How to Solve Cryptic Crossword Puzzles | The New Yorker

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  • Опубліковано 3 лют 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 119

  • @scout_finch
    @scout_finch 5 років тому +231

    I want a more of Erik Agard! He's a great character with a lateral-thinking mind!

    • @Nature_r-n6v
      @Nature_r-n6v 4 роки тому

      This was great, I been tryin to find out about "spiritual warfare help" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Banulian Lonameron Breakthrough - (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some extraordinary things about it and my friend got great success with it.

  • @JungianHeights
    @JungianHeights 3 роки тому +89

    I love Crosswords and Cryptic Crosswords. I started understanding the cryptic ones because of that one episode of Inside No.9 where he explains the clues to solve them.

    • @jasminesofela
      @jasminesofela Рік тому +1

      yesss same!

    • @BornvsMe
      @BornvsMe Рік тому

      Can you share link?

    • @jasminesofela
      @jasminesofela Рік тому +2

      @@BornvsMe inside no. 9 season 3, episode 3

    • @sk8element1919
      @sk8element1919 11 днів тому

      I watch Cracking the Cryptic. They do quite a bit of Cryptic Crossword solving.

  • @joecab1
    @joecab1 5 років тому +101

    I loved that last one -- nice! And yes the difficulty is hilarious but a lot of people crave their cryptics that way.

  • @maypasifiki9360
    @maypasifiki9360 2 роки тому +27

    I've tried to solve a cryptic crossword in the Sunday newspaper but it always stumped me. This clip is a great start on how to begin solving it

  • @tsukikage
    @tsukikage 2 роки тому +101

    In fairness, I've been doing the NYT crossword for a while now, and while I'm pretty darn good at Mondays, like most people I have to cheat a lot on the later days because I simply don't know the "best-selling novel that begins in Pondicherry, India".

  • @themroc8231
    @themroc8231 5 років тому +427

    1 - that's amazing
    2 - I hate it.

  • @Vitoria-tx4xh
    @Vitoria-tx4xh 3 роки тому +29

    Cryptic crosswords are absurd. I love it.

  • @paulmerced5587
    @paulmerced5587 4 роки тому +356

    His hair is so big because it's full of brain power

    • @maljamin
      @maljamin 2 роки тому +4

      Capable of the fuzziest logic

    • @kuztomix
      @kuztomix 2 роки тому +1

      His hair is actually short...

    • @Blueoceandog
      @Blueoceandog 6 місяців тому +9

      That's why his hair is so big.
      It's full of secrets.

  • @SC-bg8wf
    @SC-bg8wf Рік тому +65

    When I see the solutions to cryptic crosswords I still struggle.

  • @BioYuGi
    @BioYuGi 2 роки тому +164

    The last one kills me because how would you know that the capital it refers to is Juneau, Alaska?

    • @zmaj12321
      @zmaj12321 Рік тому +48

      That one would definitely require some crossing letters to help solve.

    • @snakelemon
      @snakelemon 6 місяців тому +21

      I think if you HAPPEN to know about the bank note clue, you might be able to cross reference what capital might contain the same letters as the people on the bank notes.

    • @shnitzel9052
      @shnitzel9052 5 місяців тому +6

      @@snakelemon Yeah, a lot of cryptic is knowing an answer to what you've figured out is the straight part and seeing if the cryptic part actually can coincide.

    • @maximilianellis1311
      @maximilianellis1311 5 місяців тому +4

      Immediately thought of juneau because of all of the letters it has in common with the start, but I couldn’t figure out the letter swap part so i assumed it was something else. I never would’ve been able to get it without knowing the answer beforehand though.

    • @faithharrison3755
      @faithharrison3755 5 місяців тому +2

      @@shnitzel9052 for me it’s almost always definition first, wordplay second.

  • @dailycrosswordsolve3448
    @dailycrosswordsolve3448 4 роки тому +3

    For tips & tricks to crack a different type of crossword, check out my daily TUTORIALS for the New York Times Crossword Puzzle! ua-cam.com/video/odR3lx-HPes/v-deo.html (Today's puzzle by Erik had a CRYPTIC CLUE!)

  • @StoneColdMagic
    @StoneColdMagic Рік тому +13

    Excellent video. Thanks for sharing!
    The main issue I've had with cryptic crosswords (watching them on UA-cam, not actually solving them) is often they relate something obscure that only a Brit would know about. For example, I've seen some that refer to street names (non-well-known) in London that unless you live there, you're not likely to know the word or be able to follow the clue. Other cases are words that are inherently British like "loo."
    Loo, however, is a relatively commonly known word outside of the UK, but there are plenty of others that are just not known to us Yanks. :0]
    Is there a cryptic crossword for Americans using American icons, and jargon?
    I've not been able to find one.

    • @levtokol8649
      @levtokol8649 6 місяців тому +4

      Well, the New Yorker itself actually has a series of them you can find for free online. They started offering them weekly around when this video came out, iirc.

    • @wordsinahandle
      @wordsinahandle 6 місяців тому +2

      Start doing "Minute Cryptic" daily. There is an explanation each day for the single clue. I got most except the last one of course

    • @wordsinahandle
      @wordsinahandle 6 місяців тому

      The guardian also has a free daily cryptic crossword now

    • @Tossphate
      @Tossphate 5 місяців тому +3

      As a Brit, I felt that the cryptics in this video were quite American-centred. For example I solved the cryptic part "loo" but discounted it because it's not a place to go. Except of course in American speech, when you need to go to the toilet, you "need to go".
      Also the aluminium one, I was just thinking of the chemical symbol for Al, because it didn't click that it was the unusual spelling of aluminium.
      The last one was too hard because it requires knowledge of the British pound notes, plus thinking of American capitals.

  • @andyq210
    @andyq210 5 місяців тому

    Wow this is exciting! Can't wait to try the next New Yorker cryptic!

  • @godlaydying
    @godlaydying 6 місяців тому +13

    In Australia crosswords are often printed in pairs, a cryptic and a 'normal' one.

    • @qwmx
      @qwmx 6 місяців тому +1

      I never knew that. I use to do crosswords but lost interest because there were facts that weren't things that I normally would know (they were pop culture facts).

  • @RubyTyndale
    @RubyTyndale 25 днів тому

    I want a more of Erik Agard!

  • @Eval999
    @Eval999 2 роки тому +13

    How are you supposed to get Juneau?

  • @ResistorSynthwave
    @ResistorSynthwave 4 місяці тому

    These two are perfectly matched as presenters and should have their own series.

  • @Lalabaster
    @Lalabaster 5 місяців тому +2

    I would need an in-person intensive 2 to 4 week course to pick this up 😅2dum❤

  • @RajMahall
    @RajMahall 5 років тому +9

    "Go Tell It On The Mountain" as bumper music is 👨‍🍳😘👌

  • @dirtywashedupsparkle
    @dirtywashedupsparkle 4 роки тому +15

    So glad for that disclaimer for the last one, that would have been a quitting point otherwise! *D'you know?* hint hint

  • @v1d300
    @v1d300 5 років тому +5

    O M G! I been solving regular/easy crosswords for quite sometime now and never knew what Cryptic crosswords meant. I feel so stupid. Thank you though. TIL.

  • @ELCNUmorFnaMehT
    @ELCNUmorFnaMehT 5 років тому +91

    That last one was just ridiculous.

    • @ReGGiEbayer95
      @ReGGiEbayer95 3 роки тому +6

      That’d be so satisfying to get though

    • @yeerk
      @yeerk 3 роки тому +4

      @@ReGGiEbayer95 no one would

  • @Qahtan-z6y
    @Qahtan-z6y 5 місяців тому +2

    the cutest couple in youtube history

  • @rickreation0
    @rickreation0 4 місяці тому +3

    So sad that y’all stopped publishing the cryptic :(

  • @arthimmig
    @arthimmig 5 років тому +3

    This is awesome.

  • @tonyastark1215
    @tonyastark1215 Рік тому +3

    This is horrible, I love it

  • @BioYuGi
    @BioYuGi 2 роки тому +4

    1:00 I must be doing very easy crosswords because if the answer is 'loo', the clue is just straight up 'british word for bathroom'.

  • @Stillmikaela
    @Stillmikaela 27 днів тому

    I got lyre and got so happy

  • @rhijulbec1
    @rhijulbec1 5 років тому +25

    Nope! Still can't do them. Cryptic xwords are my kryptonite, lol. I can do american style with ease~but those? Arrrggghhhh!

  • @whedonobsessed
    @whedonobsessed 4 роки тому +21

    How many secrets is he keeping in his hair though

  • @mgmartin51
    @mgmartin51 4 роки тому

    Delightfully devious, regard Kia.

  • @cameronporter1
    @cameronporter1 5 років тому +2

    great video!

  • @johnrobbins917
    @johnrobbins917 2 роки тому

    The WSJ occasionally publishes a cryptic puzzle on the weekend.

  • @gastrickbunsen1957
    @gastrickbunsen1957 3 роки тому +23

    The Jane Austen clue is typical of a setter in a daily UK newspaper.
    Whenever I see the name "Paul", my head falls.
    If get five or six of the clues I'm over the moon.
    To be really honest, "Paul", either stop setting crosswords, or at least, give us humans a chance.

  • @Azura12378
    @Azura12378 4 роки тому +1

    I like the cryptic ones !

  • @ClifDickens
    @ClifDickens 4 роки тому +4

    Erik Agard is the James Joyce of puzzlemaking.

  • @shreyashabhinav1979
    @shreyashabhinav1979 3 роки тому

    Thnx man

  • @ah_dan6572
    @ah_dan6572 3 роки тому +12

    As a Brit I never knew there was another type of crossword.

  • @marcusbeach1762
    @marcusbeach1762 4 місяці тому

    the music is 'Go tell 'em on the mountain' oh my lord

  • @BlackPixel1
    @BlackPixel1 Рік тому

    So, are they together now?

  • @rhijulbec1
    @rhijulbec1 5 років тому +1

    👏👏👏MORE👏👏👏MORE👏👏👏MORE
    And did I say MORE?

  • @babumadarasova5193
    @babumadarasova5193 4 роки тому +20

    bruh in my country london would just be "british city" jane austen would be shortened to austen and be british author

  • @josephsauris4949
    @josephsauris4949 2 роки тому +1

    I've seen clues in The Nation harder than that Jane Austen one.

  • @ThisPossumKnits
    @ThisPossumKnits 2 роки тому

    6 down - rap god who never sleeps 🙌

  • @kihunipunk
    @kihunipunk 4 роки тому +2

    #1: This video just made me a subscriber.
    #2: I can't figure out cryptic passwords to save my life.
    #3: I TOTALLY ship these two!

  • @o2brhubarb
    @o2brhubarb 4 роки тому +1

    “The Life Aquatic” beginning with bobbin (3 letters)

  • @paolavalentina9349
    @paolavalentina9349 7 місяців тому +1

    I only knew that Jane Austen is on the £10 note 🤣

  • @berserk322
    @berserk322 Рік тому +3

    Everything I try to learn cryptic crossword I loose my mind a little

  • @JacksonPriceSonder
    @JacksonPriceSonder 2 роки тому +2

    That Jane Austen clue is absurd

  • @hidoom4239
    @hidoom4239 Місяць тому

    American style is sometimes impossible because who in the world knows who Fran Lebowitz is or what they think about a place to get bronchitis.

  • @wobblyorbee279
    @wobblyorbee279 6 місяців тому

    3:19

  • @jgreen2015
    @jgreen2015 6 місяців тому

    Bottle only party? Impossible! (2,3,2)

  • @henrytebbs1620
    @henrytebbs1620 2 роки тому +2

    I do agree the last one is satisfying - however not a good cryptic clue. The whole idea of a cryptic crossword is that it is complex within reason and still doable. The clue would be perfect for a Briton if it weren't for Juneau and it would be perfect for an American without the British Ten Pound Note. Particularly Juneau which is so integral in the clue is far too obscure for a cryptic clue. Setters that publish in (English) papers generally are aware of this and rely more on synonyms of woulds than obscure general Knowledge.

    • @henrytebbs1620
      @henrytebbs1620 2 роки тому +1

      Also it is a bad example for a video like this when the setter himself says "It's an absolute mess". Not a good tricky clue for a beginner video

  • @alexwells2231
    @alexwells2231 5 років тому +4

    And there is literal type as well
    One may have used rifle criminally?
    Ans Lifer - anagram of rifle and also the whole clue is a straight clue.

  • @suprabath02
    @suprabath02 Місяць тому

    Can somebody tell me how "Head of England" is an American clue to "LOO"!? Thank you in advance!!

    • @rywilk
      @rywilk 15 днів тому +2

      Apparently, "head" is a slang term for "toilet" on ships. So the clue becomes "toilet of England" = "loo".

  • @reemlaza1
    @reemlaza1 4 роки тому

    Traylyn

  • @Azura12378
    @Azura12378 4 роки тому

    Oh I have found my self a new way to live

  • @brettvalerybrett730
    @brettvalerybrett730 5 років тому

    #freejulianassange #no_usa_extradition #freepress... 🎅

  • @katiekawaii
    @katiekawaii 5 місяців тому

    I heard "place to go stare endlessly" and thought "place to go pee (because "peer" minus the last letter)"...guess I need more practice? 😅

  • @eddeh0772
    @eddeh0772 15 днів тому

    Cracking The Cryptic is a great YT channel where they solve these crosswords weekly, and a fantastic way to learn how intellectually inferior you actually are! (Jk, it’s actually a really fun wholesome watch, well recommended)

  • @amazinggrace5692
    @amazinggrace5692 11 місяців тому

    One problem with the British style is that it can use spellings that are British and European landmarks or geography for example.

  • @skyrose6529
    @skyrose6529 4 роки тому +1

    Can someone help me with a crossword please 🥺?

  • @JungianHeights
    @JungianHeights 3 роки тому +6

    It's a little odd that he doesn't mention the fact that the key part of a cryptic crossword is that the definition of the answer will always be at the beginning or at the end.

    • @JungianHeights
      @JungianHeights 3 роки тому +6

      Oh, he does eventually. It's just bizarre that he doesn't mention the basic concept until halfway through the video.

    • @n8style
      @n8style Рік тому +1

      he does at 5:22

  • @KgakgudiLama
    @KgakgudiLama 7 місяців тому

    Her laugh is straight Julia Roberts

  • @TheBetterGamer
    @TheBetterGamer 6 місяців тому +1

    lmao i would never do cryptics. i am way too dumb for those.

  • @AlexRoseGames
    @AlexRoseGames 5 місяців тому

    cryptic crosswords are easy mode compared to The Listener

  • @BioPhys92
    @BioPhys92 2 роки тому +2

    Bit of a strange distinction between American and British.. we just have both.. the 'American' one as you call it is just called concise or simple.. actually most people in UK play this one also - probably more than cryptic now

    • @BioPhys92
      @BioPhys92 2 роки тому +1

      But yeah, useful for improving my cryptic skills as I'm just a beginner. Thanks

  • @reemlaza1
    @reemlaza1 4 роки тому

    Shorty

  • @chetanisthebest
    @chetanisthebest 4 роки тому +2

    When I saw Figure close to 10, I was thinking of her looks lol

  • @TheArtkaw
    @TheArtkaw 5 років тому +1

    Jane Austen.... REALLY?!?

  • @kicknknowledge2178
    @kicknknowledge2178 5 років тому +2

    Them explaining cryptic crossword puzzles:
    The next narcissistic serial killer: 😈😈😈😈😈

  • @_hollowsky
    @_hollowsky 11 місяців тому

    What does the first one even mean? How is "Head of England" loo?

    • @_Pike
      @_Pike 6 місяців тому +1

      Head means toilet

  • @mikewilliams6025
    @mikewilliams6025 2 місяці тому

    Get a room already

  • @Rollers123a
    @Rollers123a 4 роки тому

    I need more weed.

  • @degausser99
    @degausser99 3 роки тому

    the only puzzling thing about this is whether this is a video about crosswords or a just really good chick flick bc i can't follow wtf's going on but whatever i'm invested

  • @sebasbk7x22
    @sebasbk7x22 5 років тому +1

    primer ;v xd

  • @overtonwindowshopper
    @overtonwindowshopper 11 місяців тому +1

    Cryptic chad meets normal virgin
    Honestly tho, normal crosswords are just worse lol

  • @Arkinals
    @Arkinals 5 місяців тому

    Crosswords
    I went to the double slit, fell down on my knees
    I went to the single slit, fell down on my knees
    Asked Albert Einstein, "Have mercy, now, save physics if you please"
    Yeah, standin' at experiment, tried to see a cat
    Ooh-ee, I tried to see a cat
    Didn't no cat seem to show me, babe, every look changed it's fate
    Standin' at the double slit, baby, electrons goin' thru
    Standin' at the single slit, baby, electrons goin' thru
    I believed in my soul, now, poor cat is live and dead
    You can run it, you can run it, tell my friend what I found ooh
    You can run it, you can run it, tell my friend what I found ooh
    I got experimental blues this mornin', Albert my thiinkin' said
    I went to the double slit, mama, I saw it live & dead
    I went to the single slit baby, I saw it live & dead
    I found no answer, Albert, simpy lookin' changed its' state

  • @kicknknowledge2178
    @kicknknowledge2178 5 років тому +1

    Them explaining cryptic crossword puzzles:
    The next narcissistic serial killer: 😈😈😈😈😈

  • @kicknknowledge2178
    @kicknknowledge2178 5 років тому +7

    Them explaining cryptic crossword puzzles:
    The next narcissistic serial killer: 😈😈😈😈😈

    • @alexwells2231
      @alexwells2231 5 років тому

      kick'n' knowledge
      Snake in alien surroundings - through water it sped (1-4)
      Answer is E-boat not U-boat
      ET is "alien"and "snake"is boa and "surrounding" indicating put boa inside ET so
      E(BOA)T