Questions tagged [cryptic-clues]
A puzzle that involves cryptic clues of the type found in cryptic crosswords, but is not a cryptic crossword. DO NOT use this tag for puzzles that are stated cryptically; use [enigmatic-puzzle] instead. Use [cryptic-crosswords] for whole crosswords; [crossword-clues] for crossword clues not obeying the conventions of cryptic crosswords (even if they are stated cryptically).
408
questions
3
votes
1
answer
161
views
A count's aunt goes to auditory specialist because of hearing issues [10], cryptic crossword clue
A single cryptic type cross word clue...
A count's aunt goes to auditory specialist because of hearing issues. [10]
- 4,106
4
votes
1
answer
152
views
Spie? Cryptic crossword clue
Cryptic crossword type clue
Spie? (5,4)
This is meant to be a clue that could appear in a cryptic crossword.
- 4,106
7
votes
1
answer
281
views
Please, Identify the Ated Als
I seek his crypt and come to visit
the site of Humpty's fated falls
where definitions aren't explicit.
But as with most awaited walls,
connect the groups and you won't miss it.
Please, identify the ...
- 6,879
6
votes
2
answers
845
views
the television: a country's finale
This puzzle belongs to the puzzle series: A-Countries-Journey
This is part 3.
New country! Welcome to the UN! Here is your task for today:
Germany's Cryptics Factory: where the cryptics are always ...
3
votes
1
answer
417
views
Good-bye mailman.... cryptic crossword clue
This is a cryptic crossword clue...
Good-bye mailman with new delivery method [2,5]
or at least it is my attempt at a clue. The clue is self-contained and none of the surrounding text is relevant, ...
- 4,106
6
votes
1
answer
132
views
Cryptic clue: of simian flanges
In a community poll for the Connections Online Quiz League, noted British quizzer Gareth Kingston presented the joke answer "Flange of baboon in mining country perhaps (3, 6)".
My very ...
- 3,556
3
votes
1
answer
194
views
Why is the answer GENTLE to the cryptic clue "a tender trap"? [closed]
The cryptic clue is a tender trap. The answer is "gentle". I can't see the trap reference. Can somebody help me to see it, please?
- 31
6
votes
1
answer
379
views
Why does "If it's ready made, this will get me down! (5)" clue REACH?
If it's ready made, this will get me down! (5)
This is from the Metro newspaper cryptic crossword for Dec 14, 2021. I already had R _ A _ H, so the answer was fairly obviously REACH and this was ...
- 61
4
votes
1
answer
91
views
Create Massachusetts kinetic energy
I've been lurking around the cryptic crosswords lately, and I have to say their clues are fascinating. So without further ado, here's a selection of clues of my own design:
Henry steals cow from ...
- 333
4
votes
2
answers
671
views
Recurrent definition of alcohol content via hazing (5, 2, 9) [closed]
Recurrent definition of alcohol content via hazing (5, 2, 9).
I'm completely stumped.
It's a stand alone clue. Not part of a crossword.
- 51
13
votes
1
answer
432
views
PSE Advent Calendar 2021 (Day 14): An international reunion
This puzzle is part of the Puzzling StackExchange Advent Calendar 2021. The accepted answer to this question will be awarded a bounty worth 50 reputation.< Previous Door Next Door >
This is a &...
- 67k
6
votes
1
answer
169
views
Cryptic Acrostic 4: Follow the Leader
This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, you can click the associated link.
A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, ...
- 1,818
16
votes
1
answer
626
views
PSE Advent Calendar 2021 (Day 8): Reindeer Family Reunion
This puzzle is part of the Puzzling StackExchange Advent Calendar 2021. The accepted answer to this question will be awarded a bounty worth 50 reputation.< Previous Door Next Door >
In the style ...
- 23.9k
6
votes
1
answer
344
views
Explanations for three clues in a cryptic crossword
I've just solved a cryptic by LR that was originally published on 22 June 2020. My best effort at explaining the clues is below, spoilered in case you want to try the crossword yourself:
As indicated ...
- 3,681
17
votes
2
answers
674
views
Incomprehensible Crossword [Puzzle]
What Notable Object is the Following Crossword Cluing?
Across:
1. Clattering or banging, for example (5)
2. Has never been done before (8)
3. Fiery pit (4)
4. Exam solution (6)
5. Very cream of ...
- 1,782
22
votes
1
answer
388
views
The Video Gamers' Double-Duty Crossword 2
See the original HERE
Video games — Trivia vs Wordplay — one more time:
Here are twenty crossword clues that describe twenty video games. Solve them if you'd like! Or, if you treat each clue as ...
- 14.8k
9
votes
1
answer
311
views
Cryptic Acrostic 3: Built So Fly
This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, click the associated link.
A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, as well ...
- 1,818
6
votes
1
answer
91
views
Cryptic Acrostic 2: Road Trip
This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, click the associated link.
A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, as well ...
- 1,818
8
votes
2
answers
539
views
Locked in an alien crypt: Jewels on the floor
Dazed, you slowly regain consciousness. You don’t know how you got here, but one thing is certain – your exploration of this otherworldly planet has reached an ugly end. Trapped in an alien crypt, ...
- 5,263
8
votes
1
answer
237
views
Cryptic Acrostic 1: Off Balance
This is an acrostic puzzle which uses cryptic clues. If you're unfamiliar with either or both of those, click the associated link.
A complete answer should give the quote, author and source, as well ...
- 1,818
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
A duck for a well-known bowler (5): How to solve it?
The following is a cryptic clue1:
A duck for a well-known bowler (5)
I know that the answer is:
While I understand that:
How does it relate to the cryptic clue?
1 The source for this cryptic clue ...
3
votes
1
answer
127
views
Can containment/content indicators come after the outside and inside words?
I have surface I like for a cryptic clue I want to write that is of the form:
outside-word inside-word indicator
Something like:
Fix railway without cat
Or
Crafts day about Monday to Friday
If ...
- 1,335
5
votes
1
answer
448
views
Bananas for chemistry
Going bananas for chemistry...
First I have standards, and my yearbook likely starts with why I'm part of AVEN. In the end, I name four art galleries that have a sweet founder.
My parents were ...
- 1,335
4
votes
0
answers
277
views
What's the relation between these clues?
Find the relation between these words a.k.a. clues in the sentences below:
Zombies prefer to stay beside elevators.
Evil country produces thousands of money.
I was eating fast food in that vehicle.
...
- 2,269
0
votes
1
answer
114
views
cryptic clue - palidromic medic with difficult personality loses title [7]
Cryptic crossword type clue
Palindromic medic with difficult personality loses title [7]
(hints will be provided over time if necessary... )
- 4,106
1
vote
1
answer
225
views
Local clues for crossword
Is it safe to use indicators that only work "locally"?
Such as
"swimmer" for SE
"quetzal" for Q
"Scratch Team" for ST
- 1,695
3
votes
2
answers
724
views
No Sound in Space
I hear there is no sound in space.
But you are not in space so should have no trouble solving these.
(These are related/themed cryptic clues, more or less. They may or may not be valid or fair, in the ...
- 12.3k
3
votes
1
answer
134
views
Cryptics from the perspective of an American satirist
One segment of a certain satirical TV series began like this:
Good evening everyone. Today I'm going to rant about cryptic clues and cryptic crosswords – not our type, of course. Some say that Mike ...
- 3,681
9
votes
1
answer
314
views
King Albert VII
This is a themed cryptic crossword, with six answers following the theme. For further instructions and details, scroll past the crossword and clues.
ACROSS
1. Without everyone, head off in area where ...
- 3,504
5
votes
1
answer
342
views
Very modest contract: leading with a king makes good sense (5)
This is from a Times puzzle in an old book:
(DOWN) 4. Very modest contract: leading with a king makes good sense (5)
I know the answer is LOGIC but I can't see why - please can somebody explain it?
- 51
11
votes
1
answer
700
views
The unsolvable cryptic clue
My friend was reading a newspaper and I caught a glimpse of a rather mystifying cryptic clue on one of the pages. I've been unable to solve it ever since and it's driving me crazy! Here's my "...
- 67k
3
votes
1
answer
212
views
How is "OPPOSE" the answer to "Don't act like a pro (6)"?
Clue from the West Australian Cryptic Crossword 13/5/2021:
"Don't act like a pro (6)"
Answer: OPPOSE
I can see that "act" gives POSE", but how do you get to "OPPOSE&...
- 31
16
votes
5
answers
7k
views
Why is "lion" the answer to "Take the first left turn at the zoo?"
From The Evening Standard's Cryptic Crossword - Apr 23 2021, the clue for 36-Across is:
Take the first left turn at the zoo (4)
And the answer is "lion".
I get that the first left is L. ...
- 161
10
votes
1
answer
436
views
A Cryptic Cryptarithm
An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #48: Unusual tag mix
Solve these puzzles to reveal why I made them.
Matriarch mostly prepared oats for American airline location? (8)
AIRLINE + LOCATION = ?
51 ...
- 5,553
6
votes
1
answer
265
views
A Cryptic Combination
My friend couldn't make it to school today, but wanted me to grab his backpack from his locker for him. He told me he had a combination lock, and sent the following message, saying "There's one ...
- 5,553
5
votes
1
answer
262
views
Cryptic Geometry
An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #48: Unusual tag mix
I was trying to study some geometry, but I just can't seem to wrap my head around all this mathematical mumbo jumbo. Can you help me out?
...
- 9,088
10
votes
1
answer
256
views
A Cryptic Property
An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #48: Unusual tag mix
After solving the following cryptic clues, find the following properties:
A major property that all ten words share.
A minor property ...
- 5,553
3
votes
1
answer
112
views
I'm just a Simple Newbie
After figuring out each clue, you should also figure out why the clues are grouped the way they are. All answers are in English.
Group 1
She changed after French novel (5)
A hot underworld hiding ...
- 5,553
2
votes
1
answer
238
views
Not the Genesis of a Break
The following cryptic clues are in English, don't include punctuation, and have a theme (except for one minor exception) which will provide context for the definitions of the clue. There are two main ...
- 5,553
15
votes
2
answers
472
views
Shipwreck hunting
An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #46: "Tales From the Cryptic"
My Uncle Redbeard, the great sailor and shipwreck-hunter, is in trouble and needs my help! This morning a mysterious ...
- 96.8k
7
votes
1
answer
422
views
A perfect puzzle for lockdown
(Every part of this question is part of the puzzle.) Only one clue to go!
The following are some CRYPTIC CLUES that all relate to a THEME. The first group of clues are only TANGENTIALLY related to the ...
- 5,553
15
votes
1
answer
446
views
The Maze of Hermes
An entry into Fortnightly Topic Challenge #46: "Tales From the Cryptic"
THE QUEST
I have been running a role-playing game, in which my friend plays a halfling named Ptolic. Recently, Ptolic ...
- 2,403
11
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Why is RYE the answer to "Grass over pretty Cambridge backs"?
The clue is:
Grass over pretty Cambridge backs
The answer is RYE. I get the grass part, but what is the connection in the rest of the clue? This is from the Saturday Telegraph Cryptic, clue no. ...
- 119
8
votes
1
answer
151
views
A Cryptic Morality Tale
An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #46: "Tales From the Cryptic"
So this puzzle uses the term cryptic in multiple senses. On the one hand, it is cryptic in the sense that there are ...
- 23.9k
0
votes
1
answer
250
views
Why is the answer to "Newspaper had a box for the sweetmeat" FUDGE?
This is a clue from a cryptic crossword published in the NZ Herald on January 1st 2021:
Newspaper had a box for the sweetmeat.
All I can see is that FUDGE is a sweet often kept in a box or tin, but ...
- 59
17
votes
1
answer
443
views
A Cryptic Tale Indeed!
An entry in Fortnightly Topic Challenge #46: "Tales From the Cryptic"
We begin with the most abnormal, rosiest fables of twisted form, driven into the heart of endless deed. It is a dark ...
- 4,446
2
votes
1
answer
375
views
Looking foward to the Message
Some words of wisdom from a good friend of mine. He sent it to me in a form of a puzzle for me to work out:
1) Integral - killer's initials and victims end (3)
2) Stiff, dull-spoken. (5)
3) Sheep ...
- 1,958
8
votes
1
answer
250
views
Cryptic Family Reunion: It's been a long, long, long time
The answer to this puzzle is a list of ten thematically related words or proper names or phrases. Each of these is clued cryptically, and the theme is to be determined. Since the definition part of a ...
- 23.9k
0
votes
0
answers
379
views
Is the OP on mushrooms?
What two words am I looking for in the puzzle below? (The title too is a clue).
35437
When a Deity sees its reflection,
Clip the best of rediscoveries approximately.
Blow has been blown when it is ...
- 1,958
8
votes
1
answer
225
views
Cryptic Family Reunion: Watching Your Belt (Fan-Made)
Inspired by the Cryptic Family Reunion Series by Jeremy Dover
The answer to this puzzle is a list of eight thematically related words or proper names or phrases. Each of these is clued cryptically, ...
- 123k