Still stumped? Here’s another clue for you all…

Do those complicated clues leave you lost for words? Puzzles editor Chris Lancaster has all the answers…

JUGGLING WITH WORDS

Last week, in the first instalment of this four-part series, we looked at how a cryptic crossword clue is constructed; we also saw how anagram clues work. Hopefully you came away feeling slightly less puzzled; after all, there are many things in life that seem baffling and impossible when first attempted. The first time behind the wheel of a car is frightening and confusing, and it seems as if one will never get the grasp of how to use the pedals, steer, and change gear simultaneously – and, most importantly, avoid hitting something or someone.

Most people believe that juggling three balls takes superhuman ability and would be completely beyond them, but anyone with a basic level of handeye co-ordination can learn how to do it within half an hour or so, given the right tutor; the same goes for cryptic crosswords. This week we look at some more types of clue that you might find in one of our puzzles.

DOUBLE DEFINITIONS

We know that most cryptic clues contain a definition of the answer, along with wordplay to help the solver reach this answer. A double definition clue is a bit different, in that, as the name suggests, the clue consists only of two definitions of the answer. For example:

Problem children (5)

The solver is expected to think of a word that can mean both “problem” and “children”. The answer is ISSUE, as if one has an issue with something, one has a problem with it; also, a formal synonym for “children” is “issue” (as in “the king has no male issue”). Here is another one:

Card game, variety of bridge (7)

The answer is PONTOON, which is both a card game and a type of bridge that might cross a river, for example.

BRAIN TWISTERS

‘You may wind up eating it’ could be a cryptic definition clue for the above

On the face of it, a double definition clue should be easy to solve; it’s the same as a clue that you would find in the Quick Crossword, but contains twice as much information. In practice, these clues can be surprisingly tricky as, unlike most other types of clue, there is no wordplay to lead you to the solution.

PRACTICE …

Try the following double definition clues (answers are given at the end of this article); in each case, we’ve given some letters of the answer:

1. Periodical observer (9) _P_C_A_O_

2. Precise remedy (8) S_E_I_I_

3. Clean, unlike a leopard? (8) S_O_L_S_

CRYPTIC DEFINITIONS

Many people who like crosswords also enjoy other word-based games and may like jokes that rely on language to mislead. A cryptic definition clue is just that: it is a clue that contains no wordplay, but uses misleading words to conceal the answer, as a form of joke. It is perhaps easiest to give some examples.

You may wind up eating it (9)

As is the case with all cryptic definitions, there is more going on than meets the eye. The solution requires some lateral thought, as the answer is a food that one may need to wind up on one’s fork or spoon in order to eat: SPAGHETTI.

If you are groaning having read that, then that’s not surprising. It’s also not surprising that cryptic definitions can be rather difficult to solve, as there is no wordplay to get one’s teeth into. Here’s another:

Vehicle’s standing charge (7,3)

Baffled? Rather than being a monthly standing charge, or similar, paid for the rental or use of a vehicle, the answer is PARKING FEE – or, a charge levied while a vehicle is standing, parked.

Try the following cryptic definition clues; again, we’ve given some letters of each answer:

1. One regrets being this (10) A_O_O_E_I_

2. Breakdown specialists? (13) _S_C_I_T_I_T_

3. Until the beer runs out? (2,3,6,3) _O _H_ B_T_E_ E_D

THE ANSWER SOUNDS LIKE…

One of the other weapons in the compiler’s arsenal is the homophone clue. You’re probably familiar with homophones from everyday life, but just in case you’re not, homophones are two or more words that can sound alike but are spelt differently – such as BOARD and BORED, STEAL and STEEL, BOW and BOUGH.

In a homophone clue, the compiler will give a definition of the answer, a definition for a word (or words) that sound like the answer, and a homophone indicator, to tell us that a homophone is being used. Here’s an example:

Cold country, reportedly (5) “Reportedly” is one of the most common homophone indicators, and tells us that we are looking for a homophone of the word or words next to it. As there are only three words in the clue, we can be reasonably sure that we are after a word meaning “cold” which sounds like either another word for a country, or the name of a country. The answer is CHILLY, which is a homophone of CHILE.

Here is another, somewhat more difficult:

Looking for Neptune, we hear (7)

The words “we hear” at the end of the clue suggest a homophone. As the definition must thus be at the beginning of the clue, we can work out that the answer is likely to be a synonym of “looking” or “looking for”, which also sounds like a word that means “Neptune”. As Neptune was a SEA KING, the answer is SEEKING, which is a synonym of “looking for”.

YET MORE PRACTICE …

Here are some homophone clues to try; once more, we’ve given some letters of each answer:

1. Croaky animal we hear (7) H__R__

2. Broadcast possible breakfast show in parts (6)

S_R_A_

3. Seat lost deliberately, it’s said (6) T_R_N_

ANSWERS

Double definitions: 1. SPECTATOR; 2. SPECIFIC; 3. SPOTLESS. Cryptic definitions: 1. APOLOGETIC; 2. PSYCHIATRISTS; 3. TO THE BITTER END; Homophones: 1. HORSE; 2. SERIAL; 3. THRONE.