The Stickler Weekly 7

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 7
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 7
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 6
  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 , , , | 2 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 7 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.




9-across


12-across



23-across


27-across



3-down


7-down

16-down


19-down

21-down

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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.

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.

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

The Stickler Weekly 7 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

1-down

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 7 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 6 Solution

I have to disagree with those who believe a setter should use an anagram as a last resort. I think anagrams are the heart and soul of cryptic clues, whether contributing to all or part of the answer. An anagram is the easiest to understand conceptually, the only device that people tend to “know” already, the first device learnt by many, diverse (no other device has as many possible indicators) and flexible. I use what I call “the anagram technique” to evaluate a word BEFORE committing it to the grid. A word with lots of potential anagrams will provide multiple cluing options (not necessarily using an anagram) and one with very few potential anagrams is likely to cause cluing problems, as the breakdown of consonants and vowels reflects what components are in a word. I just love the simplicity of anagrams, as with 13-down. Not a difficult clue, but the surface and construction make it delightful IMO. How could I clue it any other way?

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TEAR OFF
Forcibly remove auditor punching a good sort (4,3) EAR inside TOFF
5 SCATTY
Slightly unpredictable animal locked in pigpen (6) STY containing CAT
9 INEPT
Bumbling writer returned wearing it (5) PEN reversed inside IT
10 SATIRICAL
Racist corrected about current limitations of antisocial taunting? (9) Anagram of RACIST around I + AL
11 LISTENED
Small number in deli curiously took notice (8) (S + TEN) inside anagram of DELI
12 ACCENT
Underline ID not kept by chance (6) ACCIDENT minus ID
13 SOON
Love accepted by child in a minute (4) O inside SON
14 MOUSTACHE
Facial feature must hurt with ring inserted (9) (MUST + ACHE) with O inserted
17 GOT THE NOD
Gained permission and time, then moved into welfare (3,3,3) (T + THEN) inside GOOD
18 FLAY
Insect consuming a fleece (4) FLY around A
20 PLENUM
Place changed menu for a full assembly (6) PL + anagram of MENU
21 ORNAMENT
Decorate or label a collection of religious books (8) OR + NAME + NT
24 SMART ARSE
Creative work covered in smears distracted wise guy (5,4) ART inside anagram of SMEARS
25 SETAE
Bristles are oddly found on backside of mount? (5) ArE behind SET
26 HYBRID
Bird scrambled after one leaving honey mixture (6) Anagram of BIRD after (HONEY minus ONE)
27 TAMARIN
Blemish, one spotted in mouth of brown monkey (7) (MAR + I) inside TAN
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 TRIAL
Six pulled out of meaningless examination (5) TRIVIAL minus VI
2 AVERSION THERAPY
Behaviour modification technique, a type people in general loaded with praise (8,7) A + VERSION + RAP inside THEY
3 OUTSET
Start middle section of tour match running around (6) tOUr + TEST reversed
4 FISHERMAN
She invested in company with an individual looking to achieve net gains (9) FIRM outside SHE + AN
5 SITE
Announcement made of vision’s location (4) Sounds like SIGHT
6 ATROCITY
Patrol ignoring boundaries connected with urban centre’s villainy (8) p)ATRO(l + CITY
7 TICKET COLLECTOR
Time arranged to lock electric pass checker (6,9) T + anagram of TO LOCK ELECTRIC
8 FLATTERY
Praise coffee handled by cook (8) FRY outside LATTE
13 SIGNPOST
Faulty GPS is not a reliable guide (8) Anagram of GPS IS NOT
15 UNDERWENT
Experienced peacekeepers camped next to river in Tasmania (9) UN + DERWENT
16 THRUSTER
Sign of decay spotted in the tail of booster rocket (8) RUST inside THE + R
19 RANSOM
Australian service reduced some extortionate price (6) RAN + SOM(e
22 TIE-IN
Link that is metal-plated? (3-2) IE plated with TIN
23 PROD
Poke tail of carp with fishing tackle (4) P + ROD

Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 6 Solution

The Stickler Weekly 6

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 6
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 6
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 5
  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 , , , | 1 Comment

The Stickler Weekly 6 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


14-across

17-across

18-across

21-across

24-across

26-across

27-across


2-down


6-down

8-down

16-down

19-down

22-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 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.

The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The 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.
Either a mixture of letters is placed inside or outside other letters, or letters are placed inside or outside a mixture of letters. An anagram indicator and containment indicator will be present.
A pointer that signifies the placing of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents) around the OUTSIDE of one or more parts of a clue (or their equivalents).

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

The structure of the answer involves either letters placed outside other letters, or letters placed inside other letters. Which type of container clue is determined by an appropriate container indicator.
The answer is found by removing a letter, letters, or a word (either found directly in the clue or derived) from a word or words (or their synonyms). Subtractions involving synonyms must be done with contiguous letters, that is, a word will subtract directly unless specifically indicated. A subtraction indicator is present to initiate the action.
The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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.

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

The Stickler Weekly 6 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

14-across

24-across

2-down

15-down

19-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 6 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 5 Solution

There’s a device used in this puzzle linking 12 and 13-across (“…”) that solvers often don’t know how to interpret. It’s not surprising really, as it can mean different things depending on the circumstances. In this case the answer to 12-across feeds into the next clue, effectively making the whole clue for 13-across a combined effort. However, it’s also possible that one clue, taken literally (ie forget the cryptic aspect), feeds into the next clue, or that the second clue provides the ending for the first, or even more confusing, that there’s NO relationship between the two “linked” clues. How does this last scenario work? It’s actually a ploy used by setters to cover for one clue ending awkwardly or the other clue starting awkwardly. For example, if the answer to one clue ended with “LAND”, then the setter may use AND in the wordplay. If AND ends the clue, and there doesn’t seem a way around it, something has to follow. Cue our linking dots. Of course, the following clue’s wording needs to fit it with the previous clue’s otherwise the combined effort would be gibberish. There’s no real way to tell which kind of linking is at play, but at least one of the clues will be a whole clue in its own right, so solve what you can and consider all options.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CHAPLAIN
Talk cut down by outspoken minister (8) CHA(t) + PLAIN
5 PHASES
Section of group has estimated stages of development (6) grouP HAS EStimated
10 PALINGS
Partner in vacated garages is fencing material? (7) PAL + IN + G(arage)S
11 WARMEST
Division involved in course is most pleasant (7) ARM inside WEST
12 CUP-HOLDER
Check senior engaging excited champion… (3-6) (CH + OLDER) outside UP
13 BRAIN
…in Mastermind? (5) BRA (from previous clue) + IN
14 TOWN
Community group was lacking, for instance, in weight (4) (WAS minus AS) inside TON
16 RESOLVER
One looking to settle revolution defeated person making a retreat (8) (REV + LOSER) reversed
19 WISTERIA
Water is sprayed around one climbing plant (8) Anagram of WATER IS outside I
20 AREA
A study, mostly a field of study (4) A + REA(d)
23 OCEAN
Large amount of water and silt shifted from rugged coastline (5) Anagram of COASTLINE minus SILT
24 DELICATES
Some going out infested with lice changed underwear (9) DATES containing anagram of LICE
26 EVASION
Release retired one in connection with deception (7) SAVE reversed + I + ON
27 WAITING
Joker, carrying it in, is holding back (7) WAG outside (IT + IN)
28 PLEDGE
Place located next to border with promise (6) PL + EDGE
29 GRIEVERS
Verger is mingling with mourners (8) Anagram of VERGER IS
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CAPACITY
Limit a big place’s potential (8) CAP + A + CITY
2 ALL UP
A weight lifted in total (3,2) A + PULL reversed
3 LONG-ON
Cricketer’s fifty scored with one short shot in front of point (4-2) L + ON(e) + GO + N
4 INSIDER TRADING
Illegal stock dealing all the rage with retiring dads, strangely (7,7) IN + anagram of RETIRING DADS
6 HARDBALL
Tough tactics may be restricted in experienced social gathering (8) R inside HAD + BALL
7 SHED A TEAR
The sad are prepared to …? (4,1,4) Anagram of THE SAD ARE
8 SATANG
Evil character linked to grand Thai capital (6) SATAN + G
9 SWORD-SWALLOWER
Circus entertainer’s words on screen captured by broadcaster (5-9) (WORDS + WALL) inside SOWER
15 WHITEFACE
The wife, distraught, brought around a cold little bird (9) Anagram of THE WIFE around (A + C)
17 STINKING
Rank isn’t manipulated by one of high rank (8) Anagram of ISNT + KING
18 MARSH GAS
Core of magma in planet contains methane (5,3) ma(G)ma inside (MARS + HAS)
21 COME UP
Not all soldiers deployed in successful manoeuvre appear (4,2) ME(n) inside COUP
22 SCRIBE
Plagiarism admitted by some heartless writer? (6) S(om)E containing CRIB
25 TRICE
Haul last of meat and grain (5) mea(T) + RICE

Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Stickler Weekly 5

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 5
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 5
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 4
  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 , , , | 1 Comment

The Stickler Weekly 5 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


10-across

11-across

12-across

13-across

14-across

16-across


23-across

24-across

26-across

27-across



2-down

3-down

4-down

6-down

9-down


18-down

21-down

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

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

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

Examples: held by, kept by, embraced by - anything that creates the image of being contained.

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 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.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 5 Clue Hints