Cryptic Crosswords

OK, we're going for a lighter post this time. The info on my blog header that declares me to be a Cryptic Crossword Solver is not there just to make me look semi intelligent. I've been doing crosswords for somewhere around 12 years. It all started when I picked this book up, as ex stock, in the library in Enniskillen for a mere 30p. It took my love affair with words to a new level. Not so much at this time of the year (except when we are on holidays) but mostly in the dark winter nights, my good wife and I sit with the same cryptic and pool the dark side of our brains together and generally do quite well. Not exactly The Time's crossword in 15 minutes standard, but some hard ones have almost brought tears to our eyes over the years. If we get 75% of a crossword done, we are usually satisfied. There is usually a word that you have never heard of in your entire life and so you are unlikely to work it out through the tortuous route of a cryptic crossword.

Came across the above clue a while back. Had us both thinking for a while, but we eventually got it. Sometimes, you can't see the wood for the trees.

Expert = Pro
Try = test
A = A
Holy Book = New Testament = NT

Giving you: Pro-test-a-nt = Person of religion.

Frequently Bible based clues come up. The crossword compiler is always looking for a smaller word or letters to form his answer. Sometimes  he has "Eli" mind when he  puts "priest" in the clue. "First man" in a clue could mean the letter "M" or it could refer to "Adam." Likewise, "first woman" could be the letter "W" or refer to "Eve." e.g "First woman went north to get revenge" (4) Answer: "Even."  

I liked this one: "Cruelty found in incomplete Old Testament" (8) Which turned out to be "Ruthless" It must be great fun being paid to make them up.

* CALVINIST INDEX
* PROTESTANT INDEX
* CH SPURGEON INDEX
* EVANGELISM INDEX
* HERE AND THERE INDEX
* YOUTUBE VIDEO INDEX
* 3 MINUTE AUDIOBOO INDEX