The Stickler Weekly 34 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

5-across

8-across

10-across


14-across


20-across


24-across

25-across


2-down

3-down

5-down



8-down

9-down

12-down

15-down


19-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 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 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 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 using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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 found by reversing part of the clue, or a synonym for part of the clue. A suitable reversal 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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The Stickler Weekly 34 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

7-down

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 33 Solution

As a setter, I make it my business to keep track of what’s happening in the world of crosswords. This means visiting other setters’ websites, solving various crosswords and reading crossword blogs. We don’t host many of these in Australia, but occasionally something turns up that catches my attention. This week a short discussion erupted on the DATrippers website about a clue, from the Sun-Herald (11/5/2014), reportedly written by Russel Jessop, son of the great Noel Jessop. It caught my eye as it relates directly to a recent request from a solver to explain further the “no definition/wordplay etymology crossover” rule mentioned in my Crossword Unclued interview. The clue mentioned on DATrippers was: Perform and measure performance (5) Answer: EN+ACT. One DATrippers poster pointed out the lack of disguise in the clue and noted the obvious relationship between “perform” and “performance”, a construction that must have been intentional on the part of the setter. This clue would obviously contravene the etymology rule, as the “act” in both sides of the clue stems from the same etymological source. Note that it’s using “act” on both sides of the equation that causes the problem, not necessarily how “act” is defined or clued. That is, Perform and measure turn (5) would still be unacceptable, however, I would see this as a vastly superior clue to the abovementioned one as some disguise is present.
The “no definition/wordplay etymology crossover” rule effectively means that no part of the answer can have an etymological relationship with the wordplay. It’s tough and restricts the setter both in choice of answers and clueing options, which is why, perhaps, setters in the UK and Oz don’t abide by it. Generally, disguise is all that matters, so as long as the related parts appear different, that’s enough. Personally I like the challenge and try to write my clues with the rule in mind.

 Across  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 WORSHIPPED
News about transport company, to a large extent, should be praised (10) WORD outside [(SHIPPE)R]
6 CAVY
Guinea pig, for example – it is not found in hole (4) CAVITY minus IT
8 STAND FOR
Tolerate no drafts written with sections misaligned (5,3) Anagram of NO DRAFTS
9 SPRINT
Letters following small dash (6) PRINT after S
10 BATH
List of expenses sent back by hospital’s cleaning unit (4) TAB reversed + H
11 RAMPAGEOUS
Drive by to ask for contents of house, displaying violent behaviour? (10) RAM + PAGE + H(OUS)E
12 SERVIETTE
Consumer protection offered by devious tester holding contest (9) Anagram of TESTER outside VIE
14 ATTIC
Pot ultimately discovered in a jerk’s roof space (5) PO(T) inside (A + TIC)
17 NAURU
Inhabitants of Argentina, Uruguay and a Pacific island? (5) argentiNA URUguay
19 PENETRATE
Trap rat in sewer waste with probe (9) (NET + RAT) inside PEE
22 WATERCRAFT
Captain’s skill with a crew at sea taking time with boat (10) (Anagram of A CREW outside T) + RAFT
23 OPEN
Numerical relationship, cleared from operation, is unresolved (4) OPERATION minus RATIO
24 SOCIAL
Community not leaving different locations (6) Anagram of LOCATIONS minus NOT
25 IRONBARK
Eucalyptus bug moved around on watering hole (8) IRK outside (ON + BAR)
26 DYES
Colours matched at last very well (4) MATCHE(D) + YES
27 DISHEARTEN
Put a damper on food eaten outside, right? (10) DISH + (EATEN outside R)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 WASHBASIN
Bathroom fixture was popular at the end of wild bash (9) WAS + (IN after anagram of BASH)
2 REACTOR
Church leader harnessing a source of power, perhaps (7) RECTOR outside A
3 INFORMED
Expert about to undergo medical (8) IN FOR + MED
4 PURE MATHEMATICS
Those people entering IT campus are prepared for academic subject (4,11) THEM inside anagram of IT CAMPUS ARE
5 DISMAL
Cheerless section of crowd is malevolent (6) crowD IS MALevolent
6 CARPENTER
Vehicle quietly set down tradesman (9) CAR + P + ENTER
7 VENTURI
Reveal layer peeled from buried tube used to control fluid flow (7) VENT + (BURIED minus BED)
13 VARIETIES
Types opposing match inside house (9) V + (TIE inside ARIES)
15 CLEANSKIN
Head of college leans on family person without a criminal record (9) (C)OLLEGE + LEANS + KIN
16 DEXTROSE
Quantity of medicine containing large amount of extra sweet stuff (8) DOSE outside (EXTR)A
18 ANALOGY
A record of events written in some correspondence (7) (A + LOG) inside ANY
20 ASPHALT
Stand still behind venomous snake surfacing (7) HALT after ASP
21 SCALED
Cleaned fish is weighed (6) Double Definition

 

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The Stickler Weekly 33

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 33
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 33
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 32
  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 33 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


11-across

12-across



19-across

22-across



25-across

27-across



4-down

6-down

7-down

13-down

15-down


18-down

20-down


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.

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 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.

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 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.
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 clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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The Stickler Weekly 33 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)


25-across

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 33 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 32 Solution

A few weeks ago an old Stickler clue turned up on the newsgroup, rec.puzzles.crosswords (rpc). The thread is here. The clue was: Treat containing cold centre is special (4-3). The solver had the answer CHO(C)-ICE, but wondered whether the phrasing of the wordplay was incorrect. The clue appears to ask for “C” inside a word for “treat”, but in fact ends up being “C” inside a word for “special”. I believe there are two ways to read it, made possible by the inclusion of the word “is”. I could say “under the table is a cat” or “a cat is under the table” – to my mind perfectly valid and normal speech and identical in their meaning. Don’t you agree? So, “containing cold centre is special” is equivalent to “special is containing cold centre” – it’s all in how you read it. Thankfully someone came up with the right interpretation and the original poster was fully accepting of the explanation. However, another person questioned the structure and claimed it was “crosswordese” (stuff only found in crosswords) and should be discouraged so that new people wouldn’t be put off by it. At first I was offended by the response, but realised the problem wasn’t crosswordese, but that the wordplay wasn’t considered mainstream. Surely most cryptic clues contain crosswordese of some kind, everything from dictionary-only abbreviations, incomplete sentences, clues that make no sense when read, and wordplay structures like A holds B that are never used in everyday language when defining or describing things. Get rid of crosswordese and there wouldn’t be much left.
I don’t use this “CHOC-ICE”-type structure very often, and if I do the clue hints for the puzzle will point to it, but I think it should be fine. After all, cryptic clue solving is all about interpretation and it’s the job of the solver to discover which way is the right way.

 

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TOPICS
Subject matters to one expanding IT equipment (6) TO + (I inside PCS)
4 OVERSHOT
Most of show, presented in public, went too far (8) (SHO)W inside OVERT
10 ADRENALIN
A doctor recalled passage concerned with stimulating hormone (9) A + DR + (LANE reversed) + IN
11 TABLE
Number cleared from significant counter (5) NOTABLE minus NO
12 EPISODE
Incident is linked to verse at end of recording (7) (IS + ODE) after EP
13 SHOUTED
Cast embracing in the open spoke loudly (7) SHED outside OUT
14 TIGER
Sculpture of granite not holding the attention of an audacious person (5) Anagram of GRANITE minus AN
15 THIRTEEN
Right golf equipment used entering narrow hole possibly (8) (R + TEE) inside THIN
18 OFFERING
Gift of iron bell (8) OF + FE + RING
20 KOREA
Section of park or earl’s divided land (5) parK OR EArl
23 OMINOUS
Boundless comic intellect is threatening? (7) C)OMI(C + NOUS
25 ROASTER
Inventory that includes a suitable oven item (7) ROSTER outside A
26 SPURN
Turn down inducement before termination of position (5) SPUR + POSITIO(N)
27 EXACTNESS
Unloved one involved in sex acts distorted truth? (9) (ONE minus O) inside anagram of SEX ACTS
28 PHEASANT
Game bird scattered heaps created by insect (8) Anagram of HEAPS + ANT
29 FRIDGE
Fine, raised strip of land should be cooler (6) F + RIDGE
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TRAVESTY
Make fun of judge carrying a waistcoat (8) TRY outside (A + VEST)
2 PARKING
Targeted man on board after standard fringe benefit, possibly (7) KING after PAR
3 CONCOURSE
A gathering of people regarding company beset by misfortune (9) (ON + CO) inside CURSE
5 VANISHING CREAM
Shipping agent in charge is ordered first to move old cosmetic (9,5) VAN + (anagram of IN CHARGE IS) + (M)OVE
6 RETRO
Old-fashioned porters turned up with fringes cut (5) P)ORTER(S reversed
7 HABITUE
Frequent visitor is moderately dressed in colour (7) (A BIT) inside HUE
8 TRENDS
Teenager at the outset breaks with current fashions (6) (T)EENAGER + RENDS
9 ALBERT EINSTEIN
Aluminium and moulded tin beer mug, a really smart one (6,8) AL + anagram of TIN BEER + STEIN
16 TAKE AFTER
Follow large NZ parrot, female, tucking into potato (4,5) (KEA + F) inside TATER
17 FAIR ISLE
Flower wrapped in leaf formed a decorative knitting pattern (4,4) IRIS inside anagram of LEAF
19 FAILURE
Fair curtailed attraction with lack of success (7) (FAI)R + LURE
21 RETREAD
Go through books about pruned tree’s recycled material (7) READ outside (TRE)E
22 TOSS-UP
To cat turning around, it’s a close thing (4-2) TO + (PUSS reversed)
24 OINKS
Ring attached to new sink makes a beastly noise (5) O + anagram of SINK

 

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The Stickler Weekly 32

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 32
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 32
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 31
  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 , , , | 3 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 32 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

4-across

10-across

11-across

12-across

13-across


15-across

18-across

23-across


27-across


1-down

2-down

3-down

5-down

7-down

8-down

9-down



19-down


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.

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 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.

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.
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 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.

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.
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The Stickler Weekly 32 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)


22-down

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 32 Overseas Help