A concise, often cryptic, description used in British crossword puzzles to prompt solvers to identify a specific publication consulted for factual information. For instance, “Wise tome” (6) might allude to Brewer’s Dictionary.
These descriptive phrases play a vital role in the puzzle-solving process. They demand both general knowledge and a nuanced understanding of wordplay, idioms, and abbreviations common in British English. Historically, such clues have reflected the evolving cultural landscape, incorporating references to prominent literary works, historical events, and figures of public interest. The level of difficulty can vary, challenging solvers with intricate double meanings and clever misdirection.