RECAP
Every Cryptic Crossword clue will contain a definition or key-word
descibing the answer (usually at the beginning or the end), or the whole clue will be
the definition.
Lesson-1 was about ANAGRAMS or a re-arrangement of the letters
Lesson-2 was about 'CHARADES, where the answer is broken into two or more
manageable parts and a clue is provided for each part, usually in the same order.
The elements may be defined directly or by the use of equivalents.
Before I go to the lesson for the current month, I want to mention an interesting problem from
Sydney Morning Herald sent by Raghu, my brother-in-law. There are seven clues given below. The answers to all
of them are anagrams of DANIEL VETTORI - the name of the New Zealand spinner. Please see whether
you can get any of them. The answers can be had by clicking the button next to the clue.
a.) Pertinent peabrain (8,5)
b.) Apparent costumer (7,6)
c.) Forceful harangue (7,6)
d.) Deflect joy (6,7)
e.) Hepatitis remedy (5,8)
f.) Phoney proof (10,3)
g.) Big sinner (5,8)
This month, I shall explain Containers or 'Split words', which are similar
to charades, but to get the answer that fits the definition, one part of the solution goes
inside (or outside) the other, with an indicator to alert you.
A few examples wil make this clear.
Decay in vegetable for South African(6) = PROTEA, which is formed when ROT (decay) goes
into PEA (vegetable) as P(ROT)EA, which means a South African. You see in this clue that the
key-word is 'South African' and the components are 'decay' and 'vegetable'.
Essence of article in Country Home(7) = VANILLA (keyword is 'essence') , which is formed when
AN (article) goes into VILLA (country home)
One inside rough Puneite(6) = HARISH (my son, who lives in Pune. Keyword is 'Puneite'), which is formed when I (one) goes
inside HARSH (rough)
Fantasy about being in a hold-up (5)
I am giving all the three types of clues leading to the same answer. See if you can solve it
Capital chaotic as then(6) (ANAGRAM)
Articles before directions for city(6) (CHARADE)
Short answer holds article for capital(6) (SPLIT WORD)
Solution in the next lesson.
All the clues in this lesson are any one of the three types covered so far, viz., ANAGRAM, CHARADE and SPLIT
WORD. Get cracking....