Crosaire

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The Crosaire Crossword is one of the crossword puzzles contained in The Irish Times, the other being the "Simplex" crossword. It has been written by Derek Crozier for over sixty years. He lives in Zimbabwe and so works remotely developing the crosswords.[1]

The Crosaire Crossword is a cryptic crossword and the author often uses similar clues to represent solutions or portions of the solutions. Some clues use traditional cryptic crossword methods; others appear to be unique to Crosaire.

[edit] Crosaire Tricks

The following clues and solutions can appear in Crosaire Crosswords from time to time, but the answers are not always those below (text in clue given first):

  • ship: can be "SS" in the word, letters together or separate (e.g. "How to lend an ear to those that do the cutting in the ship". Answer: "Shears"
  • company: can be "inc" or "co" in answer
  • horse: "gg" or "nag" in answer (both slang for "horse")
  • North/South/East/West: N/S/E/W in answer
  • father: pa, fr, rev
  • mother: ma
  • gee: the letter "g" is used in the answer (e.g. "If you get your hands on this - Gee, tear it in bits!". Answer: "Grip"
  • little brother: br
  • little sister: sis
  • little dear(s): pet(s)
  • ten: "io", "x"
  • with one on: ion
  • doctor: dr, md
  • half way up the street: str
  • cockney: drop h
  • poles: n, s
  • Ulster: ni (northern Ireland), red, hand
  • priest: fr, pp, rev
  • drinks: port/gin/ale
  • eastern prince: aga(aga khan)
  • amongst: again
  • editor: ed
  • inspectors: dic / dis
  • police: ric (Royal Irish Constabulary)
  • member of parliament: mp
  • Sean - Seanad - senate (the Irish senate is called the "Seanad")
  • ranges - mountains
  • writer: pen
  • one less than ten: nine
  • limb: arm, leg
  • driven: nail
  • soldier: gi
  • distant object: farthing
  • matter: pus
  • matter turned: sup
  • King: lion, lear, cole
  • Queen: regina
  • gin: ends in ing
  • bound: spring (perhaps the season), jump
  • the muses: them uses (grammatically incorrect)
  • the french one: le, la, l'un
  • professional: pro
  • exam: test
  • side: team
  • George Russell (sometimes Russ): AE (his pseudonym)
  • tin and can are interchangeable
  • sister: nun
  • sounds like sister: none (sounds like "nun")
  • that is to say: i.e., e.g.
  • stomach: tums
  • numbers: can be roman numerals
  • sailor: tar, salt, AB
  • degree: Ba
  • Desmond: Des
  • Cat: Tom (e.g "A cat, tiny" Answer: "Atom")

[edit] References

  1. ^ "From "Crosaire, 120 Crosswords from The Irish Times" 2004"