Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

1. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
   

   Tine, 27 Apr 2013 @ 2:49pm

   
   

   Crossed words

   This crossed words game is stupid! So glad so many people are having fun playing.
   I myself am brain and pain overload and i am only interested in one love one life... So have at another word play game im outtie.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

2. 

   Anonymous, 27 Apr 2013 @ 3:42pm

   
   

   Re: Crossed words

   Yeah. This puzzle thing was just weird.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

3. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
   

   Anonymous Coward, 27 Apr 2013 @ 6:03pm

   
   

   weird and stupid

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

4. 

   Anonymous Coward, 27 Apr 2013 @ 8:30pm

   
   

   Re: Crossed words

   The shills must be working overtime again

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

5. 

   G Thompson (profile), 27 Apr 2013 @ 11:10pm

   
   

   Re:

   Why yes OOTB and his ilk are absolutely

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

6. 

   Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 12:57am

   
   

   Re:

   The fact that you don't understand cryptic crosswords doesn't make everyone else stupid. If anything, it's the opposite.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

7. 

   Steve, 28 Apr 2013 @ 1:32am

   
   

   Cryptics more common in Britain (I think?)

   The slightly baffled might like to refer to some of the internet guides on (I would say, normal) crosswords
   
   http://solving-cryptics.com/
   http://www.gptucker.net/crosswords/solvinghelp.htm
   
   An d if you're prepared to get hooked
   http://puzzles.telegraph.co.uk/site/crossword_puzzles
   gives access to a decent cryptic

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

8. 

   Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 3:21am

   
   

   I really do not understand how the answers are derived. Would it be possible to explain.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

9. 

   Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 4:40am

   
   

   Re: Re:

   IP extremists have a very hard time with the English language and it's not because they speak any other languages either.

   [ link to this | view in thread ]

10. 

    Mike Masnick (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:24am

    
    

    Re:

    I really do not understand how the answers are derived. Would it be possible to explain.
    
    
    I'm with that AC. :) A little more explanation, please.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

11. 

    Shadoefax (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 7:13am

    
    

    A full explanation of clues would be nice

    While not a complete stranger to cryptic crosswords, I was never really good at them. Sometimes the clues make some sense after the solution is revealed and others are so cryptic they completely escape me.
    
    For instance:
    
    1. Kick start (4)
    BOOT
    
    Ok ... a bouncer may boot (kick) an unruly patron from a club, and you must boot (start) your computer before you can use it. That makes sense.
    
    8. Collaborated on and bragged about bad grade at bad church (12)
    CROW(D+SOUR+C)ED
    
    I see how 'Collaborated on' is synonymous with the correct answer CROWDSOURCED. And I can see 'bragged about' (CROWED) a 'bad grade' (D). That leaves SOUR+C somehow equating to 'church'. I don't get it. Am I missing something?

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

12. 

    Rikuo (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 7:59am

    
    

    Re: A full explanation of clues would be nice

    Well...Bad can = Sour...and church....I dunno...church begins with a c?

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

13. 

    Akari Mizunashi (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 8:02am

    
    

    Re: Re:

    I'm at a loss how you jumped from the statement being against the puzzle to "everyone".
    
    Nevermind. I forget this is the internet.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

14. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 9:02am

    
    

    Code Breakers

    Yes, Cryptic Crosswords are more common in the UK, the "Times Crossword" being one of the best known.
    
    And they are very challenging and require a particular type of mindset, so they tend to be most popular with "intellectuals" - many of the most famous code-breakers during the second world war were excellent at solving them.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

15. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:17am

    
    

    Re: A full explanation of clues would be nice

    Church becoming a C is a fairly common abbreviation in cryptics.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

16. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:19am

    
    

    Re:

    Not really room here to give a full explanation of how cryptics work... but here's a good intro guide: http://www.crosswordtools.com/cryptic-crosswords.php

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

17. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:22am

    
    

    Re: Re: A full explanation of clues would be nice

    and SOUR comes from the second use of "bad" so
    
    CROWED = bragged, which goes "about" (around) "bad grade at bad church"
    
    bad grade = D
    bad = SOUR
    church = C
    
    thus...
    
    CROW(D+SOUR+C)ED

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

18. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:30am

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    Well, calling the puzzle stupid suggests the person who made it and the people who enjoyed it are stupid. In this context, that's what I meant by "everyone"

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

19. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:36am

    
    

    Re: Cryptics more common in Britain (I think?)

    More common on Britain indeed. I remember the other day I saw Victoria Coren on some panel show comment on doing crosswords, and someone asked her if she meant cryptic or regular. Her response? "Cryptic, obviously -- I'm not an idiot." :)

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

20. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:38am

    
    

    Re: Re:

    Got it, everyone? If you didn't get this crossword, it's YOUR fault for not being a twisted son-of-a...anyway, no funniest or favorite posts of the week?

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

21. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:41am

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    no favorites -- funniest/insightful coming at the usual time

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

22. 

    CheckersSpeech (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:43am

    
    

    I get a lot of the cryptic clues [I got BSA and CISPA right off], but I'm still baffled as to how "Terrible prefix and terrific prefix" result in "dino". (Yes, I understand that dinosaur is slang for obsolete. But how are the "prefixes" supposed to guide me there?)

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

23. 

    CheckersSpeech (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:46am

    
    

    Re: A full explanation of clues would be nice

    Yes, the church thing flummoxed me as well. I'm looking forward to an explanation ...

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

24. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:47am

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    "Got it, everyone? If you didn't get this crossword, it's YOUR fault for not being a twisted son-of-a...anyway, no funniest or favorite posts of the week?"
    
    No... I didn't get most of the clues either, but unlike you I don't suffer from an inferiority complex, so I can still understand why a lot of people find them fun and challenging.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

25. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:48am

    
    

    Re:

    "Dino" is technically not a word by itself, thus the specification of "prefix". Overall, that clue is one that's slightly more on the playful side -- I had considered putting a "?" at the end as is sometimes done on such clues, but I didn't think it quite warranted that, and worried that the "?" might actually be misleading. So basically it's a double definition clue, with one of the definitions being more suggestive than direct:
    
    "Terrible prefix" = DINO, quite literally (dino- as a prefix means "terrible", derived from greek)
    
    Then "DINO" is also a "terrific prefix for the obsolete" in a less literal sense, merely a suggestive one

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

26. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:54am

    
    

    Re: Re: A full explanation of clues would be nice

    "Church" most commonly translates to "CE", "CC" or "CH" in cryptics -- though that's a very british thing in my mind. In some clues, though, it merely becomes "C"
    
    Mostly I try to minimize the use of those types of one-letter abbreviations in cryptics, since I often find them annoying. But, they exist for a reason... and that's one of the clues where one slipped in.
    
    Don't worry, you won't catch me using "sailor" to mean "AB" or any of those other weirdly obscure ones -- those drive me nuts.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

27. 

    Anonymous Numbskull (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:56am

    
    

    Re: Re:

    And just as I logged in to reply with something along the lines of this, a post shows up saying exactly what I was about to say.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

28. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 11:58am

    
    

    Re: Re:

    (I suppose "dino-" can have a few different meanings as a prefix -- in "dinoflagellate" it means "whirling" -- but certainly the most common is "dinosaur" in which it means "terrible")

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

29. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 4:10pm

    
    

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    Is that your diagnosis, Herr Doctor, seeing as how you know me so well and all?

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

30. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:21pm

    
    

    Re: Re:

    oh, we understand cryptic crosswords just find, done many of them.
    
    What we are commenting on is THIS "cryptic" crossword, if you can call it that.
    
    We did not say cryptic crosswords are stupid or weird, JUST THIS ONE.
    
    It appears when your not good at something, then you just post it at TD.
    
    I am not an American, I don't have the US level of "understanding" you have.. fortunately.
    
    I no I don't really give a shit where you come from.
    
    I agree, in general a good cryptic crossword is a please to do, a good crossword.. this one is simple really bad.
    
    Very bad, even for a first effort.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

31. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:24pm

    
    

    Re: Re:

    when you have to 'explain' a cryptic crossword EVER AFTER giving the answers, that shows you have FAILED COMPLETELY...
    
    that is all they are saying. it is SO BAD, that even after being provided with the answers people cant work out your 'logic and reason'.
    
    People can only conclude that it's YOU at fault, who are unable to construct a crossword..
    
    The term "total failure' comes to mind;

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

32. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:31pm

    
    

    Re: Re:

    Dino is not a prefix of Dinosaur !!!.
    
    face it leigh, you are fucking hopeless at this, please NEVER do it again..
    
    better yet, stay from all things technical or intellectual. It's just not your thing.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

33. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:36pm

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    so try this google 'dino' first 2 hits you get are for
    
    Dean (Dino) Martin
    
    2) is the Dino 206 GT car, then the Dino 256 GT and the Dino 308 GT4
    
    also plenty of references to restaurants.
    
    Also as most here are Americans, a Dino is some place you stop to get a coffee and a mean.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

34. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:41pm

    
    

    "17. Activists cut short, shortly (4)
    ANON "
    
    
    except, Anonymous (group) are HACTIVISTS...
    
    not activists.. HACTIVISTS..
    
    you cant even get the answer right Leigh !!!!
    once again, you are just not good at this, and one day you might find what it is you are good at..

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

35. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:49pm

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    "just find"? "I no"?
    
    I'm starting to see why you feel fit to shit all over this attempt, darryl. Your command of the English language remains atrocious. Do they really not teach you proper spelling in Australia or is that just you?

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

36. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 6:51pm

    
    

    Re:

    You're not aware of Anon's analog attempts to inform people about Scientology, are you.
    
    FFS, darryl. I know research and truth-telling aren't your thing but this makes it even harder to believe you're a solar panel engineer of a caliber any higher than "shit".

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

37. This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it
    

    horse with no name, 28 Apr 2013 @ 7:08pm

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    Cryptic crosswords are basically a way of saying 'I am smarter than you are'. It seems the author has issues in that area.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

38. 

    Shadoefax (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 7:50pm

    
    

    oh, we understand cryptic crosswords just find, done many of them.
    
    What we are commenting on is THIS "cryptic" crossword, if you can call it that.
    
    We did not say cryptic crosswords are stupid or weird, JUST THIS ONE.
    
    "We"? Who are you, Yoda?
    
    It appears when your not good at something, then you just post it at TD.
    
    Like writing grammatically correct sentences? Yep, you're living proof of that fact.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

39. 

    AC Unknown, 28 Apr 2013 @ 7:57pm

    
    

    Re: Re: Re:

    Drop the ad-homs and maybe Leigh might listen to your opinion.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

40. 

    Anonymous Coward, 28 Apr 2013 @ 8:01pm

    
    

    Wow...!

    Interesting. Leigh decides to have some fun creating a cryptic crossword. Some readers are happy to take up the challenge and see if they can solve it. Others feel so humiliated by the fact that it's way beyond their limited mental capacity that they resort to throwing insults instead. Very sad. Human nature I guess.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

41. 

    Leigh Beadon (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:21pm

    
    

    Re:

    except, Anonymous (group) are HACTIVISTS...
    
    not activists.. HACTIVISTS..
    
    Hactivists are to activists as squares are to rectangles.
    
    Wrestle with that one for a bit darryl :)

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

42. 

    Rikuo (profile), 28 Apr 2013 @ 10:57pm

    
    

    Re: Wow...!

    No, they're not throwing insults. They're throwing shit. I wouldn't call what they wrote insults. Where I come from, insulting someone is an art-form and what darryl et al did...is NOT.
    
    Now darryl, I have to admit - I too found this a bit beyond me. What I didn't do is turn up on the comments and fling my feces around, bemoaning that fact. By constantly complaining about it, you've only driven more attention to your single digit IQ.
    You did not have to even attempt this little puzzle. Since you found it too hard, you then didn't have to screetch about it. Drop it and move on. But no, I forget. This is Techdirt, where the trolls have OCD times infinity.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

43. 

    Anonymous Coward, 29 Apr 2013 @ 12:24am

    
    

    Re: Re: Wow...!

    darryl's IQ isn't single digit. I'd wager it's three digits... with a minus sign in front.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

44. 

    dennis deems (profile), 29 Apr 2013 @ 5:01am

    
    

    I've been solving cryptics for twenty years. I enjoyed the puzzle and thought it was very well done. I might quibble with one or two definitions, but so what. I find the complaints posted here beyond bizarre. There's a favorite saying in a church I used to belong to: "If you don't like it, you can't have any!"

    [ link to this | view in thread ]

45. 

    Anonymous Coward, 29 Apr 2013 @ 2:36pm

    
    

    Re: Re: Re: Re:

    There's also musician Dino Kartsonakis and some other Dino guy who had a hit in the 80s or something.

    [ link to this | view in thread ]