Cryptic crosswords are
crossword puzzles in which each clue is a word puzzle in and of itself. Cryptic crosswords are particularly popular in the
United Kingdom, where they originated,
Ireland,
Israel, the
Netherlands, and in several
Commonwealth nations, including
Australia,
Canada,
India,
Kenya,
Malta,
New Zealand, and
South Africa. In the
United States, cryptics are sometimes known as "British-style" crosswords. Compilers of cryptic crosswords are commonly called "setters" in the UK.