Containers
Today's cryptic clue type is the container, where the wordplay involves putting some extra letters (a word, an initial, an abbreviation) inside another word. Try this:
🧩
Mammals that fly around hot tubs (5)
In this clue, a word for "mammals that fly" is wrapped around a single letter representing "hot" to give a word meaning "tubs"
Correct answer. Well done!
Mammals that fly around hot tubs (5)
Container Indicators
Containers will always have an indicator that references either one thing going inside another, or one thing going around another.
Words for around include:
- Words related to eating or consumption: “eat,” “swallow,” “gobble up,” “consume”
- Words like “take”, “grab,” “get”
- Prepositions like “around,” “outside”, “with”
- Words about surrounding: “encasing,” “encircling”
Words for inside include:
- prepositions like “in,” “inside”
- words like "breaking"
Have a go at this one – note that the surface sense is extra-confusing here, and several of the words are being used in misleading senses!
Correct answer. Well done!
Albert, breaking down, leaves for lunch (5)
Today's Cryptic: Containers
And on to today's cryptic! Containing many fine clues....