New Cryptic Era

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. Our designation is “D&LS”. We  share the fourth and fifth (if there is one) Thursday of the month with another setter, RK, meaning it could be two months between crosswords.

I will endeavour to update this post with our next scheduled crossword once I have publishing confirmation.

 

Best

David & Linda Stickley

Posted in AFR Cryptic, The Stickler | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 18/5/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (11/5/2024) 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, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment 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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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 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.

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic (11/5/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 MOTHER LODE
Main vein remaining close to normal during procedure (6,4) [OTHER + norma(L)] inside MODE
7 GLAD
Happy place in a forest that’s clear mostly (4) (GLAD)e
10 HELLENIC
Hot spot excited nice Greek (8) HELL + anagram of NICE
11 UGANDA
Land dug and aerated to some extent (6) dUG AND Aerated
12 USEFUL
American developed fuel of great importance (6) US + anagram of FUEL
13 SEAMLESS
Marine left in dining area with no apparent interruptions (8) SEA + (L inside MESS)
14 GEAR
Parts connected to engage a rotating mechanism (4) engaGE A Rotating
15 WHOLEGRAIN
Who left, for example, source of water with seeds? (10) WHO + L + EG + RAIN
18 ARNHEM LAND
Opening of new hospital inside reappointed alderman’s indigenous region (6,4) [(N)ew + H] inside anagram of ALDERMAN
21 VETO
Rule out letters written in native tongue (4) natiVE TOngue
22 TRAIN SET
Wet weather, interrupting test, set back small railway system (5,3) RAIN inside (TEST reversed)
24 SERVER
Computer unit part with resistance installed (6) SEVER outside R
25 SCAMPI
Devil one seafood dish (6) SCAMP + I
26 BOILOVER
Young man largely dealt with one partner’s surprising result (8) (BO)y + I + LOVER
27 SHED
The woman had a place to keep things outside (4) Double Definition
28 FREIGHTERS
Soldiers taking on merchant ships (10) FIGHTERS outside RE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 OVERSTEER
Support at back of servo corrected right turning problem (9) (TEE after anagram of SERVO) + R
3 HOLD FORTH
Lecture in ancient garrison built between two hotels (4,5) (OLD + FORT) inside (H + H)
4 RUNS LOW
Dodgy urn, heating gently, becomes depleted (4,3) Anagram of URN + SLOW
5 OCCASIONAL TABLE
So, a local cabinet, fully restored, is ornamental furniture? (10,5) Anagram of SO A LOCAL CABINET
6 EDUCATE
A teacher initially brought in to develop school (7) [A + (T)eacher] inside EDUCE
8 LUNGE
Suddenly come forward with ring lost in sitting-room (5) LOUNGE minus O
9 DRAGS ON
University fellow checking newspapers seems to take forever (5,2) DON outside RAGS
16 RIVER BOAT
Vessel arranged to arrive around opening of bar (5,4) Anagram of TO ARRIVE outside (B)ar
17 IN THE REAR
Rescheduled train carrying present is behind (2,3,4) Anagram of TRAIN outside HERE
18 ARTISTS
Creative people sit around splitting up parts without piano (7) SIT reversed inside (PARTS minus P)
19 MASTIFF
Mother’s pet dog (7) MAS + TIFF
20 DASHING
Odd character, nursing part of leg, is competing in a sprint (7) DAG outside SHIN
23 AWAKE
Come to a watery track (5) A + WAKE

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 11/5/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (4/5/2024) 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 11/5/2024, 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 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.
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.

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.
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) 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 butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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 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.
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 found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic (4/5/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RACISM
Retired coach is associated with male prejudice (6) CAR reversed + IS + M
4 DEPOSE
Set down a quantity of drugs containing EPO mostly (6) DOSE outside (EP)o
8 MERIT
Value the writer, right, with it (5) ME + R + IT
9 NASHI PEAR
A vessel manoeuvred in close with exotic fruit (5,4) (A + SHIP) inside NEAR
11 METHANE
Long thick human hair penetrated by the sprayed chemical (7) MANE outisde anagram of THE
12 OIL WELL
Ring one left rightly for gusher, say (3,4) O + I + L + WELL
13 EVER
Cut down leader at any time (4) (s)EVER
14 NINEPINS
NSW’s opener playing cricket injured spine bowling (8) (N)sw + IN + anagram of SPINE
17 UNEARTHS
Discovers uranium near this with iodine not detected (8) U + [(NEAR THIS) minus I]
19 MAYO
Yam diced up with egg dressing (4) Anagram of YAM + O
23 PICCOLO
Choose short, cool, brewed black coffee (7) PIC(k) + anagram of COOL
24 OARSMAN
Person who made progress after having a stroke? (7) Cryptic Definition
25 DEEP SPACE
Pace back and forth in area filled with stars (4,5) SPEED reversed + PACE
26 MINCE
Store taking delivery of cold meat in small portions (5) MINE outside C
27 FRIDGE
Fine, raised strip of land should be cooler (6) F + RIDGE
28 PROSIT
Good luck to you specialists joining IT (6) PROS + IT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 REMEMBER
Urge every second representative to look back (8) u(R)g(E) + MEMBER
2 CURETTE
Correct temperature recorded with the unfilled surgical instrument? (7) CURE + T + T(h)E
3 SATRAP
Old ruler, say, not closing mouth (6) SA(y) + TRAP
4 DISCOUNT STORES
Shops that sell cheap items and seconds, tourist exploited (8,6) Anagram of SECONDS TOURIST
5 PHILLIPS
Type of screw mount secured in spots (8) HILL inside PIPS
6 SHEBEEN
Queen, for instance, associated with opening of new tavern that’s cheap? (7) SHE BEE + (N)ew
7 INTERNATIONALE
One Italian tenor, short on oxygen, messed up revolutionary song (14) Anagram of ONE ITALIAN TENOR minus O
10 ROLE
Part and parcel of control experiments (4) contROL Experiments
15 CAROUSED
One leaving Cairo took drugs and had a good time (8) CA(i)RO + USED
16 DOWNBEAT
Do we, hanging around outside, take notice at flat? (8) (DO + WE) outside NB + AT
18 NUCLEAR
Peacekeepers backed fine for possessing atomic weapons (7) UN reversed + CLEAR
20 ALMONDS
Cooked salmon stuffed with last of toasted nuts (7) Anagram of SALMON outside toaste(D)
21 SPED
A group of serious pedestrians moved quickly (4) seriouS PEDestrians
22 PRIMER
Elementary book is a little explosive (6) Double Definition

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 4/5/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (27/4/2024) 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.
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.
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 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.

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.
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 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.
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 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.

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 4/5/2024, Clue Hints

AFR Cryptic (27/4/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ORCHARDS
They grow fruit or vegetables (8) OR + CHARDS
5 STRAIN
Direction given by coach to try really hard (6) S(outh) + TRAIN
10 TENET
Teaching elements of forgotten etiquette (5) fogotTEN ETiquette
11 CRIME BOSS
Microbes cultivated by small supplier of narcotics maybe? (5,4) Anagram of MICROBES + S
12 FRENCH DRESSING
Disgruntled diners ring chefs dropping starter with incredible vinaigrette (6,8) Anagram of DINERS RING CHEFS minus (I)ncredible
14 HILL
Fell in hospital needing medical attention (4) H + ILL
15 DAIRYMAN
Large number backed an agriculturalist (8) MYRIAD reversed + AN
18 RIP
Opening a stretch of turbulent water (3) Double Definition
19 PEDAL BIN
Cutter turned around inside secure waste disposal unit (5,3) BLADE reversed inside PIN
20 OREO
Biscuit filled with cream or lemon evenly (4) OR + l(E)m(O)n
23 MACARONI CHEESE
One ice cream has spoilt pasta meal (8,6) Anagram of ONE ICE CREAM HAS
26 AUTHENTIC
Trustworthy relative embracing the one heading to court (9) AUNT outside THE + I + (C)ourt
27 RAITA
Ordered pastrami, not spam – a side dish (5) Anagram of PASTRAMI minus SPAM + A
28 GARISH
Showy centre removed from decoration (6) GAR(n)ISH
29 ESCARGOT
Freight in established delicacy (8) CARGO inside EST
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 OUT OF SHAPE
Heats up food mostly cooked in a poor way (3,2,5) Anagram of (HEATS UP FOO)d
2 CONCEALED
Recompilation of clean code is kept secret (9) Anagram of CLEAN CODE
3 ATTACH
A chat deteriorated after time with associate (6) A + (anagram of CHAT after T)
4 DECIDE
Last month I had energy and resolve (6) DEC + ID + E
6 TREASURE
Adjusted rate with fixed value (8) Anagram of RATE + SURE
7 ADORN
Deck trouble fixed by Royal Navy (5) ADO + RN
8 NOSE
Hooter, one lacking in sound? (4) NOISE minus I
9 WIRETAP
Waitperson somehow not catching child’s bug (7) Anagram of WAITPERSON minus SON
13 INTOLERANT
At home, unruly lot aren’t uncharitable (10) IN + anagram of LOT ARENT
15 DIN
Eat mostly with a continuous noise (3) (DIN)e
16 MARKETING
Label can used in, for example, distribution of goods (9) MARK + (TIN inside EG)
17 FLOATERS
Viewing spots are lost at sea after closing of reef (8) Anagram of ARE LOST after ree(F)
18 RISOTTO
Italian meal made from root – it’s produced in a special way (7) Anagram of ROOT ITS
21 CIRCUS
Entertaining show about ignoring a superpower (6) CIRCA minus A + US
22 SHERPA
Mountain guide, perhaps, worked without pressure once (6) Anagram of PERHAPS minus P
24 ALTAR
A large rodent overturned table in church (5) A + L + (RAT reversed)
25 TANG
Insect picked up a distinctive smell (4) GNAT reversed

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (27/4/2024) Solution

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 27/4/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (20/4/2024) 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 27/4/2024, Clue Hints

AFR Cryptic (20/4/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STUPID
Dull boss probed by private investigator (6) PI inside STUD
5 PEPPERS
Famous sergeant, close to targets, attacks with missiles (7) PEPPER + target(S)
9 CLIMATE CONTROL
Air-conditioning ruined art collection containing original piece from Monet (7,7) Anagram of ART COLLECTION outside (M)onet
11 UNITED
Intruder, giving up rights, toyed with one (6) Anagram of INTRUDER minus (R+R)
12 AFFLUENT
Social worker smoking fine pipe is well-off? (8) ANT outside (F + FLUE)
14 EDGE
Fringe leader not committed to club (4) (w)EDGE
15 BLACKSMITH
Forger is missing millions invested in a little hotel (10) (LACKS + M) inside (BIT + H)
18 PROSTHESIS
Artificial part in expert’s proposal (10) PROS + THESIS
19 CLUB
One in pack featuring leaf primarily? (4) CUB outside (L)eaf
22 REGULARS
Shooter retreated while holding hostage right ordinary customers (8) LUGER reversed + (AS outside R)
24 BARBIE
Tavern that is hosting club’s last meal (6) (BAR + IE) outside clu(B)
26 STATIONMASTERS
Railway officials stop steam trains badly losing pressure (14) Anagram of STOP STEAM TRAINS minus P
27 DREDGES
Doctor sharpens devices used to extract waste matter from the bottom (7) DR + EDGES
28 HANDLE
Deal with serving of lunch and leftovers (6) luncH AND LEftovers
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 TALKING-TO
Lecture leader involved in presentation of wrong total (7-2) KING inside anagram of TOTAL
3 PAMPER
Chart set up for each baby (6) MAP reversed + PER
4 DATE
See something growing on a palm tree (4) Double Definition
5 PACIFIC RIM
Coastal group raised limit provided by one lawbreaker (7,3) CAP reversed + IF + I + CRIM
6 PENALISE
Fine pen is carried by porter, say (8) PEN + (IS inside ALE)
7 EERIE
Guinness, say, with no head? That is weird! (5) (b)EER + IE
8 SPLOTCH
Mark story line developed in school (7) PLOT inside SCH
10 DUPE
Page checked by outstanding kid (4) P inside DUE
13 BLUEPRINTS
Detailed plans replaced pier restricted by rounded pole (10) Anagram of PIER inside (BLUNT + S)
16 ILLIBERAL
Mean crook uncovered bible containing piece of history? (9) ILL + [b)IBL(e outside ERA]
17 STALLING
Everyone involved in hustle is playing for time (8) ALL inside STING
18 PERUSED
Deception adopted by page editor should be closely examined (7) RUSE inside (P + ED)
20 BRED
Produced staple with sound quality (4) Sounds like BREAD
21 FASTEN
Bolt of lightning, say, bent in the middle (6) FAST + b(EN)t
23 GRAVE
Weighty stones mostly (5) (GRAVE)l
25 BACH
German composer’s time not put into collection (4) BATCH minus T

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (20/4/2024) Solution

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 20/4/2024, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (13/4/2024) 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.
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.

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.
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.

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 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.
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 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.

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 20/4/2024, Clue Hints

AFR Cryptic (13/4/2024) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RECESSED
Leader of sect, bound by decrees, reformed and broke up (8) (S)ect inside anagram of DECREES
5 ADONIS
A mafia boss is a handsome young man (6) A + DON + IS
9 PROVE
Test experienced vet short on time (5) PRO + (VET minus T)
10 PARENTING
Father, paying money for accommodation, is taking care of children (9) PA + RENTING
12 NAIL POLISH
Protective coating sprayed on a pill is hard (4,6) Anagram of ON A PILL + IS + H
13 SHOE
Ring concealed by the woman’s trainer, for example (4) O inside SHE
15 DO-GOODER
Well-intentioned person relocated rodeo at end of trail (2-6) Anagram of RODEO after DOG
16 IMPOST
Supporting member’s duty (6) Double Definition
18 CLERKS
Stickler taking on development without IT office workers (6) Anagram of STICKLER minus IT
19 BALLARAT
Victorian city’s social event attended by a person with a bad reputation (8) BALL + A + RAT
22 TEES
Guy heard golfers use them (4) Sounds like TEASE
23 NEUTRALITY
One drafted into an utterly devastated detachment (10) I inside anagram of AN UTTERLY
25 PIONEERED
Established individual tucked into pie and wine (9) ONE inside PIE + RED
26 AREAS
Pieces of ground are grassy in the middle (5) ARE + gr(AS)sy
27 WAY OUT
Excellent course needed when taking leave (3,3) Double Definition
28 IN PERSON
Sniper manipulated operative face to face (2,6) Anagram of SNIPER + ON
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RIPENED
Seasoned one, escorted by writer, dressed in a vibrant colour (7) (I + PEN) inside RED
2 CLOSING CEREMONY
Rider’s first in cycling – someone prepared for Olympic event (7,8) (R)ider inside anagram of CYCLING SOMEONE
3 SHEEP COCKY
Cheeky cops messed with small farmer (5,5) Anagram of CHEEKY COPS
4 ESPALIER
Slip up that is fixed by right training method for plants (8) LAPSE reversed + IE + R
6 DENT
Press in study time (4) DEN + T
7 NEIGHBOURLINESS
Telephone connections in bush region transformed hospitality (15) LINES inside anagram of BUSH REGION
8 SUGGEST
Intimate guests sorted out time (7) * *
11 REST
Employees of welfare state take a break? (4) welfaRE STate
14 AMALGAMATE
Combine seaweed harvested by a male friend (10) ALGA inside (A + M + MATE)
17 WAITED ON
Served a prepared diet in South Korean capital (6,2) (A + anagram of DIET) inside WON
18 CATS-PAW
Light breeze’s power harnessed by vessel, a cutter (4-3) P inside (CAT + SAW)
20 TRYPSIN
Test stick carrying stomach’s primary enzyme (7) TRY + [PIN outside (S)tomach]
21 JEER
Laugh at jeweller dropping spring (4) JEWELLER minus WELL
24 BEAU
Sweetheart, outspoken, tied knot (4) Sounds like BOW

* Erroneous clue. My apologies.

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | 3 Comments