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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

302 replies

NessCathy · 24/08/2011 15:02

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?

OP posts:
Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 25/08/2011 20:11

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

OP, YANBU at all.

hocuspontas · 25/08/2011 20:14

Grin Good one!

allhailtheaubergine · 25/08/2011 20:22

Why is a number of fingers 'ice'?

hocuspontas · 25/08/2011 21:05

'number' here refers to something that numbs.

Amaretti · 25/08/2011 21:16

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")

Original poster
NessCathy · 25/08/2011 21:35

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.

OP posts:
Amaretti · 26/08/2011 08:48

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.

Original poster
NessCathy · 26/08/2011 10:46

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.

OP posts:
Amaretti · 26/08/2011 18:43

Yes, that's just what I had! Thanks

BornSicky · 26/08/2011 18:45

dagnamit.

didn't get a paper today.

what was 14d, 18a and 19d?

they were my leftovers.

Amaretti · 27/08/2011 10:46

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

JKSLtd · 27/08/2011 12:02

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.

LineRunner · 27/08/2011 12:32

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

hocuspontas · 27/08/2011 12:45

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

TalcAndTurnips · 27/08/2011 23:18

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.

JKSLtd · 28/08/2011 10:33

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.

allhailtheaubergine · 29/08/2011 20:36

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'?

hocuspontas · 29/08/2011 20:44
  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.
JKSLtd · 29/08/2011 20:48

1 definitely an anagram of 'ladies'

Hocus seems to have got them both :)

TooImmature2BDumbledore · 29/08/2011 22:30

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'?

TotemPole · 30/08/2011 01:04

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

TotemPole · 30/08/2011 01:30

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?

allhailtheaubergine · 30/08/2011 10:21

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.

Thumbwitch · 30/08/2011 10:29

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 Blush.

hocuspontas · 30/08/2011 10:55

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.