In the Sudoku thread, I noticed that there are some cryptic puzzlers on GMG. If Sudoku has its own thread, then surely the cryptic crossword—really the king of puzzles—deserves one, too!
So who does them?
I do!
I've done plenty of standard crosswords, but haven't tried the cryptic ones. Any place good online I could try one out?
Hello - me too!
I have a weekend routine:
- the Saturday Times (cryptic and jumbo cryptic) <-- they're the only reason I get Rupert's paper, to be honest ;D
- the Saturday Guardian <-- rarely finish this one :-\
- the Observer Everyman <-- the best because they are easy enough to do but require sufficient effort for me to feel clever :P
- the one at the back of the Big Issue
and also the Sydney Morning Herald one online for old time's sake - my first cryptic puzzle years and years ago :D.
I love them. I do the SMH crossword online about 3 times per week but really like to tackle the Guardian Weekly whenever I have the time as it's both challenging and fun. It can take me days to complete it.
Here's my favourite clue:
3 Across: HIJKLMNO (5)
Do you guys have a favourite clue?
Quote from: Holden on February 24, 2009, 03:01:08 PM
I love them. I do the SMH crossword online about 3 times per week but really like to tackle the Guardian Weekly whenever I have the time as it's both challenging and fun. It can take me days to complete it.
Here's my favourite clue:
3 Across: HIJKLMNO (5)
Do you guys have a favourite clue?
I love cryptics but living in the US, it's hard to come by good ones on a regular basis.
Is the answer to your clue
water?
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 24, 2009, 01:16:04 PM
In the Sudoku thread, I noticed that there are some cryptic puzzlers on GMG. If Sudoku has its own thread, then surely the cryptic crossword—really the king of puzzles—deserves one, too!
So who does them?
I do, occasionally, and I much prefer them to Su Do Ku. (You don't have to look at the same 9 digits everyday and you might actually end up learning something new.) As I said, these are occasional bouts. It usually starts when I'm in the house during a lazy afternoon and bored with everything else. I begin to solve them daily, but then, after a couple of weeks, it would stop as abruptly as it had started. [Current status: Not solving]
The only one I do is the one in the daily paper we buy (today's (http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/25/stories/2009022599951000.htm)). I learnt the tricks from my grandfather who used to religiously solve them every single day. Sunday's paper has a different one - I think it's from The Guardian or something - but I haven't tried that.
I work my way through Daily Telegraph books. These puzzles become easier when you become acquainted with the compiler's methods. I also do the Yorkshire Post puzzles occasionally. I don't have a favorite clue but I've come across some that are really annoying!
Quote from: jwinter on February 24, 2009, 02:54:04 PM
I've done plenty of standard crosswords, but haven't tried the cryptic ones. Any place good online I could try one out?
Hi
jwinter - you might want to try this one:
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/puzzles/free.html
Their clues are not as difficult nor as clever as the one
Holden posted though.
(
aquariuswb is SMART!)
Here is one of my own clues:
Destroy piece of fresh redwood (5)
And one more:
Foul yams sour eminently [8]
If nobody gets these, I'll give a letter, but I think they're both fairly straight-forward.
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 25, 2009, 01:58:58 PM
Here is one of my own clues:
Destroy piece of fresh redwood (5)
And right back at you :):
Distributed evenly? Not
a chance - torn instead (5)
(http://www.mainesecurity.com/images/Paper%20Shredder%202.gif)
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 25, 2009, 02:01:50 PM
Foul yams sour eminently [8]
Notedly, in the manner of Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog [8]
(Brit cultural reference though ;D)
Quote from: Novi on February 25, 2009, 02:14:08 PM
And right back at you :):
Distributed evenly? Not a chance - torn instead (5)
(http://www.mainesecurity.com/images/Paper%20Shredder%202.gif)
Very nice,
Quote from: Novi on February 25, 2009, 02:33:45 PM
Notedly, in the manner of Julian, Dick, Anne, George, and Timmy the dog [8]
(Brit cultural reference though ;D)
and likewise (although I had to google the Famouses)!
Very cold to the ears. This is serious! (5)
(A bit trixy; might need a letter)
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 25, 2009, 02:01:50 PM
And one more:
Foul yams sour eminently [8]
If nobody gets these, I'll give a letter, but I think they're both fairly straight-forward.
Famously
Yes indeedy
Quote from: Novi on February 25, 2009, 01:34:27 PM
Hi jwinter - you might want to try this one:
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/puzzles/free.html
Their clues are not as difficult nor as clever as the one Holden posted though.
(aquariuswb is SMART!)
Thanks for the link, I'll try that this weekend. I'm currently at work, and they've blocked pretty much any gaming or puzzle sites -- can't imagine why! ;D
Percussion instruments that may be right? (9)
Still mulling over your two, aquariuswb :).
Here are a couple I'm stuck on from last Sunday's Observer:
Wine in tavern, endless wine (6)
Bombed British house (6)
I have a few letters that are possibly correct if you want them.
Both of my clues are rather tricky. Punctuation marks are significant, if that helps. I can certainly supply a letter or two if you'd like!
Quote from: Novi on February 27, 2009, 07:41:34 AM
Bombed British house (6)
Double definition? "Bombed" might mean "drunk."
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 27, 2009, 08:39:45 AM
Double definition? "Bombed" might mean "drunk."
Hmm, I think we're thinking along the same lines :).
Currently, I have B _ O _ T _ , and was thinking BLOTTO, with B=British, but couldn't figure out how the -LOTTO came into it. I'm pretty certain the other letters are correct.
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 27, 2009, 08:36:36 AM
Both of my clues are rather tricky. Punctuation marks are significant, if that helps. I can certainly supply a letter or two if you'd like!
I was thinking that the second one might be 'triangles,' but that has nothing to do with your question mark ???
Quote from: Novi on February 27, 2009, 09:44:23 AM
I was thinking that the second one might be 'triangles,' but that has nothing to do with your question mark ???
Triangles is the correct answer (the question mark just implies a bit of trickery).
Quote from: Novi on February 27, 2009, 09:44:23 AM
Hmm, I think we're thinking along the same lines :).
Currently, I have B _ O _ T _ , and was thinking BLOTTO, with B=British, but couldn't figure out how the -LOTTO came into it. I'm pretty certain the other letters are correct.
"Blotto," I think, is the right answer. "House" can refer to a gambling establishment, which must be where "lotto" comes in. Pretty weak!
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 27, 2009, 09:53:43 AM
"Blotto," I think, is the right answer. "House" can refer to a gambling establishment, which must be where "lotto" comes in. Pretty weak!
Hey, thanks! I'll go with 'blotto.' It is Friday night, after all :P.
Quote from: Novi on February 27, 2009, 07:41:34 AM
Wine in tavern, endless wine (6)
I think I got this one too: barsac (bar=tavern + [al]sac[e]=endless wine)
Cool - I can send in the crossword now and maybe win a dictionary :D.
Quote from: Novi on February 27, 2009, 01:41:07 PM
Hey, thanks! I'll go with 'blotto.' It is Friday night, after all :P.
I think I got this one too: barsac (bar=tavern + [al]sac[e]=endless wine)
I think you're right, but I don't like when "endless" means some random number of letters chopped off the beginning, end, or both; "endless" should be "without the last letter," IMnotsoHO. :)
It seems one Daily Telegraph compiler has a thing about a certain composer:
Heard record of his musical works (5)
Composer's lean sound (5)
and, you've guessed it:
He composed the last letter in the catalogue (5)
Anyone found a good clue for Beethoven?
Quote from: Ten thumbs on February 28, 2009, 12:41:30 AM
It seems one Daily Telegraph compiler has a thing about a certain composer:
Heard record of his musical works (5)
Composer's lean sound (5)
and, you've guessed it:
He composed the last letter in the catalogue (5)
Cute; the middle one there would be quite difficult without any letters!
Quote from: Ten thumbs on February 28, 2009, 12:41:30 AM
Anyone found a good clue for Beethoven?
No, so I made one up :)
Be the unusual microwave a musically gifted one? (9)
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 28, 2009, 07:45:29 AM
Cute; the middle one there would be quite difficult without any letters!
No, so I made one up :)
Be the unusual microwave a musically gifted one? (9)
I'd probably change 'microwave' to range; Be the odd range of this composer.
So here are some more:
Hacking cut this composer (6)
Composer might also have some bite (4)
This composer sounds like he paints the ditch (6)
Music maker you could possibly hold (6)
Maybe chase man away from this musical creator (8)
babble 50 for this composer (5)
The German's crowded adding sulfur for the composer (7)
The composer could stroke an Irish girl (8)
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
The German's crowded adding sulfur for the composer (7)
Hm... I don't think that "The German" quite works here (unless I'm missing something), but I like your style!
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
Hacking cut this composer (6)
Very good!
I'll try at the others later; thanks for these!
Quote from: aquariuswb on February 28, 2009, 05:02:45 PM
Hm... I don't think that "The German" quite works here (unless I'm missing something), but I like your style!
OK, how about this "German's address is crowded by adding sulfur for this composer"
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 05:24:47 PM
OK, how about this "German's address is crowded by adding sulfur for this composer"
Excellent!!
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 05:24:47 PM
OK, how about this "German's address is crowded by adding sulfur for this composer"
Quote from: aquariuswb on March 01, 2009, 07:31:51 AM
Excellent!!
??? ??? ??? :'(
These are cool,
Holden. Still stuck on this one (as well) though:
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
This composer sounds like he paints the ditch (6)
And a couple from me:
Get lost! he said, there's a bloke in there - he writes music. (12)
A composer? Sounds more like a noisy dog! (9)
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
babble 50 for this composer (5)
Got this.
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
This composer sounds like he paints the ditch (6)
And this.
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
Maybe chase man away from this musical creator [8]
And this.
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
Composer might also have some bite (4)
If this is a loose homophone, then I have this one too.
Haven't figured out:
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
Music maker you could possibly hold (6)
The composer could stroke an Irish girl (8)
(And I also wonder if the following one doesn't
quite work as I originally thought it did):
Quote from: Holden on February 28, 2009, 12:42:31 PM
Hacking cut this composer (6)
Quote from: Novi on March 01, 2009, 02:59:49 PM
Get lost! he said, there's a bloke in there - he writes music. (12)
I
think I know the answer, but I haven't yet completely figured out why.
Quote from: aquariuswb on March 01, 2009, 04:23:19 PM
I think I know the answer, but I haven't yet completely figured out why.
Oops, random Australianism this time.
This (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Rack%20Off) might help :P.
Yes now I see (and I was right!).
Quote from: aquariuswb on March 01, 2009, 06:03:41 PM
Yes now I see (and I was right!).
Great clue - I was going down th wrong track here. as for
A composer? Sounds more like a noisy dog! (9)
Got it
Aquarius web - yes it is a homophone and if you think about 'hacking being cut' you're probably right as well.
For the other two - both are baroque, one German by birth and the other is French
Quote from: Novi on March 01, 2009, 02:59:49 PM
A composer? Sounds more like a noisy dog! (9)
???
Help! I'm stuck on these two from Sunday's paper:
March past a row of shops (6)
Fully at home with squad (2,6)
What I've got so far:
_ A _ _ _ E
_ N _ E _ _ _ L
The two intersect, so that the 4th letter of the first is the 6th of the second.
Cheers!
Quote from: aquariuswb on March 02, 2009, 09:42:06 AM
???
Homophones! :D
Still stuck on the ditch-painter and German address ones though, and your one from way back ???.
March past a row of shops (6)
>>PARADE<<
?
Quote from: Novi on March 05, 2009, 10:16:56 AM
Help! I'm stuck on these two from Sunday's paper:
March past a row of shops (6)
Fully at home with squad (2,6)
What I've got so far:
_ A _ _ _ E
_ N _ E _ _ _ L
The two intersect, so that the 4th letter of the first is the 6th of the second.
Cheers!
Parade
In Detail
Those are my guesses
Quote from: Novi on March 05, 2009, 10:20:58 AM
Homophones! :D
Still stuck on the ditch-painter and German address ones though, and your one from way back ???.
Mozart (say it)
Debussy
Quote from: Novi on March 05, 2009, 10:20:58 AM
Still stuck on . . . your one from way back ???.
Very cold to the ears. This is serious! (5)
(A cutesy homophone.)
Quote from: aquariuswb on March 05, 2009, 11:02:11 AM
Well I guessed that much! :D
woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof
woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof
;D
Quote from: Holden on March 05, 2009, 10:59:28 AM
Parade
In Detail
Those are my guesses
Wow! That was quick! Thanks - if I win the set of dictionaries, I'll send you one :D.
Quote from: Novi on March 05, 2009, 11:11:59 AM
woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof
woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof woof
;D
LOL stop teasing... all I can think of is Prokofiev, but I don't think that's it!
Woof? Bark? It's not coming to me.
Quote from: aquariuswb on March 05, 2009, 11:24:24 AM
LOL stop teasing... all I can think of is Prokofiev, but I don't think that's it!
Woof? Bark? It's not coming to me.
Hehe, you got half - Offenbach :).
Ah, I like it!
Calling Holden or aquariuswb or any other crossword nerd - help, I'm stuck!
Try fish the American way (8)
_ u _ n _ i _ e
turnpike?
Quote from: Benji on November 13, 2009, 05:57:23 PM
turnpike?
You rock! I'll send you one of the dictionaries if I win! :D
Woot!
I love crosswords - only really do the Guardian G2 one though.... speaking of which. What is an alpine peasant woman's dress? 6 letters. ???
Quote from: Benji on November 13, 2009, 06:21:06 PM
Woot!
I love crosswords - only really do the Guardian G2 one though.... speaking of which. What is an alpine peasant woman's dress? 6 letters. ???
Dirndl?
(It's 3.30 in the morning and we're doing crosswords?) ??? >:D
Quote from: Novi on November 13, 2009, 06:35:26 PM
Dirndl?
(It's 3.30 in the morning and we're doing crosswords?) ??? >:D
No noise, no distraction, perfect time for crosswords!
Quote from: Benji on November 14, 2009, 05:14:23 AM
No noise, no distraction, perfect time for crosswords!
Agreed, dirndl