![]() Slightly more complicated are double clues which join two ideas to hide the word such as “a fast train, say” with the solution being “express” - which links both ideas.Īnagrams are popular types of crossword clues with the solution being found by rearranging a set of jumbled up letters to make a word. The simple type of clue will often be in the form of a short description such as “feline pet” = cat. Many crosswords are developed around a theme – words that share some form of relationship. There are several types of crossword clues ranging from the simplest, which can be very easy, to cryptic clues which can be very difficult to solve. The words are dense and cleverly packed with answers verified by crossing words over each other. Generally, this format consists of 15 squares by 15 squares though this is not obligatory.īarred grids are quite different from the blocked grid format with word ends marked by bars. Instantly recognisable, this crossword type consists of a grid with the ends of words and spaces filled in with random blocked squares. The blocked grid format is the one most of us are familiar with. There are two broad styles of grid although there are many different versions, some of which have developed their own identity such as Sudoku. Down the years, ingenious creators have devised a wealth of different crossword forms. Today’s crosswords vary widely by shape, size and difficulty. The words in the grid cross each other – hence the name. The numbers correspond to spaces on the grid where the words are placed. The grid is accompanied by two lists of numbered clues, one for the horizontal words (“across”) and one for the vertical words (“down”). ![]() The aim is to fill the white squares with words by solving clues. The construct of a crosswordĪ crossword is a type of word puzzle which is usually a square or rectangular grid with white and black squares. The popularity of the crossword soon spread to every corner of the globe. This was just two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in a bid to offer some respite to a war-weary population. The New York Times published the very first edition of its world-famous crossword in February 1930. The first crossword to appear in a British publication was to be found in Pearson’s Magazine in 1922. ![]() Wynne had based his original crossword on a much older game which had been found in the ruins of ancient Pompeii and translates to Magic Squares. Originally named “word-cross” the name of this new puzzle was quickly changed to “crossword”. Diamond-shaped, Wynne’s incarnation contained no internal black squares. That early crossword differed to the format we know and love today. World Crossword Puzzle Day marks the anniversary of the first edition on the same date each year. A Liverpudlian journalist by the name of Arthur Wynne, who had emigrated to America, is credited as being the inventor of what would become the world’s favourite word game. The first crossword appeared in the New York World on December 21st 1913. Crossword aficionados, both solvers and creators are known as “cruciverbalists”. While most people are familiar with the traditional black and white grid, there are almost as many different crossword permutations as there are committed clue sleuths. There is something truly relaxing about sitting down to solve a word puzzle. ![]() But it was in newspapers that the hobby really developed and most of us will have happened across our first crossword in the pages of a daily or weekly publication.Ĭrosswords sharpen the brain and increase our vocabularies. The first crossword appeared in a newspaper in 1913 and the pastime soon spread to children’s puzzle books and other assorted periodicals. The crossword as we know it has been existence for over a hundred years but the origins of this most cryptic of constructs date back much further. Crossword puzzles are the world’s most popular word game with millions of people playing each day.
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