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For those interested in physics and cryptic crosswords, here's one for you (from the London Times book of crosswords):
Made a lot of the effect of the Higgs boson (4-8)
Made a lot of the effect of the Higgs boson (4-8)
I went for "mass-producer".Mark44 said:mass produced ...
One of the tricks to doing these crosswords is to learn not to think too literally. This is especially true for the harder ones, like the Times.fresh_42 said:I only found "a lot" in the description a bit disturbing, that's why I thought "God made" might be a solution. But I think you and Mark are right.
fresh_42 said:I had a nice solution, until 7 and k showed up. c would have worked.
"A major" is a "key" in music and "me" is a "note" in music, which gives "keynote", which is a central theme, although not musically!fresh_42 said:Yes, that's where I got my Cantate or the Eroica from, I apparently don't know enough English words with a k.
Yes. I don't work the London Times puzzle, but I have been working the NY Times puzzle faithfully since about 1980. A key to being able to solve them is be open to alternate meanings and how else the phrase can be interpreted. The clue "A major" is a case in point.PeroK said:One of the tricks to doing these crosswords is to learn not to think too literally.
I don't know how the London Times works, but the NY Times puzzle is graduated in difficulty -- the easiest is on Monday, and they gradually get more difficult, with the hardest being on Fridays and Saturdays. The Sunday puzzle is a lot larger, but usually not that difficult. The harder puzzles sometimes include multiple letters per square, symbols, words spelled backwards or upside-down, and other trickeries.PeroK said:This is especially true for the harder ones, like the Times.
A cryptic crossword clue is a type of puzzle that consists of a word or phrase to be solved, along with a cryptic clue that provides hints or wordplay for the solution. They are often found in newspapers and magazines and are popular among puzzle enthusiasts.
Solving a cryptic crossword clue involves breaking down the clue into its different components, such as definition, wordplay, and any indicators. The definition is the part of the clue that gives the actual meaning of the solution, while the wordplay provides hints or instructions for manipulating the letters of the solution. Indicators are words or phrases that signal the type of wordplay being used. By understanding these components and using some deductive reasoning, the solution can be found.
Yes, there are some tips that can help in solving cryptic crossword clues. Some of these include looking for indicators, such as anagrams, hidden words, or reversals, identifying the definition and wordplay, and using a pen or pencil to write out the letters of the solution in different orders to see if they form a word or phrase. It is also helpful to practice and become familiar with common cryptic crossword clue types and techniques.
No, cryptic crossword clues can be found in different languages and in different countries. However, they may differ in format and style depending on the language and culture. Some countries may have their own unique types of cryptic crossword clues, such as the "Double Definition" style in Australia and New Zealand.
Yes, anyone can create their own cryptic crossword clue. It takes practice and familiarity with the different types and techniques, but it can be a fun and challenging activity. There are also online resources and forums where people share and discuss their own cryptic crossword clues and solutions.