New Cryptic Era

Hi All,

Last month 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 will be appearing on the fourth Thursday of each month, a slot that’s been held by NS all this century. Our first effort took solvers used to NS by surprise and a few found it more difficult than normal. Future crosswords in this slot will be easier.

If you have access, please have a go and let me know what you think.

Best

David & Linda Stickley

Posted in AFR Cryptic, The Stickler | 3 Comments

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 2/12/2023, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (25/11/2023) 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.




















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.
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.

Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
A word or series of words that signify the position of wordplay elements in the answer.

Examples: before, after, leading, in the middle of, under (down only) etc.

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 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.
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 , , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic (25/11/2023) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DEAD DRAW
Added new green for bowling of the highest level (4,4) Anagram of ADDED + RAW
5 FIBBER
Fellow organised bribe for one delivering fabrication (6) F + anagram of BRIBE
9 ARTERIAL
Antenna fitted to outside of radio transmitter, originally having a main channel and many sub-channels (8) AERIAL outside [(R)adio (T)ransmitter]
10 FEMMES
Nice women, say, made money initially cutting charges (6) [(M)ade (M)oney] inside FEES
12 EMPTY
Meaningless empathy not endorsed by a hospital (5) EMP(a)T(h)Y
13 UNRELATED
Run out of line, in high spirits, beside the point (9) Anagram of RUN + ELATED
14 UNSAFE
Exposed section of run’s a feature (6) rUNS A FEature
16 EPSILON
Piles troubled performing Greek character (7) Anagram of PILES + ON
18 P-PLATER
Father checking parking by learner, a new driver (1-6) PATER outside (P + L)
20 RUSTIC
Simple oxidation linked to coolant mostly (6) RUST + (IC)e
22 TRIANGLES
Head of Treasury realigns adjusted figures (9) (T)reasury + anagram of REALIGNS
23 PASTA
Finished a dish high in carbohydrates (5) PAST + A
24 ROADIE
Member of support crew had pulled out of Radiohead’s organisation (6) Anagram of RADIOHEAD minus HAD
25 DISPERSE
Scatter spiders awfully close to house (8) Anagram of SPIDERS + hous(E)
26 STEWED
Boiled sweet ruined start of dinner (6) Anagram of SWEET + (D)inner
27 NECROPSY
Treatment of corpse in main mortuary ultimately? (8) Anagram of CORPSE inside [mai(N) + mortuar(Y)]
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DIAPER
Agent with help set up American waste management unit (6) (REP + AID) reversed
2 ANTEPENULTIMATE
Line up a tent shifted by companion third from the end (15) Anagram of LINE UP A TENT + MATE
3 DIRTY
Converted dormitory, lacking room, is filthy (5) Anagram of DORMITORY minus ROOM
4 AS A RULE
Generally scouts set out from assault course in a disorderly fashion (2,1,4) Anagram of ASSUALT COURSE minus SCOUTS
6 IDEALISTS
Visionaries plan sets of things to be done (9) IDEA + LISTS
7 BIMETALLIC STRIP
Limit cables reconfigured to set off part of thermostat (10,5) Anagram of LIMIT CABLE + TRIP
8 RESIDENT
Gaping cut sewn up by team doctor (8) SIDE inside RENT
11 TREE
Genealogist’s work on opening centre in Cheltenham (4) RE inside chel(TE)nham
15 ATTENTIVE
Observant native dropping pole outside portable shelter (9) (n)ATIVE outside TENT
17 UPSTARTS
Social climbers, sweet things, behind international carrier (8) TARTS after UPS
19 RILE
Tumbling act, not included in article, is upset (4) ARTICLE minus anagram of ACT
20 RESPITE
Postponement requested especially in ceremony (7) ESP inside RITE
21 SAFELY
Speak about iron left in one piece (6) SAY outside (FE + L)
23 PAPER
Flimsy copy used in public relations (5) APE inside PR

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 25/11/2023, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (18/11/2023) 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.




















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 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.

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.

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

AFR Cryptic (18/11/2023) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 STAPLE
Principal is to join paper (6) Double definition
4 REVERSAL
Odd bits of rust appearing in display switch (8) (R)u(S)t inside REVEAL
10 BUILDING SOCIETY
Barrister’s first guilty decision ruined prominent lender (8,7) (B)arrister + anagram of GUILTY DECISION
11 ESTEEMED
Honoured guests at the centre came down heavily (8) gu(ES)ts + TEEMED
12 POSSET
Model nearly finished congealed milk-based drink (6) (POS)e + SET
13 TEEN
Youngster’s tin pinched from tuckshop (4) CANTEEN minus CAN
14 STABLEMATE
Companion’s bishop played in no-win situation (10) B inside STALEMATE
18 METACARPAL
Touched a fish, a large bony thing (10) MET + A + CARP + A + L
19 SPAR
Part of rigging a boxing match (4) Double definition
22 SPLICE
Some of cricket bat’s power demonstrated in cut (6) P inside SLICE
24 STEERING
Mechanism used to control energy, twice reset in line (8) (E + E) inside STRING
26 ENTREPRENEURIAL
Distracted, inept learner rues not finishing business (15) Anagram of (INEPT LEARNER RUE)s
27 DYNAMITE
New-fangled diet keeping many up is explosive (8) Anagram of DIET outside (MANY reversed)
28 MENDER
Troops recalled embarrassed person in recovery (6) MEN + (RED reversed)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SUBJECT
National coach turned up on aeroplane carrying clubs (7) BUS reversed + (JET outside C)
2 AGISTMENT
Stock-keeping cost in agriculture is, time after time, divided by people (9) AG + IS + [(T + T) outside MEN]
3 LEDGES
Sides put on the back of large shelves (6) EDGES after L
5 EASY
Tune a system’s components – it’s not difficult (4) tunE A SYstem
6 ENCLOSED
End in itself is not out in the open? (8) CLOSE inside END
7 SEEKS
Searches for saying of religious people (5) Sounds like SIKHS
8 LAYETTE
Baby’s set of clothing still inside after hours (7) YET inside LATE
9 ANTEATER
Pest exterminator retired in retreat after an evening meal (8) (RET reversed) after (AN TEA)
15 BLASTING
Explosions may be continuing after appearance of bomber at the front (8) LASTING after (B)omber
16 AMPLIFIED
Expanded financial services company lied about one fee initially (9) AMP + LIED outside [I + (F)ee]
17 ICE CREAM
Cooked rice came with cold dessert (3,5) Anagram of RICE CAME
18 MISLEAD
Fool is crazy about place surrounded by water (7) MAD outside ISLE
20 REGULAR
Gun retrieved by a resistance fighter (7) LUGER reversed + A + R
21 BEMUSE
Be first to make and run through puzzle (6) BE + (M)ake + USE
23 LATIN
Romantic language is mostly dead at home (5) (LAT)e + IN
25 TROT
Go off after start of triathlon’s run (4) ROT after (T)riathlon

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Leave a comment

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 18/11/2023, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (11/11/2023) 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.

















The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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 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.
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 a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and 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) 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 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.
Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 18/11/2023, Clue Hints

AFR Cryptic (11/11/2023) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CLERIC
Divine relic excited head of church (6) Anagram of RELIC + (C)hurch
5 HABITAT
Natural environment is rather active in Panama possibly (7) (A BIT) inside HAT
9 FORTUNE-TELLERS
Timber gatherers collecting erratically – not true visionaries (7-7) FELLERS outside anagram of NOT TRUE
11 URINATED
Weed, one found in nature, weirdly died (8) I inside anagram of NATURE + D
12 FONDUE
Found cooked slice of eggplant in dipping sauce (6) Anagram of FOUND + (E)ggplant
14 TIGHT
Compact may be in operation from tonight (5) TONIGHT minus ON
15 CHRISTMAS
Swindler, finally identified in this scam, spoilt holiday (9) swindle(R) inside anagram of THIS SCAM
17 RINGTONES
Band on set reworked “Music of the Modern Age” (9) RING + anagram of ON SET
19 STRIP
Expose back of dress with slip up (5) dres(S) + TRIP
21 SILENT
Mum is coming back some time before Easter (6) IS reversed + LENT
23 INTRIGUE
Conspiracy in firm about one thousand dollars (8) IN + [TRUE outside (I + G)]
25 INTERNATIONALS
Injured Iranian lost ten matches at the highest level (14) Anagram of IRANIAN LOST TEN
26 GROMMET
Young surfer’s ring of rope or metal (7) Double Definition
27 GREASY
Like oil when present in hair colour (6) AS inside GREY
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 LOOKING ON
Relatives depart with crazy person outside watching (7,2) (KIN + GO) inside LOON
3 RETRACT
Withdraw contents of free political booklet? (7) f(RE)e + TRACT
4 CANDESCENT
Depth charge, way down, is glowing (10) CAN + DESCENT
5 HATE
Have no stomach for filling of sandwich at eatery (4) sandwicH AT Eatery
6 BILIOUS
Sick one sprayed oil inside people mover (7) (I + anagram of OIL) inside BUS
7 TREND
Time to break with style (5) T + REND
8 TESTERS
Output of cryptic setters (7) Anagram of SETTERS
10 GUST
Endless enthusiasm is a blast? (4) GUST(o)
13 PRESENTING
Promoter initially feeling bitter about putting on a show (10) (P)romoter + RESENTING
16 MARIGOLDS
Parents, supporting mother, arrange flowers (9) OLDS after (MA+ RIG)
17 RUSHING
Mass of hair covering shin is advancing quickly (7) RUG outside SHIN
18 TANGRAM
Puzzle bug fixed up by computer store (7) GNAT reversed + RAM
19 STRANGE
Extraordinary street selection (7) ST + RANGE
20 PIER
Support the work of a baker, right? (4) PIE + R
22 LOTTO
Ladies, say, taking time, doubled up in gambling game (5) LOO outside (T + T)
24 PACT
Agreement is solid, according to auditor (4) Sounds like PACKED

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (11/11/2023) Solution

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 11/11/2023, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (4/11/2023) 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.





















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.
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 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.
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 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 found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
A word or series of words that signify the position of wordplay elements in the answer.

Examples: before, after, leading, in the middle of, under (down only) etc.

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 using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 11/11/2023, Clue Hints

AFR Cryptic (4/11/2023) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 INCISE
Cut segments from CSI, NCIS etc (6) csI NCIS Etc
4 ACADEMIC
A person studying a rat and mutated mice (8) A + CAD + anagram of MICE
9 SAMOA
Small NZ bird once spread around a Pacific island group (5) (S + MOA) outside A
10 CERTAINLY
Crate repacked by one and left in New York for sure (9) Anagram of CRATE + I + (L inside NY)
11 CHANCEL
Opening large part of a church reserved for the clergy and choir (7) CHANCE + L
12 IMPASTO
I am after origin of old painting (7) IM + PAST + (O)ld
13 RIOT
One involved in corruption and wild behaviour (4) I inside ROT
14 CIRCINUS
Fun show plugged by popular group of stars (8) CIRCUS outside IN
17 TACITURN
Act I, reviewed before performance, is withdrawn? (8) Anagram of ACT I + TURN
19 DEAN
Study divided up by a school head (4) DEN outside A
22 NECKTIE
Kitchen tea informally presented without hat and formalwear (7) Anagram of KITCHEN TEA minus HAT
24 EARBASH
Roving bear has to chew the fat constantly (7) Anagram of BEAR HAS
25 ECONOMIST
Government adviser possibly organised fraud with nothing in troubled times (9) (CON + O) inside anagram of TIMES
26 TRIPS
Helpful information about river expeditions (5) TIPS outside R
27 TIDINESS
Order and sit around eating lunches, say? (8) SIT reversed outside DINES
28 CLOSED
Compact kernel of Windows shut down (6) CLOSE + win(D)ows
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 INSECURE
Nice user, treated badly, is not adequately protected (8) Anagram of NICE USER
2 COME ABOUT
Happen to change tack (4,5) Double Definition
3 SCARCE
Electrical capacitance, somewhere in housing of alarm, is hard to find (6) C inside SCARE
5 CARDIAC ARREST
Coaches holding assistant up, before time out, with heartfelt problem? (7,6) (CAR + CAR) outside (AID reversed) + REST
6 DEADPAN
Straight-faced head of college soaking up commercial pressure (7) DEAN outside (AD + P)
7 MINIS
Small cars try leaving the church (5) MINISTRY minus TRY
8 CEYLON
Tea that’s brewed, noticeably lacking a bit (6) Anagram of NOTICEABLY minus A BIT
10 CALLISTHENICS
“Buzz” in chest is corrected with exercises (13) CALL + anagram of IN CHEST IS
15 SCENARIOS
Plans from Rio found in wrecked Cessna (9) RIO inside anagram of CESSNA
16 ENTHUSED
The abridged application, listed in conclusion, is inspired (8) [(TH)e + USE] inside END
18 CUT DOWN
Duct, repositioned by individual, fell (3,4) ANagram of DUCT + OWN
20 IN DEBT
Owing money, independent arranged bet (2,4) IND + anagram of BET
21 BRUTAL
Unsweetened ale mostly is beastly (6) BRUT + (AL)e
23 CROWD
Assembly line packed in music collection (5) ROW inside CD

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (4/11/2023) Solution

AFR Cryptic, Saturday 4/11/2023, Clue Hints

Did you have trouble working out last week’s crossword? Check out the worked solution here:
AFR Cryptic (28/10/2023) 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.






















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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic, Saturday 4/11/2023, Clue Hints

AFR Cryptic (28/10/2023) Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LOG CABIN
Register when taxi returns home (3,5) LOG CAB IN
5 UTTERS
Speaks total sense at the start (6) UTTER + (S)ense
10 TRAPEZE
Swing part pulled back with ease by the sound of it (7) PART reversed + sounds like EASE
11 PENSION
Writer’s working after one government handout (7) PENS + (ON after I)
12 LOLLY
Sweet drop, whisky with no mixer (5) LOLL + (WHISKY minus WHISK)
13 RECEIVERS
Some tennis players, on service, moved around (9) RE + anagram of SERVICE
14 BETA PARTICLE
Be linked to report about bung nuclear emission (4,8) (BE + ARTICLE) outside TAP
18 PROFESSIONAL
Expert, according to Spooner, fails miserably (12) Anagram of SPOONER FAILS
21 NURSLINGS
Small children run around baby carriers (9) RUN reverse + SLINGS
23 MANGE
Fellow gets 50% off problem with hair-loss (5) MAN + GE(ts)
24 ROTUNDA
Large cask consumed by staff in front of a building like The Pantheon (7) (TUN inside ROD) + A
25 OUTFACE
Brave one in a suit started with cooked tofu (7) Anagram of TOFU after ACE
26 LARDER
Fat user giving up American food store (6) LARD + (USER minus US)
27 STACKERS
Small sailing boats, say – they make heaps (8) S + TACKERS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LITTLE
Small pieces of broken satellite not contaminated by sea (6) Anagram of SATELLITE minus SEA
2 GLADLY
Learner taken in by grand lady with good grace (6) L inside (G + LADY)
3 ACETYLENE
Welding gas is clean, yet terribly volatile in the end (9) Anagram of CLEAN YET + volatil(E)
4 ICE-CREAM SUNDAE
A cinema secured whisked type of frozen dessert (3-5,6) Anagram of A CINEMA SECURED
6 TANGI
Taste shown by one Maori funeral ceremony (5) TANG + I
7 EVIDENCE
Study, in English, failing witness (8) DEN inside (E + VICE)
8 SONGSTER
Family member gets upset with original piece from rock vocalist (8) SON + anagram of GETS + (R)ock
9 SPECTATOR SPORT
Top actress drunkenly left much-watched activity (9,5) Anagram of TOP ACTRESS + PORT
15 TRAUMATIC
Atrium at damaged entrance to church is shocking (9) Anagram of ATRIUM AT + (C)hurch
16 SPANDREL
Arch across drive should be joined to the Spanish architectural feature (8) SPAN + DR + EL
17 FOUR-STAR
High-class rating of ours, tarnished to some degree (4-4) oF OURS TARnished
19 ENCASE
Wrap up a scene with characters taking on new roles (6) Anagram of A SCENE
20 REBELS
Leader of band, taking part in lively dances, defies tradition (6) (B)and inside REELS
22 LANCE
Spear fabulous knight giving up fortune (5) LANCELOT minus LOT

Posted in AFR Cryptic | Tagged , | Comments Off on AFR Cryptic (28/10/2023) Solution