The Guardian is approaching its millionth cryptic clue. While no overall database confirms the exact moment, the milestone is inferred from this week's achievement: Guardian Cryptic crossword No 30,000, published on Thursday.
A Brief History
The puzzle began in January 1929, first weekly, then twice a week, and soon daily, alongside quick crosswords, quick cryptics, quiptics, Genius puzzles, and more.
Celebrating the Milestone
To mark the occasion, we revisit puzzles from 10,000 and 15,000 editions ago. Cryptic 20,000 is unplayable online due to its wild content, but 20,001 offers a taste of the era from the great Crispa. Today's solvers will notice a higher word count in some clues, with Guardian humour on full display.
A PDF of Crispa's puzzle is included for those nostalgic for the look and feel of 1994.
Archive Highlights
- No 1: from when puzzles were anonymous
- No 276: likewise anonymous, with its solution
- No 15,000: from Custos, with two grids
- Clue sniffing: a 1982 piece by predecessor John Perkin
- No 20,000: from Araucaria, in rhyming couplets, with solution and milestone marking
Genius Puzzle Update
Entries for April's Genius have closed. The solution shows KGB played by unusual rules: the completed grid and first instructions lead to a new set of instructions and an in-puzzle puzzle. This month's Genius by Odo is now live.
Thanks for QUIP cluing-conference clues. The audacity award goes to Calmasyoulike for "Short retort from hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobe". Runners-up: Jacob_Busby's "Sharp shot from French team abandoning wingers" and YogicBear's "Messed up QI joke". Winner: "Having no ecstasy, supply crack".
Kludos to Mr_Rob_T. Leave entries for THIRTY THOUSAND below, along with favourite clues or puzzles. Enjoy Thursday.
Alan Connor is the Guardian's crossword editor. His book 188 Words for Rain is published by Ebury (£16.99). To support the Guardian, order at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
