Puzzles, posts, news and general word-chat.

Diabolically Arcane

Bingo. You’ve reached David Astle dot com, a carnival of words, puzzles and more words. Welcome aboard, and have fun.

Loading tweet...

Ana-Grams

16 November, 2010

You can blame Luke Brattoni, or maybe page 48 of Puzzled, as today’s Storm will prove that less is more. You challenge is to create a two-worded cryptic clue relying on the anagram formula. Not easy when you consider you need to pack three elements: definition, signpost and fodder. To give you a taste:

Shipwreck joints = HIPS
Thicker offenders = DENSER
Windcheater measure = HECTARE

Best if we all present our clues in that fashion. Yes, I know that steals a chance for us to solve your creation, but for reasons of universal admiration – not to mention the judging and the admin – if you could post both your clue and your answer.

Avoid hyphens if you can – as these open the way to blurring the two-word rule. But names and slang and all the rest: go for it.

Not sure how I’ll judge this Storm – shortest clue? Longest answer? Sleekest surface sense? All these categories carry weight, though a deluxe shortlist will keep us all sated. And please, help enrich a likely flood by sending us the cream among your drafts. Something says this will be a feast of fine stuff, and we may need to control the influx.

Last, all Stormers should feel welcome to suggest any deft tweaks to the ideas of others, if there’s the chance of making a good clue spectacular. Here at DA Central, we’re all about the us in bodacious. So get condensing. And may the brevity begin. Deadline is cocktail hour, Thursday.

"
comments powered by Disqus

Rewording The Brain

Focus & memory, lateral leaps & logic - every aspect of cognitive health is lit in Rewording The Brain, a book revelling in how puzzles boost your brain. Part 2 equips your brain to conquer any twisty clue, plus the wild crossword finale. Pop science meets neural gameplay, Rewording is rewarding, and out now.

Medal

Rewording The Brain

Care to renew your noodle? Rewording The Brain explores the latest neural studies, seeing how puzzles (and twisty clues) boost your neurons. Part 2 helps you crack such clues, and prep the grey matter for the crossword showcase to finish. More here

read more +

101 Weird Words (and 3 Fakes)

From Ambidextrous to Zugwang, this mini-dictionary teems with rare or alluring words, plus bonus riddles, puzzles and fun word-facts. Dictionary detective will also nab the collection's three fakes. Ideal for late primary schoolers, or word-nuts in general.

read more +

Gargantuan Book of Words

Sneeze words. Fake pasta. Viking slang. Gargantuan is a jumbo jumble of puzzles & games, mazes & quizzes, tailor-made for that wordy wonderkid in your life. Or anyone in love with letters, secret codes, puns, rhymes, emoji & all things languagey. More here 

read more +

Recent Comments

Riddledom Rave

If you missed my riddle chat with Richard Fidler, then feel free to slurp the podcast at http://ab.co/1I9t1x5

Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
See Results