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I've never quite understood the use of ? and ! in cryptic clues and what the difference between them is. Can anyone enlighten me please?

If you work on the principle that most punctuation in clues is intended to mislead, you won't be far wrong.

? often means that the setter is taking some liberties with the definition. ! doesn't mean anything!

fragrance some puddings have? aftershave
The setter is sharing a joke here

i think some setters/publications use an exclamation mark at the end of &Lit clues.

Thank you all

Great question Fathernick,

I for years wrote clues with a question mark at the end to indicate it was an &lit '?'
But Trevor is right because not too long ago, I learnt that for an &lit, it should be a exclamation mark '!'
I now feel that the question mark is for clues that offer a little lateral thinking when the compiler is having a bit of fun with you or trying to trick you into another way of thinking.
Take a look at this for some interesting reading, it's got quite a comprehensive write up about the cryptic wordplay you'd expect to find in most newspapers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptic_crossword