What do question marks mean in cryptic crosswords

A question mark means the setter is not quite playing by the rules.

What does an exclamation mark mean in a crossword clue?

An exclamation mark may denote that something needs particular attention. Finally, do pay attention to every word in the clue, since the setter has placed each one there to have some significance, even if you may find some which are there just so that the clue makes sense grammatically.

What does question mark mean NYT Crossword?

Question Mark Clues Clues that end in question marks indicate a play on words in the clue or answer.

What do quotation marks mean in a crossword?

A clue that is in quotes can be the title of a song, a movie or a book. But it can also mean something else: A clue in quotes that is something someone might say out loud has an answer that is a synonym for that verbalization.

What does maybe mean in cryptic crosswords?

The definition in a cryptic clue is not always a synonym of the answer; it may be an example or sub-type of the answer. So, NOVELIST may be defined as “Dickens, perhaps”, DOG as “setter, maybe”.

What does perhaps mean in crossword?

And in these times of uncertainty, a little note on the word ‘perhaps’ and its usage in cryptic crosswords. ‘Perhaps’ is usually used to suggest that the adjacent word or phrase is an example of the answer you’re looking for.

What does French mean in cryptic crosswords?

Cryptic clues sometimes make use of foreign language words in the wordplay, of which French is most common. … “the French” implies that the French word for “the” (LES) has to be put into the answer. What if you don’t know French? Not to worry – in crosswords, you can get by with just rudimentary knowledge.

What does minus mean in crossword?

Lacking; below zero (5)

What does eg mean in crossword?

“Exempli gratia” or “e.g.” which translates to “for example,” is used to introduce examples in a list format.

What do commas mean in crosswords?

The standard advice for punctuation in cryptic clues is “Ignore it”. That is good advice in most cases, like these – FT13474 (Mudd): As something painful hurt, I came to be treated (9) RHEUMATIC. An anagram of (hurt I came). The comma has no role in the cryptic reading.

Article first time published on

What does SP mean in a crossword puzzle?

Speaking of foreign words, if the answer is a foreign word, the clue will often include another word from the same language. If not, then you might see a specific indication such as (fr.) or (sp.).

What does hyphen mean in crossword?

a punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text.

What do brackets mean in a crossword?

Short exclamations are sometimes clued by a phrase in square brackets, e.g., “[It’s cold!]” = BRR. When the answer can only be substituted for the clue when preceding a specific other word, this other word is indicated in parentheses.

What does Spooner mean in cryptic crosswords?

If you have ever tackled a cryptic crossword you will have come across the name Spooner or the term spoonerism for a clue where initial letters are swapped e.g. ‘fight the liar’ for ‘light the fire’. … Spooner was an albino and as such, suffered from defective eyesight.

Are cryptic crosswords good for your brain?

In conclusion our research has shown that cryptic crosswords can help improve cognitive functioning in later life, which might not be the case for general knowledge crosswords. Overall the take-home message is continue doing the cryptic crosswords, even if they are a struggle!

Do cryptic crosswords exist in other languages?

Other languages For the most part, cryptic crosswords are an English-language phenomenon, although similar puzzles are popular in a Hebrew form in Israel (where they are called tashbetsey higayon (תשבצי הגיון) “Logic crosswords”) and (as Cryptogram) in Dutch.

What does we hear mean in cryptic crosswords?

Homophones. Homophones are pairs of words or phrases that have indicators referring to sound, like “so we hear” or “it’s said” or “speech”. The answer will be something that is similar in pronunciation, but spelt slightly differently.

What is the synonyms of perhaps?

conceivably,
maybe,
mayhap,
perchance,
possibly.

What does SCH mean?

AcronymDefinitionSCHSchoolSCHScheduleSCHSearchSCHSemester Credit Hours

What does APT mean in crossword?

Quick, as a study (3) Mentally quick (3) Suitable; quick to learn (3) Bright, as a pupil (3) Suited to the task (3)

What do circles mean in a crossword?

The letters that will appear in the circles when the Answers are written in spell out words related to the puzzle’s theme. the letters in squares that contain circles spell out words related to the theme either when read consecutively or when rearranged to form theme-related words.

What does say mean crossword?

“Say” for EG, used to mean “for example”.

What is a 5 letter word for stage whisper?

AnswerLettersOptionsStage whisper with 5 LettersASIDE5found

What is a 4 letter word for otherwise?

AnswerLettersOptionsOtherwise with 4 LettersELSE4foundSAVE4foundNISI4found

What do numbers in parentheses mean in crossword?

Cryptic clues are followed by a number or numbers in parentheses indicating the length of the answer: (5) means it’s a five-letter word, while (2,3,4) indicates a three-word phrase like “in the know.” …

What are the black squares in a crossword puzzle called?

The black squares (commonly called “blanks“) have no letters, and are used to separate words (all contiguous blocks of white squares spell words or phrases).

Can there be numbers in crosswords?

How does it work? Cryptic clues will, on occasion, feature a number, either as a numeral like “4” or a word like, well, “four”.

What does a question mark after a crossword clue mean?

Hi Sharon – This is a common practice in American style crossword puzzles. The question mark is intended to warn you that the answer relies on some wordplay, so that the clue shouldn’t be taken too literally. … The word ‘End‘ in a crossword clue is often used to mean ‘can be added to the end of’.