Here are some ways to think about "cryptic":
* Like a secret code: You need the key to understand it.
* Like a riddle: It has a hidden meaning that needs to be solved.
* Like a puzzle: It requires piecing together clues to understand the whole picture.
Here are some examples:
* Cryptic message: "The owl and the pussycat went to sea, in a beautiful pea-green boat." (This has a hidden meaning and can be interpreted in different ways.)
* Cryptic smile: A smile that doesn't reveal a person's true feelings.
* Cryptic behavior: Actions that seem strange or have unclear intentions.
Essentially, something cryptic is like a puzzle that you need to solve.