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[Ruta Bagas]

I was mulling ways to shamelessly plug a New Thing I'm doing and the thought occurred that I had no idea whether it'd be appropriate to do so here. So this is a thread about cryptic crosswords. On the one hand, most of you fine people aren't from parts where these peculiar puzzles are a respectable pastime, but on the other there's a widespread Thing For Words in the air. So on we go.

In case you're unfamiliar with cryptics – and why shouldn't you be? They're ridiculous – here's a brief explanation. A cryptic crossword clue is made up of two parts: a straight definition and a tricksier ‘wordplay’ element, in which the answer is hinted at in a more arcane and roundabout manner. The thread title, for example, breaks down like this:

Obscure is the definition. The answer will mean ‘obscure’ in some sense, but not necessarily the sense implied by the rest of the clue – although it's an adjective in the clue, the answer could be, say, ‘conceal’ (it isn't.)

chamber is chilling at firs is all wordplay. In this case, ‘chamber’ indicates ‘crypt’, a simple synonym, while ‘at first’ suggests that you take the first letters of ‘is chilly’. Put it all together and you have the answer: ‘cryptic’, meaning obscure.

These relatively simple principles are accompanied by a host of conventions and types of clue. Anagrams are common, so ‘confused rant at E.E.’ might clue ‘anteater’. A pretty good explanation of more can be found here.

Anyone inspired or already an eager fan? If so, then clearly I should press on with the aforementioned plugging. Starting yesterday, I'm tweeting a cryptic clue every weekday, all of them linked by a weekly theme. The solutions and the connection will go up at the weekend, and there's an EXCITING SPREADSHEET to keep track of scores for those who tweet along their answers.

Plugging aside, freebies are available from the Guardian (I think you can still get them overseas) and they're well worth getting to grips with.

[AugustWest]

I'm a big fan of regular crosswords, but I've never been able to get into cryptics.  I guess I could give it another shot...

[Doc]

I always kind of want to get into them but never quite managed it, I shall try again for thee Ruta. For Thee.

[Ruta Bagas]

Yeah, I don't know that I'd have got into them if my dad didn't do them. Trying them with someone who's already wrapped their head around their ways is by far the best way to get into it.

Of course, you lose the sense of pioneering spirit, but you can always top up on that with the unabashed ridiculousness of the Listener crossword. Sample instructions:

In the completed grid, each cell must contain one letter, but some answers would require two letters in unchecked cells, so these must be modified. Different rules apply in each area. In one area, letters spelling out (in grid order) things which are not required there must be removed. In the other area, some letters must travel elsewhere. In their original grid order, these letters explain why their journey is necessary, and they leave something familiar behind. Upon arrival at their destination, suitable helpers must be arranged. Six cells must be highlighted in a colour consistent with the theme, which Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable can confirm. The Chambers Dictionary (2008) is the primary reference.

[theinevitable]

I love things that have insanely complex rules like this.
Not actually doing them, just thinking about them and knowing they exist. And that there are people whose brains can function in this way.

I can't even do normal crosswords. Or scrabble.
My roommate and I agree that we hate scrabble because it doesn't reward us for knowing stupidly long words.

[CortJstr]

Combining the last two posts: IIRC Scrabble players hate the Chambers dictionary because it's responsible for all kinds of insane and archaic words being acceptable in OSW (British) and SOWPODS (British + American combined) games.

[Ruta Bagas]

That, of course, is thanks to the very feature that makes it ideal for absurdly convoluted crosswords.