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Regular cryptic clues have two discrete components - the definition and the wordplay. &lit is an unusual clue type in which the definition and the wordplay overlap.

&lit stands for "and literally so". The wordplay is of any regular type in an &lit clue - say, container or anagram; the specialty is that the entire clue is its definition.

Take for example: A problem in arctic exploration (3) ICE

Notice its self-referential style? The wordplay is telescopic, but you have to read the clue "A problem in arctic exploration" in full for its definition.

More examples of &lit clues using various other wordplay techniques.

&lit with Anagram: Slow-moving mice may get snapped up by them (4) OWLS*
&lit with (Anagram + Container): Could be a one-horn animal (5) RH{I}NO*
&lit with (Charade + Reversal): One's cold to walk over (6) I C ECAP<-

&Lit Clue Characteristics

Some traits of &lit clues to help you identify them:

• &lit clues are typically "short and snappy"
• An exclamation mark at the end is a good sign that the clue in question is of &lit type
• Such clues most often use the telescopic or anagram wordplay styles

&lit clues are tricky to spot! The traits above do not apply all the time - a wordy clue with no trailing punctuation can as well be &lit. A rule-of-thumb: if you can "see" the answer based on the crossing letters or guess based on the wordplay, but you can't see the definition, there is a high chance that it is &lit.

Consider: Element used by William Butler (4)
You reason based on the proper noun, the "used by" indicator and the solution length, that this is a telescopic clue. You also find a meaningful word IAMB hidden within "William Butler". What remains - "Element" - must be the definition, you say. But..."Element" does not mean IAMB! So, you read the clue in full once again. Now it makes sense, when the wordplay itself is taken as the definition: IAMB, the metrical foot, is an element used by William Butler Yeats, the poet.

&lit clues are rare; it takes great skill to craft clues of this special kind. When you do come across them, relish the experience!

Related Posts:

• Other Clue Types: Anagrams, Hidden Words, Charades, Containers, 
                             Deletions, Double Definitions, Homophones, Substitutions,
                             Acrostics, Cryptic Definitions, Reversals.

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