Can you do cryptic crosswords? Beginner in need of help.

[Flamingoose]

Substances left from evaporation are absorbing uranium (7)

Last letter is E.

I sort of want it to be RESIDUE, because that's a substance left from evaporation. If we assume 'absorbing uranium' means put a U in it, then I've put a U in RESIDE - but I have no idea where the RESIDE came from, so maybe RESIDUE is wrong?

Any help?

Oh wow! Seems so obvious now… 🤦‍♀️

Genuine question, but how do I get better at these?? I’ve just looked at the Times’ Cryptic crossword and I literally cannot get a single one. Even when I click reveal and try to work backwards, I’m STILL all “WTF?” I can’t even figure it out from the answer…

@NatriumChloride

Oh wow! Seems so obvious now… 🤦‍♀️

Genuine question, but how do I get better at these?? I’ve just looked at the Times’ Cryptic crossword and I literally cannot get a single one. Even when I click reveal and try to work backwards, I’m STILL all “WTF?” I can’t even figure it out from the answer…

Try looking at the Times Quick Cryptic (on weekdays only, unfortunately) to start with.

@vajingleberry

You can get all of the Guardian crosswords online.

www.theguardian.com/crosswords/series/cryptic

The "quiptic" ones are a bit more straightforward and a good introduction to the full on cryptic ones.

You can check if your answers are right (with the exception of the prize ones) and you can get it to fill in an answer if you are really stumped.

Been looking at this, and have to say unlike other cryptic crosswords even after I know the answer I'm still clueless as to how/why!!

Thank you @ErrolTheDragon. I will do. Hopefully they’ll be easier and I’ll be able to work backwards…

There's a telegraph one on Saturdays that has cryptic for the across clues, and non-cryptic for the down clues @NatriumChloride My mum and I often have a separate stab at it and then compare notes It gives you a fighting chance at the cryptic clues because you (ideally but not always) get some letters from the non-cryptic clues.

The Telegraph cryptic was my favourite, the clues were perfectly formed and not ultra difficult. Good for beginners. There's nothing worse than a clue that's a bit suspect eg are = reside.

There used to be one somewhere that had complete sets of both of cryptic clues and factual clues. Might help get to grips with the cryptic without just looking at the answers.

I'm going to have a look for the Times Quick Cryptic. Sounds good.

Here's a fun one that I liked from the crossword I'm currently doing:

Abundant sandwiches in backward German city (6)

Munich

I thought the “sandwiches” meant it would be an internal reference.

I think you get used to particular setters and styles.

Thanks, @DivingBoardInGuernsey, I’ll be sure to check it out!

And OP, now I’m trying to figure out this newest one… I’m not sure how it’s Munich so I’m still thinking…

@NatriumChloride

Thanks, *@DivingBoardInGuernsey*, I’ll be sure to check it out!

And OP, now I’m trying to figure out this newest one… I’m not sure how it’s Munich so I’m still thinking…

Do you want it explaining or do you want to figure it out?

Omg I just got how it’s Munich. Well done @PurpleDaisies - you’re good! 😃

Congratulations! It’s so satisfying when you get one.
Dh helped me learn years ago when we first started dating. I love a cryptic now.

Well done Natrium!

I've only got 5 left on the crossword that started this thread.

Going to try a bit longer before asking for more help.

Boo I wanted to get involved!

How about this one FoxGlove:

Before warnings, tears back Milky Way wrappers? (6,4)
P L /

I'm gnawing on it but haven't quite got there yet.

Ooh, I’ve got it but I kind of want to let @FoxgloveSummers have a go first!

That’a a nice clue. I’d forgotten it was New Scientist’s crossword and was thinking that was quite spacey for a newspaper!

Any you’re stuck on?

Ah thank you for pandering to my crossword needs. I think I’ve got it but I don’t know why (because I don’t understand space!) Great clue though, maybe I need to buy New Scientist...

Highly recommend New Scientist. DH has a subscription and everyone in the family ends up having a flick through it - even the teens! We have found it's particularly good over the last year because you can read something up-to-date that isn't grim doom and gloom.

I love Times Quick Cryptic. I can often get most of it. And sometimes none! It's been fun reading this thread as I don't have anyone IRL to talk crosswords with!

Oh that's easy...

Mullerian duct regression and antiproliferative bioactivities of mullerian inhibiting substance reside in its carboxy-terminal domain

And if you want to read the whole thing..
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1612008/

No, I don't know what it is all about either.

Clear as mud TwoLeftSocks

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Oh that's easy...

Mullerian duct regression and antiproliferative bioactivities of mullerian inhibiting substance reside in its carboxy-terminal domain

And if you want to read the whole thing..
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1612008/

No, I don't know what it is all about either.

Which clue is this relating to?