Learn to solve a cryptic crossword: Basics explained

Simon goes back to basics and works through the Quick Cryptic from The Times. Plenty of explanations/tips here for those who are new to cryptic crosswords.

[@isaacbragg-gardiner2456]

This has helped a ton! My physics teacher used to do cryptics with us back in the day, and I always found it impossible to keep up. Thanks to this video, I really was able to get all the downs by myself. Hopefully with a little more practice I'll be finishing entire cryptics on my own :D

[@cjcarrizo42]

Simon: sees word "hill" Also Simon: So in greek mythology...

[@daved3494]

Excellent. Fascinating to listen to your thoughts as you solve these. So illuminating. Thank you.

[@gordonglenn2089]

As a long-time Dell and GAMES magazine cryptic crossword fan, I am always on the lookout for puzzles that are similar and/or somewhat more difficult, but not impossible. The typical British newspaper cryptic crosswords are usually too challenging for this American guy. That is partly because of all the British-isms (cricket, anyone?), but also that the UK setters are much, much more free-form about the "rules" than US and Canadian cruciverbalists. I recently discovered the Times Quick Cryptics and (finally!) found some that I can enjoy solving, usually getting 90%-100% of the answers without peeking. Books of them are available from Amazon.

[@dizzyandwasted]

I don't think I will ever get the hang of these

[@soumyabratabanerjee7182]

its hellishly tough.. i could not solve a single one of my own. it would take a genuis to solve such cryptic ones. i surrender.. my enginnering problems are far more easier to solve than this.. no thoery is of much help to solve this riddles.

[@Dank23dan]

read solving cryptic crosswords for dummies -- thats how I started

[@alyssawarrick22]

Why is it when you walk through it I get it almost right away, and when left to my own devices I can't do it anymore?

[@Stephen-Fox]

IKR - Even something of this difficulty I'd likely struggle with in the wild, but here I'm able to get a lot of clues before Simon even starts explaining how to figure out what's the definition and which is the wordplay.

[@jonhastings5129]

These are really difficult - not entry level. Where can I find easier ones for a beginner to try

[@Wordsalad69420]

There is no such thing as an easy cryptic crossword :P

[@Lopsidationy]

Kegler's cryptics are on the easy end.

[@JediBlueDog]

I just looked up easy cryptic crosswords and clicked on the first link. I managed to complete one after a week so I think it’s good.

[@davidhackston]

Thanks for these videos - they're really instructive. In case you're still reading comments on a video almost two years old, I know the answers to 11 and 15 down, but I'm stuck on the logic. In 11 down, I can account for everything except "pro", whereas with 15 down the answer is obvious, but I have no idea what the "soft soap" refers to. Thanks again!

[@thea618]

I also had to think about the logic behind that one but it's pro as in "in favor of" if that helps!

[@LK-3000]

Ditto on the "soap" part ... but the soft might refer to the cloth??

[@loupgaroux9587]

Pro (for) will join English (e) acting groups (casts) - FORECASTS (predicts).

[@immers2410]

I’m struggling with soft soap too

[@mruse7180]

@@immers2410 to soft-soap someone: www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/soft-soap Flannel: www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/flannel

[@Stephen-Fox]

I'm... Amused by how many of your older crossword videos I'm getting recommended now, and how utterly useless I am at cryptic crosswords except for clues being used specifically as examples even from wild cryptics - Quite a lot of the across clues you were explaining I was able to get pausing before you started explaining, but when I attempt a cryptic myself - even a straightforward one - that usually goes completely out of the window.

[@angelius777]

Why am I realizing until now how different these crossword puzzles are? They are nothing like the ones I got in my newspaper. It is like if the ones I used to make were literal clues instead of an actual puzzle.

[@mythicfeather67]

Thanks for this video! It was brilliant, and I managed to get all the other clues (really satisfying to watch it all come together) I can't quite justify 5 down though, I just knew the definition... I know this is 6 years old now, but shouting into the void in case anyone could explain? 😅

[@avisternlieb449]

Why is "wrong" an anagram indicator in the second clue? I didn't get that.

[@Shaun742]

Anagram indicators can be quite abstract, with a little bit of practise and experience you'll start seeing them. Here, the word "wrong" is indicating disorder, i.e. something can be made "wrong" by mixing it up.

[@nsrikand1]

Quite useful

[@gordonglenn2089]

"Hot town" could be Gomorrah? ;-)

[@alicialight]

I cannot see all of the clues

[@dailycrosswordsolve3448]

For tips & tricks to crack a different type of crossword, check out my daily TUTORIALS for the New York Times Crossword Puzzle! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZW1ZJ-uYq2Dm9U

[@Markknott29]

I personally do not like cryptic crosswords. I find them tedious and childish and this is my main reason why. The clues are essentially someone’s fabricated nonsense that are designed to confuse and frustrate people. If the writers of these puzzles were so intelligent they would choose a different career altogether. Here is my example of the kind of nonsensical garbage they come up with… Clue.. “I’M OFF TO BARBARA” I’m off to Barbara, when deconstructed, actually means I’m going to bed. Explanation breakdown is… Barbara Belle Geddes was an American actress who played the role of the mother in the tv series Dallas. So. If the first letters of the words ‘Going’ and ‘Bed’ are swapped around you will now have ‘Boing’ and ‘Ged’… I’m Bo-ing to Gedde… Which in cryptic crossword terms would sound like going to bed. Full version.. I’m going to Barbara Belle Geddes… I’m Bo-ing to Gedde… I’m going to bed… Puzzle solved Wasn’t too difficult was it….!?

[@Shaun742]

There are rules to working them out. The fact that you apparently don't understand them doesn't change that.

[@Dark_Mishra]

The “logic” behind how cryptic clues work is ridiculous! And makes even less sense if you AREN’T familiar with specific nations - especially when certain clues do focus on specific countries someone isn’t familiar with. Do these videos have part 2’s to explain them Rest of the clues? Still can’t figure out most of them even with half the puzzle solved.