Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
I thought I’d throw ChatGPT a bit of a curveball, so I asked, “What might a sentence described as ‘apt’ that is concealed in a crossword puzzle entitled ‘The Right Fit’ be?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This is Vismut’s twentieth EV crossword and in the seven years that she has been setting thematic cryptic crosswords, we have seen them in the IQ, EV, Listener and Magpie series. We still remember with delight her ‘Pretty Lights’ EV and know that her crosswords introduce us to activities and scenes from her home area and to literary themes.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
As I understand it, translation into Pig Latin involves an initial consonant (or group of consonants) being moved to the end of a word, and the suffix -ay being added, so Phibs becomes Ibsphay and crossword is osswordcray.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Arcadia has not set an EV before but we have solved his Inquisitor, Magpie, and Listener crosswords previously. It seems that this will be his sixth thematic cryptic.
Preamble: Three unclued entries comprise two contributors in contention as to which takes precedence over each other and a third in a BORDER DISPUTE.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Keen to offer ChatGPT a chance for redemption, I asked, “Can you suggest some problems from literature to which the answers have ten letters?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This will be Gaston’s 29th EV crossword. He has been setting two or three a year for ten years, so you will probably have solved his crosswords before and know what a range of themes he handles – and that you are in good hands.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Seeking a head start, I asked ChatGPT, “Can you think of any famous dictums that have exactly 36 letters?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Kcit needs no introduction for EV solvers. Dave Hennings’ crossword database tells us that he has been setting them since 1993. We know he will give us a challenge with demanding clues, often with some musical connection.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Seeking comfort on behalf of solvers, I asked ChatGPT, “Do you think that a puzzle by a setter called Skylark is likely to be easier than one set by Pandiculator?”
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Ifor needs no introduction for EV solvers. Dave Hennings’ crossword database tells us that he has been setting them since 2010 and this will be his 46th in the series. We know that he will give us a challenge with lots of demanding wordplay and that we can expect one of a wide range of literary, scientific or theatrical themes.… Continue reading