Puzzling

Time for the next instalment in this cryptic series – deletions! They can also be called subtractions. I know you've already figured out what this cryptic device is all about from its name. Yes, we're going to remove letters, and ruthlessly throw them away. Cruel, but fair. Deletions are used quite a lot in cryptic clues, as it's common to be able to remove a letter or two from one word, to get to another. Some examples : ABATE - A and E = BAT CHIP - C = HIP FREESIA - SIA = FREE TRIP - T = RIP And so on. When it comes to these clues, you not only need to know what word to start with (with deletion indicators), you also need to know which letters to dump (with abbreviations or position indicators). The letter to remove are often clued with a standard (or more cryptic!) abbreviation (such as east = E, street = ST, or 50 = L), but sometimes the clue will tell you to remove the first, middle, or last letters. Here's a 'pure' deletion clue: ...

American and British crosswords. Is there a difference? The short answer is HELL YES! Now for the long answer ... There are major differences between American-style and British-style crosswords (which are seen in Commonwealth countries too).  Crosswords were started by Arthur Wynne in 1913, a British man who lived in America, so both countries claim a close connection with the development of this popular puzzle. They developed in slightly different directions in each country, which has led to the varieties we see today. American-style crosswords are almost exclusively published in America, while British-style crosswords have spread through the Commonwealth — Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and other English-speaking nations tend to prefer this variety of the puzzle, as well as the United Kingdom, of course. A quick look at these grids will show you the most obvious difference between the two varieties : British-style Not...

Wow, guys! What a great selection of cryptic clues you've sent in, I've really enjoyed reading all of them. I hope you've all had fun writing them too, and that you've got a bit of a taste for what cryptic clue writing entails  :) My good friend and colleague Greg Parker (he of Puzzle Wizard fame) and I have discussed all your entries, and have agreed on the following winners: FIRST Island weaves its charms (Len) Christmas Island is the definition here, a really nice lateral take on the word Christmas! And the rest of the clue ( weaves as the anagram indicator, and its charms as the fodder) just flows beautifully. Great job, Len. SECOND Noel crashed Smith's car (Golem) Noel  is the definition, with a nice bit of ambiguity as to whether Noel is a holiday or a man's name.   Crashed  is the anagram indicator, and Smith's car  is the fodder. Really smooth surface reading. THIRD March sits awkwardly as a time to celebrate (Des) A time to...

Today is the 15th birthday of my business, Sutherland Studios . And it's Chrissie time. So to celebrate, I'm giving you pressies — no other course of action else makes sense! Here's the challenge, should you choose to accept it! Write a cryptic clue of your very own, using an anagram, for the answer word CHRISTMAS.  Write your clue, and an explanation of how it works, in a comment, below this post. Don't be scared, you can do it. It's even fun (honest)! Your clue can be quirky, surreal, funny, serious, whatever you like. It needs to read well, like a mini phrase or sentence (not just a random assortment of words stuck together). Creativity and clue accuracy are what I'll be looking for. Here are some tips to help you get started. Your cryptic clue will need: 1) A definition for CHRISTMAS — this can be as simple, as oblique, or as silly as you like. The definition needs to be at the start or end of the clue (not stuck in the middle). 2) An anag...

My analysis of the clues from the Gemini Cryptic Crossword from The Canberra Times , Friday 14 December 2012. As usual, the definitions are underlined (except in double definition and cryptic definition clues). Across 1. Son of Susie? (5) = ISSUE An anagram that doesn't really have an anagram indicator, although it could be argued that the question mark serves that purpose. I don't think it's fair, though. The anagram fodder is Susie. ISSUE is defined here as progeny/children (hence son ) . 4. Constitutional nature's changed (7) = SAUNTER Changed  is the anagram indicator, and nature's  is the fodder. A constitutional  is a rather old-fashioned term for a regular walk (good for the constitution, don'tcha know). 8. Dad's silent partner (3) = MUM Cute double definition clue. Mum is Dad's partner, but it's also a word that means to be quiet. 9. An order without speech (9) = TRAPPISTS Cryptic definition. The Trappist monks are an ...