Unlocking the Secrets of Cryptic Crosswords: Understanding Information Crossword Clues
Do you ever find yourself hopelessly stuck on a cryptic crossword puzzle, unable to make heads or tails of the clues? We’ve all been there – but fear not! With a little bit of background knowledge, you can crack the code and become a cryptic crossword master.
One of the most important types of cryptic crossword clues is the information clue. These clues are designed to provide the solver with a piece of information that they can then use in combination with other clues to solve the puzzle.
Unlike other types of clues, information clues don’t give a direct definition of the answer. Instead, they provide some other type of information that can be used to determine the answer.
For example, a clue might read “President’s bodyguard (5)”. The answer to the clue is “guard”, but how is this word related to a president? In this case, the word “President” is the piece of information that the clue provides. With this information, the solver can deduce that they are looking for a five-letter word for a bodyguard and use this to fill in the answer.
Information clues can come in a variety of forms, including puns, anagrams, and homophones. The key is to be aware of the potential tricks that can be used in these clues and to approach them with a critical eye.
One common trick is the use of double definitions. In this type of clue, the clue writer provides two separate definitions for the answer. For example, a clue might read “Furniture and prison sentence (4)”. The answer in this case is “time”, which can refer to a piece of furniture (such as a grandfather clock) as well as a prison sentence.
Another common trick is the use of homophones. In this type of clue, the answer is a word that sounds like another word. For example, a clue might read “Make fun of rubber trees (5)”. The answer in this case is “tease”, which sounds like trees.
One of the key skills in solving cryptic crosswords is to be able to recognize these types of tricks and to use them to your advantage. With practice, you can develop a keen eye for spotting them and become an expert solver.
In conclusion, information crossword clues are an important tool in cracking the code of cryptic crosswords. By understanding the different types of clues and the potential tricks that can be used in them, you can become a master solver and tackle even the trickiest of puzzles. So give cryptic crosswords a try – who knows, you might just unlock a whole new world of puzzling fun!
