13
$\begingroup$

The answer to this riddle is a single English word. The poem contains five clues in the form of definitions and or cryptic clues. The word is a common one but one of the definitions I used is an unusual one, so a dictionary may be useful.

"A demon's numbered here about."
"You are a fool!" The people shout.
The cure? A herbal remedy.
That's no bad break it's clear to see.
There's double trouble next, no doubt.
It makes me slip, impels me out.

I need this solved tomorrow at the latest. I hope the two extra lines don't spoil the fun. Again, a dictionary is the only outside source you should need.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ If you're inclined to clarify, is the "T" in "The people shout" capitalized on purpose or is it a continuation of the sentence with the quotation? $\endgroup$
    – SendersReagent
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 1:26
  • $\begingroup$ It's a continuation of the sentence. Capitalization is not significant. $\endgroup$
    – Hugh Meyers
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 4:10
  • $\begingroup$ You say there are five clues, but there are only four lines. Is that a typo or intended? $\endgroup$
    – Gordon Allocman
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 19:06
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ @GordonAllocman Intended. There's enough space on a line for two clues. $\endgroup$
    – Hugh Meyers
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 19:09

4 Answers 4

Reset to default
8
$\begingroup$

"A demon's numbered here about."

IMP + L (Roman numeral) inside SE (Stack Exchange is "here")

"You are a fool!" The people shout.

A fool is a SIMP; LE is "the".

The cure? A herbal remedy.

"SIMPLE" also means "herbal remedy" (found by SendersReagent)

That's no bad break it's clear to see.

The first half may be referring to a "simple fracture" (better than a compound one) (found by SendersReagent); the second half is a straight definition, "it's clear to see".

There's double trouble next, no doubt.

"There are two cryptic clues coming up in the next line."

It makes me slip, impels me out.

SIMPLE makes ME SLIP; it is also IMPELS 'out' (a common anagram indicator)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
8
  • $\begingroup$ Ah, yes, yes. The first one is good. I like that. The second one I think could be either. And the last two are better than mine, for sure. $\endgroup$
    – SendersReagent
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:31
  • $\begingroup$ @SendersReagent: I chose mine over yours since all but one word would be useless in yours. Still not quite satisfied with mine, though. $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi ♦
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:32
  • $\begingroup$ I feel like shouting has to be part of it, but I don't see how it could be. $\endgroup$
    – SendersReagent
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:36
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ "The people shout" is, unfortunately, just there to satisfy rhyme and meter. Ideally, there would be one more clue with fiendish ingenuity but I couldn't think of one that fit. $\endgroup$
    – Hugh Meyers
    Commented Apr 21, 2016 at 5:54
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Hugh: Thank you! That last line is the one that did it for me. As for the second, I would say something like "the Yank would shout" to make that line into a homophone of SIMP+PULL. $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi ♦
    Commented Apr 21, 2016 at 5:56
6
$\begingroup$

My $0.02 about this:
Answer:

Garlic

"A demon's numbered here about."

reference to Dracula

"You are a fool!" The people shout.

Line from the book "Vlad Dracula" by Michael Augustyn

The cure? A herbal remedy.

In the vampire mythology Garlic is one of the "remedies" against vampires.

That's no bad break it's clear to see.

it's common knowledge because (or thanks to) Bram Stoker.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ These are cryptic-style clues, meaning that there is wordplay involved. For more information on cryptic crosswords go to solving-cryptics.com . $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi ♦
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 6:46
6
$\begingroup$

I've not quite pieced everything together yet, but based on what I have, the answer (I think) is

"Simple"

"A demon's numbered here about!"

This I'm not sure on. In the Bible, Jesus expelled a mute (dumb) demon from a man who was then able to speak. 666 is a triangular number and it's simple because it's a repidigit... No, I got nothing.

"You are a fool" The people shout!

"Simple" also means dumb (foolish)

The cure? A herbal remedy.

simple: n a medicinal herb, or a medicine made from one. "the gatherers of simples"

That's no bad break

Simple fractures (broken bones) aren't as bad as compound fractures.

It's clear to see.

Self-explanatory, but something that is simple is obvious, i.e. clearly noticeable.

There's double trouble next, no doubt.

When something is simple, it is expected that something complicating is nigh.

Or maybe this random line I saw from the Bible: "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty."

It makes me slip, impels me out.

I'm unsure about this one, but maybe... You mess up (i.e. slip) spelling "simple" and accidentally spell it "simpel?

The title "If you're minded to answer it"

If you're simple-minded, it may be too complicated. This goes along with "Clem," the simple-minded crawdad slappee who was mentioned in the original narrative.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
4
  • $\begingroup$ I think you're on the right track, but you haven't quite gotten the cryptic part down. $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi ♦
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:08
  • $\begingroup$ @Deusovi For instance? Most of what I have would either be word play or definition. $\endgroup$
    – SendersReagent
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:09
  • $\begingroup$ @Deusovi I'm aware some isn't; that's why I feel unsure about some of them. But I think most of it fits, especially the herbal remedy thing, the "bad break," etc. The herbal remedy part is what sold me. $\endgroup$
    – SendersReagent
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:12
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Yeah, I think you're right on the herbal remedy. I've gotten all but the "bad break" line so I'm posting it as another answer, but I'll give you credit. $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi ♦
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:13
2
$\begingroup$

Here is my guess, though I haven't managed to fit all the clues.:

It is:

Chasm

"A demon's numbered here about."

Could be a reference to Purgatory Chasm

"You are a fool!" The people shout.

One definition of chasm is "a divergence of opinions, beliefs, etc., between persons or groups" so I think this fits

The cure? A herbal remedy.

No idea for this one

That's no bad break it's clear to see.

A break that isn't bad is a fracture. Another definition of a fracture is "the cracking or breaking of a hard object or material" which a chasm may be synonymous of (probably a bit of stretch)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ These are cryptic-style clues, meaning that there is wordplay involved. For more information on cryptic crosswords go to solving-cryptics.com. $\endgroup$
    – Deusovi ♦
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 23:07

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.