Solving Cryptic Crosswords - Instructions by Stephen Koehler (koehler@sctc.com).

This is a brief set of instructions for solving cryptic crossword puzzles for those of you who are intrigued by these puzzles, but have not known how to begin solving them. For a more complete introduction, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

The Atlantic Puzzler, 745 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. 02116.

The characteristic common to all cryptic crossword puzzles is the format of the clues. Each clue is a miniature word puzzle consisting of a straight definition of the answer and a cryptic definition of the answer. For example,

Axle is poorly splined (7)

yields SPINDLE. Axle is the straight definition. The cryptic definition (poorly splined) indicates an anagram of "splined". The number in parentheses is the number of letters in the answer. Punctuation and capitalization may be ignored in interpreting the clues.

There are *only* (really?) eight categories of clues, as follows:

1. Anagram
An anagram is a word formed by mixing up the letters of another word. An anagram clue is indicated by some word that means "mixed up", for example, out, crazy, bizarre, insane, etc. One or more words may contribute to the anagram. For example:

Tim goes insane from selfishness (7)

for EGOTISM (anagram of "Tim goes")

2. Double Definition
A double definition is simply two definitions of the word. Most two-word clues are double definitions. For example:

Release without charge (4)

for FREE

3. Container
A container clue indicates that something is to be put in (or wrapped around) something else. A container is indicated by phrases such as eaten by, contains, in, gobbles, etc. For example:

In Missouri, consumed by fear (7)

for AMONGST (MO = Missouri in ANGST = fear)

4. Hidden Word
A hidden word is a word embedded in another word or words. It is indicated by phrases such as spot in, hides, at the heart of, covers, etc. For example:

Worn spot in paper at typo (5)

for RATTY (find ratty in "paper at typo")

5. Reversal
A reversal is a definition of a word with the letters reversed. It is indicated by words such as back, reversed, up (for down clues), leftward (for across clues), etc. For example:

Egad! Ray entirely reversed the lot of cloth (7)

for YARDAGE ("Egad! Ray" reversed)

6. Homophone
A homophone definition is a definition of a word that sounds the same as the answer, but is spelled differently. A homophone is indicated by words such as in audience, I hear, mouthed, verbally, etc. For example:

Regrets prank, I hear (4)

for RUES (the homophone is RUSE = prank)

7. Charade
In a charade, the pieces of the word are "spelled" out in order. There are no auxiliary words that indicate a charade. For example:

Excite a jerk extremist (7)

for FANATIC (FAN = excite, A, TIC = jerk)

8. Deletion
A deletion is a clue where you are instructed to remove a part of some word to make another word. For example,

Times with poor wages (4)

for AGES (with-poor WAGES, where with is abbreviated by W)

Combinations
Often the clue types are combined. Some common examples are (1) hidden word reversals where the answer is found backwards embedded in other words, and (2) containers or charades where the parts are anagrams.

For example:

Car shops have broken gear immersed in gasoline. (7)

for GARAGES (RAGE = gear anagram in GAS = gasoline)

Abbreviations
All manner of common abbreviations, acronyms, and other symbology such as roman numerals are allowed. For example:

c - one hundred, cup, or centigrade
v - six
h - hot
s - small
ca - california

Puns and "&lits"
Two punctuation marks at the end of the clue have been reserved for special meaning. A question mark (?) indicates that the straight clue is not entirely straight (usually a pun). For example:

I tie down mascara holder soundly? (7)

for EYELASH (homophone of "I lash", mascara holder is a punning definition of EYELASH)

An exclamation point (!) indicates that some part (usually all) of the clue overlaps. For example, the straight definition may also be the anagram indicator. Here is an example that entirely overlaps:

A moped also has these! (6)

for PEDALS (hidden word)

Here, the entire clue indicates the hidden word, but the entire clue is also a straight definition of the answer.