Uncovering the Identity of an Informant: Solving the Cryptic Crossword Clue
Do you enjoy solving crossword puzzles? If so, you may be familiar with cryptic crossword clues. These clues are more challenging than typical crossword clues, as they involve wordplay and often require some creative thinking to solve.
One type of cryptic crossword clue that can leave you scratching your head is the “informant” clue. This type of clue involves using one or more words from the clue to identify a letter in the answer word.
In this article, we’ll explore how to solve an “informant” clue and uncover the identity of the informant.
What is an “Informant” Clue?
An “informant” clue is a type of cryptic crossword clue that requires you to identify a letter in the answer word based on one or more words from the clue. The words used in an informant clue can vary, but they typically involve a synonym or a related word for the letter in question.
For example, consider the following clue:
“In a way, swimmer goes around tranquil island and reveals hidden agenda (8)”
In this clue, the word “swimmer” serves as the informant, indicating the letter “C” in the answer word. To solve this clue, you need to find a word that means “hidden agenda” and has eight letters. The answer is “conceals”, which fits the clue perfectly once you plug in the letter “C” for “swimmer”.
How to Solve an “Informant” Clue
Solving an “informant” clue requires some creative thinking and a keen eye for wordplay. Here are some tips to help you crack the code:
1. Look for synonyms or related words in the clue that might indicate a letter in the answer word. For example, if the clue includes the word “chap”, it might be indicating the letter “G” (as in “guy” or “bloke”).
2. Pay attention to the order of the words in the clue. Sometimes the informant word will be at the beginning or end of the clue, while other times it will be in the middle.
3. Think outside the box. Sometimes the informant word will be a homophone (a word that sounds like the letter in question) or a word that has multiple meanings.
4. Use a pencil and eraser. When solving cryptic crosswords, it’s important to be able to write and erase confidently as you experiment with different ideas and solutions.
Examples of “Informant” Clues
Here are a few examples of “informant” clues to give you a better idea of how they work:
1. “Poet stops, taking in the view (6)” – The word “stops” is the informant, indicating the letter “S” in the answer word. The answer is “scenic”.
2. “Convenient meal ordered by two characters with distinctive personalities (10)” – The word “characters” is the informant, indicating the letter “T” in the answer word. The answer is “personality”.
3. “Leading types upset about errors in exams (7)” – The word “types” is the informant, indicating the letter “A” in the answer word. The answer is “samples”.
Conclusion
Solving an “informant” clue can be a real challenge, but with some practice and a little creativity, you can uncover the identity of the informant and crack the code. Remember to look for synonyms or related words, pay attention to the order of the words in the clue, think outside the box, and use a pencil and eraser.
Next time you’re tackling a cryptic crossword puzzle, keep these tips in mind and see if you can solve the “informant” clues with ease!
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