Double Dealing
Posted 29 Jun, 2010
The marvellous thing about a joke with a double meaning is that it can only mean one thing. So said the late comic actor and writer Ronnie Barker, master of the double entendre.
In a cryptic crossword, a clue consisting of a double definition device often appears at first sight to have one meaning, whereas, in reality, there are two. Crossword compilers generally prefer brevity in their clues, with few extraneous words, so frequently there will be just two words in a double definition clue, with the advantage to the solver that this device is relatively easy to identify. Here are a couple of cryptic clues involving double definitions:
Maroon thread (6)
A cursory glance at this clue might lead the solver to believe that the reference is to a length of purple cotton. Instead, 'maroon' in this context means to abandon, while 'thread' really does mean cotton, giving us the answer STRAND.
A cursory glance at this clue might lead the solver to believe that the reference is to a length of purple cotton. Instead, 'maroon' in this context means to abandon, while 'thread' really does mean cotton, giving us the answer STRAND.
Book substitute (7)
Again, the clue is attempting to mislead the solver, by possibly suggesting that a football referee is cautioning a player newly brought on to the pitch. While the reference to a substitute player is intended, 'book' here means to make a reservation. So the answer is RESERVE, a synonym of both words in the clue.
Again, the clue is attempting to mislead the solver, by possibly suggesting that a football referee is cautioning a player newly brought on to the pitch. While the reference to a substitute player is intended, 'book' here means to make a reservation. So the answer is RESERVE, a synonym of both words in the clue.
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