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?

Just googled the correct answer to that one but with chlorine’s symbol as ch. thought it was a new chemistry word to me but as it turned out, it wasn’t. Thank you “Did you mean to search for…”
It’s definitely past my bed time!

I got it after I realised it looked wrong in the tablet app, it mangles underscores used for spaces weirdly so it looked like it started with the C rather than that being the 3rd letter.

..C...E

The chlorine and iodine is elemental...

What would you say is the best CC book? A general one or one related to a newspaper.

By "best" I mean easiest for a total clueless CC person!!! I'm determined to get my head around these (though I'm. Not sure if half the problem is the things I don't know - such as names of painters and about the Milky Way.

I did a science degree years ago - so long ago it's pointless as I hink I've forgotten most of what I leant. Now I'm looking at "Chlorine and iodine contaminate uncovered carbon- 12, for example (7)" and think I might know what letters are in it but no clue what they'll create!!

If any of you have kids who might be interested in how cryptic crosswords work, try this worksheet

I gave it to my 3 today and they had a bit of fun with it.

I haven't got a clue about the chlorine one or the toxic gas! Are you a scientist OP? Adds a whole new level of difficulty for me!

[Chlorine and iodine] contaminate [uncovered] carbon- 12, for example (7)

Chemical symbols for chlorine and iodine are Cl and I giving “cli”. Contaminate means you put it inside a word for “uncovered”. That gives you the answer “nuclide”, or “nuchide” if you’ve forgotten what the chemical symbol for chlorine is even though it’s on your periodic table mug in front of you.
With that sort of clue where I’m not sure I actually know what the answer is, I use the wordplay to try and make something that looks like a real word then google to confirm. Usually you’ll be close enough that the actual answer will appear.

Thank you Sunbird24!

@PurpleDaisies

[Chlorine and iodine] contaminate [uncovered] carbon- 12, for example (7)

Chemical symbols for chlorine and iodine are Cl and I giving “cli”. Contaminate means you put it inside a word for “uncovered”. That gives you the answer “nuclide”, or “nuchide” if you’ve forgotten what the chemical symbol for chlorine is even though it’s on your periodic table mug in front of you.
With that sort of clue where I’m not sure I actually know what the answer is, I use the wordplay to try and make something that looks like a real word then google to confirm. Usually you’ll be close enough that the actual answer will appear.

Ah, well I got the Ch and the I bit right...

How can you access the Time’s Quick Cryptic? It looks like you need to subscribe? 😕

@NatriumChloride

How can you access the Time’s Quick Cryptic? It looks like you need to subscribe? 😕

Yes, I expect so. I've not tried today's, if this is readable it will give you an idea

Ooh I need this thread (as you might be able to tell from my username - came from a book about crosswords and gives an 8 letter word). Love cryptic crosswords, but wish I was a bit better at them.

@LavenderAskew There's a good book called Secrets of the Setters, which explains the various styles of clue, and the words that might indicate an anagram, for example. There are also various Guardian blogs that are interesting (e.g. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/may/03/how-to-solve-cryptic-crossword)

Thank you, @ErrolTheDragon
I’ve had a good look at that and can’t seem to get a single one. 😒

In your opinion, is this an easy one?

Oh wait. I got 2D and 6D but that’s about it 😔

There are a couple with some classics that once you’ve seen before you’ll spot. For example, US agent is often fed, bill is usually ac which will give you the first down clue.
Composed (usually) tells you it’s an anagram so tune Laura can be rearranged to give an expression for in the buff.

It’s sometimes hard start with no letters.

Cross posted with you @NatriumChloride
slow typing this morning!
The quick crocodile one is a pun. S - - - - -

There's a good app I've found called Learn Cryptic Crosswords that walks you through the different types of crosswords, it's very long but useful

play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teazel.learn.cryptic.crosswords

This is my all time favourite clue. GSGE (9, 4) Many of you will know it but it's still top of my list.

@longwayoff

This is my all time favourite clue. GSGE (9, 4) Many of you will know it but it's still top of my list.

I think that one came up in a Morse, although I remembered it as Gegs.

Here's another 'classic' which could go in the New Scientist crosswords
HIJKLMNO (5)

@ErrolTheDragon

Here's another 'classic' which could go in the New Scientist crosswords HIJKLMNO (5)

This is my favourite “say what you see” cryptic clue.

I am getting better at them but am nowhere near the standard of some on this thread! Weirdly the Which magazine has a really good one every month

@longwayoff @ErrolTheDragon

Those two are my favourite cryptic clues too!

Interesting to see if some of the newer cryptic converts on the thread can solve them (no googling!)

In a similar vein ‘stun a snack’ (5,4)…

@ErrolTheDragon

Here's another 'classic' which could go in the New Scientist crosswords HIJKLMNO (5)

I can get that one. I rock at Dingbats, can't do cryptic crosswords for toffee though!!

[quote vajingleberry]**@longwayoff* @ErrolTheDragon*

Those two are my favourite cryptic clues too!

Interesting to see if some of the newer cryptic converts on the thread can solve them (no googling!)[/quote]
Newish convert here, always been interested but this thread has enthused me.

I got them both after some thought, great clues! Very satisfying

I finally finished the crossword that started this thread! Here's the last clue. I thought it was neat:

Was in charge of infiltrating spy group heads (6)