The Stickler Weekly 181 Clue Hints

(click on the clue number to see the hint)

Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.

Need more hints for these or other clues? Just leave a reply below.


1-across


12-across

13-across


18-across

20-across

23-across

24-across

26-across



29-across


2-down

3-down

4-down


7-down

8-down




22-down

25-down

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The answer is a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

Examples: changed, at sea, confused, all over the place - anything that indicates change or jumbling.

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
A type of clue where the WHOLE clue defines the answer, and the WHOLE clue also is the wordplay (a mechanism to derive the answer through various cryptic devices). "&lit" is short for "and literally".

To qualify as an &lit, a clue must have no unused components either in the definition or the wordplay - it must be readable one way as a definition, and another as the wordplay.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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11 Responses to The Stickler Weekly 181 Clue Hints

  1. Richard Sternes says:

    Once again David, a fine selection – & Thank You. Some particular favourites:-
    16a (too cute), 18a (needed assistance here), 20a (going with anagram between two & four), 26a (loved it – Pick of the Week – & not about be tricked a second time!!!)
    29a (going with former Yugoslavian here)
    4d (incl. new word, greens will never be the same), 17d (so succinct), 22d (ditto),
    25d (must be getting smarter, always go first to this type of ‘flower’ these days)

    • Arthur Maynard says:

      Did you consider medical procedures for 20a? I agree with your Yugo in 29a

      I am geographically disadvantaged in the south west. 28a remains a mystery.

      I had the word for 26a but was not happy with the movement until I read the clue hint. That leaves me with the chestnut 25d but my N is in the wrong place for my choice. Perhaps I need to look outside Africa, but that would be less blue.

      Apart from that, 24a and 14d gave me most trouble so far, so I must give them a gong.

      I have a word for 2d which fits the clue, but my references call it a form of lilac. Will have to go back to the board for that one

      Back to the rack

      • Richard Sternes says:

        Hi Arthur
        Another take on 20a but doesn’t fit cluing?
        28a is a cut of meat but can also be used to ride ‘meat’
        Yes – wasn’t about to be caught twice with 26a
        Persevere in Africa for 25d – truncated – blue OR white…..
        Likewise 2d you are in a shrub, almost there

        Thoroughly enjoy being able to discuss journeys to resolution like this. Second only to working through original puzzle.

        • Arthur Maynard says:

          the answer is a thing which dulls the senses divided by (containing) “i”. This is frequently encountered as a misdirection.

          I appreciate the opportunity to share success and tribulation, and look forward to checking the blog.

          • Richard Sternes says:

            Arthur you know what I’m like with loose ends……
            I can’t get the knock-out drop into or out of 20a???
            What am I missing.
            Was reasonably content with my original solution.

          • Arthur Maynard says:

            They used to use this as an anaesthetic in operating theatres. Otherwise known as laughing gas. It reduces or eliminates pains. You appear to have grasped the word – knock out drops 5 letters. Just put one “i” as the second letter. We are both using the same letters, it is just the source where we differ. – Maybe take the i out of the word you have and you will see the number.
            There is no anagram indicator in the clue, so the letters must stay in order. Also if you use one as a divider, it is finished as part of the solution. I am not sure about the ? indicating it could be “and lit”. To me it is a straight double definition.
            Incidentally I appreciated the guidance on the SW corner. They confirmed my work. Our notes crossed in the post.

      • Arthur Maynard says:

        Get with the program Arthur

        25d and 28a so simple after a cup of tea, a bex, and a good lie down. My brain was part of 28a as I looked at the wrong end of the clue.

        Thoroughly good sport this week David. I cannot believe how hard I made it.

  2. Steve C says:

    Another difficult one David, my favourites are 17d and 29a. Well done!

  3. Wendy Simpson says:

    26a is my pick this week. 25d-never heard blue by that name.
    Commendation also for 2d.

    • Arthur Maynard says:

      Wendy it is the plant which is the source of indigo, rather than the colour. My wife who is an artist had not heard of the plant, but we did encounter the colour in a dyeing workshop in Japan