrunchieFriday · 10/09/2018 13:18

ooh thanks @ Eanair Grin

CrunchieFriday · 10/09/2018 13:21

haha! he-men in vet?

Eanair · 10/09/2018 13:25

Yep! Just found it entertaining for some reason.

Original poster
IrvinaYalom · 10/09/2018 13:28

@gussiefox Scrambled eggs! Excellent.

OP posts:
gussiefox · 10/09/2018 14:16

I do the Guardian crossword on-line. It's free and you can check whether your answers are correct, and even reveal them if you are stumped (except on Saturdays). They have an archive going back years so it's a great way to practise. On a Monday they have a "Quiptic" grid. Great for beginners.

gussiefox · 10/09/2018 14:17

Ooooh - my first ever @-ing on MN Grin

DadDadDad · 10/09/2018 14:26

@DGRosetti - Oslo. I like it.

TheRattleBag · 10/09/2018 15:49

Spotted this on the bbc website today:

www.bbc.com/ideas/videos/perplexed-by-cryptic-crosswords-this-is-for-you/p06kjyb9