# Cryptics **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [March 29, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525 "2016-03-29T14:43:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/41 "2016-04-05T23:23:46Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > SCION is right. C.I. inside of S O N. What is the wordplay that gives “son” though? Offspring shouldn’t be used as both part of the wordplay (i.e. synonym for “son”) and the definition (i.e. synonym of “scion”). Unless you’re going for an “&lit” clue, but I don’t see how the word “scion” has anything to do with Central Intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/42 "2016-04-05T23:45:13Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > Odds are, I’d sell Ann down in Bermuda (6) ISLAND (IdSeLlAnN [odd letters] + D) Instrument hides Oscar’s crown (7) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/43 "2016-04-06T03:12:38Z")
CORONET = crown = Cornet with O hidden in it Aliens turned a Frenchman’s head (4) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/44 "2016-04-06T04:56:47Z")
TETE (Et et reversed) ×××× Shuffle, cut, deal, bid, gripe! (9, 6) ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/45 "2016-04-06T09:20:37Z")
Duplicate Bridge. A very nice example of the wordplay functioning as the definition. Partner swapping makes headlines (4) ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/46 "2016-04-06T09:23:24Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > KNIGHT ? syn. verb and noun? Yes, I was going for four separate definitions: dub (to knight someone), equestrian (guy on horseback); gallant (chivalric champion); jumper (chess piece). But I realised “equestrian gallant” can be read together (probably more sensibly). ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/47 "2016-04-06T14:17:54Z")
> [@Stanislaus](#): > > Partner swapping makes headlines (4) NEWS (N/E, W/S) ### Teachers’ piece of jewelry almost within reach (7) ---
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/48 "2016-04-06T16:55:54Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Teachers’ piece of jewelry almost within reach (7) NEARING. N(ational) E(ducation) A(ssociation) + ring. ### I sing of a drunk English sailor and a great one (5,5). ---
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/49 "2016-04-08T04:47:39Z")
Ok, then how about this: **Drink to celebrate new dorm opening (3, 8)** ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2016, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/50 "2016-04-09T05:53:54Z")
> [@AppallingGael](#): > > Ok, then how about this: > > **Drink to celebrate new dorm opening (3, 8)** Dom Perignon (anag. dorm opening) ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/51 "2016-04-11T00:51:12Z")
Sprain relief? Take one. (7) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/52 "2016-04-11T04:05:52Z")
If it were Sprain relief? Take one! I’d say ASPIRIN (anag. sprain + I) and the whole clue is what you’re solving for ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/53 "2016-04-11T05:04:16Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > If it were > > Sprain relief? Take one! > > I’d say ASPIRIN (anag. sprain + I) and the whole clue is what you’re solving for ASPIRIN is what I was going for. I know a ‘!’ is often used to indicate &lit clues, but I’ve seen plenty &lits that don’t use them, and since the clue itself becomes pretty easy once you know it’s an &lit, I decided to not use the ‘!’. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/54 "2016-04-11T05:34:23Z")
Hastert, in retrospect, did a really bad thing (6) ---
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/55 "2016-04-11T05:58:01Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Hastert, in retrospect, did a really bad thing (6) SINNED (Dennis sinned; the Reader’s Digest version of the world’s longest palindrome). ### Paul came improperly? My fault! (3,5) ---
**Author:** ![Memnon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/56 "2016-04-11T07:09:45Z")
That was Mea Culpa (anag. Paul Came). They may be found on the beach, solving crime case (3, 6) ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/57 "2016-04-11T08:08:42Z")
> [@Tithonus](#): > > They may be found on the beach, solving crime case (3, 6) Ice creams. HIJKLMNO (5) ---
**Author:** ![Memnon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/58 "2016-04-11T12:32:19Z")
Water (H to O - H2O). Cuddle a baffled miser, or muddle a baffled Kaiser? (10) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/59 "2016-04-11T15:05:52Z")
> [@Tithonus](#): > > Cuddle a baffled miser, or muddle a baffled Kaiser? (10) SPOONERISM ××××× Insane beat, molest unwary travellers—don’t’ go there. (5,5) ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525/60 "2016-04-11T16:57:52Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > HIJKLMNO (5) > [@Thithonus](#): > > Water (H to O - H2O). I guess I am too picky or too used to one style! I would have said there needed to be part of the clue that indicated this is said aloud, creating the homonym. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryptics/750525.md?page=4)