Types of crosswords

Press, 11 April 1979, Page 22

Types of crosswords

There are two types .of crosswords. The first is the straightforward type, sometimes called simple, in which the answer to the clue is just another meaning of the word given as the due. For example, the answer to “one who does not win” would be “loser.”

The other type is the cryptic puzzle. This requires a lot more thinking about. Compilers of cryptic puzzles are like verbal conjurors who manipulate anagrams — words that have the same letters, such as “den” and “end” —

puns, hidden clues, and even sound effects.

Au example of the last could be a clue which says: “Composer sounds like roll,” and the answer would be Lizst. Other cryptic clues refer to the points of the compass or initials. One might be: “Cowboy movie where the sun sinks with point to the navy.” The answer would be “western,” made up of “West,” “E” for east on the compass, and “R.N.” for Royal Navy.

Our Easter crossword today includes a mixture of the two types of clues. If you solve it or keep the answers we will learn next month how some of the clues could be made

harder. Crossword puzzles first appeared in England during the last century and began, as nursery games; but they were developed in America, and by 1923 had become a popular entertainment for all ages. They appear in most newspapers and have helped many people to en-' large their vocabulary —; that is the number of words, they know.

The puzzles are called* crosswords because of the way the letters are spaced, across and down, but some ' regular puzzler might think . the name is because of the--words they use when they cannot work out the answers!