How do you interpret cryptic crossword clues?
Beginner’s guide to solving cryptic crosswords
- Read the clue. Then read it backwards.
- Think about the rest of the clue.
- Harden your heart against the setter’s siren charms.
- Repeat step three.
- Look at the number of letters.
- Solve the damn thing . . .
What does cryptic crossword mean?
“Say” for EG, used to mean “for example”.
What does Spooner mean in cryptic crosswords?
spoonerism
If you have ever tackled a cryptic crossword you will have come across the name Spooner or the term spoonerism for a clue where initial letters are swapped e.g. ‘fight the liar’ for ‘light the fire’.
What do numbers mean in cryptic crosswords?
Cryptic clues are followed by a number or numbers in parentheses indicating the length of the answer: (5) means it’s a five-letter word, while (2,3,4) indicates a three-word phrase like “in the know.” …
What does STD mean in crossword?
3 letters. AVG. Definitions of “Std” • Sexually transmitted disease. • Abbreviation: standard.
What does Harry mean in cryptic crossword?
Harry – blind, harass, ordinary, potter, prince, spoil.
What does ultimately mean in cryptic crosswords?
The meaning of the answer is ‘animal’ and the pointer is ‘ultimately’. Alternate Letter Clues. Like hidden words, the answer is in the clue itself, but found in every second letter.
What does reportedly mean in cryptic crossword?
‘Sounds like’ – giving clues to words that sound like the answer, or part of it. Words or phrases to indicate this include ‘we hear’ and ‘reportedly’ ‘Single letter’ – indicates individual letters (not always indicators – could just be the letter itself, particularly in the case of ‘a’).
What does King mean in cryptic crossword?
A collection of elements commonly used in the wordplay of cryptic crosswords.
| Word in the clue | Word element in the answer |
|---|---|
| king | HM (His Majesty); LEAR (King Lear – Shakespeare); see also “Edward – King”, “Edward – King and Emperor”, “George – King” and “George – King and Emperor” |
What does Doctor mean in cryptic crossword?
Since “doctor” is also a verb meaning to alter the appearance of something, it falls into the near-endless list of words that setters use to indicate the meat and potatoes of cryptic crosswords.