ChatGPT prompt: Make unique, never before used cryptic crossword clues for the words given. The clues must not be too obvious, but they should be fair. If there is potential for a pun or play on words go with that. Be clever, but all clues must be valid and solvable. Before each clue provide an explanation. then repeat the words and clues all together without explanation. User will input the words after you say “I’m ready"
4D: ULNAR
Ideas: Anatomy related, possible straightforward definition.
Definition: Anatomical
Indicator: Beside the radius (definition and indirect clue)
Wordplay Components: Literal
Clue: Anatomical beside the radius (5)
5D: LASSO
Ideas: A tool for capturing, possibly a straightforward definition.
Definition: Rope
Indicator: Cowboys use (direct definition)
Wordplay Components: Literal
Clue: Rope that cowboys use (5)
ChatGPT's explanations: 1A: UHAUL
Ideas: Potential for using "move" as a definition since U-Haul is a moving company. Could use an anagram or hidden word.
Definition: Vehicle
Indicator: Changing places (indicating an anagram)
Wordplay Components: Anagram of "Haul U" rearranged.
Clue: Vehicle changing places with "Haul U" (5)
6A: LEILA
Ideas: A girl's name; can use a homophone or straightforward definition.
Definition: Girl
Indicator: Echoed (indicating a homophone or similar)
Wordplay Components: "Layla" sounds like Leila.
Clue: Girl echoed in a Clapton classic (5)
7A: CRANS
Ideas: Could play with the similarity to "cranes" (machinery). Could use a charade or pun.
Definition: Machines
Indicator: Tricky (suggesting not straightforward)
Wordplay Components: Pun on the sound of "cranes".
Clue: Machines hoisting things up, tricky, right? (5)
8A: ERRAS
Ideas: Anagram or misdirection, possibly playing with the word "errors" or "eras".
Definition: Mistakes
Indicator: Mixed up (for anagram)
Wordplay Components: Anagram of "serra".
Clue: Mistakes mixed up in Serra's sculpture (5)
9A: RETRO
Ideas: Play on old fashion or old style, possibly a reversal indicator.
Definition: Old-fashioned
Indicator: Turning back (suggesting reversal or old style)
Wordplay Components: Reversal of "orter".
Clue: Old-fashioned turning back the clock (5)
1D: ULCER
Ideas: Could play with the literal sense or figuratively (like a sore point).
Definition: Sore
Indicator: Developed (suggesting formation)
Wordplay Components: Anagram of "Cruel".
Clue: Sore developed cruelly (5)
2D: HERRE
Ideas: Potential homophone of "here".
Definition: Over there in Germany
Indicator: Heard (suggesting homophone)
Wordplay Components: Sounds like "herr" (German for 'Mr.')
Clay: Over there in Germany, heard (5)
3D: AIART
Ideas: Anagram, relating to modern technology or AI in the arts.
Definition: Modern creations
Indicator: Designed (indicating anagram)
Wordplay Components: Anagram of "Tiara".
Clue: Modern creations designed from a tiara (5)
The LAYLA misspelling was where I really got tripped up; I think I ended up trying LAILA, and didn't feel like fretting over what was wrong at that point, so I did the "Check Puzzle" then. I probably SHOULD have been able to figure out that the crosser would be HERRE, but given that I expected AI-induced errors existed, trying to guess all the ways that AI screwed up didn't seem like a prudent use of my time. LOL.