I bet if I asked you for your favourite cryptic clue, or you were asked for an example of a cryptic clue, it would either be a cryptic definition (where there’s a disguised definition and no wordplay) or an &lit (where the wordplay and the definition overlap entirely). These two clue types may be seen at each end of the cryptic spectrum as the rest of the clue types fit somewhere in-between. Neither would be considered a typical form of cryptic clue and it’s quite likely that you won’t see them often in your everyday cryptic crossword. So why do these clue types get labelled as favourites or used as examples? It’s quite common for cryptic solvers to be asked by non-solvers about their hobby/obsession and there’s a need to have some examples tucked away for these situations. How would you “explain” cryptic clues briefly based on the two-part wordplay/definition breakdown that we are all familiar with? It’s difficult, as without some cryptic understanding, the inquirer is likely to be bamboozled even in regard to a basic concept like the anagram. However, a cryptic definition can be understood by all without any cryptic insight – the inquirer just needs to alter their thinking a little. Pointing them in the right direction can lead to the answer that clearly equates to the clue. To some extent an &lit is the same as the whole thing represents the definition – something everyone can understand. Cryptic definitions are also easy to remember and provide that “aha” moment that some solvers crave. Can you imagine someone trying to explain a container and contents clue with anagrammed fodder involved – no hope – yet these types of clues are what cryptics crosswords are all about.
Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
1 | DRONGO | |
Doctor on crack and dope (6) | DR + ON + GO | |
5 | COSMIC | |
Universal Pictures finally invested in funny man (6) | PICTURE(S) inside COMIC | |
9 | MACERATED | |
Spice considered good quality should be softened (9) | MACE + RATED | |
10 | RAT ON | |
Betray one not committed to helping (3,2) | RATION minus I | |
11 | RISSOLES | |
River is stocked with fish food (8) | R + IS + SOLES | |
12 | LA-DI-DA | |
Conceited young man distributed aid (2-2-2) | LAD + anagram of AID | |
14 | HYPHENATED | |
Publicity about chicken at farmstead, ultimately is double-barrelled (10) | HYPE outside (HEN + AT) + FARMSTEA(D) | |
15 | AGED | |
Senior put in jail after losing case initially (4) | CAGED minus (C)ASE | |
17 | NUTS | |
Bowl over turning balls (4) | STUN reversed | |
19 | PLAINTIFFS | |
They’re seen in court contesting ordinary arguments (10) | PLAIN + TIFFS | |
22 | STEREO | |
Music-playing equipment operates poorly apart from public address system (6) | Anagram of OPEARTES minus PA | |
23 | DATELINE | |
Journalistic reference swallowed by learner during lunch, perhaps (8) | (ATE + L) inside DINE | |
25 | ICE UP | |
Freeze one beaker, say, filled with ether primarily (3,2) | (I + CUP) outside (E)THER | |
26 | ITINERANT | |
Traveller’s point made in one violent declamation (9) | TINE inside (I + RANT) | |
27 | SMARTS | |
Intelligence work in a gallery described in text (6) | ART inside SMS | |
28 | GOLFED | |
Played a round with gold-plated iron? (6) | GOLD outside FE | |
Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
2 | RACES UP | |
Group of people, with sign of infection over, approaches quickly (5,2) | RACE + (PUS reversed) | |
3 | NARROWED | |
Missile documented in withdrawn study may be limited (8) | ARROW inside (DEN reversed) | |
4 | ON THE TABLE | |
Greek letter pocketed by noble in ruins is under discussion (2,3,5) | THETA inside anagram of NOBLE | |
5 | CODE | |
Programming language writing? (4) | C + ODE | |
6 | SERIAL | |
Program that’s often on sex, greatly upset show-off (6) | (SE)X + (LAIR reversed) | |
7 | IN THING | |
Fashion parade held in labyrinth ingeniously? (2,5) | labyrINTH INGeniously | |
8 | INCANDESCENT | |
In container, dip is brilliant (12) | IN + CAN + DESCENT | |
9 | MERCHANT SHIP | |
Luxury car hasn’t moved in cargo carrier (8,4) | MERC + anagram of HASNT + HIP | |
13 | HESITATING | |
Indecisive model limited by A/C option (10) | SIT inside HEATING | |
16 | ETHEREAL | |
Maybe the realist, in part, is spiritual (8) | maybE THE REAList | |
18 | TIE BEAM | |
Structural part of roof that is fixed to top of bolt inside? (3,4) | [IE + (B)OLT) inside TEAM | |
20 | FRIGATE | |
Ship’s appointed lot carrying equipment (7) | FATE outside RIG | |
21 | KEEPER | |
Guard raised sword in presence of two different kings (6) | (EPEE reversed) inside (K + R) | |
24 | PICS | |
IT equipment loaded with one photographer’s work (4) | PCS outside I |
17 across, what a beauty!