The Stickler Weekly 22 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.


4-across

9-across


12-across

13-across


22-across


28-across


3-down

5-down

7-down

10-down

14-down

15-down


18-down


There is only one part to this clue, a definition, and it's usually a play on words. There aren't any indicators.
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.

Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A 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.
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.

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 position of wordplay elements in the answer.

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

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.
Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
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 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 22 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)


1-across

11-across

22-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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The Stickler Weekly 21 Solution

I’ve been asked to write something about the use of linking words in clues, that is, words that either link sections of wordplay or, more typically, words that link wordplay and definition. I won’t be able to cover what could be a very technical and lengthy essay in just a couple of paragraphs, but I can provide a summary of my view.
My focus is always on the solver and I especially want to provide consistency to allow new solvers a firm platform to build on. As a result, I’ll only use Wordplay<->Definition linking words if I have to, and, when I do, I use them in a consistent way so that solvers can rely on my cluing. For example, I don’t subscribe to the concept that wordplay comes FROM a definition: it makes more sense from a solver’s point of view that the answer, defined by the definition, is determined FROM the wordplay. It’s true the setter wrote the wordplay from the answer, but how that’s relevant to the solver I don’t know.
If you solve my crosswords regularly you’ll know I prefer to construct clues in two distinct parts and I use definitional clues rather than instructional or descriptive types of clues. As a result, my Wordplay<->Definition link words tend to be “is”, “may be”, “in” etc, reinforcing the separate two-part nature of good cryptic clues. Having said that, I understand why setters want and exercise some licence when it comes to linking words. The more word ammunition available, the easier it is to write clues and more wordplay variety is available. It takes a lot of time to massage a clue idea into the best clue it can be, and sometimes that time isn’t available.
As for linking words in the wordplay, I’m sure my philosophy is different from most setters. That’s a story for another time.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PITMAN
A miner’s pan filled with it magically at the start (6) PAN outside [IT + (M)AGICALLY]
4 ANIMATED
I had sex after a nightclub’s opening full of spirit (8) (I + MATED) after [A + (N)IGHTCLUB]
9 SPINAL
Rotate almost all of the backbone (6) SPIN + (AL)L
10 HARMLESS
Hospital with body part missing is innocent (8) H + ARMLESS
12 IN LIMBO
One vote against accepting member is pending (2,5) (I + NO) outside LIMB
13 ABRIDGE
Shorten a bony upper part of the nose (7) A + BRIDGE
14 GROWING PAINS
Improvements involving dispute in car race may be developing problems (7,5) GAINS outside (ROW + IN + GP)
18 SOUND AS A BELL
Ring in perfect condition (5,2,1,4) Double Defintion
21 ENRAGED
Grenade exploded with all guns blazing (7) Anagram of GRENADE
22 LOW-COST
Interbred cows occupying a piece of land should be cheap (3-4) Anagram of COWS inside LOT
24 STAGNANT
Male family member with temperature is making no progress (8) STAG + NAN + T
25 POTASH
Powerful alkali in container has broken down (6) POT + anagram of HAS
26 SKETCHES
Small sailing vessels work for artists (8) S + KETCHES
27 REARED
Large quantity of authentic wine should be brought up (6) (REA)L + RED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 POSTINGS
Standard sign incorrectly displayed job appointments (8) POST + anagram of SIGN
2 TRILLION
A great number one playing after warbler’s song (8) (I + ON) after TRILL
3 ALARM
Prepare for war at the end of a long danger signal (5) ARM after (A + L)
5 NIAGARA FALLS
Drop in water level a long way again upset all heading to seaside (7,5) (FAR + AGAIN) reversed + ALL + (S)EASIDE
6 MEMORANDA
Notes mutation of more DNA in case of mother (9) Anagram of MORE DNA inside MA
7 TREADS
Leader of team looks to understand steps (6) (T)EAM + READS
8 DUSTER
Member of Parliament leaving garbage bin for cleaner (6) DUMPSTER minus MP
11 SONG AND DANCE
Commotion generated by reproduction of scanned gonad (4,3,5) Anagram of SCANNED GONAD
15 INORGANIC
One form of grain containing no carbon is artificial (9) [(I + anagram of GRAIN) outside NO] + C
16 DEBONAIR
Newcomer working in radio, say, is suave and refined (8) DEB + ON AIR
17 CLUTCHED
Group of chickens, with feed half gone, may be seized (8) CLUTCH + FE(ED)
19 VERSUS
Playing part of undercover suspect (6) undercoVER SUSpect
20 GREASE
Bribe as accepted by shaved environmentalist? (6) AS inside (GREE)N
23 WHOLE
Wide part of golf course is complete (5) W + HOLE

 

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The Stickler Weekly 21

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 21
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 21
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 20
  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 21 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.




12-across


14-across


22-across


27-across

1-down

2-down

3-down

5-down

6-down



15-down



20-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.
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.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
A 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.

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 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.
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 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.

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 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 answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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The Stickler Weekly 21 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)


8-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 21 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 20 Solution

A couple of puzzles back The Stickler Weekly 19 contained this clue:
9ac Brit vicar’s clues excited them? (15) This type of clue is classified as semi-&lit, and not a type that I use often. Essentially it’s a clue where the wordplay contributes significantly to the definition, in other words, the wordplay is doing double duty but still requires more (in this case, “them”) to complete a proper definition. If the wordplay alone carried a full definition, it would be a (full)&lit, but as more is required it’s termed a semi-&lit. As with &lits, semi-&lits should end with a question mark (some setters use a “!” for &lits) to indicate something different to normal is going on and extra attention is required. For me, a semi-&lit should incorporate all of the wordplay, not just part of it.
One solver asked me if “us” would have been better than “them”. While I think both are valid, I totally agree that “us” may have provided some context for the solver and is therefore more appropriate. The clue itself refers to the recently departed British vicar, John Graham, a famous setter who was best known as Araucaria in The Guardian. A little “inside” knowledge may have been needed to fully appreciate the clue, but hopefully the clue leapt out as an anagram and wasn’t too difficult to solve.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SPECTATORS
Sportscaster with restrictions lifted re-engaged viewers? (10) Anagram of S)PORTSCASTE(R
6 STAT
Doctor’s immediately accepted numerical fact (4) Double Definition
10 FLOCK
Sheep’s fine hair (5) F + LOCK
11 CART-HORSE
Motor or bearing kept in the large drawer (4-5) CAR + [(OR + S) inside THE]
12 BOOSTING
Con after scary outburst is encouraging (8) STING after BOO
13 SCREED
Highly-ranked athlete accepting car without a long speech (6) SEED outside (CAR minus A)
15 LARGE
Serving of regular gelato is substantial (5) reguLAR GElato
16 CONVENTS
Facilities holding orders, perhaps, deceive outlets (8) CON + VENTS
18 ACTIVATE
A court that is limiting large vessel’s trip (8) A + CT + (IE outside VAT)
20 ERECT
Standing on ceremony initially in middle of cemetery (5) [RE + (C)EREMONY)] inside CEM(ET)ERY
23 OLIVER
Cook starter of organic offal (6) O + LIVER
24 DISCLOSE
Is chlorine included in ingredients of medicine for show? (8) (IS + CL) inside DOSE
26 PANATELLA
Criticise a report linked to a source of smoke (9) PAN + A + TELL + A
27 EDITS
Checks withdrawn minor, swollen, with temperature (5) (SIDE reversed) outside T
28 RUSH
Attack plant developing on shore (4) Double Definition
29 DETERMINED
Legal document containing name in firm (10) DEED outside (TERM + IN)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SOFTBALL
Fast lob messed up Lleyton’s first game (8) Anagram of FAST LOB + (L)LEYTON
2 ECO-TOUR
Unusual route accommodating company trip taken by Greens (3-4) Anagram of ROUTE outside CO
3 TAKE THE LIBERTY
An organised trek by athlete, I presume (4,3,7) Anagram of TREK BY ATHLETE I
4 TECHNICIAN
Skilled workman’s time taken over shaping of nice china (10) T + anagram of NICE CHINA
5 RARE
Sample from vintner, a red, is exceptional (4) vintneR A REd
7 TORRENT
Flood caused by flaw at bottom of a rocky height (7) RENT after TOR
8 TRENDY
Conclusion accepted by judge following latest convention (6) END inside TRY
9 THICKENED CREAM
Chicken and red meat mixed with dairy item (9,5) Anagram of (CHICKEN + RED MEAT)
14 INDELICATE
In food shop customer primarily had food lacking taste (10) IN + DELI + (C)USTOMER + ATE
17 STRESSED
Brought out sweets in reverse order (8) DESSERT reversed
19 CLIENTS
Consumers left one in Australian capital (7) (L + I) inside CENTS
21 ETONIAN
One memorandum written up by an English student (7) (I + NOTE) reversed + AN
22 BOPPER
One likely to strike a dancer (6) Double Definition
25 CLUE
Part of a crossword is cultured in an odd way (4) CuLtUrEd

 

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The Stickler Weekly 20

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

(New! The online version now allows you to SAVE. You have a month to finish as long as you use the same computer.)

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 20
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 20
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 19
  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 , , , | 4 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 20 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

13-across


16-across

18-across

20-across

23-across

24-across

26-across

27-across


29-across



7-down

8-down

14-down


21-down


A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: holding, keeping, embracing - anything that creates the image of containment.

The answer is hidden among the words of the clue. No spare words should be present. A suitable hidden indicator will point to the buried text.

Examples: part of, associated with, types of.

The answer is found by butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
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 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.
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.
All words can be validly written with a leading capital without changing their meaning. Hence, the capitalisation of a word may present a different picture than is intended.
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.
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.
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The Stickler Weekly 20 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)


11-across

23-across

2-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 20 Overseas Help