(click on the clue number to see the hint)
Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.
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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.
A word or series of words that signify the loss of one letter at the start or end of a word or string of letters.
Examples: beheaded, cut short, endless, nearly, largely 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.
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 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.
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 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 butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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.
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.
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 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.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) on the INSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).
Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.
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.
Thanks David for my weekly “fix”.
I needed to check my answer for 20a. A new word for me.
Favourites were 27a and 8d.
Thanks David, another good mid week challenge. 16a was my favourite- lateral thinking at its best
Yes, 16a was my favourite too.
Almost Home Free, best run in ages but no less challenging.
Just one loose thread
25d – is the “mouthpiece” also a colloquial term for a trashy magazine?
The mouthpiece is excited (anagram)about a reversal (see hint). I am not familiar with the trashy magazine
Sorry Richard, I don’t know any trashy magazine that fits. Not that I do trashy magazines!!!!
It actually is a mouth piece and about indicates a reversal.
Surprised again to get the congrats having grappled for ages with 14a after a fairly smooth run through the rest. Finally decided to try the only word that seemed plausible definition-wise according to the clue hint and crosses. It checked out but I’m still at a loss as to how the first part parses without some further qualification. Do tell!
Patrick. You are looking at what a seal was before it became a seal.
Thanks Arthur. Got it now, easy ‘once’ you see it!
“Like”
16a. What a great word play. I spent a lot of time looking for something Japanese with an a in it. Asiatic just did not work!
20a a new word for me. I knew it was that kind of element, but I missed that part of education. This was last in.
11d A great clue.
18d Second last in. I completely missed the point until the death
25d took me back to the days of Xerox and the code breakers as reported in spy thrillers.
For me this was a good solid workout with many missteps. Funny how you can struggle one week, and breeze through the next.
Thanks Arthur & Joy
Content where I am (I think). Can see the “mouthpiece” – not sure of two other letters.
Really can’t say much more about “trashy magazines” generally speaking,
without giving the Game away.
Richard Second thoughts. I think it its the “mouthpiece excited” about (anagram) which gives us the answer one with class. I had issues with the extra 2 letters, but accommodated them in class, which really did not sit comfortably. The 2 letters sit well with excited.
25d contains neither trashy magazine nor anagram. It’s a pure reversal, as per the clue hint.
Having looked at the clue hint, I agree that the reversal is intended. However I believe “about” is a perfectly valid anagram indicator. My reading of Alec Robins leads me to understand that any word which could indicate a change of position of the letters, can be a valid anagram indicator.
Nuff said.
That’s IT Arthur, so simple with a fresh look & another view.
Liked all your Picks of the Week, Arthur.
9a & 14a both unexpectedly “all at sea”
plus 4d (of course!!!) for special mention & 17d “pier – still at sea”
Not sure whether “still at sea” hints that you have not identified the indicator in 17d . The container is clear, but the indicator for the contents is unusual but totally reliable. I may be overthinking, but I detect another subtle hint about the indicator in the word play.
Arthur, I was thinking 9a – “school” & 14a – “seal once”
then the “pier” at 17d – all as Sea references.
Being far too cute, perhaps, methinks!!!
There were a lot of nautical references this week. I did not notice until your comment. Also present are wave, vessel, wake, and blubber.
The left-hand side was tough for me – but I got there eventually. My highlights:
16a: “Japanese middle manager”. My clue of the week.
20a: Just as well I can still remember large chunks of the periodic table
1d: Good fun
22d: “liquid waste” and “blubber”
25d: “Mouthpiece”, and the definition
Yes Greg, liked all those too.
Got a real chuckle out of the “Japanese middle manager”
Instinctively knew what it would be, then to make it fit. Not so difficult.