Muristek
Continuing our series for those tempted or daunted by cryptics, we explore giving the answer by listing a specimen
In the example clues below, I explain the two parts of each one. There is a definition of the answer and there is some wordplay – a recipe for assembling its letters. In a genuine puzzle environment, of course, you also have the crossing letters, which hugely alleviate your solving load. Also, here, the setters’ names tend to link to profiles of the individuals behind the pseudonyms.
When I began solving cryptics, without a series of handy hints like the one you’re reading now, I sometimes wondered: if I take a dictionary and look up what I think is the answer, should I see underneath the part of the clue that I think offers the definition, but perhaps not expect that to work the other way round?
11d Bird seen in the museum (3)[ wordplay: some of the letters of (“seen in”) THEMUSEUM ][ definition: bird ]
10a Perhaps hawk’s attempt to catch rook (4)[ wordplay: synonym for “attempt” containing (“to catch”) chess abbreviation for “rook” ][ BID containing R ][ definition: perhaps hawk ]
12a Perhaps 2000 or 2020 players struggle to control Real’s midfield (4,5)[ wordplay: anagram (“struggle”) of PLAYERS containing middle letters of (“midfield”) REAL ][ LEAPYRS containing EA ][ definition: perhaps 2000 or 2020 ]
19a Coke and rum originally served in saloon, say (3)[ wordplay: initial letters of (“originally”) COKE AND RUM ][ definition: saloon, say ]
21a Angry report on Dirty Duck? (8)[ wordplay: synonym for “angry” and soundalike of (“report on”) synonym for “dirty” ][ synonym for “angry” and soundalike of “foul” ][ definition: duck? ]
10a Checks possibly amber clothing at home (5,2)[ wordplay: what “amber” is an example of, containing (“clothing”) synonym for “at home” ][ RESIN containing IN ][ definition: checks ]
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