How to SOLVE Cryptic Crosswords for BEGINNERS Part 2 | Common Clues
TLDRIn this informative video, Azmain, a junior doctor from London, continues his series on solving cryptic crosswords for beginners. He introduces five common clue types: double definitions, containers, deletions, homophones, and reversals, offering examples for each and emphasizing the importance of lateral thinking. Azmain encourages learners to use resources to enhance their crossword-solving skills, promising more clues and combination clues in the upcoming third part of the series.
Takeaways
- 📚 Introduction to Cryptic Crosswords: The video aims to provide a breakdown of common clue types found in cryptic crossword puzzles, especially for beginners.
- 😄 Presenter's Background: Azmain, a junior doctor from London, creates content on various topics including medicine, music, productivity, and personal development, with a focus on learning new skills like cryptic crosswords.
- 🔔 Subscription Encouragement: The video encourages viewers to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated with new releases and support the channel.
- 📈 Cryptic Clue Structure: Cryptic crossword clues are codes, not sentences, with a standard definition at the beginning or end and the remainder being cryptic wordplay.
- 🔍 Parsing Clues: Every word in a cryptic clue is significant, and punctuation is often a distraction.
- 📚 Previous Content: The video is part two of a series on cryptic crosswords, with part one linked in the description for viewers who may have missed it.
- 🎯 Clue Types Covered: This video covers five common clue types: double definitions, containers, deletions, homophones, and reversals, with more to be discussed in part three.
- 🤗 Learning Approach: The presenter emphasizes that it's okay to look up answers or use external resources when learning cryptic crosswords, as understanding the mechanics is key to improvement.
- 📌 Double Definitions: These clues consist of two definitions without a clear dividing line, often shorter in length.
- 🧳 Container Clues: Container clues involve placing one set of letters inside another, using indicator words like 'outside of', 'inside', or 'around'.
- ✂️ Deletions: Deletions involve removing letters from a word based on indicators such as 'beheaded', 'curtailments', or 'internal deletions'.
- 🎶 Homophones: Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings, with indicators referring to phonetics or sounding like something.
- 🔄 Reversals: Reversal clues involve turning a word around to form another word, with indicators depending on the direction of the clue.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is how to solve cryptic crossword puzzles, specifically focusing on the most common clue types found in them.
Who is the speaker of the video and what is his profession?
-The speaker of the video is Azmain, a junior doctor from London.
What types of content does Azmain usually post about?
-Azmain usually posts videos about medicine, music, productivity, and personal development, including learning new skills like cryptic crosswords.
What is the purpose of the video series 'How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners'?
-The purpose of the video series is to provide beginners with a breakdown of the most common clue types in cryptic crosswords and to help them learn how to solve these puzzles.
What are the two main parts of a cryptic clue?
-The two main parts of a cryptic clue are the definition part and the wordplay part.
What does 'parsing' mean in the context of cryptic crosswords?
-In the context of cryptic crosswords, 'parsing' refers to the process of figuring out how the clue works.
What is a common indicator for a 'container' clue?
-Common indicators for a 'container' clue include words like 'outside of', 'inside', 'around', 'about', 'enters', and 'clutching'.
How do you identify a 'deletion' clue?
-A 'deletion' clue is identified by indicators such as 'beheaded', 'topless', 'don't start', 'after the first', 'endlessly', 'nearly', and 'unfinished'.
What are 'homophones' in the context of cryptic crosswords?
-In the context of cryptic crosswords, 'homophones' are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.
What is the significance of the apostrophe 'S' in the 'Apostle's friend outside of university' clue?
-In the 'Apostle's friend outside of university' clue, the apostrophe 'S' indicates a possessive form or short for the word 'is', which is a common source of grammatical ambiguity in cryptic crosswords.
What should one do if they are stuck while solving a cryptic crossword?
-If one is stuck while solving a cryptic crossword, they can reveal or check their answers, use Google to search entire clues, look up online dictionaries or thesauri, search for references, and use walkthrough websites that explain how the clues work.
Outlines
🧩 Introduction to Solving Cryptic Crosswords
This paragraph introduces the video's purpose, which is to help beginners learn how to solve cryptic crosswords. The speaker, Azmain, a junior doctor from London, offers a breakdown of common clue types found in these puzzles. He emphasizes that even complete beginners can learn to solve cryptic crosswords and encourages viewers to subscribe for more content on topics like medicine, music, productivity, and personal development. The video is part of a series, and while it's the second installment, it's designed to be accessible even without having seen the first part. Azmain reviews some rules from the previous video, such as how cryptic clues are codes, not sentences, and every word in a clue is important. He also stresses that looking up answers is not cheating when learning and provides various resources for further learning and improvement.
🎯 Types of Clues in Cryptic Crosswords
This paragraph delves into the specifics of five common types of clues found in cryptic crosswords: double definitions, containers, deletions, homophones, and reversals. Double definitions consist of two definitions without a wordplay part. Containers involve placing one set of letters inside another, indicated by words like 'outside of' or 'inside'. Deletions remove letters from a word based on indicators such as 'beheaded' or 'endlessly'. Homophones are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings, indicated by words like 'sounds like'. Reversals involve turning a word around to form another word, indicated by words like 'returns' or 'in the mirror'. The speaker provides examples for each clue type and explains how to identify and solve them, enhancing the viewer's understanding of cryptic crossword mechanics.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Cryptic Crosswords
💡Clue Types
💡Double Definitions
💡Containers
💡Deletions
💡Homophones
💡Reversals
💡Abbreviations
💡Wordplay
💡Clue Parsing
Highlights
Introduction to cryptic crosswords for beginners, providing a breakdown of the most common clue types.
Explanation of the importance of understanding that every word in a cryptic clue is significant, with punctuation often being a distraction.
Review of rules from part one, emphasizing that cryptic clues are codes, not sentences, and the definition is usually at the beginning or end of the clue.
Discussion on double definitions, where the clue is made up of two definitions instead of a definition and wordplay part.
Example of a double definition clue: 'Not seeing window covering' leading to the answer 'blind'.
Explanation of container clues, where one set of letters is placed inside another using indicators like 'outside of' or 'inside'.
Container clue example: 'Apostle's friend outside of university' resulting in the answer 'Paul'.
Description of deletions, where letters are removed from part of the clue to form the answer, with different indicators for beheading, curtailment, and internal deletions.
Deletion clue example: 'Beheaded celebrity is sailor' leading to the answer 'TAR'.
Introduction to homophones in cryptic crosswords, which are words that sound the same but have different spellings and meanings.
Homophones clue example: 'We hear twins shave' resulting in the answer 'PARE'.
Explanation of reversals, where a word is turned around to form another word, with specific indicators for across and down clues.
Reversal clue example: 'Returned beer fit for a king' leading to the answer 'REGAL'.
Advice on how to approach learning cryptic crosswords, including using online resources and not considering it cheating to look up answers.
Emphasis on the fun aspect of cryptic crosswords and the importance of lateral thinking and changing perspectives to solve them.
预告Part 3将会讨论剩余的线索类型和组合线索，鼓励订阅并保持关注。
Transcripts
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