joy of the quick crossword

It's only come to me very recently, the joy of doing a quick crossword in the morning on the commute to work, often resulting a few being leftover to tackle either at lunchtime with colleagues or in the evening with whoever happens to be in! I tackle the guardian quick crossword for my sins http://www.guardian.co.uk/.
Most of the time relatively straightforward but every so often there is a solution and i don't recognise the word e.g. of recent days - acrostic and gnomon!
I have never consistently attempted the cryptic puzzles to begin to understand the setter's thinking.
I shall stick to my quick crosswords until i have more time to sit and contemplate the cryptics. Although they are not considered difficult, i do get a little kick out of finishing one, particularly if i haven't had to resort to the dictionary or internet!