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David B
19 Apr 2009, 07:32 AM
Anyone else do cryptic crosswords, like 'The Times'. Where you are given clues like the one in the title, the figure in brackets referring to the number of letters in the answer.

I was introduced to them many years ago by a then gf.

I don't do as many as I did, and I'm not all that good at them, but sometimes finish them. The real stars can do a Times crossword in a few minutes.

But I thought a thread on favourite crossword clues might be fun - ones which come up from day to day, or past favourites.

The one in the title is the name of a rather nice book, which is part biography and part essay on crosswords. Another one of my favourites I puzzled over for quite a long time before the penny dropped, and was so proud of myself that I phoned up the ex gf to put it to her (she lived away). She got it at once:( A couple of decades ago now, but I remember it yet.

It was 'Like glob, eternally' (5,7,3)

For neophytes, that means that there are 3 words in the answer, with 5, 7 and 3 letters in them, respectively.

Anyone want a go at them? I'll post the answers later.

Please post your own favourites

David
LoneWolf
19 Apr 2009, 08:28 AM
You know, I have never really tried crosswords. I probably should, I like puzzles like that. I used to be into sudoku until they got too easy. I enjoy cryptograms but the ones in papers are usually too easy. I like the polyalphabetic substitution cipher type of cryptograms but they are tougher to come by. But I might have to give crosswords a try.
Mung Dynasty
19 Apr 2009, 09:23 AM
I loathe cryptic crosswords. They are usually reliant on horribly convoluted and abysmally rancid puns. Can't stand the godammed things. Give me a nice, clean crossword any day.
His Noodly Appendage
19 Apr 2009, 01:56 PM
Got it.
Rebelled
His Noodly Appendage
19 Apr 2009, 01:59 PM
And the second.
World without end

Cute.

(yes, I used to do these)
His Noodly Appendage
19 Apr 2009, 02:03 PM
Creature that knocks over plates (7)
Mediancat
19 Apr 2009, 11:15 PM
Most important 72 in Augusta (9)

6 Roman rulers join football team (7)

Rob
David B
19 Apr 2009, 11:23 PM
HNA's I'm stuck on, Mediancat's two I've got.

Masters and Vikings

From today's Sunday Times, on of the ones I've solved

Repaired item is not on launch (3,2,6)

David
Mediancat
19 Apr 2009, 11:39 PM
You've got one of mine. The first is (9), not (7).

Rob
David B
19 Apr 2009, 11:56 PM
You've got one of mine. The first is (9), not (7).

Rob

Shit!

Must have jumped a line reading the clues.

David
JamesBannon
20 Apr 2009, 12:10 AM
I loathe cryptic crosswords. They are usually reliant on horribly convoluted and abysmally rancid puns. Can't stand the godammed things. Give me a nice, clean crossword any day.

QFT!
Mediancat
20 Apr 2009, 01:32 AM
I do remember another one I liked:

Mature winner (6)

Rob
Stout Drinker
20 Apr 2009, 01:51 AM
A city in Czeckoslovakia (4)

Oslo
JamesBannon
20 Apr 2009, 02:22 AM
GROAN! Dreadful pun!
Mung Dynasty
20 Apr 2009, 08:08 AM
Cryptics are the goatse of crosswords. :D
alien billie
21 Apr 2009, 10:55 AM
GSGE (9, 4)
alien billie
21 Apr 2009, 11:04 AM
I loathe cryptic crosswords. They are usually reliant on horribly convoluted and abysmally rancid puns. Can't stand the godammed things. Give me a nice, clean crossword any day.

Cryptics are the goatse of crosswords. :D

I would guess that you're so right handed that your left hand has withered away entirely :D
His Noodly Appendage
21 Apr 2009, 11:52 AM
I am an idiot, and cannot count.

Creature that knocks over plates (6)
alien billie
21 Apr 2009, 12:52 PM
I do remember another one I liked:

Mature winner (6)

Rob

Victor!
Mediancat
21 Apr 2009, 01:25 PM
Yup. I always thought that one was quite clever -- an excellent use of the double definition.

Still no answers for Most important 72 in Augusta (9)?

Rob
alien billie
21 Apr 2009, 02:16 PM
Shock-porn accuser mixed my nasty dung (4, 7) :D
JamesBannon
21 Apr 2009, 02:24 PM
Mung Dynasty?
alien billie
21 Apr 2009, 02:25 PM
Mung Dynasty?
:yup:


From today's Sunday Times, on of the ones I've solved

Repaired item is not on launch (3,2,6)

David

set in motion

I haven't got the Augusta one yet, I've got David B's answer on my brain :bang: :angry:
JamesBannon
21 Apr 2009, 02:28 PM
Good grief, I got one right! Normally I really, really suck at these.
alien billie
21 Apr 2009, 03:17 PM
I’ve not done a cryptic crossword in ages. Araucaria was my favourite. He could set a clue that’d be long enough to fill half the crossword once you got it, but even then it’d still be a challenge. So I went to the Grauniad’s webpage, and lo and behold today’s crossword (http://www.guardian.co.uk/crossword/java/new/0,,-24183,00.html) is an Araucaria.

And I’m failing utterly at it :confused:

Crosswords need practice :(