(click on the clue number to see the hint)
Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.
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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.
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.
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.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.
Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
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.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
All words can be validly written with a leading capital without changing their meaning. Hence, the capitalisation of a word may present a different picture than is intended.
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 entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
Note To Self – “Must Do Better”.
Should not be in Clue Hints, only 50% done, at this Time.
Another Tough Gig here.
Indeed, not even 50%, and looking at hints. Obviously some heavy lifting still to be fone.
Glad it is not just me Wendy.
Clueless on 16a & 19a – might help crack this Nut
Hi Richard, yes they were my two big guesses! 16a would be Trump’s favourite expression except he uses f*** n***. As for 19a, where to start? If you can’t get around the young member of a family line being tricked, it might help!
PS. Criminal is descriptive in an informally judgemental sense.
Quite a struggle indeed and good to know it wasn’t my dull brain alone. Also went to the hints unusually early but still a few remained with many guesses from the cross-letters that fortunately worked back. Had a break – went to the movies – then they clicked, all except 25a. Finally resorted to solver and there it was, plain as day with a little lateral thinking, if only I had ever heard of the word! Still a bit dubious about the definitions in 1a and 18d and only just now see how neat the word play is in 10d.
Still missing ALL those Patrick except 1a.
Had no probs. with it – an event is cancelled therefore it is *** plus the drug from Clue Hints.
Interesting usage at 12a & can’t grasp judiciary as adjective at 7d.
Still early days.
1a – I get that part, just find it a bit of a stretch to reconcile ‘charge’.
12a – I suppose a good summary would have to be this – not beating around the bush, as it were.
7d – I could only think of the obvious adjective re. the judiciary which turned out to fit nicely.
WELL.!!! & WOW.!!! Plenty of 19a behaviour just about everywhere you want to look these days.
Mega light bulb moment. Best Ever candidate there.
Patrick – 1a “charge” goes to responsibility.
12a – comfortable with it, just seems unusual.
More pondering 7d & elsewhere.
Done it at last, but a difficult one this week with a new word or three!
Many Twists & Turns along the way but got there eventually
with quite a few chuckles thrown in.
19a – (above) Superb, 25a – new word, needed Solver of Last Resort for this,
29a don’t quite get “Six”
7d – all is revealed, 10d – speaking of Aged, Craggy & Weather Beaten!!!
15d – still pondering, 17d – loved “State of Water” & 18d “Winnings” was a revelation.
Yet another stimulating & rewarding Journey, David. Than You.
PS>>>> Patrick got your f*** n*** now. Loved that.
Sadly, it’s become an overworked part of the lexicon.
Richard, the “six” in 29a refers to six down.
Of course Steve – Thank You.
Fell for THAT trick – Yet Again!!! Will I ever/never learn?
Penny finally dropped with (hidden) 15d too.
“Six” had me stumped for a while too. I should know better by now.
Difficult again this week David with 29a being last in, but so simple when you step back and look at it. Other excellent clues are 12a, 13a, 7d, 10d, 17d and 18d.
Thank you ??
Yes – like all those Steve. 19a is still my Pick of the Week tho.
I finally made it and wondered how I made it so hard. On my first pass I did not get any across clues. I had a good run yesterday,and found the final four this morning.
1d and 2 d – I don’t know how I made them so hard.
11a One of my favourite tipples helped.
16a I join the chorus of approval for this one. An excellent clue
19a I needed the crosses to get this one. Then I parsed it piece by piece, before adding it to the grid. Too many false starts before the penny dropped. A really good clue.
25a was my last in. A new word, so google confirmed it for me. Had to jumble the missing letters once I worked out the dwarf.
10d I like this.
15d An unusually long hidden clue. Misled me because of the length of the hidden word.
17d was second last in. Even with the crosses it took a lot of work.
20a We played this game at school in Herberton. Many torn shirts as mothers tried to ban the game. Not sure whether it was a local invention, as I did not play it at any of my other schools.
Once again I tips me lid to David for a great challenge.
Too had for me without electronic helpers. Which begs the question, which is the lesser of two evils? Using an anagram solver,or looking at David’s clue hints?
I refuse to use either – which is why it’s taken me nearly a week to complete this one.
In early days I used crossword solver, and a forum to help me through. That deprived me of the value of bending my mind to the clue, and finally achieving success.
Now my approach is to solve what I can, checking any new words in a dictionary – on line if necessary as I only have my son’s high school dictionary.
After that I resort to David’s hints, one at a time, because you might get help with one clue which leads to solutions of others with the new crosses.
Then I ask the forum here in Stickler.
Most responders will provide an alternate, helpful, and often cryptic response, which will help you towards the solution.
Several solvers monitor the blog, and are happy to suggest new ways of viewing the clue, or the wording, or identifying the definition or wordplay. That helps them to cement their learning on this puzzle, and you to arrive at the definition with your own imagination. This is Win Win.
I always feel I have cheated if I use a solver. Even so, if you get the answer from that resource, you should be able to parse it, so you know how the clue works.
Something that is a real puzzle for some, falls easily into place for others.
In my group sessions, members who have the answer try to direct our minds to alternate ways of looking at a word or phrase (for example “flower” – “think in terms of something flowing”) I insist on parsing every clue, so everybody there understands the clue.
The good solvers tell me I am pedantic, the slower ones appreciate the support.
Thanks Arthur. My approach to date has been, brain first, tools second,hints third, then blog last resort. And yes I’m never satisfied until I’ve satisfactorily parsed every letter in every clue. Just curious about other solvers opinion on “cheating”.
As per Richard’s guidance, I now prefer the slower, more challenging approach, ie. brain alone first, then google/dictionary to check definitions/spellings etc, thesaurus maybe, then the hints. I’m always amazed at the difference taking a break can make and try to only use solver as a last, exasperated resort. Usually there are quite a few guesses, either from the clues themselves or from the look of the crossing letters, which still need to be confirmed by working back to the clue – which is part of the fun. Solver may make finding the answer quicker – I wouldn’t call it cheating exactly because you still have to have some idea of what you’re looking for – but the enjoyment/satisfaction is definitely diminished, I feel.
Collectively, you have said It all Guys.
Can add nothing further & it would be surplus to requirements anyway.
My only tools are an extreme blend of high and low tech:
* a few dictionary apps and a couple of thesauri on my smartphone – generally used for confirming my suspicions re new words and synonyms
* a good fountain pen.
I’m hoping that this hardcore “no cheating” approach will help to keep Dr Alzheimer at bay.
13a, 2d: Nice definitions
25a: Really tough. I was on the wrong track for ages. Also, a new word for me.
27a: A vaguely familiar word, but I couldn’t have told you what it meant – until now
29a: Six!!! When will I learn???
10d: Loved the definition
15d: Nice definition, and bravo for hiding the answer across 4 words.
This week was unusually tough overall – compounded by the distracting effect of the Winter Olympics.
Good choices from a treasure trove of options.
I also hope it helps with Dr Alzheimer. But I will never know.