A cryptic crossword is similar to a regular crossword, but with a twist — the clues are all cryptic. The rules are as follows: each clue contains a definition of the word, usually at the beginning or the end of the clue, and the rest of the clue is wordplay that helps one get to the word. Sometimes, the clue may include words that indicate something must be backwards or scrambled.
Let’s try an example clue: “Sea burns an angled mark.”
Here, one might start by considering whether the beginning or end of the clue might be the definition of the word. So, the word is likely to mean “sea” or “angled mark.”
Then, one might try to see how wordplay may apply. The word “sea” could represent the letter “C,” so perhaps the word starts with “C.” According to the rules, a phrase must not serve a double purpose as part of the wordplay and part of the definition. Therefore, since “sea” is not the definition, the word must mean “angled mark” instead.
Additionally, one might think of what the “burns an” part may represent. One word that relates to “burn” is “hell,” which can also be connected to “heck.”
Putting this together, the answer to the clue is “check” because it is an angled mark that can be spelled using the letter “C” and the word “heck.”
Wordplay varies with each clue. This crossword will require thinking outside of the box and reading the clues in non-intuitive ways. Good luck!
