Our crossword compiler, Paul Lamford, has composed over 100 puzzles for various
publications and is coauthor with Mike Laws (Fawley in The Guardian, Jude in The
Independent) of 50 Crossword Puzzles (Carlton Books, £4.99). Here he explains the
linguistic logic of the cryptic crossword.
‘Dog (4)’ is the most irritating kind of clue. All one can do is consult the
Encyclopedia of Dogs and make a note of those with four letters. When we come to another
clue ‘Cat (5)’ we then see which letters the various breeds of cat have in
common with our list of dogs and we have narrowed down our possible answers ...
The cryptic crossword contains clues very different to the above ‘definition
style’. The difference is that the solver is fairly sure that the answer he or she
has entered is correct. Instead of Dog (4), the clue will be something like
‘Dog-end?’ (4) and the answer will not be a dog at all, nor will it be a simple
definition like butt, but will be TAIL, as to dog means to tail or follow; and a tail is
also an end. This is the simplest type of crossword clue, the double-definition.
One of the most common themes in the crossword is the anagram. Inelegant arrangement for
flower (9) contains a common ‘flag’ for an anagram, the word
‘arrangement’, and one or more words in sequence containing the requisite number
of letters – ‘inelegant’, and this leads to the answer EGLANTINE. A wild
goose chase might be to look for a river as the solution, as the cunning composer often
clues these as flowers, because they flow! Often the definition includes the letters to be
rearranged, the so-called ‘and lit’ theme. For example, ‘Safe recipe
designed to avoid cooking (4,6)’ might be the clue to FIRE ESCAPE, an anagram, and an
obtuse way of expressing its purpose. Another example is ‘Thicken stew here?’
(7), the solution to which is KITCHEN.
Another sophisticated form of clue is where the anagram indicator is within the answer. An
example would be ‘Threat, perhaps, perceived by Alice? (3,6)’. The solution is
MAD HATTER, as hatter is an anagram of threat, and the reference is to the work of ...
Charles Dodgson.
There are some other rules to the composer’s code. The words point, direction, or
quarter are often indicative of a letter of the compass, N, S, E or W. So points (4)’
might be NEWS. A novice or student will often indicate the letter L. Elements can be their
chemical symbols; countries can be their initial letter or letters, and famous people can
be their initials too. The notes of the musical scale often feature. ‘Passed on two
notes (4)’ could be the clue to LATE. The list is endless.
Another common trick employed by the composer of cryptic crossword is to conceal the
answer within the clue itself. The ‘fair-play guide’ rules that the letters must
be consecutive, so that ‘Sexual act depicted by actor gyrating (4)’ might be the
clue to ORGY which can be found in the clue by inspection. The word ‘depicted’
is used to suggest this theme.
Finally, there are the best clues, the completely original ones. A famous example was
HIJKLMNO (5) which appeared in The Times some years ago. The answer was WATER, and the
reader can work out why, or send an email to gampas@aol.com.
N16
crossword no. 20
Go by Gap
There will be a prize of a meal for two up to £30 at Barracuda for the first correct
entry drawn.
Entries to N16 Crossword, PO Box 44624, London N16 5WN
Solution and winner on our website after 2nd January 2004
Eight solutions are of the same kind, with a London theme. Their definitions are omitted
from their clues. The heading should assist. |
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ACROSS
1 Poached with real cream (11,4)
9 “Mad Hatter let out” (gossip rag) (3,6)
10 Wander in France; I follow fellow (5)
11 See 7 down
12 Saying dies out - possibly no more (9)
15 Announcing road works in Epping? Not half (9)
16 Flighty lads back it after place (5)
17 Jack reportedly found in church (5)
19 Pilot came adrift following a planetary system? (9)
22 Pitch Craig and Andrew together (9)
23 Pound substance (4)
26 Magistrate presents note to first lady (5)
27 Hail a tour organized by a writer (9)
28 Light and firm (8,7) |
DOWN
1 Superior opera? (5,5)
2 Nice lad touring country (7)
3 Test former partner before noon (4)
4 Bugle call for theatre director meeting Mohammed (7)
5 See 24 down
6 Appealing arrangement with servant initially getting gratuities (10)
7, 11 ac Took red land away (3,4,4)
8 Dog-end (second-class) (4)
13 I never rest uneasily (9)
14 Told to select an excellent person (10)
18 Transfer the late competitor (7)
19 Wrap up note with six old Iranian characters (7)
20 John picked up a nervous reaction from limestone perhaps ... (7)
21 ... a compound with animal going round the bend (7)
24 Reef-knot on standard piece (4,7)
25 Quickly move collection of animals on Mozambique capital (4) |
Cross word answers below
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