crypticblah.bsky.social
223 posts
135 followers
130 following
Regular Contributor
Active Commenter
comment in response to
post
TILT I did French and German at school but not Spanish and I have always assumed it was just a pronunciation modifier like the French acute accent. Wikipedia has an interesting article on the cultural significance of eñe. I think we can still safely ignore most diacritics but obviously not this one.
comment in response to
post
Well done! I got nowhere with the German one you sent me. I could probably more fully explain any answers you didn't understand if you're interested.
comment in response to
post
It's fairly standard to ignore diacritics in cryptic crosswords. At least it is in the UK. My problem was past tense of the deletion indicator which grated quite badly.
comment in response to
post
It will all work out. Make sure you eat something too. I'll bet you don't feel like it but it will help even just some toast or crisps would do.
comment in response to
post
Sit down, breathe and maybe have a beer or at least a cup of tea. It's unsettling of course. How could it not be? Try not to worry about tomorrow tonight. Talk to Cath when timezones allow. It's good that your employer is decent and they will likely provide transition councillors to help.
comment in response to
post
Great spot! 👏👏👏
comment in response to
post
That's rotten mate. Hope they give you a good payout.
comment in response to
post
Two atoms in a bar:
One says "I think I've lost an electron"
"Are you sure?" comes the reply
"Yes. I'm positive"
comment in response to
post
Gesundheit!
comment in response to
post
Interesting I didnt know there were cryptics in German. Ich spreche ein bichen aber nicht genug fur ein (whatever crossword is in German).
comment in response to
post
In the UK drivers without a full licence must display an L plate indicating Learner driver. Some argue that student is a stretch too far from that but it's been used so much that most accept it without blinking. I can see the argument against but student for L doesn't bother me.
comment in response to
post
Bone found in tuna fairly clues "T RIB UNA" as does Bone [that] tuna sandwiches or even Bone in tuna. But bone found in tuna sandwich doesn't quite work. Given the surface you're going for I'd say Bone found in tuna by student forum is your best bet although it's not as nice surface wise I agree.
comment in response to
post
You're welcome. Do let us all know how you get on.
comment in response to
post
Finally the Times and Telegraph also have good cryptics but neither is available free. I'd strongly advise against starting with Azed or the Listener. Both usually excellent but they're advanced cryptics that would likely put a novice solver off cryptics for life.
comment in response to
post
All of those are available free on line. They tend to get harder as the week goes on so I'd start with Monday or Tuesday before tackling Friday but that's not a hard and fast rule. Also check out fifteensquared.net they blog all the puzzles I've mentioned.
comment in response to
post
Best is a very subjective word. If you're new to cryptics I'd recommend the Guardian quick cryptic, next step up in difficulty would be the Guardian quiptic. Then any back page cryptic from the Independent FT or Guardian would nominally be of similar difficulty.
comment in response to
post
Potentially yes although sandwiches would be better to make it a verb in the cryptic grammar. If sandwich is the insertion indicator what is 'found in' doing in the clue? There shouldn't be two insertion indicators if there's only one insertion happening.
comment in response to
post
Ok got it sandwich threw me for a while as it's filler. Definition is a bit stretchy too I think but does work.
comment in response to
post
Yes that's even better again. Good spot! I'd also consider dropping the a from a heart of gold, but that's getting overly picky. I'll also acknowledge that the clue as is works, is fair, is solvable and nice to boot.
comment in response to
post
Ha! Clicked into this to reply with almost exactly the same comment. Great minds or Fools seldom?
comment in response to
post
Try a puzzles subscription. No need to see any content other than a good range of puzzles including the cryptic and the toughie. There's usually a deal running and I got my first year for £1. Now paying £29 per year which is quite reasonable. Available on line or in the app or for print.
comment in response to
post
I've always enjoyed looking up eclair in Chambers every so often ever since I came across it. Brilliant.
comment in response to
post
I'm not really sure where Br for British comes from. I don't think it can be an IVR code as that would have been GB for Great Britian now replaced by UK for United Kingdom. Another ubiquitous B for British is from years ago when BR would have been British Rail before the railways were privatised.
comment in response to
post
Do not claim laughter is the best medicine. We don't want tariffs on it FFS.
comment in response to
post
Not that I can think of either no, but it's so ubiquitous as part of an acronym. BA BAT BAe BC BBC BOAC and so on ad infinitum, that it gets its own dictionary entry. Which for some setters and solvers is the point.
comment in response to
post
LMAO now imagining the letter chart tattooed on a pole dancer. That would test your night-vision too!
comment in response to
post
I agree with you but check out the comments on you tube. I can't remember the clue that sparked it. It was one of Raiders and both he and Conto commented on it that day here on Bluesky. Loads of people were incredulous that British for B was fair or even accurate.
comment in response to
post
I was surprised at the vehemence by some about B for British I'll admit. Useful to know though. Wonder if bastard would get the same response?
comment in response to
post
To be fair (and I'll bet you and Raider would cop to this as well) sometime a clue I've written gives me that feeling.
comment in response to
post
Have to say I find minute cryptic very variable - there have been a couple of truly dreadful clues. Happily not the case today.
comment in response to
post
Genuinely can't decide if I'm looking forward to this month's FT news puzzle or not!
comment in response to
post
'ear 'ear
comment in response to
post
🤣🤣🤣
comment in response to
post
It's the usually reliable Chambers app 🤯
comment in response to
post
Thanks. I thought I recognised a few of the clues but didn't remember or recognise the puzzle. It was bugging me.
comment in response to
post
Would you let me know which paper this is please?
comment in response to
post
No cake? I suppose that many candles would be a fire risk! Happy Birthday Coot.
comment in response to
post
I quite like the Telegraph's daily cryptic too but that does require a puzzles subscription. Usually a deal available though. I got a year's access for only £1. Also check out the site MyCrossword.co.uk. Tons of free crosswords there. Some are very good.
comment in response to
post
Anything really. It's not a hard and fast rule but most UK papers get harder as the week goes on. So a Monday cryptic is usually more approachable than a Tuesday and so on... The Independent, FT and the Guardian all have a daily cryptic available free on-line.