The Stickler Weekly 69 Clue Hints

(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.


1-across


9-across

10-across

11-across



23-across




28-across

1-down




6-down

7-down

8-down

15-down

16-down




25-down

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 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.
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 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.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
A type of clue that involves the mixing up of letters without the inclusion of a letter or letters. This clue will have an anagram indicator to signify jumbling and a subtraction indicator to signify the removal of a letter or letters.

A removed letter may be as seen in the clue, an abbreviation for a word in the clue, or the result of another cryptic device like taking the initial letter from a word. Removed letters may be a whole word as seen in a clue, the synonym of a word in the clue (if that synonym is contiguous within the anagram fodder), or the result of another cryptic device like taking the middle two letters from a word.

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.
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 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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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 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 the removal of a letter, letters, word or words (or their equivalents) from other parts of the clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: taken from, decreased by, less.

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The Stickler Weekly 69 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

There aren’t any extra hints needed this week.

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

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The Stickler Weekly 68 Solution

The first time I climbed Mt Gower on Lord Howe Island I shared the experience with a number of people including an editor of a newspaper for seniors. It’s a long, guided walk, taking most of a day, so you can find out a lot about your fellow climbers if you want to. I was particularly interested in the editor’s views on the puzzles in his paper as I am always on the lookout for an opportunity to peddle my wares. He revealed to me a stark reality: he had no idea about the quality of the puzzles he ran or whether the readers of his paper liked them. He said there was almost no feedback, and if there was, it was due to a mistake or a disagreement about an answer. From week to week most articles elicit some reader responses, but crosswords didn’t register. He felt frustrated by the lack of information and could do nothing except stick with what he had. This demonstrates how important it is to speak up when a crossword isn’t good, or the crossword in your local paper changes and it isn’t up to scratch or you think the crossword should be better. Figures vary, but it’s generally accepted that for every single person who complains there are at least 25 who want to but don’t complain (and businesses know this) – that means your complaint carries a lot of weight.
As feedback is minimal (thanks to those who do take the time, BTW), when something goes wrong in the production of a crossword (like missing clues, wrong clues, wrong solution etc), publishers get to find out some information about how many and who are doing the crossword, and generally complainers supply extra feedback as well which is almost always positive for the setter. So while the publisher hates a crossword production error, the setter doesn’t mind it happening on a rare occasion.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ANCESTRY
Form of crest accepted by any family (8) Anagram of CREST inside ANY
5 RADARS
Tracking devices, ones not needed in organised air-raids (6) Anagram of AIRRAIDS minus I+I
9 COMBO
Groom character fronting outstanding jazz band (5) COMB + (O)UTSTANDING
10 CANDIDATE
Campaigner put an end to meeting about identification (9) CAN + (DATE outside ID)
12 OUTFACE
Brave one started with cooked tofu (7) ACE with anagram of TOFU at the front
13 TRAINEE
Learner driver’s aid checking wet weather (7) TEE outside RAIN
14 ALTO
High elements of dial tone (4) diAL TOne
15 SIDE-STEP
Bypass is going back next to street cutting through complex (4-4) IS reversed + (ST inside DEEP)
19 ELEVATOR
A lever twisted around to lift (8) Anagram of A LEVER outside TO
20 SHOE
Ring concealed by the woman’s trainer, for example (4) O inside SHE
23 PRETEND
Imagine page ten printed in colour (7) P + (TEN inside RED)
24 REFOCUS
Head of finance in course worked to regain concentration (7) (F)INANCE inside anagram of COURSE
25 VICARIOUS
A star’s last part supported by bad acting (9) [A + STA(R)] inside VICIOUS
26 SCOLD
Rebuke leader of sect lacking warmth (5) (S)ECT + COLD
27 TIERED
Secure wine in racks, say (6) TIE + RED
28 GOATSKIN
Hide togas soiled with blood (8) Anagram of TOGAS + KIN
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ANCHORAGE
Silver collected in an ordinary task is a source of security (9) AG inside (AN + CHORE)
2 COME TO THE RESCUE
High flyer and cute heroes arranged help urgently (4,2,3,6) COMET + anagram of CUTE HEROES
3 SLOGAN
Work hard on an advertising jingle (6) SLOG + AN
4 ROCKET
One’s fired up by music set starting late (6) ROCK + S(ET)
6 AGITATED
Antique inscribed with “thanks” in Italian caused a stir (8) AGED outside (TA inside IT)
7 AGAINST THE CLOCK
This gate can strangely shut under pressure (7,3,5) Anagram of THIS GATE CAN + LOCK
8 SIEGE
Military blockade is set back, say, close to fence (5) IS reversed + EG + FENC(E)
11 NITWIT
Fool turned in dope (6) IN reversed + TWIT
16 PRESSED ON
Detective entering response incorrectly kept going (7,2) D inside anagram of RESPONSE
17 CAREFREE
A game official taken captive by Indian is irresponsible (8) (A + REF) inside CREE
18 HOODOO
Gangster loves bad luck? (6) HOOD + (O+O)
21 PRESTO
Professional, holding set, moved around very quickly (6) PRO outside anagram of SET
22 OFFSET
Compensate for efforts sabotaged right away (6) Anagram of EFFORTS minus R
23 PIVOT
Turn around planter containing ivy mostly (5) POT outside (IV)Y

 

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The Stickler Weekly 68

The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 68
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 68
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 67
  Invest in the Future of The Stickler

Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.

It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).

Enjoy!

The Stickler

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The Stickler Weekly 68 Clue Hints

(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.



5-across

10-across

12-across

13-across

15-across



25-across



28-across

4-down


7-down

8-down


17-down

18-down



23-down

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 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.
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.

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.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

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

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
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.

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.

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The Stickler Weekly 68 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

There aren’t any extra hints needed this week.

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 68 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 67 Solution

Here are the clues I left you with last week from the Warwick Daily News:

  • A bright statue? (6) ASTUTE
  • Our shandy may be a waterless substance (9) ANHYDROUS
  • A fishy sausage (7) ABALONE

If you are a fan of the Stickler, then I’m sure these clues will leave you shaking your head. They have nothing “right” about them, yet they are constructed, paid for, and published in a daily newspaper. How do these clues “work”? As with all cryptics, people become used to a setter’s way of doing things. A simplified rule-set, and a reduced number of devices makes every clue obtainable without much effort. Do a few of these crosswords and you’ll be an expert at them. All a solver has to do is look for a word or words that could form an anagram and see if it works or look for the answer buried in the clue’s letters or listen for sounds when reading to see if that sparks something.  There’s not much else – no need to think outside the box. Indicators are not needed as the options are limited.
Why does this “work”? The clues are written to be solved in a short time; simple words are used in the grid, there’s no obscurity in any part; there’s no real disguise or cleverness – intentionally; solving normal cryptics requires time and effort to learn – these don’t.
These “skim” cryptics have their place, but not in any newspaper that takes itself seriously. Sadly those who solve these cryptics are missing out the full cream experience that decent cryptic crosswords bring.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 COLOSSAL
Massive deficit absorbed by energy producer (8) LOSS inside COAL
5 CHASER
Dose of arsenic has eradicated it, say? (6) arseniC HAS ERadicated
9 VAGRANT
Family member on board large vessel is unsettled (7) GRAN inside VAT
10 CALL OUT
Disgruntled members of local trade union backed order to strike (4,3) Anagram of LOCAL + TU reversed
11 ROCKETEERS
They fire up support for ball held by musicians (10) TEE inside ROCKERS
12 BEEF
Complaint left one lacking in faith (4) BELIEF minus (L + I)
14 GASTRITIS
A stone lodged in backbone is a medical problem (9) (A + ST) inside GRIT + IS
16 EBAY
Auction site may be redesigned just after opening (4) Anagram of M(AY BE)
18 CLUB
One in pack featuring leaf primarily? (4) CUB outside (L)EAF
19 CHICANERY
Up-to-date ER implicated in some dishonest practices (9) CHIC + (ER inside ANY)
21 LOCK
A little hair clasp (4) Double Definition
22 ITINERANTS
Point and talk wildly in view of island nomads (10) (TINE + RANT) inside IS
25 BRIGAND
Criminal outfit trapped by posse (7) RIG inside BAND
26 ADAPTOR
Plug fitting into a switch the wrong way round (7) APT inside [A + (ROD reversed)]
27 TENDER
Ship’s boat requiring careful handling (6) Double Definition
28 REVERSES
Goes back on statements of a biblical nature (8) RE + VERSES
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 COVERAGE
Shut up about extra insurance (8) CAGE outside OVER
2 LOGIC
Dope not picked up by disoriented police dog with good sense (5) Anagram of POLICE DOG minus DOPE
3 SPACE PROBE
A copper’s prepared to remain with high-flying investigative unit (5,5) Anagram of A COPPERS + BE
4 AUTHENTICATED
Certified heat unit acted strangely (13) Anagram of HEAT UNIT ACTED
6 HOLE
Digger used on the perimeter of large excavation (4) HOE outside L
7 STONEWARE
Shop stocked with latest stuff – a collection of pottery (9) STORE outside (NEW + A)
8 RATIFY
Sign please, with no initial (6) GRATIFY minus G
10 CHRISTIAN NAME
Man brought up in China tries changing given title (9,4) MAN reversed inside anagram of CHINA TRIES
13 REPATRIATE
Send home pirate involved in charge (10) Anagram of PIRATE inside RATE
15 SELECTION
Pick limitations of licence applied in subdivision (9) (L)ICENC(E) inside SECTION
17 EYESORES
Climbing types of Japanese rose, yellowing, may be ugly looking things (8) japaneSE ROSE YEllowing reversed
20 ALL BUT
Very nearly two litres in a tub tipped over (3,3) Lx2 inside [A + (TUB reversed)]
23 NOTES
Written records not assessed at the centre (5) NOT + ass(ES)sed
24 LANE
Unrestricted aircraft regularly travelled route? (4) P(LANE)S

 

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The Stickler Weekly 67

The Stickler for this week is now available. Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 67
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 67
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 66
  Invest in the Future of The Stickler

Please include comments or discussion about this crossword below.
Request help in the Clue Hints blog entry so all can see.

It’s a weekly crossword, so please don’t give/discuss any full answers until the solution is posted (such posts will be deleted/edited).

Enjoy!

The Stickler

Posted in Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 67

The Stickler Weekly 67 Clue Hints

(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.



5-across


11-across


14-across



19-across


22-across


26-across


28-across



3-down


7-down



13-down

15-down


24-down

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.

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 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 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.
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 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 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) 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 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.
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.
The entire answer is the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation indicator will be present.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A word or series of words that signify a mixing-up of letters.

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

The 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.
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.

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The Stickler Weekly 67 Overseas Help

Welcome all cryptic crossword solvers.

Some cryptic crosswords are tough purely because local lingo is used and not understood by all, especially those living outside of Australia. This post seeks to fill this vernacular gap.

The clues listed here may contain a component not familiar to all outside of Australia.

(click on the clue number to see the inside information)


10-across

Like to add something I’ve missed to help others, or comment on a meaning, term or expression? Please leave a reply below.

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