This week’s 11 x 11 crossword from the Guardian intended to teach cryptic crosswords, found here
The puzzle for this week is the 6th Quick Cryptic by Budmo. Budmo has only set Quick Cryptic puzzles for the Guardian. Today we have anagrams and alternate letters with all the letters present in the clue, plus charades and soundalikes which need the letters finding by the solver.
The whole point of these crosswords is support and encouragement of new solvers, so special rules for these crosswords apply – see here – those rules include not posting solving times.
This blog continues to develop in response to suggestions. We hide the answers and the wordplay descriptions (parsing) too. To find the solution click on “Answer” and to find how the word play works, click on “Parsing” which will reveal the hidden information. You can choose to reveal everything using the “Expand All” button. If you have partially revealed the page, refreshing it will clear that, and allow you to expand all. The definition is in bold and underlined, the indicator is in red.
For additional help click here
There is a summary of the tricks used in the first six months here and a Guardian Crossword blog called the ultimate beginner’s guide has tips which may be useful for some solvers
For abbreviations and clue tips click here
Fifteen Squared uses several abbreviations and jargon tricks, there’s a full list here, of which I’ve used the following in this blog:
- underlining the definition in the clue – this is either at the beginning or end of the clue
- indicators are in red.
- CAPITALS to indicate which bits are part of the answer, e.g. haVE ALtered for the example.
- anagram – letters being used shown in brackets (SENATOR)* for the clue below to give TREASON.
- anagrind – anagram indicator – in the case below it is “arranged”
- soundalike – is indicated by “Wilde” – so in the example, Oscar “Wilde”, the playwright and author, is indicating the soundalike WILD.
- charades – the description below only gives the example of words being added together, but charades can be more complicated, adding abbreviations or single letters to another word. Examples previously used in this series are: Son ridicules loose overgarments (6) S (son) + MOCKS (ridicules), Get rid of dead pine (5) D(dead) + ITCH (pine) – D ITCH, and early on DR (doctor) + IVE (I have) to give DRIVE.
- CAD or clue as definition– where the whole clue gives the definition, sometimes called an &lit. These are rare.
- DBE or definition by example – e.g. where a dog might be clued as a setter – often using a question mark, maybe, possibly or e.g. to show that this is an example rather than a definition.
- surface – the meaning from reading the clue – so often cryptic clues use an English that could only be found in a cryptic crossword, but a smooth surface is a clue that has a meaning in English, which can be pointed or misleading.
TODAY’S TRICKS – from the crossword site – because the clues have moved on from the clue descriptions below, I am now adding more to the descriptions hidden above. Clues begin or end with a definition of the answer. The rest is one of these:
- Anagram Anagram of answer and hint that there’s an anagram
‘Senator arranged crime (7)’ gives TREASON - Charade(s) Combination of synonyms/abbrevs
‘Qualify to get drink for ID (8)’ gives PASSPORT (pass + port) – other examples above - Soundalike Something that sounds like answer
‘Excited, Oscar’s announced (4)’ gives WILD – from Oscar “Wilde”. - Alternate letters Choose every other letter for answer
‘Oddly EnViEd First Lady? (3)’ gives EVE
| ACROSS | Click on “Answer” to see the solutions | |
| 1 |
A lot to change for singer (4)
|
AnswerALTO |
Parsinganagram of (A LOT)* with an anagrind of “to change” |
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| 3 |
Without guidance, I’d fart carelessly (6)
|
AnswerADRIFT |
Parsinganagram of (I’D FART)* with an anagrind of “carelessly” for a metaphor from sailing. |
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| 7 |
Generous family with diamonds (4)
|
AnswerKIND |
Parsingcharade of KIN (family) + D (diamonds – from bridge and other card games, where this is one of the abbreviations to describe hands). |
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| 8 |
See Pat counterfeit old Spanish coin (6)
|
AnswerPESETA |
Parsinganagram of (SEE PAT)* with an anagram of “counterfeit” – for the pre-Euro currency in Spain. |
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| 10 |
You and I will correct outspoken craftsman (11)
|
AnswerWHEELWRIGHT |
Parsingsoundalike (outspoken) of WHEEL (“we’ll” – you and I will) + WRIGHT (“right” – correct) for this craftsman |
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| 12 |
Patriots tussling with cop to get snack item (6,5)
|
AnswerPOTATO CRISP |
Parsinganagram of (PATRIOTS + COP)* with an anagrind of “tussling” – and this is a split anagram, which do appear in the full fat cryptics too – so solvers have to pick out both parts of the anagram material from the clue. |
||
| 14 |
Himalayan’s unusual phrase (6)
|
AnswerSHERPA |
Parsinganagram of (PHRASE)* with an anagrind of “unusual” – the apostrophe s with the Himalayan’s makes sense in the cryptic clue grammar as Himalayan is unusual (anagrind) phrase (anagram fodder to produce answer). For the surface it reads as the possessive, so the clue has a surface meaning of the unusual phrase of a Himalayan. |
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| 16 |
Picked up lazy hero (4)
|
AnswerIDOL |
Parsingsoundalike (picked up – heard) of “idle” (lazy) – the grammar here says we hear the soundalike (pick up) “idle” and the answer is “hero”. Although these are often heroes with feet of clay. |
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| 17 |
Pass the Spanish recess in church (6)
|
AnswerELAPSE |
Parsingcharade of EL (the Spanish – so “the” translated into Spanish) + APSE (a recess in church) – for this sort of recess in church. |
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| 18 |
Studies deepness regularly (4)
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AnswerDENS |
Parsingalternate letters (regularly) in DeEpNeSs. |
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DOWN
|
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| 1 |
Wonky, like gardens in London (5)
|
AnswerASKEW |
Parsingcharade of AS (like) + KEW (gardens in London) – for these gardens in London. |
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| 2 |
Flog chap in function for mathematician (7)
|
AnswerTANGENT |
Parsingcharade of TAN (flog) + GENT (chap) for one of the mathematical functions used in trigonometry. |
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| 4 |
Try to lose weight with wealthy Marlene? (8)
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AnswerDIETRICH |
Parsingcharade of DIET (try to lose weight) + (with) RICH (wealthy) for this Marlene – and a question mark to say she’s one possible Marlene |
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| 5 |
Cold water found in kitchen from time to time (3)
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AnswerICE |
Parsingalternate letters (from time to time) of kItChEn – for the form of water formed at colder temperatures. |
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| 6 |
Dictator’s followed in large area of land (5)
|
AnswerTRACT |
Parsingsoundalike (dictator’s – as from someone speaking) “tracked” (followed) |
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| 9 |
Australian, one producing egg supply at dances (8)
|
AnswerPLATYPUS |
Parsinganagram of (SUPPLY AT)* with an anagrind of “dances” – for this Australian that produces an egg. This trick of using an animal as an example of a native of an areaf is something we’re finding regularly in the full fat cryptics. |
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| 11 |
Good puzzle for cook (7)
|
AnswerGRIDDLE |
Parsingcharade of G (abbreviation for good – in coin and book conditions) + RIDDLE (puzzle) for a type of cooking. |
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| 12 |
Reportedly strode to get adhesive (5)
|
AnswerPASTE |
Parsingsoundalike of “paced” (strode). |
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| 13 |
Gets the opinion of representative group of Europeans over the phone (5)
|
AnswerPOLLS |
Parsingsoundalike of “Poles” (Europeans) – for the sort of opinion seeking that takes the views of a representative group, in theory, but the difficulty of achieving that accurately has been called into question, particularly over election results. And this soundalike has only one letter changed, and not a one that’s checked by crossers, so knowing the grammar of the clue is important – the clue says that: the definition (gets the opinion of representative group) is a soundalike (over the phone) of Europeans (“Poles”) |
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| 15 |
Odd characters thrown out of retrial for a long time (3)
|
AnswerERA |
ParsingAlternate letters (odd characters thrown out – so only the even letters) from rEtRiAl. |
That seemed a decent puzzle and while it all felt familiar to an experienced solver like myself, wondering how those taking up cryptics will find it. Thanks to Budmo for the QC and to Shanne for the detailed blog.
As ever I’ve done a talkthrough over at … https://youtu.be/br9lh2hvx70 … which provides some tips and tactics on how to solve. Best of luck all.
Thanks Shanne and Budmo – I preferred the variety of types this week; first and last letters last week was a bit much.
Really enjoyed 9d when the penny dropped!
I found it enjoyable to start with some anagrams which got the grid going nicely. Then the more tricky soundalikes had crossers to help out. In the harder crosswords, it can be depressing not to write in a clue till the southeast corner. Lovely teaching puzzle. Thank you.
Agree with HG#1. Some tricky elements and misdirections in there that were near to Quiptic level IMO (like 12a), so could be off putting to absolute beginners. But it was a nice puzzle. 9d was a laugh out loud moment when I saw what was going on. Thanks Budmo, and Shanne.
Wow as a complete beginner I was pleased that I could manage this! Lots of ‘sound-alikes ‘ some of which were very amusing, and I’m beginning to get a handle on charades at long last! I particularly liked the Spanglish in 17A. I enjoyed doing this crossword even though I had to struggle with one or two clues- then realised the jokes when I got them (e.g. 1D and 7A). Last week I wondered if I’d ever get the hang of regular cryptics but pleased to report that I managed half a normal cryptic this week, so this experiment is definitely working!! Therefore a special heartfelt thankyou to everyone creating and explaining these quick cryptics.
4d made me smile.
An amazing animal, the platypus. The only animal that produces milk and lays eggs. So the only animal that can make custard?
Thanks Shanne and Budmo. Satisfying challenge this morning with a good mix of clue types. Last one in (and favourite) was PLATYPUS.
GDU@7 :-).
As a relative newbie, I thought this was at a nice level for a QC. I found ELAPSE tricky, because although I knew an APSE was part of a church, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you which part!
I liked WHEELWRIGHT and DIETRICH.
Thanks Budmo and Shanne!
Thanks Shane and Budmo!
Agree that this had Quiptic level clues – I hope newbies were not too put off and that they manage to find this site (which is what’s been helping me as I’ve been learning).
Favourite for me was 3A, which appealed to my schoolboy humour level.
Pauly @12, I used to post a link to this page on the Guardian online crossword page, up to crossword 76, but that week the site was down for a bit – a problem long since resolved – and the Guardian moderators both removed my link but also all the links back to puzzle 60 which is the first with my comment deleted, and also flagged me as a poster whose posts have to be premoderated.
You can see miserableoldhack posted a link on crossword 77, which didn’t get taken down.
Thank you for the blog as always. Enjoyed this one. PLATYPUS took me the longest, even with all the crossing letters.
Could one of the pros please tell me how come cook/griddle doesn’t need a question mark to indicate DBE, while Marlene does? Surely griddling is only one of many ways to cook something?
MK @14 – I suspect because griddle is a synonym for cook – if I were to griddle some drop scones (scotch pancakes) I would be cooking them. (I could say steak, but I am unlikely to be griddling steak).
There are several Marlenes around, including Marlene Boyce from Only Fools and Horses (someone said on the Guardian blog they didn’t know Dietrich), or the otter in Madgascar.
Hi MK, you’ve started to answer this one yourself. Griddling is an example of cooking, but that is the answer. Cooking is the definition in the clue, and is not an example of griddling, so therefore it is not a dbe. Generally, names will always need dbe indicators as, unless the name is completely unique (more or less), one will always be an example of another.
Edit: Sorry, we crossed, but yes, if the words can be used synonymously there is no need for a dbe.
Geoff Down Under @7 I believe the Echidna is also capable of laying eggs and producing milk for its young, called Puggles. Both the platypus and echidna are primitive mammals known as monotremes.
I like the idea of a self-contained custard-producing pet though, with the echidna sporting built in toothpicks too 🙂
Horizontal #17, you’re absolutely correct! So if at any time I’m wandering the Australian bush and I come across some custard, I’ll know to look for either a nearby platypus or echidna! 🙂
Budmo#16. Good to see you drop in here and give an extra pointer. I enjoyed this immensely, and liked PLATYPUS, not just ‘cos I’m an Aussie native myself, but there was so much packed into that clue, firstly separating egg and supply, and then determining which was the anagrind supply or dances, as the fodder either way would have had the same letter count.
Prompted me to look stuff up, and learned things I didn’t know about platypuses, including that “Both molecular clock and fossil dating suggest that the platypus split from echidnas around 19–48 million years ago” and they’ve got genes from reptiles as well. Fascinating.
Liked DIETRICH and ADRIFT
I found some of these clues quite difficult, especially the charades. I was clearly on a different wavelength to the setter. Some of the synonyms were a bit remote, and I still do not see how wobbly = ASKEW, nor does my SOED. Will someone quote Chambers at me to show how they are equivalents?
Thanks Budmo and Shanne
Thanks to Budmo and Shanne. Hopefully I’ll remember what I’ve learned from this qc when it comes to doing the next one 🙂
Less fun fact about the extraordinary platypus is that it’s venomous. So maybe get someone else to try the custard first.
Martyn @20 – Chambers has: at an oblique angle, awry for askew and shaky, amiss or awry for wonky.
The Chambers Crossword dictionary entry for wonky is:
04 weak
05 amiss, askew, shaky, wrong
06 wobbly
07 unsound
08 unsteady
09 skew-whiff
What is the deal with 6D? What has the large area of land got to do with it?
Andrea @24: TRACT¹, according to Chambers is a stretch or extent of space or time; a region; area .. (it then goes on to define uses such as the digestive tract). The second definition of TRACT defines the pamphlet or leaflet meanings of tract.
So a tract can mean a large area of land – and the soundalike bit is it sounds like tracked.
Andrea #24. From Collins online: TRACT a large area, esp. of land.
If your question is about the wordplay: As Shanne said in her blog: soundalike (dictator’s – as from someone speaking) “tracked” (followed).
Dictator, or some version of it, is often used to indicate a soundalike clue. Setters seem to like it, as it’s misdirecting, and makes the solver think about a synonym for, or the name of, a dictator.
The apostrophe s in the surface reading is is, ie Dictator is followed. In the cryptic reading the apostrophe indicates the possessive, ie the way someone ( a “dictator”) would say, or a dictator’s version of tracked, meaning followed, gives the definition TRACT, a large area of land.
(Crossed with Shanne. It’s midnight here. A bit slow. )
Thanks Shanne. Quite a few (to me) difficult words this week.
MrCakey @ 22 🙂
Shanne, I’ve been getting the hang of the Quicks thanks to your clear explanations and even completed (slowly !) a couple of Quiptics last week. Plus the blog is moderated nicely, which makes it a pleasure for us newbies, so a heartfelt thanks.
Mind… I found this one tricky and had to look up a couple eventually ! But that’s OK, it’s good to be stretched. Laughed out loud at 1d & 4d and many others made me smile. A cracking puzzle, so thanks a lot Budmo
MrCakey @22 Yes! I’d forgotten that one. The platypus is truly remarkable – so odd that when European explorers brought back specimens from Australia the folks back home thought it was a practical joke! 😀
Ouch. This one was a brick wall I banged my head against. For some reason I wasn’t in tune with this puzzle at all
We got DENS for 18A, but still don’t understand why DENS is studies.
Can you put us out of our misery please?
Thanks for these every week
Jane Fontana @33 – Chambers (the big red book or BRB, which tends to be used as a crossword standard) gives the definition of DEN¹ as:
the hollow lair of a wild animal;
a pit or cave;
a haunt of vice or misery;
a private domestic room or office for work or pleasure (colloq);
and it’s that last that is used here – in English English, a den in a house is either the study (office for work) or the TV room (private domestic room … for … pleasure).
Shanne @15 and Budmo @16 thank you for the clarifications! Sorry to be late on the reply here.