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Original poster

Does anyone here understand cryptic crosswords

77 replies

tAAC · 18/11/2018 20:05

I've tried so many times to 'get' it, but its like reading another language.

Is there some key you need to know first? How do you do it?! Or is it just a talent?

OP posts:
Inertia · 19/11/2018 13:45

The key thing to remember is that generally, one part of the clue tells you what you’re looking for overall, while the other part tells you to to build/ find the solution.

The easiest way to learn is to sit with someone who already knows how to solve them , and get them to teach you.

The easiest cryptics for beginners are the Guardian quiptics, which are online only. They archive them, so you can try a few. The fifteen squared website is brilliant for explaining the solutions.

Lobsterquadrille2 · 19/11/2018 15:04

Love cryptic and sorry but I haven't read all this.

Ok

Gesgs (9, 4)

LarkDescending · 19/11/2018 15:10

Lobster I want to say scrambled eggs, but there is an extra “s”...

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Games
Lobsterquadrille2 · 19/11/2018 15:13

Damn, lack of glasses! Very quick abd toy are right Smile

Lobsterquadrille2 · 19/11/2018 15:13

And you

Orchardgreen · 19/11/2018 15:17

Start with the Torygraph.
There is a daily blog called Big Dave that posts the answers after about 11am every day, and explains how they got the solution.

Try it every day and you’ll pick it up. It’s worth it, very entertaining.

bigdave44.co.uk/

NotCitrus · 19/11/2018 16:21

The Guardian has a regular column on how to solve them. I think of the clues being like equations, with a definition on one side and pieces that encode the letters on the other.
The Radio Times one is a fairly good one to start with, or the tabloids are usually very easy - all others are a good step up. I still can't finish the Standard ones or get more than a few clues in others, after 15 years, but the fiendish union mag I can manage given a couple days and the Internet...

Original poster
tAAC · 19/11/2018 23:06

Loving the crossword support!

I’ve been on an online site which reveals all the answers and then working back through the clues to get a feel for how they work

Will check out that blog though!

OP posts:
MacavityTheDentistsCat · 19/11/2018 23:21

Wow. I've been a Mumsnet member for 13+ years and this is honestly one of the most puzzling threads I have ever read. It's like a foreign language ...

fizzicles · 19/11/2018 23:32

The Guardian website has a huge archive of crosswords, and you can check your answers as you go, which is handy if you are just learning

ZootSuit · 20/11/2018 22:03

I’ve been listening to the David Baddiel tries to understand... podcasts lately, they are a couple of years old now but quite interesting. One of the subjects he covered was cryptic crosswords! He spoke to the 3 times world champion, another expert and someone that writes the crosswords (and she said she can’t solve them!). Worth a listen, I felt like i understood the concept at least afterwards, even if I’m not sure I could actually put it in to practice

CousinTeresa · 20/11/2018 22:18

One of the tabloids (possibly the Sun) has (or used to have) a crossword where the cryptic and ordinary answers are the same.
It’s quite a good way to start.

I can only do the one in the Standard.

80sMum · 21/11/2018 09:43

In case anyone's interested, the answers to the two clues I posted are:

  1. Tower of London
  2. Homeward bound
Jux · 27/11/2018 03:26

My mum had finished the Times' cryptic by 9am every day; on the other hand I could sometimes do a couple of clues about once a week. I did used to do The London Evening Standard cryptic every weekday, but they were easy.

Blush I can't actually afford to buy a newspaper every day now.

MissElaineNeus · 27/11/2018 05:07

I was inspired by this to loom on the App Store, and there's an app called Learn Cryptic Crosswords, which seems pretty good so far. First chapter is free, then it's an in-app purchase.

MyOtherProfile · 27/11/2018 05:15

This thread is such a revelation!

Jux · 07/12/2018 01:24

Reviving the thread as I need help!

I got a (free) app for cryptic crosswords as a result of this thread and am really enjoying it. Doing OK so far, but I suspect they're fairly easy ones. Anyway, can anyone explain this clue/answer combination for me?

Clue: wildflower state intervenes in bra size.
Answer: buttercup

I get that wildflower describes the answer, cup is to do with bra size, but I don't get where 'butter' comes from. Anyone explain? (Possibly 'intervention' is 'but', so so then where does TER come from?)
Thanks!

CanadianJohn · 07/12/2018 01:43

My favourites:

Entertain after a drink in an irritating fashion (7)

Graduate abstainer goes with the French men to create parapet design (11)

Answers later

foxglovelover · 07/12/2018 01:44

bra size is B cup
state = utter
Smile

CanadianJohn · 07/12/2018 04:46

oops, I missed a bit of the clue

Graduate abstainer goes with the French men and the head of tsardom to create parapet design (11)

MissElaineNeus · 07/12/2018 05:37

Battlement?

Friolero · 07/12/2018 05:50

Entertain after a drink in an irritating fashion (7)

Is it teasing?

Jux · 07/12/2018 12:00

Thank you foxglovelover. You lot are so clever!

My family think I'm quite clever just being able to do the ones I can do! Not quite ready for The Times yet, I think Grin

Jux · 07/12/2018 12:02

Am thinking about the clues posted here,now. Looking forward to seeing the answers. I get those little popping lightbulbs, great fun!

Jux · 07/12/2018 12:07

X post.

Love the image of someone looking at a word, breaking it down and coming up with a baffling clue.

Again, you are all so clever