to be annoyed that I struggle with cryptic crosswords...

[NessCathy]

I've been trying to get into cryptic crosswords, and I'm really annoyed that I struggle with them, and some find them so easy. I can usually get a few and when I cheat, find myself thinking either
a) Oh, that's so bloody obvious, or
b) How could anyone have put all that together?

Anyone else like them? Maybe we could have a MN group to improve? Or a grandmaster to help us?

My mother always said how stupid she was () but was a whizz at cryptic crosswords! .

OP, YANBU at all.

Good one!

Why is a number of fingers 'ice'?

'number' here refers to something that numbs.

Ok, got them all now except two - 19d and I think 21a is wrong, though I have something in. Can't believe it took me that long to get 1d!

OP - CHAT about PROBLEM anagrammed ("off"), without the L ("student going")

It's late, I gave up having got all but four. I'm quite happy with that. I wonder whether it helped to know others were trying. Thanks for the tips. I think practice is the key. I went to a blog

bigdave44.com/2011/08/25/dt-26640/#more-22735

and it really helped.

That's good. Let us know if you'd like any more explanations. If anyone can explain 21a to me I'd be grateful! Haven't got today's paper yet so i don't even know whether what I put is right but I suspect not.

SPOILER ALERT

Killer dance finale changed following ban (5,5)

I understood it as BLACK MAMBA is a killer.

MAMBO is a dance, if you change the last letter, you can get MAMBO. And then BLACK is supposedly "ban", though I don't get. I know you can Blackball someone or something, but you don't black something.

Yes, that's just what I had! Thanks

dagnamit.

didn't get a paper today.

what was 14d, 18a and 19d?

they were my leftovers.

Sorry I've recycled it! Can you remind me of the clues? I know one of those I didn't get either.

Anyone got today's?
I know the Sat compiler is different but we normally only get the Sat/Sun papers now - don't get time to read the others during the week.

I'd like to do today's. Should I buy the Guardian or the Telegraph?

I don't know about the Guardian but Saturday's Telegraph one is a prize crossword so always easier IMO.

Today's Guardian Prize Crossword is a Bank Holiday Araucaria special; there are two grids (A & B) that are linked and certain clues are connected to a keyword that has more than one connotation.

Looks as if it will be a good challenge; I've made some inroads and discovered the keyword so far.

I say again: Araucaria is a genius.

I managed yesterday's Telegraph cryptic with some help from answerbank - s great site when you are stuck on the last few, or sometimes to get you started on a tricky one.

Working on the GK Telegraph so far, not started on the cryptic yet.

Today I am attempting my first ever cryptic crossword. I am doing today's Telegraph cryptic.

I have got 4 (hopefully correct) answers, and am feeling rather pleased with myself.

I wondered if anyone could give me a pointer on a couple of others:

1 Naughty ladies which men dream of (6)

I wondered if that could be 'wicked'? Ladies could be WI (??) but am a bit lot flummoxed on the rest, and not even convinced of the first bit.

2 One who makes one cross at times (7)

Could that be 'teacher'?

1. The word 'naughty' could relate to the next word being mixed up. I can think of one word that is an anagram of 'ladies' that might fit.
2. I think I would be thinking of when people vote.

1 definitely an anagram of 'ladies'

Hocus seems to have got them both :)

Okay, inspired by this thread I decided to try my hand at learning how to do cryptic crosswords. I am trying to do a Guardian Araucaria crossword, with the aid of t'internet and the Cheat button. I have solved exactly 2 clues so far, and have cheated on a number. The trouble is, I don't understand the answers half the time! Can anyone please explain to me why the answer to 'wise computer?' is 'Ernie'?

Too Ernie Wise, of Morecambe and Wise and Ernie is the name of the computer that picks the premium bond numbers??

1 Naughty ladies which men dream of (6)
2 One who makes one cross at times (7)

1 I think I know the answer but, if I'm right, women dream of them as well.
2 Begins with an e?

Oooh, thank you Hocus et al.

1 Naughty ladies which men dream of (6)

Got it. Silly actually, as I had previously wondered about an anagram but didn't see it. Doh!

2 One who makes one cross at times (7)

Nope, still got nothing, but perhaps I don't know the word? Will think on.

I am currently chewing over...

3 Breaking a leg, has to play on without pause (6)

E A

I think it might be a musical term like allegro or attacca but haven't managed to fit the broken leg in... hmm...

4Contempt when party leader's on platform (6)

P _

I think that 'party leader' is 'P' and then a platform is 'ledge' or something, but unfortunately 'pledge' doesn't mean contempt. Perjure is contempt but it's too many letters. Hmmmmm.

Allhail:
2 - think about when you would mark a cross.. and what you would be called if you were the person doing it..
3 - musical term, yes, anagram (breaking is usually a hint you have an anagram coming)
I am very ashamed to admit I cannot get the anagram of ladies .

You are doing well!

Breaking a leg hint - it's not very broken at all!

Can't get the contempt one yet. Maybe the answer is a platform and contempt is part of the answer. I'll keep thinking.