[Maria Ceceovski]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 01:06

 

[RieTreesSilver]

People kept telling me: you can't teach cryptic. WRONG. Any wordsmith or successful crossword solver can. I taught myself 35yrs ago and now often find cryptic easier to solve. Here's how I did it. I grabbed several New Idea magazines (in sequence). I worked on the 1st haphazardly, then checked my results against the results in the following week edition. Putting both side by side, I tried to figure out how the answers were achieved. After 5 magazines, I had worked out that the solution is often in plain sight! eg: in the actual wording of the given clue, the end of one word + the beginning of the next, spells the answer. For building material or strong adhesive you may get 'cement' from 'police mentioned'. You just need to understand where the question lies in the clue. In this case, nothing to do wth WHAT was mentioned but what was needed.
Or the answer is a well-known saying or song.
Recurring clues in this magazine included:
2 little ducks = oo. Ref cricket score
Bookends = LL
If something is broken/needs repair etc, rearrange the letters of that word.
Of course different puzzlemakers have different styles, so I graduated to the daily papers, etc etc. I started with magazines because they seemed to be easier. You don't have to buy. Librairies have supplies.
I'd love to hear if you try and how it goes.

Thanks for those tips, I will give a couple of the cryptic in a recent crossword magazine a go. I must admit while still in high school an English teacher suggested i try them to help improve both my spelling and my vocab, i.e if i can't spell it i know other words to give similar meaning. Now a life long habit. Thanks

 

[TrishH]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 00:39

 

[Viellarde]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 00:40

 

[Viellarde]

Thanks for those tips, I will give a couple of the cryptic in a recent crossword magazine a go. I must admit while still in high school an English teacher suggested i try them to help improve both my spelling and my vocab, i.e if i can't spell it i know other words to give similar meaning. Now a life long habit. Thanks

Yes, get around those words you can't spell but still say what you mean.

 

[johno cpfc]

!.25 for me to finish.

 

[Lynnne]

I did it.

 

[lifestyle2019]

I often use TWO clues and the ROBOT says more than three

 

[Jennylolo]

I solved the General - 17/1/2025 crossword in 00:28. The quickest I have ever done it in.

 

[Ivory]

I solved the General - 18/1/2025 crossword in 00:48

Yay

 

[Viellarde]

1:06

 

[TrishH]

I solved the General - 18/1/2025 crossword in 01:10

 

[LucieB]

I solved the General - 18/1/2025 crossword in 00:47

 

[lonelyasacloud]

I solved the General - 18/1/2025 crossword in 01:47

 

[Maria Ceceovski]

I solved the General - 18/1/2025 crossword in 01:49

 

[casperdcat]

I solved the General - 18/1/2025 crossword in 01:09

 

[Yola]

I solved the General - 19/1/2025 crossword in 00:49

 

[Ivory]

I solved the General - 19/1/2025 crossword in 01:27

 

[TrishH]

I solved the General - 19/1/2025 crossword in 01:29

 

[Maria Ceceovski]

I solved the General - 19/1/2025 crossword in 01:37