Wednesday Slot in The SMH/Age (D&LS)

Hi All,

Last year my wife and I made our debut in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age with the publication of a cryptic and quick on the puzzles page in the NS slot.

We now have a permanent slot on a Wednesday replacing DP, who had faithfully contributed every week since 1992. We have a different style but will endeavour to keep DP fans happy and establish our own place at the same time.

Our designation is “D&LS”.

David & Linda Stickley

Posted in AFR Cryptic, The Stickler | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 11/7/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (4/7/2026) Worked Solution

(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.



















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 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.
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.
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 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 entire answer is found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal 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.
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AFR Cryptic (4/7/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BEDSPACE
A follower escaped in disguise with hotelier’s offering (8) B + anagram of ESCAPED
5 SCRAPS
Breaks up fights (6) Double Definition
9 NAPOLEON
North Pole fortified by a functioning French general (8) A inside (N + POLE) + ON
10 ASTUTE
Knowing, for instance, class in university (6) AS + TUTE
12 BEYOND REPROACH
Right claimed by chaperoned boy in bad shape is impeccable (6,8) R inside anagram of CHAPERONED BOY
14 CHIPPER
Machine that processes potatoes well (7) Double Definition
16 UP-TEMPO
Occupants of shop met pupil running back at a fast pace (2-5) shOP MET PUpil reversed
18 BANGKOK
Guineas kept in bank with approved Asian capital (7) G inside BANK + OK
20 WADDING
Supplement carried by section is a filler (7) ADD inside WING
21 DISINTEGRATION
Broken stein found in dig next to allotment is falling apart (14) Anagram of STEIN inside DIG + RATION
25 VIOLET
Nitrogen released by wild flower (6) VIOLENT minus N
26 LABRADOR
Underwear grabbed by boy or dog (8) BRA inside LAD + OR
27 RUDDER
Boat’s guide is not nice about closing of flooded river (6) RUDE outside floode(D) + R
28 MEASURED
A bound taken during medical should be evaluated (8) (A + SURE) inside MED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BIND
Restrict members of club in debt (4) cluB IN Debt
2 DEPLETION
Cut in power reversed consumption? (9) P inside DELETION
3 POLIO
Viral infection, one contracted in sport (5) I inside POLO
4 CHOWDER
Start to consider how wine lifted a hearty meal (7) (C)onside + HOW + (RED reversed)
6 CASTRATED
Company thought highly of is rendered ineffective (9) CAST + RATED
7 ARUBA
A difficulty managed by a Caribbean playground (5) A + RUB + A
8 SEE THROUGH
Penetrate boil not completely hard (3,7) SEETH(e) + ROUGH
11 PERU
Part of Europe – ruralised country (4) euroPE RUralised
13 SCUBA DIVER
Country nightclub owned by senior one down under? (5,5) (CUBA + DIVE) inside SR
15 PEKINGESE
Dog goes to the toilet outside royal house finally (9) PEES outside KING + hous(E)
17 MAIL ORDER
One leader in paper raised postal application for goods (4,5) (I + LORD) inside (REAM reversed)
19 KEEN
Intense expression of grief (4) Double Definition
20 WARFARE
Raw fear exploited in armed conflict (7) Anagram of RAW FEAR
22 SCOLD
Rebuke leader of sect lacking warmth (5) (S)ect + COLD
23 TERMS
Top mark not accepted by master affected conditions (5) Anagram of MASTER minus A
24 PROD
Dig for diamonds (4) PRO + D

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 4/7/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (27/6/2026) Worked Solution

(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.
























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.

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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
The answer is hidden inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
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.
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 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.

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 the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

The entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram 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.
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.

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AFR Cryptic (27/6/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RUBBLE
Two billion collected by government remains (6) BB inside RULE
4 PROTESTS
Objects and worthless stuff carried by troublesome people (8) ROT inside PESTS
9 METHAMPHETAMINE
Ice, say, received with meat the pieman ordered (15) MET + HAM + anagram of THE PIEMAN
11 ALL HEART
A judge transporting two learners back to court is generous (3,5) (A + HEAR) outside LL + cour(T)
12 TABLED
Governed after the bill is put forward (6) LED after TAB
14 TO-DO
Period in retreat before start of outrageous excitement (2-2) DOT reversed + (O)utrageous
15 PLAINTIFFS
They’re seen in court contesting ordinary arguments (10) PLAIN + TIFFS
18 LONELINESS
Solitude is not so much about one with nothing in retirement (10) LESS outside [ONE + (NIL reversed)]
19 KNEE
Passengers in shock needed a joint (4) shocK NEEded
22 NUANCE
Subtlety is lacking in person who’s obnoxious (6) NUISANCE minus IS
24 PLEADERS
Quiet people who guide advocates (8) P + LEADERS
26 INSURANCE POLICY
Sort of preclusion limiting an indifferent contract that offers protection (9,6) Anagram of PRECLUSION outside AN + ICY
27 GO TO SEED
Degenerate experienced overdose outside court (2,2,4) GOT + (OD outside SEE)
28 WEDGED
Wide, hit with the outside part of the bat, is blocked (6) W + EDGED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 REMNANT
A small number surviving division infiltrated by corrupt man (7) RENT outside anagram of MAN
2 BATTLED ON
Insulator, deceived, struggled to succeed (7,2) BATT + LED ON
3 LEADER
News reel turned up containing advertisement (6) REEL reversed outside AD
5 RHEA
Bird poacher scrambled free of cop (4) Anagram of POACHER minus COP
6 TEA PARTY
Pate dished out before stylish social gathering (3,5) Anagram of PATE + ARTY
7 STILL
Source of alcohol (not sparkling) (5) Double Definition
8 SPEEDOS
Swimmers so far below the surface returned after minutes finally (7) (SO + DEEP) reversed after minute(S)
10 PARKLAND
Place containing old animal sanctuary and nature reserve (8) PL outside ARK + AND
13 DISSOLVE
Break down loss mounting in disreputable club (8) LOSS reversed inside DIVE
16 FINGERING
Identifying fine wool for knitting (9) Double Definition
17 PLACARDS
Public notices “P” on front of vehicle owned by young men (8) P + (CAR inside LADS)
18 LINKING
Connecting line cut off with ruler (7) (LIN)e + KING
20 ESSAYED
Judges say, editor to a certain degree, tried (7) judgES SAY EDitor
21 CAPONE
Beat one famous gangster (6) CAP + ONE
23 ASSET
It’s well worth having when ready (5) AS + SET
25 ONCE
An area of concern in the old days (4) cONCErn

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 27/6/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (20/6/2026) Worked Solution

(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.





















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 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 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.

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.
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 a mixing-up of letters.

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

The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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.

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.
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.

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AFR Cryptic (20/6/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 GERMAN MEASLES
Manager seems upset about onset of Lyme disease (6,7) Anagram of MANAGER SEEMS outside (L)yme
9 DISCERN
Uncoordinated dancer is missing out on a spot (7) Anagram of DANCER IS minus A
10 TEAR OUT
Forcefully remove Prince of Wales, say, facing defeat (4,3) TEA + ROUT
11 EARWIG
A wire rigged close to gathering to eavesdrop (6) Anagram of A WIRE + gatherin(G)
12 BULLETIN
Newsflash – it’s fired in! (8) BULLET + IN
14 SALMAGUNDI
Amusing lad composed a medley (10) Anagram of AMUSING LAD
16 COXA
Small crew member seen with a joint (4) COX + A
19 SECT
School of opinion relocated cadets without notice (4) Anagram of CADETS minus AD
20 GIANT PANDA
Head of genetics interbred taipan and a vulnerable species (5,5) (G)enetics + anagram of TAIPAN AND
22 PREFACED
Introduced game official, inside, showed signs of impatience (8) REF inside PACED
23 MISSAL
Fail to see a large book of prayers (6) MISS + A + L
26 APOSTLE
Evangelist maligned lots in parody (7) Anagram of LOST inside APE
27 OMINOUS
Boundless comic intellect is threatening? (7) c)OMI(c + NOUS
28 SUPPLEMENTARY
Flexible people try catching a game ball (13) SUPPLE MEN + (TRY outside A)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 GODDESSES
Beautiful women follow up on dresses right away (9) DOG reversed + (DRESSES minus R)
2 RISER
Jack is last to stumble in middle of sparring (5) [IS + stumbl(E)] inside spa(RR)ing
3 AMERICAN
Trump’s son, for example, in the form of a man? (8) ERIC inside (A + MAN)
4 MANY
Property owned by nobleman yielded lots? (4) nobleMAN Yielded
5 ASTOUNDING
A depth ascertained (including temperature) is impressive (10) (A + SOUNDING) outside T
6 LIABLE
Subject, refused bail, left courthouse at the back? (6) Anagram of BAIL + L + courthous(E)
7 SHOUT DOWN
“Silence! Silence! Get the better of gutless warden”? (5,4) SH + OUTDO + W(arde)N
8 STUN
Shock manoeuvre that’s dangerous mostly (4) (STUN)t
13 LUTINE BELL
Even parts of deal in bulletin confused Lloyd’s ringer (6,4) d(E)a(L) inside anagram of BULLETIN
15 LECHEROUS
Raunchy clues compiled about leading man (9) Anagram of CLUES outside HERO
17 ANAPLASTY
Pal disfigured in a horrible piece of cosmetic surgery (9) Anagram of PAL inside (A + NASTY)
18 OPTICIAN
Surgery on twitching problem, one completed by an eye-correction specialist (8) OP + TIC + I + AN
21 WAIT UP
Hang on, don’t go to bed just yet (4,2) Double Definition
22 PLAY
Perform a song, opening with piano (4) P + LAY
24 STOMA
A selection of instruments to make a surgical opening (5) instrumentS TO MAke
25 WORM
Argue about entry point of major computer virus (4) ROW reversed + (M)ajor

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 20/6/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (13/6/2023) Worked Solution

(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.

















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.
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 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 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.
Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
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.

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 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 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. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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.

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 butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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.
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AFR Cryptic (13/6/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ESTEEM
High achiever deals with withdrawn credit (6) E + (MEETS reversed)
5 TACKLES
Has a go at gutless clerk in accounts? (7) C(ler)K inside TALES
9 GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Source of drugs, noted girl, distorted point of view (6,8) Anagram of NOTED GIRL + ANGLE
11 HAT TRICK
Part of a magic act that transformed small wrench (3,5) Anagram of THAT + RICK
12 DOLLAR
Adjustment of All Ords devalued Australian currency? (6) Anagram of (ALL ORD)s
14 MOULD
Growth due to fungi’s shape (5) Double Definition
15 REASSURED
Users involved in study should be encouraged (9) Anagram of USERS inside READ
17 POST-HASTE
Delivery has limitations of time right away (4-5) POST + HAS + T(im)E
19 CODES
All kept from changing so-called secret writings (5) Anagram of SO CALLED minus ALL
21 TIRADE
One with a role in commerce lecture (6) I inside TRADE
23 MORTGAGE
Term extended by $1000 in additional housing loan (8) (TAG outside G) inside MORE
25 RADIO TELESCOPE
High-powered receiver activated coils operated by energy (5,9) Anagram of COILS OPERATED + E
26 WRECKER
Wide creek mucked up river for destroyer (7) W + anagram of CREEK + R
27 TWENTY
Run of Cabaret went years – quite a few (6) cabareT WENT Years
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 SHOOT-OUTS
Decisive battles scare away aggressive solicitors (5-4) SHOO + TOUTS
3 ENDURED
Experienced nude turned a vivid colour (7) Anagram of NUDE + RED
4 MANICURIST
Fellow is captivated by one short beautician (10) MAN + IS inside (I + CURT)
5 TORY
Conservative report short on substance primarily (4) STORY minus (S)ubstance
6 CHAMOIS
Company is importing some pig leather (7) (CO + IS) outside HAM
7 LEGAL
Allowed member a little latitude (5) LEG + A + L
8 SPEARED
Expedition crossing a river may be hit by missiles (7) SPEED outside (A + R)
10 WHIM
Fancy whip shortened by metre (4) WHI(p) + M
13 MALEVOLENT
Virile one pulled away from violent hostile (10) MALE + (VIOLENT minus I)
16 RED CARPET
One not taken with trade price arranged VIP treatment (3,6) Anagram of TRADE PRICE minus I
17 PIT CREW
Racing team’s Italian car losing a component lodged inside seat (3,4) [IT + (CAR minus A)] inside PEW
18 HADDOCK
Fish consumed weed (7) HAD + DOCK
19 CUTICLE
Dead skin penetrated by rotten lice (7) CUT + anagram of LICE
20 SEEM
Appear to identify with mass (4) SEE + M
22 RIDGE
Travel across front of gully and long narrow range of hills (5) RIDE outside (G)ully
24 DEAR
Precious diamonds listed by auditor (4) D + EAR

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AFR Cryptic, Saturday 13/6/2026, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (6/6/2026) Worked Solution

(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.

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 13 June, Clue Hints

















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 a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation indicator will be present.
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.
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 a mixing-up of letters.

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

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.

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) 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 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 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.

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AFR Cryptic (6/6/2026) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DUGITE
Snake grasped it easily at the start (6) DUG + IT + (E)asily
4 MANDATES
Individual determines the age of charges (8) MAN + DATES
9 SKATE
Runner and swimmer (5) Double Definition
10 SPRINKLER
It’s used to water part of green left in care of retired representatives (9) (RINK + L) inside (REPS reversed)
11 BRIOCHE
Zest applied to half of cheese roll (7) BRIO + (CHE)ese
12 PATIENT
Sick person is clear about onset of illness (7) PATENT outside (I)llness
13 SHIP
Send head of security in (4) (S)ecurity + HIP
14 ORNAMENT
Leading light or star not contracted? (8) OR + NAME + N(o)T
17 DECEASED
Expired case requiring editing in legal document (8) Anagram of CASE inside DEED
19 PIER
Early type of spacecraft losing track of one landing site (4) PIONEER minus ONE
22 RISES UP
Ruse is organised by leader of political rebels (5,2) Anagram of RUSE IS + (P)olitics
24 PASTERN
Pressure applied to a hard part of horse�s foot (7) P + A + STERN
25 PROVISION
Something supplied for an imaginative plan (9) PRO + VISION
26 CADET
Trainee made less money primarily in court (5) MADE minus (M)oney inside CT
27 CLEARING
Close call about each evacuation (8) (CL + RING) outside EA
28 SOURCE
Author’s cheekiness apparent in speech (6) Sounds like SAUCE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DISABUSE
Is a coach in middle of ordeal set straight? (8) (IS + A + BUS) inside or(DE)all
2 GRATIFIED
Pleased with $1000 formally approved (9) G + RATIFIED
3 TRENCH
Ditch fish spread over the banks of river (6) TENCH outside R
5 AEROPLANE SPIN
A lean pro messed up, especially in a wrestling manoeuvre (9,4) Anagram of A LEAN PRO + ESP + IN
6 DINETTE
Unruly characters in detention missing out on a place to eat (7) Anagram of DETENTION minus ON
7 TILDE
Diacritical mark left in withdrawn rewrite (5) L inside (EDIT reversed)
8 SURETY
American backed renewed tyre guarantee (6) US reversed + anagram of TYRE
10 SMEAR CAMPAIGN
Confused manager is needled by side’s attack on reputation (5,8) Anagram of MANGER IS outside CAMP
15 TAIL-ENDER
Poor striker thanks one financial institution willing to advance money (4-5) TA + I + LENDER
16 BRUNETTE
Dark web harnessed by cruelly rapacious person (8) NET inside BRUTE
18 CASHIER
Discharge one taking part in search at sea (7) I inside anagram of SEARCH
20 TROPIC
Worldly division, right, included in subject matter (6) R inside TOPIC
21 PSYCHO
Participants in autopsy chose headcase (6) autoPSY CHOse
23 SHORE
Prop is not happy about back from Penrith (5) SORE outside penrit(H)

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