Cryptic Crossword Thread

[Elethiomel]

I don't use any reference on wordplay indicators and such.

I use various dictionaries and thesauri (dictionary.com, wiktionary, thesaurus.com), Wikipedia to research definitions and such, the Internet Anagram Server (http://wordsmith.org/anagram/), and on rare occasions other tools like a2zwordfinder.

If you think the Cryptipedia needs improvement (it does look incomplete currently), it's probably more productive to edit that wiki rather than starting from scratch.

[Zag]

I saw it, but didn't have any suggestions. The only aids I use are thesaurus.com and Internet anagram server.

[Jack_Ian]

I use onelook.com

e.g.
Find common words or phrases containing zag
Find alternate Zag
Find words beginning with T relating to "zag"

[Suspence]

[DejMar]

I am recanting some of my former criticism. Reading up on Cryptic crossword clues, I have re-learned that there are two main "schools" of thought regarding them. There are British-Canadian cryptics and there are American cryptics. The British-Canadian cryptics allow for extraneous words, triple definitions and single component definitions (where the definition itself is a play on words). The American cryptics are more rigid, requiring a clue to have two parts - an unmodified definition and either another unmodified definition or some wordplay.

Now, with the acknowledgement that both schools exist, I wish to state that I find the British-Canadian style a lesser form of cryptic, and I personally judged it inferior. Yet, even though I consider the style inferior, many of the British cryptic crosswords and setters are not. The American "British-style" cryptics such as those found in some Dell crosswords or Games magazine are where I find inferior cryptics. If one is looking for the superior American cryptic crosswords, I would suggest Harper's or Atlantic Monthly.

I note that the Cryptipedia has failed to acknowledge the American cryptic style and its setters.The 'Cryptic crossword' article in Wikipedia appears to be more complete.

As to my resources, I use OneLook.com, Thesaurus.com, and a good anagram website (Andy's anagram solver, is one).I try to build my clues in the American-style cryptic. With my re-exposure to the British-Canadian style, I might be more forgiving to other's cryptic clues, yet I will probably still judge them harshly if they are too far from the American style.

[get a clue]

[get a clue]

I've got one.

Dynamic thrash metal band. (8)

-Suspence
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[Zag]

[Zag]

[Suspence]

Music knowledge shouldn't be required, though I was trying to make it look like one of my TopGLer cryptics.
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[DejMar]

I, too, was thinking THRASH might be anagrammed (indicator: DYNAMIC), but as it has only one vowel, the element symbol for a metal would need be involved in the dynamic anagramming. The only metal element symbols that seemed to allow an anagrammed word of the length required were Se [Selenium], Ce [Serium] and Es [Einsteinium]. These words were HARSHEST and HATCHERS. HATCHERS, as a group of hatchlings or hens could be considered BAND, but that would be a loose connection.

THRASH could also be an anagram indicator. Yet, as DYNAMIC is too short, it would need be applied to METAL. Then a 3-letter word for either DYNAMIC to precede the anagram component or a 3-letter word for BAND to follow it would be needed, with the clue definition being either BAND or DYNAMIC, respectively.

[Suspence]

No anagrams either.
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[DejMar]

I have been considering the parsing for the clue might be
DYNAMIC // THRASH + METAL + BAND
with a 3-letter word for THRASH, a one letter element symbol for a metal {K=Postassium, U=Uranium, V=Vanadium, or Y=Yttrium)}, and RING.
Yet, I don't know of any formable word that could mean DYNAMIC with these elements.

'DYNAMIC' might be considered 'ENDURING', and 'to THRASH' something might be 'to END' it, but that would be a very elastic stretch.

[Zag]

I rather like "Immortal death metal band" for that.

[Suspence]

[DejMar]

Not it, but closer....

SPURRING // SPUR + RING

SPURRING = DYNAMIC (of a force that produces movement)
SPUR [to goad (with a shape prod)] ~= THRASH [to beat with (as with a flail)]
RING = METAL BAND

[get a clue]

Ah...I wasn't far off....
STIRRING // STIR+RING
- DejMar

A vision of a grand army. (5)
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[Elethiomel]

The surface for this clue seems to make much more sense with TRASH instead of THRASH, which was a little jarring to me.

[DejMar]

[Elethiomel]

[get a clue]

Previous one was GHOST. New one in a bit.

-Suspence
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[get a clue]

Another "state" one from me:

Flag of two different states. (4)
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[DejMar]

[get a clue]

It was one of those - WANE. Here's another, hopefully it gets this thread back on track on on to Page 100! My apologies for letting it sit so long.

Removed covering from brand new boxing ring. (10)

-Suspence
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[Suspence]

Hint:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ G _ _
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[Suspence]

_ _ B _ _ _ _ G _ _
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[get a clue]

Well, I got the answer using computer assistance, and then it took me a while to work out the wordplay. I'll leave it for someone who actually solves it without cheating.

--Zag
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[get a clue]

_ _ B _ _ _ _ G _ _ = UNBANDAGED

The next clue is...

Perfect saint is upright. (6)
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[get a clue]

That was HONEST, new one in a bit
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[get a clue]

Top of cartoon company came off. (4)

-Suspence
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[DejMar]

One of the infamous triple clues, Suspence?

The answer is ACME (acme = top, Acme = cartoon company [Wyle E. Coyote's parcel order provider], and an anagram of CAME).

[get a clue]

Become more pale with head in the clouds, (6)
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[Suspence]

Yup...there should be some kind of indicator for triple clues, don't you think?
_________________
I hate people who try to write interesting things in their signature.

[DejMar]

Perhaps the word length for a triple clue might be followed with the trade mark symbol, which might be interpreted to mean "thrice masked" : Top of cartoon company came off. (4™).

[Thok]

I'm not sure the third part actually adds that much. I think all three double definitions have at least as good of a surface reading as the triple definiton, and "Top came off"'s surface reading is better than the curiosity of having a triple definition.

[get a clue]

[DejMar]

Not the answer, but fits the clue:
STOCKPILE
clue definition: assembly = stockpile
clue definition: plant = stockpile

But the following is the answer:
INSTITUTE
clue definition: assembly = institute
clue definition: plant = institute

[get a clue]

Dog promises to be Snoopy. (7)
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[get a clue]

That was CURIOUS
_________________
Password is lowercase and has no spaces or punctuation.

[Elethiomel]

Nice clue.