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.

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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

The Stickler Weekly 19 Solution

I’m not sure how many of you take the time to read this commentary that accompanies the weekly solution, but if this week’s doesn’t generate some comments, I’ll assume there are very few of you.

I think crossword setters could write essays on certain cruciverbal concepts, and the one highest on my list would be the topic of “fairness”. How many articles related to cryptic crosswords have you read that contain the line “…but he/she always makes sure the clues are fair”? What does this mean? Isn’t fairness a subjective concept? Is there a definitive way to judge if anything is fair? It’s wrongly used to mean “solvable”, which makes every clue fair. Personally I don’t think fairness can be determined by the setter since it’s the solvers individually who decide whether a crossword, clue, device or answer is “fair”. Solvers often disagree, so unless ALL solvers agree on fairness, most crosswords are going to contain unfair elements in the opinion of some solvers. So, are these crosswords fair? Not to everyone. As a professional setter aiming to appeal to a broad audience, I want to make sure solvers should be able to work out all aspects of a crossword under particular circumstances, but there’s no guarantee that will happen, so to some people aspects of my crosswords may seem unfair. Fairness is not measureable as a general rule, so shouldn’t be applied as a measure to crosswords.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 POSTPONE
Delay letters sent by quiet individual (8) POST + P + ONE
5 PRICER
Public relations providing quotes for grain valuer? (6) PR outside RICE
9 CRUCIVERBALISTS
Brit vicar’s clues excited them? (15) Anagram of BRIT VICARS CLUES
11 SWEAT GLAND
Perspirer is rehydrating at last in rocky wasteland (5,5) rehydratin(G) inside anagram of WASTELAND
12 MIST
Region of storm is thick low-level cloud (4) storM IS Thick
14 NOMADS
Travellers returned on raging rivers ultimately (6) ON reversed + MAD + river(S)
16 NAVIGATE
Steer and horse fed around six (8) (NAG + ATE) outside VI
18 CONJUROR
Illusionist’s trick seen by panellist (8) CON + JUROR
19 APPEAL
Turn up briefly ahead of long court challenge (6) APPEA(r) + L
22 EYES
They look east, no doubt (4) E + YES
23 PACE-SETTER
Leader hits a hole in one in view of stroke-maker (4-6) ACES inside PETTER
26 SWIMMING COSTUME
Mum coming west is prepared with bathers (8,7) Anagram of MUM COMING WEST IS
27 DEMAND
Associates of rude man denied request (6) ruDE MAN Denied
28 BLUSTERY
Swaggering by, impressed with American splendour (8) BY outside LUSTER
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PICKS ON
Singles out guitar player sitting with child (5,2) PICK + SON
2 SAUCE
It’s taken from suitcase, undone, and used for dressing (5) Anagram of SUITCASE minus ITS
3 POINTED OUT
Tailored option, due ahead of time, should be specified (7,3) (Anagram of OPTION DUE) + T
4 NEEDLE
An injection could be a requirement with leg sawn off (6) NEED + LE(g)
6 RULE
Standard bid not accepted by builder undertaking development (4) Anagram of BUILDER minus BID
7 CASTIGATE
Take a piece out of one passage behind shed (9) (I + GATE) behind CAST
8 ROSETTE
Favour place in habitual routine (7) SET inside ROTE
10 BANTAM
Outlaw covering up for small quarrelsome person (6) BAN + (MAT reversed)
13 DISPLEASES
Place subjected to external complaints causes irritation (10) PL inside DISEASES
15 MANNERISM
Staff and miners fixed peculiarity (9) MAN + anagram of MINERS
17 DOMAIN
Execute one entering man’s kingdom (6) DO + (I inside MAN)
18 CREASED
Groovy doctrine plugged by a leader of Scientology (7) CREED outside [A + (S)cientology]
20 LARGELY
Allergy varied to a great extent (7) Anagram of ALLERGY
21 PENCIL
Cycle in power line interfered with writing equipment (6) C inside (P + anagram of LINE)
24 TRUCE
Respite care originally permitted in flat (5) (C)are inside TRUE
25 AMEN
People finishing a statement of affirmation (4) MEN after A

 

Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 19

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 19
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 19
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 18
  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 , , , | 7 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 19 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


14-across

16-across




28-across


4-down


7-down

10-down


15-down

17-down


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 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.

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 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 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.

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.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Stickler Weekly 19 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)


26-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 19 Overseas Help