Subject: FAQ rec.puzzles.crosswords part 2/3
Date: 5 MAR 95 19:07:05
Summary: This Posting Contains a List of Frequently Asked Questions about Crosswords.
Organisation: Digital Equipment Corporation


Version: 4.11

        Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for rec.puzzles.crosswords
                               Version 4.11

                          Compiled and edited by
               James A. Lundon (jlundon@xstacy.enet.dec.com)

(FAQ continued...)

(9) Standard tips for solving a cryptic crossword? 

   The explanation below is taken from rec.puzzles and I will endeavour to
   take over the responsibility of maintaining and improving this list from
   the maintainer (Chris Cole) of the rec.puzzles archive.

   This is a brief set of instructions for solving cryptic crossword
   puzzles.  For a more complete introduction, send a self-addressed,
   stamped envelope to The Atlantic Puzzler, 745 Boylston Street, Boston,
   MA 02116, USA.  The below description is taken from this introduction. 
   It was written by Henry Rathvon and Emily Cox, who do the puzzles for
   The Atlantic.  It is slanted towards the American type cryptic.

   The characteristic common to all cryptic crossword puzzles is the format
   of the clues.  Each clue is a miniature word puzzle consisting of a
   straight definition of the answer and a cryptic definition of the
   answer.  For example,

.Axle is poorly splined (7)

   yields SPINDLE.  Axle is the straight definition.  The cryptic
   definition (poorly splined) indicates an anagram of "splined".  The
   number in parentheses is the number of letters in the answer. 
   Punctuation and capitalization may be ignored in interpreting the clues.

   There are *only* (really?) eight categories of clues, as follows:

   1. Anagram

   An anagram is a word formed by mixing up the letters of another word. 
   An anagram clue is indicated by some word that means "mixed up", for
   example, out, crazy, bizarre, insane, etc.  One or more words may
   contribute to the anagram.  For example:

      Tim goes insane from selfishness (7)
. 
      for EGOTISM (anagram of "Tim goes")

   2. Double Definition

   A double definition is simply two definitions of the word.  Most
   two-word clues are double definitions.  For example:

      Release without charge (4)
. 
      for FREE

   3. Container

   A container clue indicates that something is to be put in (or wrapped
   around) something else.  A container is indicated by phrases such as
   eaten by, contains, in, gobbles, etc.  For example:

      In Missouri, consumed by fear (7)

      for AMONGST (MO = Missouri in ANGST = fear)

   4. Hidden Word

   A hidden word is a word embedded in another word or words.  It is
   indicated by phrases such as spot in, hides, at the heart of, covers,
   etc.  For example:

      Worn spot in paper at typo (5)

      for RATTY (find ratty in "paper at typo")

   5. Reversal

   A reversal is a definition of a word with the letters reversed.  It is
   indicated by words such as back, reversed, up (for down clues), leftward
   (for across clues), etc.  For example:

      Egad! Ray entirely reversed the lot of cloth (7)

      for YARDAGE ("Egad! Ray" reversed)

   6. Homophone

   A homophone definition is a definition of a word that sounds the same as
   the answer, but is spelled differently.  A homophone is indicated by
   words such as in audience, I hear, mouthed, verbally, etc.  For example:

      Regrets prank, I hear (4)

      for RUES (the homophone is RUSE = prank)

   7. Charade

   In a charade, the pieces of the word are "spelled" out in order.  There
   are no auxiliary words that indicate a charade.  For example:

      Excite a jerk extremist (7)

      for FANATIC (FAN = excite, A, TIC = jerk)

   8. Deletion

   A deletion is a clue where you are instructed to remove a part of some
   word to make another word.  For example, 

      Times with poor wages (4)

      for AGES (with-poor WAGES, where with is abbreviated by W)

   Often the clue types are combined.  Some common examples are 1) hidden
   word reversals where the answer is found backwards embedded in other
   words, and 2) containers or charades where the parts are anagrams.  For
   example:

      Car shops have broken gear immersed in gasoline. (7)

      for GARAGES (RAGE = gear anagram in GAS = gasoline)

   All manner of common abbreviations, acronyms, and other symbology such
   as roman numerals are allowed.  For example:

      c. one hundred, cup, or centigrade
      vi six
      h. hot
      s. small
      ca california

   Two punctuation marks at the end of the clue have been reserved for
   special meaning.  A question mark (?) indicates that the straight clue
   is not entirely straight (usually a pun).  For example:

      I tie down mascara holder soundly? (7)

      for EYELASH (homophone of "I lash", mascara holder is a punning
      definition of EYELASH)

   An exclamation point (!) indicates that some part (usually all) of the
   clue overlaps.  For example, the straight definition may also be the
   anagram indicator.  Here is an example that entirely overlaps:

      A moped also has these! (6)

      for PEDALS (hidden word)

   Here, the entire clue indicates the hidden word, but the entire clue is
   also a straight definition of the answer.

   After all that explanations an example is needed.  This crossword was
   compiled by Roy Trearle (Roy.Thearle@uknet.ac.uk).  It originally
   appeared in the rec.puzzles archive?

   Each clue has two solutions, one for each diagram; one of the answers
   to 1ac. determines which solutions are for which diagram.

   All solutions are in Chamber's and Webster's Third except for one solution
   of each of 1dn, 3dn and 4dn, which can be found in Webster's 2nd. edition.

     #######################################################################
     #1   |2   |    |    |3   |4   |5   #1   |2   |    |    |3   |4   |5   #
     #    |    |    |    |    |    |    #    |    |    |    |    |    |    #
     #----+----###########----#----#----#----+----###########----#----#----#
     #6   |    |7   |    |    #    #    #6   |    |7   |    |    #    #    #
     #    |    |    |    |    #    #    #    |    |    |    |    #    #    #
     #----#----#----######----#----#----#----#----#----######----#----#----#
     #    #    #    #8   |    |    |    #    #    #    #8   |    |    |    #
     #    #    #    #    |    |    |    #    #    #    #    |    |    |    #
     #----#----#----######----#----#----#----#----#----######----#----#----#
     #9   |    |    |    #    #    #    #9   |    |    |    #    #    #    #
     #    |    |    |    #    #    #    #    |    |    |    #    #    #    #
     #----#----#----######----#----#----#----#----#----######----#----#----#
     #    #    #10  |    |    |    |    #    #    #10  |    |    |    |    #
     #    #    #    |    |    |    |    #    #    #    |    |    |    |    #
     #----#----#----###########----+----#----#----#----###########----+----#
     #11  |    |    |    |    |    |    #11  |    |    |    |    |    |    #
     #    |    |    |    |    |    |    #    |    |    |    |    |    |    #
     #######################################################################

   Ac.
   1.  What can have distinctive looking heads spaced about more prominently
.   right. (7)
   6.  Vermin that can overrun fish and t'English tor perhaps. (5)
   8.  Old testament reversal - Adam's conclusion, start of sin.
.   Felines initially with everything there. (4)
   9.  Black initiated cut, oozed out naturally. (4)
   10. For instance, 11 with spleen dropping I count? (5)
   11. Provoked explosion of grenade. (7)

   Dn.
   1.  Some of club taking part in theatrical function, for the equivalent
.   of a fraction of a pound. (6)
   2.  Close-in light meter in one formation originally treated as
           limestone. (6)
   3.  Xingu River hombres having symmetrical shape. (5)
   4.  About sex-appeal measure - what waitresses should be? (6)
   5.  Turned stale - died - was preserved. (6)
   7.  IRA to harm ruling Englishman; extremes could be belonging to group. (5)


   Answers:
..     +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
..     |r e d c a p s|d e x t r a l|
..     + + +-+-+ + + + + +-+-+ + + +
..     |o t t e r|o|a|r o a c h|s|a|
..     + + + +-+ + + + + + +-+ + + +
..     |u|a|h|f a l l|a|z|m|t o m s|
..     + + + +-+ + + + + + +-+ + + +
..     |b l e d|r|i|t|c o o n|m|i|t|
..     + + + +-+ + + + + + +-+ + + +
..     |l|o|i r a t e|m|o|n o b l e|
..     + + + +-+-+ + + + + +-+-+ + +
..     |e n r a g e d|a n g e r e d|
..     +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

   Notes.
   Left grid: Ac. 1. R + spaced (anag). 6. T'E tor (anag). 8. F-all. 9. B-led.
   10. I-rate. Dn. 1. Ro-ub-le. 2. T.A.L. in one (anag). 4. it in pole.
   5. anag of D+stale. 7. anag of initial letters.
   Right grid: Ac. 1. D-extra-L. 6. 3 mngs. 8. OT (rev) + m-s.
   9. initial letters. 10. No.-b(i)le. Dn. Dra-c-ma. 2. Zoo(m) in one (anag).
   3. hidden. 4. SA (rev) + mile. 5. anag of D+stale. 7. anag of final letters.

   How I built it: it was hard!

   Basically, I started with a couple of word pairs which were easy to clue
   (e.g. enraged/angered - same meaning and anagrams of each other) and
   built a grid around them, trying to ensure corresponding words had
   something in common, either in meaning (their, among) or structure,
   (EtalON, EOzooN) and making sure that there was at least one word which
   could be used to distinguish the two grids (dextral).

   The clues were built in one of two ways:

   either the words had a common definition, and so a subsidiary indication
   which could refer to either was needed; or it was necessary to define
   each word in such a way that it was a subsidiary definition for all or
   part of the corresponding word, and deal with any remaining parts as
   before. I think the single hardest part was finding a definition of
   "interferometer" which could also be interpreted as "zoo" or "ozo".

   57 Varieties
   ============

   Roy Thearle has outdone himself by putting together an every better
   description of some of the gimmicks used in crossword setting.  Many of
   the methods described below could be considered to be only seen in
   'specials' but, nonetheless are very interesting to would be setters out
   there trying to think up of new ways to confuse the solver :-).  All
   examples have CROSSWORDS as the answer:

   Clues 
   =====        

   Unclued...No clue is given, and the answer is to be
....deduced from context, e.g.
....1. (10)

   Straightforward definition.e.g.
....2. Puzzles involving word-grids (10)

   Quiz style...Definition in the form of a question, e.g.
....3. Which word puzzles were first published
....   in the `London Daily Mail' in 1925? (10)

   Riddle...Similar to previous, but usually involving
....some form of word play, e.g.
....4. What puzzles create arguments? (10)

   Missing word from quotation.5. "the original acrostic form developed
....    into --- early in the next century" (10)

   Missing word from prose.A passage of prose is given in which the
....answer has been replaced by the grid number
....at which it is to appear, e.g.
...."I love doing [6ac]; even those by Kea".

   Call my bluff..Three definitions of related or similar
....words are given; one of the words is the answer
....e.g.
....7. 3.5ft weapons; odd beaked birds; puzzles (10)
....   {longswords/crossbills/crosswords}

   Semi-homonyms..Two definitions are given of words which differ
....only in one letter, one of which is the answer,
....e.g.
....8. Forms meadow plants. (10)
....   {crosswords/crossworts}

   Encrypted...The clue is an encrypted form of the answer,
....normally with the alphabet replaced by numbers
....1-26 in some order, but sometimes by a
....substitution code. Occasionally, a clue of one
....of the other types is encrypted. e.g.
....9. 1-2-3-4-4-5-3-2-6-4 (10)
....10. Smelly Emil (10)
....11. Abcde dfghbi jklmne. (10)
                                    {encrypted clue 8.}

   Straightforward anagram.e.g.
....12. Dross crows (anag.) (10)

   Subsidiary indication only.Effectively, a cryptic clue without a definition
....e.g.
....13. Holy symbol incorporating weapon. (10)
....    {sword in cross}

   Definition and anagram.A straightforward definition of the answer
....juxtaposed with an anagram of it (in either 
....order). Sometimes the anagram and definition
....are written so as to make it unobvious which 
....is which, e.g.
....14. Forms dross crows. (10)
....15. Orcs' swords set puzzles. (10)

   Definition & letter mixture.A line of text containing both a synonym of the
....answer, plus a hidden anagram of it. e.g.
....16. When composing puzzles, always listen to
....    compact discs, or drowsiness sets in. (10)
.....      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Previous with extra letter.As above, but the hidden anagram contains a
....superfluous letter, e.g.
....17. Warriors (orcs) saw death cause problems.
....         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~..  (10) 

   Cryptic...e.g.
....18. Holy symbol embracing weapon puzzles. (10)
....    {sword in cross}

   Spoonerism...There are two forms of this. Either (i) the clue
....contains a spoonerism which must be fixed before
....solving (normally in the definition part),
....or (ii) the subsidiary indication is
....a definition for a spoonerized version of the
....answer, e.g.
....19. Holy symbol embracing weapon - triptych
....    kempt Asians. (10)
....    {i.e. cryptic temptations; sword in cross}

   Indirect anagram..A cryptic clue in which the subsidiary 
....indication contains a synonym for an anagram
....of the answer, plus anagram indicator, e.g.
....20. Forms miscreate ogres with weapons. (10)
....    {i.e. "orcs" (anag.) + "swords"}

   Unnumbered...A clue with no number, the position of the
....answer being determined by the solver, e.g.
....Forms miscreate orcs with weapons. (10)
....{as previous}

   Cryptic using clue number.A cryptic clue in which the clue number is part
....of the clue, e.g.
....100. Rod rows badly around ship, causing
....     problems. (10)
....     {C + SS in "rodrows" (anag.)}

   Superfluous letter..A cryptic clue in which all occurrences of
....one letter must be removed before solving,
....e.g.
....21. Forms torcs, toff, and tepees. (10)
....    {deleted letter is T;"orcs"(anag.)+"swords"}

   Ambiguous ...A cryptic clue with two (or more) equally valid
....answers, e.g.
....22. Angry tellings-off that could cause
....    confusion. (10)
....    {cross-words or cross-talks}

   Concatenated ..Two cryptic (or occasionally other) clues run
....together, e.g.
....23. Holy symbol embracing weapon puzzles
....    religious pacifist - shudder and run? (10;6)
....    {crosswords & quaker}

   Vowelless...Cryptic (or other clue type) with the vowels
....removed, e.g. 
....24. Hl smbl mbrcng wpn pzzls. (10)

   Cryptic with pun..Cryptic clue where one word must be replaced
....with a homophone before solving, e.g.
....25. Holy cymbal embracing weapon puzzles. (10)
....    {cymbal -> symbol}

   Misprint...One letter in the clue (usually in the
....definition) must be replaced by another before
....solving, e.g.
....26. Holy symbol embracing weapon muzzles. (10)
....    {muzzles -> puzzles}

   Missing letter..One letter must be added to the clue
....(usually in the definition) before solving, e.g.
....27. Holy symbol embracing weapon poses. (10)
....    {poses -> posers}

   Cryptic with superfluous.One word in the clue should be ignored. This 
   word....is sometimes also known as "red herrings".
.... e.g.
.... 28. Sauron forms miscreate orcs with
                                     weapons. (10)
....     {"sauron" is superfluous;orcs(anag)+swords}
....   
   Location indication..The clue is preceded or followed by a cryptic
....indication of the location for the answer,
....e.g.
....Went in river - in also - row forms. (10)
....{"went" and "in" in "Tyne -> twentynine; 
.... cross-words}

   Printer's devilry..A passage of prose from which the solution
....has been removed, and the word breaks and 
....punctuation changed, e.g.
....30. Form a king, Mum - it hinges; sent 
....    I ally, reigns. (10)
....    {for making muCROS SWORDSmithing 
....    essentially reigns}

   Solutions
   =========

   Normally..Answer to be entered in usual fashion, e.g. CROSSWORDS

   Diagonally..Answer to be entered with letters in normal order, but
...running in a diagonal direction, e.g.    C
........  R       S
........   O     D
........    S   R
........     S O
........      W
........     S O
........    S   R
........   O     D
........  R       S
........ C

   Reversed..Answer to be entered backwards,
...e.g. CROSSWORDS -> SDROWSSORC

   Directionally.Answer to be entered with letters in normal order, but
...with direction of entry changing whenever a letter 
...N (up), S (down), E (right) or W (left) is encountered,
...e.g. CROSSWORDS -> CROS
...       ..      S 
.....  SDROW

   Squared..Answer to be entered in the form of a square (or,
...occasionally, some other geometrical figure), e.g.
...     CROSSWORDPUZZLES ->   CROSS       C
......   S   W      S R
......   E   O     E   O
......   L   R    L     S
......   ZZUPD   ZZUPDROWS

   Knight's tour.Answer to be entered with successive letters being
...positioned a (chess) knight's move from the previous, 
...e.g. CROSSWORDS ->  C.....S......
...  .            ..R.....W...S
.....    .....S...R...
.....    ...O...O...D.

   Random walk..Answer to be entered with letters in normal order,
...but moving in a random direction with every letter.
...Normally restricted to (up, right, left, down), but
...may include diagonal movement as well (in which case
...sometimes known as "King's tour"). Either sort may be 
...self-intersecting. e.g.           C 
...CROSSWORDS - > CRO  S  C  OW      R 
...                 S RD   R SRD   DROW
..... SWO    OS   S  S SS
...   
   Wrong number..Answer to be entered normally at a different location,
...where the clue contains a synonym of the answer.

   Hidden in diagram.Answer is to be located (or, more typically, a theme
...word  is to be found) in an unusual location in the
...grid, e.g. on the main diagonal, among the unchecked
...letters, or in the squares around a fixed location.

   Cyclic..Answer is to be entered starting at any point in the
...word, running to the end and then continuing from the
...beginning, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> ROSSWORDSC OSSWORDSCR
...                SSWORDSCRO SWORDSCROS ...  SCROSSWORD

   Inside-out..The central part of the answer is extracted, split
...in half, and placed around the remainder, e.g.
...CROSSWORDS -> ROSSCSWORD OSSCRDSWOR SSCRORDSWO 
...       SCROSORDSW

   First letter..The first letter of the answer is to be moved to 
   misplaced ..between any other pair of letters, or after the last
...one, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> RCOSSWORDS ROCSSWODRS
...  ROSCSWORDS ROSSCWORDS ... ROSSWORDCS ROSSWORDSC

   Last letter..The last letter of the answer is to be moved to
   misplaced ..between any other pair of letters, or before the first
...one, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> SCROSSWORD CSROSSWORD
...  CRSOSSWORD CROSSSWORD ... CROSSWOSRD CROSSWORSD

   Transposition.A pair adjacent letters of the answer are switched
...(or sometimes more than one pair), e.g. 
...  CROSSWORDS -> RCOSSWORDS CORSSWORDS CRSOSWORDS ...
...       CROSSWODRS CROSSWORSD
...  CROSSWORDS -> RCSOSWORDS RCOSWSORDS RCOSSOWRDS ...
...       CROSSOWRSD CROSSWROSD RCOSWSODRS ...

   Shuffled..The letters of the answer are to be entered in arbitrary
...order, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> CSSOWDSROR OOCWDSRSRS
...Sometimes the letters are restricted so that none of
...them occupies the place where they should be, e.g.
...  CROSSWORDS -> SSSRRCDOOW

   Extra letter..An extra letter is to be inserted in the answer before
   inserted ..it is entered into the grid, e.g. CROSSWORDS ->
...  ACROSSWORDS CROSBSWORDS CROSSWCORDS CDROSSWORDS ...

   Beheaded..The first letter of the answer is to be omitted,
...e.g. CROSSWORDS -> ROSSWORDS

   Curtailed..The last letter of the answer is to be omitted,
...e.g. CROSSWORDS -> CROSSWORD

   Letters latent.One letter of the answer is to be omitted wherever it
...occurs, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> ROSSWORDS COSSWODS
....   CRSSWRDS CROWORD CROSSORDS CROSSWORS

   Deduplicated..Double letters in the answer are to be reduced to
...single letters, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> CROSWORDS

   Vowelless..All vowels are removed from the answer before entry,
...e.g. CROSSWORDS -> CRSSWRDS
...The definition of vowel may include `Y' or `W' in some
...circumstances

   Consonantless.All consonants are to be removed from the answer before
...entry, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> OO

   Other absent .Certain specified letters are to be removed from the
   letters..answer before entry, e.g. if the letters are NSEW
...CROSSWORDS -> CROORD

   Absent..The answer does not appear in the grid! (e.g. in a 
...puzzle where the letters NSEW are removed from the
...answers before entry, the words "SENSE" and "NEWNESS"
...are completely absent).

   Symbolic..Part of the answer is to be entered as an appropriate
...symbol, e.g. CROSSWORDS -> +WORDS

   Directionally.All compass directions in the answer (usually referring
   symbolic ..to N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) are replaced by arrows
...pointing in the appropriate direction, e.g. {apologies
...for ascii graphics} CROSSWORDS -> CRO| /ORD|
......             vL    v

   Misprint..One of the letters of the answer is to be replaced by 
...another letter before entry, e.g. CROSSWORDS ->
....   AROSSWORDS BROSSWORDS DROSSWORDS ...
....   CAOSSWORDS CBOSSWORDS CCOSSWORDS ...
....   ... CROSSWORDX CROSSWORDY CROSSWORDZ

   Internally..A substring of the answer is replaced with a synonym,
   substituted ..antonym, association, translation, etc. e.g. 
...  CROSSWORDS -> CROSSHIELDS.{sword-shield}.
...  SEEKING -> SEEQUEEN..{king-queen}
...  FOOTWORK -> FOODEUXRK..{two-deux}

   Replaced by..The solution is a homophone of the clue answer, e.g.
   hompohone..  SEEKING -> SEA-KING
.. .  COLONEL -> KERNEL

   Replaced by synonym.The solution is a synonym of the clue answer, e.g
...  CROSSWORDS -> FORMS 
...  CROSSWORDS -> CRUCIVERBALISMS

   Encoded..The solution is to be encoded (using a substitution
...cypher) before entry, e.g.
...(rot13) CROSSWORDS -> PEBFFJBEQF
...(a<->z, b<->y, etc.) CROSSWORDS -> XILHHDLIWH

   Adacode..The alphabet is sorted into a code string consisting
...of a keyword (with no repeated letters) plus the
...remainder in order, e.g.
...QUESTIONABCDFGHJKLMPRVWXYZ.{question}
...VERACIOUSLYBDFGHJKMNPQTWXZ.{veraciously}
...and the answer is coded as follows:
...the first letter to be entered is the letter
...one space after the first letter of the answer;
...the second letter to be entered is the letter
...two spaces after the second letter of the answer;
...and so on, treating the code string as cyclic if
...necessary, e.g.
...(with QUESTIONABCDFGHJKLMPRVWXYZ)
....   CROSSWORDS -> DWBNAEGERG
...(with VERACIOUSLYBDFGHJKMNPQTWXZ)
....   CROSSWORDS -> ICLDFAFYQM

   Playfair..The alphabet (less J) is sorted into a code string
...as for the previous, and this code string is placed
...in a 5x5 square, e.g..ZANTH.SEAFR
.....        OXYLU.ONTBC
......MBCDE.DGHIK
....  {zanthoxylum} FGIKP.LMPQU {seafront}
......QRSVW.VWXYZ

...and the answer is split in to pairs of letters, each
...of which is encoded as follows:
...if both letters are the same, then they are entered
...normally
...if both letters are in the same row, then the
...letters to the right of them are to be entered
...(treating the row as cyclic if necessary);
...if both letters are in the same column, then the
...letters below them are to be entered
...(treating the row as cyclic if necessary);
...otherwise, treat the two letters as the corners
...of a rectangle, and enter the other two corners
...of the rectangle (top right being entered instead
...of top left, bottom right being entered instead
...of bottom left)
...If a word has an odd number of letters, then an extra
...letter is added at the end to allow it to be encoded,
...and the last letter of the encoded form is ignored.
...e.g. (with the squares given above)
...     CR-OS-SW-OR-DS -> BS-YQ-VQ-XQ-CV
...     CR-OS-SW-OR-DS -> KC-DO-EV-CS-LO
...Sometimes the `J' is reinstated and the digits appended
...to give a 6x6 square used similarly, e.g.
...with.1976MO
...        NTREAL
....BCDFGH
....IJKPQS
....UVWXYZ {1976 montreal}
....023458

...CR-OS-SW-OR-DS -> DT-LZ-KZ-7L-HK

(10) Misc. questions of interest.

   Q: Is there an official Archiver for the rec.puzzles.crosswords 
      newsgroup?

   Well not really...  Ross Beresford has, on occasions, been known to 
   be able to dig up the odd article or two, which may have gone out of 
   date on the local newserver of choice.  This service is performed on 
   a completely personal basis and he doesn't want to be considered the 
   official newsgroup archiver!  Let's say he won't be too happy if you 
   come in his direction asking for the past years r.p.crosswords articles.

   Q: What is "The Grauniad" ?

   It's a joke name for British newspaper "The Guardian" which is legendary
   for its numerous typos.  For example, in a 1992 crossword in the weekly
   version of the paper, the last clue was omitted!

   Q: Is Bill Clinton a crossword fan?

   Yes.

   Q: I'm British: what are "British style" crosswords?  "American style"?

   "British style" is a common American name for cryptic crosswords.

   "American style" is the type of crossword that appears in all the daily
   newspapers there.  They are not cryptic, so are like British "concise"
   or "quick" crosswords.  The main difference is that every square is
   checked: i.e. every square is in two clues, and there are many fewer
   black squares than in a British concise.  Often this means that obscure
   words, names of famous people, initials etc. appear as answers.

   Q: What is the difference between British and American cryptic clues?

   Of course, British and American clues will use different spellings.  One
   might use "hue" to clue "colour" and the other to clue "color".  There
   are less obvious differences though, because there is no absolute rule
   about the fairness of a crossword clue.  Americans tend to insist that
   each word in the clue contribute to the definition or wordplay, while
   British people may be less strict.  For example, the following clue
   once caused a few disagreements in this newsgroup:

   "Could this replace a super tom?"

   The answer (spelt backwards) is PARTESUOM.  It's an anagram and the
   whole clue is the definition: this type of clue is known as an "&lit"
   clue.  Some Americans complained that the words "Could this" were
   superfluous as they didn't enter into the wordplay, while some British
   people thought they added to the clue in an indefinable way.  Another
   example is that Americans don't like clues with only a single definition
   and no subsidiary indication.  For example, a Times (of London) clue:

   "Kosher diet?"

   The answer (backwards) is TESSENK.  Although difficult to define, this 
   is acceptable because it's misleading and, once you've got the answer,
   you can be sure you have it right.  

   It's impossible to define exactly what is acceptable, either to
   Americans or to British people.  You just have to learn from experience.

   Q: What errors are known in Chambers Words?

   Chambers Words is a tremendously useful publication, but assorted people
   have found many errors in it.  The following errors are due to Ian Gent,
   Hubert Gent, Roger Phillips, and Judith Underwood.

   Words in Chambers Dictionary but not in Words:

   aband, abelia, aemule, aflaj, aidos, alaap, alap, alapa, alcazar,
   alferez, alforja, alkene, alkyne, alopecoid, an-heires, andvile, antick,
   anticke, ashet, astun, atchieve, avant-propos, bandeirante, berob,
   bibite, bro, brust, camaron, cilia, clamor, Datel, Datin, Datuk, Dayak,
   demarche, diner-out, diseur, dojo, douane, Dyak, edite, emplonge, emule,
   ennuying, epuise, estro, etatiste, etrenne, eudiometer, Exocet, falaj,
   franticly, geare, gerle, glom, good-sense, graduateship, graphicly,
   griped, grypt, hadal, holesom, holesome, hombre, honey-seed, hony-seed,
   illite, iroko, jamahiriya, jamahiriyah, karsey, karsy, karzy, kazatzka,
   kazi, Kru-boy, Kru-man, ksar, latrant, lavatera, leaperous, leaporous,
   leaprous, limail, macro, matinee, missa, mnemonic, mose, Navaho, Navajo,
   nomen, nomina, nork, noyes, ocotillo, one-time, oneyer, oneyre, oppo,
   ossa, oughly, ouglie, pierst, plast, plaste, pousse, preif, pursew,
   rallye, red-wing, redwing, relie, requight, rewarewa, rurp, shalom,
   simi, sowsse, spavin, spudding, spyre, stater, sted, stedd, steddy,
   stede, stedfast, steedy, Syncom, tagmeme, talak, talaq, talek, tarp,
   thread-lace, todde, tranchet, unhip, vahine, vicegerent, vigoro, whidah,
   whydah

   Words spelt incorrectly in Words:

   Anglophabiac for anglophobiac
   artillary for artillery
   bibliogical for bibliological
   bumalc for bumalo
   cacodaemom for cacodaemon 
   cullysim for cullyism
   daiquari for daiquiri
   double-mined for double-minded
   faith-cube for faith-cure
   glassfulls for glassfuls
   greviousness for grievousness
   inseperableness for inseparableness
   jodphurs for jodhpurs
   knat-bottle for knap-bottle
   Nothofagust for Nothofagus
   nephratic for nephrotic
   olephilic for oleophilic
   outerware for outerwear
   Owlspiegel for Owlspiegle
   ouabian for ouabain 
   pachydacious for pachydactylous
   priep for prief
   pugilistial for pugilistical
   reconsituent for reconstituent
   retensionist for retentionist
   sabre-battling for sabre-rattling
   smarago for smaragd
   stenpoaeic for stenopaeic
   synonimical for synonymical
   syzgial for syzygial
   tasseiling for tasselling
   totemastic for totemistic
   transferribilty for transferribility
   trisulphine for trisulphide
   turbidimiter for turbidimeter
   unforgiveable for unforgivable

   Q: What new words are there in Chambers latest edition?

   Ross Beresford and Roger Philips have collected over 1100 such words and
   the list can be obtained on request from Ross Beresford
   (ross@bryson.demon.co.uk).

   Q: Who sets the crossword in your daily newspaper?

   The Times (of London) uses a number of crossword setters but they are
   not named.  There is a crossword editor at the Times, but that person is
   not well known (though you get through if you write to him/her).  The
   Guardian and Independent use pseudonymous setters.  The Listener uses a
   huge  variety of setters.  Probably the people behind them are  less
   interesting than the source (e.g. Times, Guardian etc).  There are one
   or two exceptions, like the crossword in the Observer which I think is
   always the same person.  The setter for the Irish Times cryptic
   crossword is probably an exception in that he recently (March 1993)
   celebrated his golden anniversary of setting crosswords for the paper.

   Q: What is ROT13 ?

   This is a very simple encryption: each letter is mapped to the letter 13
   away from it in the alphabet.  You can decode it easily by hand.  In this
   newsgroup it is usually used only to disguise clue answers or other
   small items that some people may not want to see.

   See the crossword archive for a fuller explanation by Ryan Harding.

   Q. What is an &lit clue?

   From Felix Lee (flee@guardian.cse.psu.edu):

   &lit stands for "and literally".  In non-cryptic crosswords, &lit is
   usually attached to clues that are meant to be read two ways: as a
   definition, and as a form of wordplay (eg, literally).

   In cryptic crosswords, &lit is a term applied to clues where both the
   definition and the cryptic parts are the whole clue itself, and not
   separate parts of the clue.  These clues are usually signalled by a ? or
   a ! at the end.

.Milk: it tenderly laps it! (6)

   is a clue for KITTEN.  This is a perfect &lit, since every word is
   essential to both the definition and the cryptic.

   Perfect &lits are hard to create.  Partial &lits seem to turn up more
   often:

.You'll see nude imp moan horribly here! (11)

   is a clue for PANDEMONIUM.  The whole clue is the definition, but only
   "nude imp moan horribly" is pertinent to the cryptic.

.Straighten girth! (5)

   is a clue for RIGHT.  The whole clue is the cryptic, but only
   "straighten" is pertinent to the definition.

   From Roger Philips (roger@quantime.co.uk):

   A "conventional" cryptic clue may be split into two (or more) distinct
   parts, at least one of which is a straight definition of the answer.

   For example, in: A person selling things cheaply arranged reductions
   (10)

   the two parts are a definition of DISCOUNTER: A person selling things
   cheaply, and an indication that the answer is an anagram of REDUCTIONS:
   arranged reductions

   The only difference in an &lit clue is that the two parts are overlaid.

   For example, in: I arrange reductions (10)

   the definition is the whole clue (the answer is someone who makes
   reductions happen), and the cryptic indication is also the whole clue
   (the required word is a rearrangement of REDUCTIONS).

   The mistake most often made is for part of the clue to contribute to
   only one of the readings. To be an &lit clue, the *whole* clue must be
   susceptible to two interpretations.

   Q. What's an indirect anagram and why are they frowned upon in the
   newsgroups clue writing competitions?

   Thanks to Ilana Stern for this description.

   Indirect anagrams are clues where the actual word to be anagrammed
   doesn't appear in the clue; rather a synonym or pointer does.  This
   type of clue is frowned upon by most (not all; but those who don't 
   like it generally consider it completely unfair) because it's quite
   hard.

   Example:  Train part of a swirling snowflake, for example (7)

   Solution: FLATCAR = train part, swirling = anag. indicator,
     snowflake, for example = fractal (which anagrams to flatcar).

   This is an incredibly bad and difficult clue!  The general rule is
   that any letters to be anagrammed must be actually present in the clue.

   Q. Define surface reading and how important is it in clueing?

   Note: I have strong opinions on this topic, vis a vis the necessity of a
   clue having a surface reading.

   *My* definition of good surface reading in a clue is:

   something (the clue) you could say, or have said in the past, in
   conversation and not something, while syntactically and semantically
   possible, means nothing.

   Tovah Hollander said:

   My first-pass definition of acceptable surface reading would be: would
   this clue make sense to someone who doesn't know anything about cryptic
   clues?  (Not "make sense as a clue", but simply "mean something
   sensible".)

   Better definitions are welcome?

   Q. I've set a crossword which I think is good enough for publication.
   Where can I send it for evaluation and possible publication?

   Thanks to Ray Hamel for the addresses provided below.

   Editor
   Penny Press
   6 Prowitt St.
   Norwalk, CT  06855

   (Chicago Tribune crossword editor)
   Herb Ettenson
   14460 Strathmore Lane #308
   Delray Beach, FL  33446

   Janis Weiner
   Magazine Editorial Services, Inc.
   7002 West Butler Pike #100
   Ambler, PA  19002

   Editor
   DELL CHAMPION CROSSWORDS
   1540 Broadway
   NY, NY  10036

   You could always post the crossword to the newsgroup itself asking for
   comments?  The newsgroup is known to be frequented by some major figures
   in the crossword world from both sides of the Atlantic :-).

   Does anyone out there have an addresses for european crossword setters?

(11) What crossword related associations or publications are there?

   Thanks to Chris Long for most of this description!

   Organizations:

     American Cryptogram Association
      Publication:
        The Cryptogram
          Bimonthly
      Dues:
        See below
      Treasurer:
        ACA Treasurer
        18789 West Hickory St.
        Mundelein, IL 60060
      Comments:
        Devoted to cryptography.  Every issue of the journal contains
        several thoughtful articles and a large number of puzzles, including
        aristocrats, patristocrats, xenocrypts, cipher exchanges and
        cryptarithms.  Members have the option of picking a "nom" (nom de
        plume), e.g. the president is Gizmo.  As it is a specialized
        organization, you should request a sample issue first (I don't
        know the procedure for this, but $1 and a SASE should do it).

     The National Puzzlers' League
      Publication:
        The Enigma
          Monthly
      Dues:
        See below
      Editor:
        Judith E. Bagai
        Box 82289
        Portland, OR 97282
      Comments:
        Simply the best organization devoted to word puzzles.  The "Enigma"
        contains over 80 word puzzles per issue, ranging in difficulty from
        easy to extremely difficult and in type from the familiar anagrams
        and riddles to such obscure forms as spoonergrams and acrostical
        enigmas.  Each issue also includes a member-written cryptic.  Members
        get to pick a "nom" (nom de plume), e.g. I'm Cubist and Chris Cole
        is Canon.  The NPL is a somewhat specialized organization, so you
        should send a SASE with a request for a mini-sample to the editor
        to see if it's for you.

   Publications:

     Algorithm
      Quarterly
        $19.95 per year US, $24.95 Canada, $23.95 elsewhere (all prices US)
      Subscriptions:
        Louis Magguilli
        Algorithm
        P.O. Box 29237
        Westmount Postal Outlet
        785 Wonderland Road S.
        London, Ontario N6K 1M6
        Canada
      Comments:
        A. K. Dewdney's magazine devoted to recreational computing.

     Games
      Bimonthly
        $17.97 per year US, $22.97 Canada, $27.97 elsewhere (all prices US)
      Subscriptions:
        Games
        P.O. Box 605
        Mt. Morris, IL 61054-0605
        1-(800)-827-1256
      Comments:
        The best-known puzzle and game publication.  A wide variety of puzzles
        and articles in every issue.

     Graffiti on the Sphinx
      Monthly
        $1.50 per issue
      Subscriptions:
        Philip M. Cohen
        50 DeKalb Avenue #S6
        White Plains, NY 10605
      Comments:
        Members of the NPL use GotS for discussions on all types of topics
        such as comments on puzzles that have appeared in "The Enigma" to
        reviews of publications that may be of interest.  Put out by Philip
        Cohen, who is Treesong in the NPL.

     The Journal of Recreational Mathematics
      Quarterly
        $23.45 per year for US and Canada, $28.30 elsewhere
      Subscriptions:
        Baywood Publishing Company, Inc.
        26 Austin Avenue
        P.O. Box 337
        Amityville, NY 11701
      Comments:
        A must for anyone interested in recreational mathematics.

     PuzzleSIGns
      Quarterly
        $7 per year for Mensa members, $8 non-members, $10 foreign
      Subscriptions:
        Chuck Murphy
        Puzzle SIGns Coordinator
        11430 East Palomino Road
        Scottsdale, AZ 85259
      Comments:
        Publication of the Mensa "Puzzle" SIG.  This fledgling newsletter
        contains a variety of puzzles in every issue.  Sample issue $1.

     REC (Recreational & Educational Computing)
      8 issues per year
        $27 per year US, $28 Canada, $36 elsewhere
      Subscriptions:
        Michael Ecker
        909 Violet Terrace
        Clarks Summit, PA 18411
      Comments:
        Devoted to recreational computing.

     Word Fun
      Bimonthly
        $5 per year US and Canada, $10 elsewhere
      Subscriptions:
        Jill Conway
        Rte. 6
        3001 Johnson Lane
        Columbia, MO 65202
      Comments:
        Publication of the Mensa "Fun with Word" SIG, but anyone may
        subscribe.  A variety of wordplay and puzzles; fantastic bargain.
        Sample issue $.50 stamps per coin (no checks) + business-size SASE.

     Word Ways
      Quarterly
        $17 per year
      Subscriptions:
        Faith W. Eckler
        Spring Valley Road
        Morristown, NJ 07960
      Comments:
        An absolutely fantastic journal devoted to recreational linguistics;
        a must for anyone who loves words or word puzzles.

     Tough Cryptics
      Bimonthly
        $19 per year US, $35 elsewhere
      Subscriptions:
        The American Crossword Federation
        P.O. Box 69
        Massapequa Park, NY 11762
    .Phone: 1-800-929-1999
      Comments:
        Also publish "Tough Puzzles". "Tough Cryptics" has clue writing 
        contests, a cryptic solving contest and a "Cryptic Clinic" which 
        will help you write better clues.

     Acrostics Network
      Quarterly
        $10 (add 20% for Canada and 40% for overseas)
      Subscriptions:
.Acrostics Network
.1075 NW Murray Rd., Suite 244
.Portland OR 97229-5501
      Comments:
.The Network newsletter publishes about a dozen puzzles in each issue (it
.comes out every two months), along with the names and addresses of
.constructors; readers are invited to exchange puzzles with each other,
.and many do.  About half the members are retirees.

     Crossword
      Monthly
        20 Stg (extra overseas)
      Subscripions:
        The Crossword Club
        Coombe Farm
        Awbridge
        Romsey, Hants SO51 0HN,
        England
      Comments:
.Usually contains two barred grid puzzles, both of which are prize
.crosswords.  There are other interesting articles on various crossword
.related issues.  Distinctly British bent to things though.  Good
        value.
