The Irish Independent Cryptic Crossword is a word puzzle created for solving. It’s a fun challenge loved by many crossword lovers, offering enjoyment. You can crack it either in the newspaper format or online, whichever suits your preference. So, let’s start solving
Foreign currency reduced disturbance (6)
ROUBLE
- “Foreign currency” refers to the Russian currency, the “rouble.”
- “Reduced disturbance” indicates removing or reducing the letters in “trouble” to get “ROUBLE.”
Hard dirt collected in the grate (6)
HEARTH
- “Hard dirt” suggests a synonym for “dirt” that can be found in a fireplace, which is “ash.”
- “Collected in the grate” indicates that it’s found within the structure of the fireplace or “HEARTH.”
Ivy’s an obsequious type (7)
CREEPER
- “Ivy’s” suggests the plant ivy, which is a “creeper” due to its tendency to grow and spread by creeping along surfaces.
- “Obsequious type” describes someone who ingratiates themselves in a servile or creeping manner, aligning with the nature of ivy.
French composer in a tangle (5)
RAVEL
- “French composer” hints at the composer Maurice Ravel.
- “In a tangle” suggests a synonym for “tangle” or “mess,” which is “ravel,” meaning to become tangled or confused.
Vulgar and noisy (4)
LOUD
- “Vulgar” and “noisy” both suggest something that is “LOUD,” meaning producing a lot of noise or being obtrusively noisy.
Sudden rush to satisfy the president within (5)
SPATE
- “Sudden rush” suggests a rapid or sudden increase or occurrence.
- “Satisfy the president” suggests putting “P” (the abbreviation for “president”) inside.
- Combining these, we get “SPATE,” which refers to a sudden rush or outpouring of something.
Keep student inside as a servant (5)
SLAVE
- “Keep student” suggests putting “S” (the abbreviation for “student”) inside.
- “As a servant” describes the role of a “SLAVE,” someone who serves another person, often without freedom or autonomy.
Airs exotic garb (4)
SARI
- “Airs” suggests displaying or wearing something.
- “Exotic garb” refers to a traditional Indian garment, the “SARI,” often worn by women in South Asia.
Figure a gent’s up in the afternoon (5)
PRISM
- “Figure” suggests an object or shape, which is a “PRISM.”
- “A gent’s up in the afternoon” hints at the direction “up,” which suggests reversing or changing the orientation of the word “sir” (a gent), leading to “PRISM.”
Pole is getting sick and it’s catching (7)
NAILING
- “Pole” suggests a person from Poland, which is a “Polish” person.
- “Is getting sick” implies that “ailing” is within the letters of “Polish,” indicating the act of “NAILING” or catching someone’s illness or problem.
A sarcastic sequence during rehearsal (3,3)
DRYRUN
- “A sarcastic sequence” suggests something that lacks moisture or enthusiasm, which aligns with a “DRY RUN,” a rehearsal or practice without any real or wet consequences.
Cake for the bath? (6)
SPONGE
- “Cake for the bath” is a playful way of referring to a “SPONGE,” which is often used in baths for cleansing the body.
Fool the French on the run (7)
TRICKLE
- “Fool” suggests a synonym for trick or deceive, which is “TRICK.”
- “The French” is represented by “LE.”
- “On the run” implies putting “LE” (the French) after “TRICK,” leading to “TRICKLE,” which means to flow or move slowly or unsteadily.
Bone smell sure is bad (7)
HUMERUS
- “Bone” hints at a specific bone in the human body, which is the “HUMERUS.”
- “Smell sure is bad” is a playful way of saying that something smells bad, referring to a humorous situation.
Inclination to cut one off in the London area (5)
SLOPE
- “Inclination” suggests a slope or slant, which is a “SLOPE.”
- “To cut one off” implies removing the last letter of “SLOPE,” giving us “SLOP,” which is a slang term for food or a mess.
- “In the London area” is a playful way of suggesting the use of cockney rhyming slang, where “slop” rhymes with “slope.”
Hide is unknown to a point (7)
SECRETE
- “Hide” suggests concealment, which aligns with “SECRETE,” meaning to hide or conceal something.
- “Unknown to a point” suggests the word “SECRET,” and “e” (a point) is added to give us “SECRETE.”
Long for a Conservative at a wild party (5)
CRAVE
- “Long for” suggests a strong desire or craving, which is a “CRAVE.”
- “A Conservative” is often represented by “C.”
- “At a wild party” suggests the removal of “C” (a Conservative) from “CRAVE,” leaving us with “RAVE,” which means to enjoy oneself in a wild or uncontrolled manner.
Bomb case? (5)
SHELL
- “Bomb case” is a playful way of referring to a “SHELL,” which is the outer casing or covering of a bomb or an explosive device.
Where we get wine from is a source of rumour (9)
GRAPEVINE
- “Where we get wine from” refers to the source of grapes, which are used to make wine.
- “Is a source of rumour” suggests that gossip or information spreads like a “GRAPEVINE,” which is a metaphor for informal communication channels.
Outcry about beginner with love in Paris (7)
CLAMOUR
- “Outcry” indicates noise or a loud expression, which is a “CLAMOUR.”
- “About” suggests placing “L” (the beginner or first letter of “love”) inside “CAMOUR,” which is a rearrangement of “Paris.”
Entails being radical and striking (7)
SALIENT
- “Entails” suggests involves or includes, which aligns with “SALIENT,” meaning prominent or striking.
- “Being radical” and “striking” both connote the idea of being salient or noticeable.
Top run at the West End (7)
SINGLET
- “Top run” suggests the upper part of a garment, which is a “SINGLET.”
- “At the West End” suggests that “SINGLET” is a homophone for “singlet,” which is a sleeveless undershirt often worn in warm weather or during athletic activities.
Posed awkwardly with expensive porcelain (5)
SPODE
- “Posed awkwardly” suggests an anagram of “posed,” leading to “SPODE,” which is a brand of fine porcelain.
- “With expensive porcelain” further confirms the connection to “SPODE,” which is known for its quality and luxury.
She is somewhat sly about Italian bachelor (5)
SIBYL
- “She is somewhat sly” suggests a “SIBYL,” a female prophet or oracle known for her mysterious or enigmatic qualities.
- “About Italian” suggests placing “I” (the abbreviation for Italian) inside “S” (Sly).
- “Bachelor” refers to the letter “B,” giving us “SIBYL.”
Fashionable Italian runner, he likes taking a mud bath (5)
HIPPO
- “Fashionable” suggests stylish or trendy, which is not typically associated with a “HIPPO,” an animal known for its bulkiness.
- “Italian runner” hints at the Italian word for “runner,” which is “HIPPO.”
- “He likes taking a mud bath” humorously suggests the association of hippos with mud baths, as they are often depicted enjoying them.
