What is a cryptic puzzle?
A cryptic crossword is a crossword puzzle in which each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. In the United States, cryptics are sometimes known as “British-style” crosswords.
How do you write cryptic clues?
The majority of clues in a cryptic crossword follow these standards:
- Every cryptic clue includes a straight definition of the answer, just like in a regular crossword.
- The definition part of the clue will always be at the start or end of the clue, and never sandwiched in the middle.
What is a crossword Nina?
A Nina is a special feature of the crossword grid: a word, words or phrase hidden within a pattern of cells in the completed grid. An example from an Indy crossword: the words STALACTITE and STALAGMITE are concealed vertically, in symmetrical positions.
Why is P quiet in crosswords?
Even if you’ve missed out on sheet music, as a solver, you associate the word “piano” with P. This is “piano” as in “play this bit quietly”, rather than the instrument – but setters concoct their clues so that they seem at first to be about the instrument.
What does say mean in cryptic crosswords?
for example
A word of caution. Putting “…say” at the end of a clue is a deft way of indicating a soundalike without drawing much attention to it, but it can of course also mean, say, “for example”.
What does one mean in cryptic crosswords?
However, cryptic crosswords actually conform to a set of rules and they can be solved! In this Cheat Sheet, you will discover some handy pointers on how cryptic clues go together, the basics of the main cryptic devices, and a brief introduction to cryptic abbreviations often found in clues.
What does perhaps mean in cryptic crosswords?
And in these times of uncertainty, a little note on the word ‘perhaps’ and its usage in cryptic crosswords. ‘Perhaps’ is usually used to suggest that the adjacent word or phrase is an example of the answer you’re looking for.
What does M mean in cryptic crossword?
1,000 = M. 5 = V. 50 = L. a follower = B. about = C, CE, RE.