![]() ![]() The creator, Englishman Arthur Wynne, crafted a “word-cross puzzle”-a blank word search grid, originally diamond-shaped. The crossword made its debut in the 1913 Christmas issue of the New York World. Connor argues that “crosswording is most often learned from another person, under the guidance of someone who happens to be around: It’s intimate, collaborative, and fun.” Whether you turn to a family member or friend for help with a confusing clue, the crossword builds community.Īs it turns out, crosswords, the steadfast companion of word-puzzle enthusiasts around the globe, are no stranger to times of trouble, having been invented just ahead of World War I, and first gracing the pages of the New York Times during World War II. Working through a crossword may seem like a deeply solitary activity but it’s also a means of connecting with others. And across the pond, the Guardian’s crossword blog editors invited readers to learn the beloved British crossword form, featuring the headline, “fancy learning cryptic crosswords during coronavirus lockdown?” Also looking to support grid-lovers everywhere, the New Yorker added a “partner mode” feature to their Monday and Friday crosswords in April, allowing users to virtually solve puzzles together. “We are working harder than ever to offer a moment of fun, self-esteem, lightness and distraction to all those in need of it,” wrote the editors of La Settimana Enigmistica, a national pillar of Italian crossword enthusiasts. As we look to fill our time, and our thoughts, the crossword provides a brief respite from the overwhelming grief the pandemic has brought, and an escapist problem-solving activity.Īs cases mount, newspapers remain loyal to their crossword-loving patrons, seeking to provide them with engaging and clever clues. It seems, our era of social distancing is far from over. Though a number of countries have begun to slowly emerge from long months of lockdown, the United States recently marked 5 million cases of COVID-19. Alan Connor, author of The Crossword Century, notes that “a big national event usually appears in puzzle-form, if not in full-on themed crosswords, then via amusing references in clues.”įor many, the crossword has become a mainstay of social distancing. Just as the coronavirus has proliferated around the world, so, too, have a range of clues-both light and serious-pertaining to it in the beloved word puzzles. So we do have an unwritten rule about this but I just thought, let’s break it for once.In early February, a puzzle devotee in the comments section of the Guardian’s crossword blog jokingly noted that the word “coronavirus” is an anagram for carnivorous, referencing a PETA article that claimed eating animals facilitated the virus’s global spread. As it happens we are republishing Roger’s very first Telegraph Cryptic to celebrate his 80th birthday (it will be on the back page on Mon Feb 20, two days before his birthday) so it will be interesting to see whether that plays by the rules. I also get the impression that we (setters, editors and solvers) adhere to rules more than used to be the case. I don’t want to speak for Roger here but I don’t think he’s a great one for rules - he does what works and what’s entertaining. ![]() ![]() In reality there are no rules apart from what the editor thinks is fair. Nor are there any rules that solvers can refer to. We don’t have any instructions written down for Telegraph compilers apart from a brief note by Val Gilbert, who edited the crosswords for 30 years up to 2006 - and even that note wasn’t passed on to me. I usually tell setters that “We don’t allow this” (as, for instance, when a compiler wants to split up an abbreviation and chuck it into an anagram).īut to be honest that always feels quite arbitrary. (I think it was by another massively experienced compiler, Nuala Considine.) Usually, on the rare occasions that a setter tries to get one through, I ask them to change it, though I may have let one through before. After all, it’s very solvable, and if a compiler who has set two million clues thinks it’s OK, why not? I did make a note of it when editing the puzzle but I thought it would be interesting to let it go in. Thanks for all the interest in the secondary anagram in 3d. Hello all, Telegraph Crossword Editor here. ![]() You can also add your assessment by selecting from one to five stars at the bottom of the post.ġa Children may be found playing it (4,3,4) Please leave a comment telling us what you thought. This was no exception, though it fell into place quite quickly for me. Like Mary, and many more of you, I do enjoy the gentle, flowing style that Rufus seldom fails to deliver. Thanks to Pommers and Big Dave, who both stayed up late, today’s Rufus puzzle awaited me in the early hours, and so normal service is resumed. Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26781 Hints and tips by DigbyīD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment *** ![]()
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