I recently heard a discussion on on the wireless about cryptic crosswords and how to solve them with reference to a new book on the subject by Colin Dexter (creator of the crossword-loving Inspector Morse) and another crossword-booker, Sandy Balfour.They were both asked for their favourite cryptic clues and here they are from Mr Dexter:
Nothing squared is cubed (3 letters)
and from Mr Balfour:
I say nothing (3 letters)
Answers (if you're not crossworders) tomorrow...
7 comments:
I love cryptic crosswords and Auracaria is the master!!! I have had a quick look at the clues you cite and I have the answer to the second but not the first. I am reluctant to post the answer for fear of upsetting you. However my favourite clue (from Auracaria) is "Spokeswoman in aircrash" - 5 letters.
OK - I have now got the first answer too. It is interesting that the quality of the clue is not always related to the difficulty in solving it. It is about the ingenuity of the setter - which is why Araucaria is the master!! My father, who introduced me to cryptic crosswords, loved the clue - "IST" - the answer being Capitalist - or capital ist of course!!
Ouch! I do enjoy crosswords, but I can only ever manage them in French, despite the fact that English is my mother tongue! Explain that if you can! trinsomi: the answer to your cryptic clues, but expressed in a longer word
ROB - Haven't a clue (if you'll pardon the pun!) what the answer is to "Spokeswoman in aircrash" (5 letters), but will be puzzling about it for the rest of the day! GILL will probably get it, but please send the answer, sometime, so I and others can be put out of our misery!! 'Capitalist' is a corker!
Also, Rob, well done on cracking the Dexter/Balfour favourites - I'll withhold your comment with the answers till tomorrow but can certify that you were the first to come up with the correct solutions!! :-)
SUZANNE - Solving crosswords in FRENCH: that's just perverse!
GILL e-mailed to say....
"My favourite clue is
HIJKLMNO (5 letters)"
Hmmmmmmm...
OK! Go, Rob, GO!
Can I claim second place? Also first place for Gill's clue?!
I try the Guardian crossword every day but can usually only complete it with the help of my erudite husband. The only ones I know we won't finish are the Araucaria ones: but I always enjoy the elegance of his constructions and clues.
PROSM: A broken promise
Er... No, SHEILA, not unless you send me your answers!! Rob did but I haven't posted them so as not to spoil anyone else's fun --- or, should I say, pain!
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