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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.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.
Examples: part of, associated with, types of.
The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.
Examples: part of, associated with, types of.
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.
There is only one part to this clue, a definition, and it's usually a play on words. There aren't any indicators.
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 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.
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.
A word or phrase that defines the answer. All cryptic clues usually have a minimum of one definition which will be located at the beginning or end of the clue.
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.
Everyone must be busy this week if I’m first in. A great cryptic this week David favourites are 1, 11, 14 and 24 across (loved the pilot going nowhere) and 1, 2, 16 and 17 down. Thanks again and a Happy New Year to all ?
Ditto on the great puzzle. Well-crafted clues to challenge the solver, but still give a chance of success. This week I downloaded 5 from the Guardian. I missed two answers in Rufus because they were Anglo centric. My best in the rest was 5. Appalling. 15squared had the solutions on the same day and in two puzzles the solver stated they could not parse the answer. What hope is there for someone from the antipodes?
10a 4d and 13d are favourites because they have to be constructed out of whole cloth.
12a is magic misdirection together with a rare word.
22a Love the circular reference. I am familiar with the word, but did not know it as a specific mineral.
5d Parsing had me concerned. Then I read the clue hint and it became crystal clear.
I agree with Steve’s choices – particularly 14a
I am looking forward to hearing from all next year.
Another good puzzle. Loved 14a and 13d.
Limping over The Line – stuck at 12a & 16d.
Loved all the above Picks off the Week. Mine too.
Would add 16a, took forever to unscramble that Egg.
12a The “yank” is not from USA. It is a verb.
16d is a container clue. 2 x 3 letter words. The container does not immediately spring to mind in relation to the word play, but it is perfectly valid.
I was wondering whether you had too much red wine for Christmas, so skipped Wednesday.
Yes Arthur couple of Tricks to end the week. Just needed to “Focus”.
I was at it as time permitted – other distractions.
Note above, some had a Flyer. Don’t think I’ve ever completed on Day 1.
All Good – prolongs the enjoyment.
PS> After years as a Red Man have developed a taste for Whites.
Some first rate Sav. Blancs out there awaiting my investigation!!!
I’m the reverse. Comparatively recent switch to red after a Another Bloody Chardony tour.
24a would be my pick, took ages to get the second word!
22a: a new definition of a familiar word
25a: I particularly liked “is extracted from this”
13d: nice definition
15d: I liked “one with pride”.
For me, this one was orthoclase feldspar (6) on the hardness scale. Also, getting a Stickler on 27/12 was a real bonus – better than any post-Christmas sale. Thanks David!