(click on the clue number to see the hint)
Click on underlined text for explanation of terms.
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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 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 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.
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 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 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 question mark has been used to indicate "language abuse", that is, a word or words in a clue are used in a technically incorrect way, but the meaning can be still inferred.
Example: A indeed (?) could mean to insert A inside deed.
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 structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment indicator.
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.
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 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.
Thank you David. Another great mental work out. 19d was a new word for me and only solved by your clever word play. You never cease to impress me with your knowledge and use of language. Thanks again
Until next week.
No congrats. Everything seems to parse ok except 25a has me beat.
Hi Patrick.
25a is a double definition. The answer is not a term I had heard in a nautical context before, however, it certainly is. Find a word to satisfy the second part of the clue and then check it for definitions. You may be surprised. My husband, a marine engineer, not only explained the nautical definition , he drew a diagram!!
Good luck.
Thanks Joy. Yes, I just checked Chambers Dictionary and there it is – the word I opted for as the most likely, so… there must be something else amiss.
Well, have re-entered all online again, checked and checked again and every word parses perfectly – but still no congrats. Hmm.
I’ve had that some weeks, and checked the solution the next week to find all correct. Gremlins!
I thought it was just me and my fat fingers! Now ater I have checked I use a second browser and that usually fixes it.
Apps run through internet browsers don’t always operate like programs installed on your device/computer. They essentially sit in the memory of your computer and communicate through the website’s “cookies” and use cache (local memory created just for this app and browser). That means the crossword app doesn’t always know when things change, so even if you clear the grid completely and refill, or come back later, if you’ve already completed the grid, it still has your original fill flagged as incorrect. The pieces of memory associated with the app hang around until the system clears them out or you manually clear items. That’s why another browser works (a fresh start) or clearing out cookies and cache works.
Thank you for the explanation. It makes sense now.
Yes the first def for 25 eluded me too, although the second was obvious from the crossers. I though for too long that “Ship’s” contributed an “S” so I was looking for a four letter word for deviation.
Patrick, I found 2 answers I could parse for 5a. Both fitted with cross letters. When I didn’t get the congrats first time, I entered the alternative and the congratulations appeared. Maybe???
Joy, I think your alternate answer to 5a is better than the “correct” one. Glad I didn’t see it first, I’d have locked it in for sure.
Thanks Greg. I thought it parsed okay too.
Aha! Thanks Joy – that was it. “Put that down you” as my old mum used to say, but not in this case!
And I’ve just discovered (from these comments) that I had the wrong answer for 5a. I use pen and paper, so I was blissfully ignorant.
Joy, you are certainly a whiz at these crosswords. Finished before I even started.
Thanks for the tip about 5a. I did not like the parsing of my first choice, but the second option is perfect.
Thanks to David again. I went through the top half (apart from 5a and 8d) in quick time. but got bogged in the bottom half. To her amazement, she who must be obeyed contributed to 1a as I was lost for the external letters.
25a led me to my fogettery, and ancient learning, while at 27a I baulked at the past tense of the act.
19d just had to be that new word, so I hit the dictionary again.
17a is yet another clue worthy of mention
Where’s Richard? Hope everything’s ok.
I wondered about that. Richard joined hte blog well before my time, and I look forward to his contributions.
Well Thank You folks, quite humbled at being missed.
Rest assured, definitely have not gone away – had a good run thru.
Busy week – “he’s been pursuing other Interests” as they say.
Vague concerns about 14a & 17a but did not have a chance to revisit.
Particular favourites 2d (of course Arthur for the “soup” & from a previous life)
25a – “nautical” rang the Bell – Than You Joy
8d – once I got the spelling right, 15d & 16d – perfect examples of the Setter’s Art.
I endorse your choices.
14a the solution is not one which springs readily to mind for the definition. Use the word in alternate situations, and you should be comfortable with it.
17a David’s hint says it is a container/anagram clue with an abbreviation. Add the extra twist and the clue is a beauty.
Yes I made my Peace with them eventually Arthur
14a – needs a thought outside the square &
17a – a real gem once it comes into focus
One-more-sleep – YAY
I’ve caught up again. For the past couple of weeks I’ve neglected my cruciverbal duties, due to bingeing on recorded episodes of Archer. I thoroughly recommend it, as long as you’re very broadminded.
There were many gems this week:
5a: as has been mentioned above, there are two answers which I regard as equally correct
9a: of course
18a, 8d, 13d, 19d, 23d: great definitions
24a: “Houses sharing a” – my clue of the week. I’m surprised that nobody else has mentioned it.
2d: “doctor”
15d: last in – a well-hidden definition
19d: “Australian behind crudely”