The toolkit
Fodder and abbreviations
Before the devices, learn the parts of a clue: definition, indicator, and fodder, plus the tiny letter codes setters lean on.
Setters and solvers share a small vocabulary. Naming the parts makes every later device easier to spot.
The definition is the straight meaning of the answer. It usually sits at one end of the clue: a short noun, verb, or phrase that could stand alone in a quick crossword. It should be a synonym or description, not the answer letters written out for free.
The indicator is the instruction word (or short phrase): oddly, returned, found in, holding, primarily. It tells you which wordplay device to run.
The fodder is the raw material the indicator acts on: a word to anagram, reverse, hide inside, delete from, or split into bits. When these notes say “fodder”, they mean those letters, not the definition.
Fodder is not always written out letter-for-letter. Cryptic English is full of stock abbreviations: north → N, quiet → P, love → O, doctor → DR, right → R, and hundreds of cousins (roman numerals, chemicals, cricket extras, NATO alphabet). A vague-looking word next to a container or charade indicator is often one of these tips.
Parts of a cryptic clue
Most standard cryptics split into these three roles. &lit clues are the exception: the whole surface does double duty.
| Part | Job | Example words |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Straight meaning of the answer | metal, harbour, entertainer |
| Indicator | Names the wordplay device | found in, oddly, holding, primarily |
| Fodder | Letters the indicator acts on | environment, chain, pot |
Handy abbreviation tips
A starter pack. The solver knows many more; treat a suspicious short word as a tip before inventing exotic synonyms.
| Tip in the clue | Letter(s) | Family |
|---|---|---|
| north / south / east / west | N / S / E / W | Compass |
| point | N, E, S or W | Compass |
| love | O | Tennis / nothing |
| quiet / soft / piano | P | Music |
| right / left | R / L | Dictionary |
| doctor | DR or MO | Job |
| one / five / ten / hundred | I / V / X / C | Roman |
| hydrogen / carbon / iron | H / C / FE | Chemical |
Things to watch
- Label the clue in pencil: D for definition, I for indicator, F for fodder.
- If the definition is already the answer spelled out, the clue is not fair. Look for a synonym instead.
- If a short word feels useless in the surface story, try it as an abbreviation tip.
- Common families: compass points, roman numerals, musical dynamics (piano → P), tennis love → O, dictionary markers (right → R, left → L).
- Abbreviations feed containers and charades most; hidden and alternate clues usually use the letters as written.
Spotting the fodder
Same shape as the alternate-letters topic. Watch how definition, indicator, and fodder line up.
Oddly chain container (3)
An abbreviation tip
“Right” does not mean the word RIGHT; it tips the letter R, a crossword regular.
Right in pot harbour (4)
Abbreviations in a charade
Compass tips are the friendliest abbreviations: north, east, south, west become N, E, S, W.
North and east point (2)