Author Topic: The Cryptic Crossword Clue Thread (Read 116637 times)

slope · « **Reply #600 on:** 30 December, 2022, 11:58:40 am »

Quote from: citoyen on 30 December, 2022, 11:48:41 am

Beauty from Nimrod in today’s Indy:

In retrospect, someone partial to prime-ministerial blunders (5)

And an amusing clue from an all round superb but gentle Pasquale in today's Guardian?

Asian drunk, we hear - one in the pool? (6)

citoyen · « **Reply #601 on:** 30 December, 2022, 12:51:17 pm »

From the same Nimrod puzzle, this is also superb for purely cruciverbal reasons:

But rose is one of our best! (7)

citoyen · « **Reply #602 on:** 30 December, 2022, 12:52:57 pm »

Quote from: slope on 30 December, 2022, 11:58:40 am

Quote from: citoyen on 30 December, 2022, 11:48:41 am
Beauty from Nimrod in today’s Indy:

In retrospect, someone partial to prime-ministerial blunders (5)

And an amusing clue from an all round superb but gentle Pasquale in today's Guardian?

Asian drunk, we hear - one in the pool? (6)

I enjoyed that one too, although a) it’s a bit of a chestnut, and b) the “pool” reference is rather outdated!

citoyen · « **Reply #603 on:** 30 December, 2022, 01:00:04 pm »

Quote from: Peter on 30 December, 2022, 11:58:13 am

The answer is easy enough but the clue depends on whether or not you think the answer sought the blunders out for preference.

Maybe, but it’s such a neat and clever clue, I’m not going to quibble over that.

Wowbagger · « **Reply #604 on:** 30 December, 2022, 10:58:01 pm »

Not from a crypic, but I rather liked this clue:

King's speech, 1963 (1,4,1,5)

Peter · « **Reply #605 on:** 31 December, 2022, 12:15:32 pm »

Would bring a smile to Abba fans! ("A beat combo", ect. ect.)

citoyen · « **Reply #606 on:** 16 January, 2023, 06:05:06 pm »

A couple of cheeky gems from Filbert in today's Indy:

Spooner's rubbish dump is a disciplined operation (5,4)

Squeeze hard cracking nuts on horse (8 )

If you can bear the Indy's awful UI, the whole puzzle is well worth a look, really good throughout.
https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

Peter · « **Reply #607 on:** 16 January, 2023, 06:33:45 pm »

Spooner one is excellent!

citoyen · « **Reply #608 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:23:02 pm »

Another topical one from Knut:

Gorillaz, A-ha, Wings, Squeeze, Public Enemy (6)

Peter · « **Reply #609 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:44:32 pm »

Wowbagger · « **Reply #610 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:58:40 pm »

I found the answer but was at a total loss as to why that seemingly random list of words was presented, but on the realisation that Wings was a popular beat combo, m’lud, I googled the others and found a pattern. I’m sure it will come as no surprise that I’d never heard of any of them.

Pingu · « **Reply #611 on:** 01 February, 2023, 10:22:56 pm »

This clue in today's Graun cryptic was a bit oo-er misssus.

Quote from: Tramp

Attack American president receiving head from Monica (6)

citoyen · « **Reply #612 on:** 02 February, 2023, 05:47:31 am »

Loved that. The one before it was nicely cheeky too:

Boob has male excited (4-2)

Pingu · « **Reply #613 on:** 05 February, 2023, 11:18:47 pm »

MP, the first numpty trapped by lie cut short (9)

citoyen · « **Reply #614 on:** 21 February, 2023, 04:51:59 pm »

This from Mudd* in today's FT is very clever indeed:

Eighth in alphabet, Greek character after H! (5)

*aka Paul in the Guardian

citoyen · « **Reply #615 on:** 21 February, 2023, 04:52:09 pm »

In other crossword news, I've been published in the new edition of 1 Across magazine with a pirate-themed crossword. But don't go rushing down to WH Smith to pick up a copy because it's subscription only.

Here are a few clues from it:

Pirate gang's heading east of Merseyside town (7)

I'm not sure following Blackbeard is professional (7)

What covers hatless pirate? (5)

Kind of race for Long John Silver and Hawkins (5-6)

Beef ragu oddly filling for pirate (6)

Nurse almost certain it's the end for pirate (8)

T42 · « **Reply #616 on:** 02 May, 2023, 07:24:20 am »

Got whatsit-bombed by 25a in the Graun Quick this morning.

slope · « **Reply #617 on:** 02 May, 2023, 11:18:13 am »

Fruit makes pop star extremely randy (6)

(fab simplicity from Brummie' cryptic in today's Guardian)

citoyen · « **Reply #618 on:** 02 May, 2023, 03:01:51 pm »

Quote from: slope on 02 May, 2023, 11:18:13 am

Fruit makes pop star extremely randy (6)

(fab simplicity from Brummie' cryptic in today's Guardian)

Pop? I see what he did there.

slope · « **Reply #619 on:** 01 June, 2023, 11:38:59 am »

Reminded of four fab clues for the same rather lovely to say 8 letter word today on 15²

1. A pound of sultanas?
2. How’s your father’s place in ruins of old Algiers?
3. Is Elgar distracted by love in rooms for wags?
4. Al Gore is amazing for wives and girlfriends

Peter · « **Reply #620 on:** 01 June, 2023, 11:55:32 am »

Should be able to work Mozart in somehow!

(click to show/hide)

Edit: Sorry, forgot to say those are excellent clues of yours!

citoyen · « **Reply #621 on:** 01 June, 2023, 12:29:35 pm »

The first is a famous Rufus classic. I do like that Al Gore one, which I've not seen before.

slope · « **Reply #622 on:** 01 June, 2023, 12:38:55 pm »

Quote from: citoyen on 01 June, 2023, 12:29:35 pm

The first is a famous Rufus classic. I do like that Al Gore one, which I've not seen before.

Indeed. Forgot to credit the setters of those clues

1. Rufus
2. Rorschach
3. Crucible
4. Picaroon

Pingu · « **Reply #623 on:** 14 June, 2023, 08:14:07 pm »

Rufus obituary in the Graun today

Peter · « **Reply #624 on:** 14 June, 2023, 08:32:24 pm »

Thanks, Pingu. A phenomenal compiler - and a phenomenal life.