The Stickler Weekly 2

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 2
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 2
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 1
  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 2 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

7-across

10-across

11-across

12-across

13-across


18-across


22-across



26-across


28-across

2-down

3-down


9-down

16-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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 2 Clue Hints

The Stickler Weekly 2 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.

This week possible queries are covered by the Clue Hints for 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 2 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 1 Solution

It’s such a relief to get the first one out of the way. Nothing more than an average Stickler, it still represents a milestone, being the first Stickler to be available to the world. Although I’ve always been easy to contact through the Net, I was shielded to some extent by the paper, and felt a lot less exposed then I do now. Every week I’ll be saying something, and the explanations to the previous week’s puzzle will follow, with a link to a printable version. Please use this to share with others who want to learn more about solving cryptics.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SCORED
Last lot of apples with seed sections removed should be graded (6) apple(S) + CORED
5 PARODY
Take off financial reward for working around staff (6) PAY outside ROD
9 LUBRICANT
Reconvening of tribunal about counsel’s opening should be reducing friction (9) Anagram of TRIBUNAL outside C
10 GO UP
Team losing right to get promoted (2,2) GROUP minus R
11 CASEMENT
Frame of a window, for instance, sealed with glue (8) AS inside CEMENT
12 DEARTH
Department’s facing land shortage (6) D + EARTH
13 MOUSSE
Rodent biting edge of side dish (6) MOUSE outside S
14 RHEOSTAT
Variable resistor is hot in defective toaster (8) H inside anagram of TOASTER
16 TALENTED
Brilliant story not abridged by editor (8) TALE + NT + ED
19 CRISIS
Emergency vehicle losing a passenger is used repeatedly (6) CAR minus A + IS + IS
21 FINIAL
Top decoration, one collected in major sporting event (6) I (one) inside FINAL
23 SLANTING
Computer system seized in undercover operation is not on the level (8) LAN inside STING
24 ONCE
Active iodine extracted from ice in the past (4) ON + (i)CE
25 PAINTBALL
Missile used in war games ain’t coated in lead completely (9) AIN’T inside PB + ALL
26 STOREY
Keep middle of kayak level (6) STORE + Y
27 DESIGN.
Plan is backed by head of government in study (6) SI + G inside DEN.
Down Answers and Clues Explanations
2 COLLABORATIONS
Company retrieved delivery addresses with teamwork (14) CO + LLAB + ORATIONS
3 RUBBERS
Many sets of tennis shoes? (7) Double Def
4 DRIVE BELT
Band’s diameter printed on broken lever bit (5,4) D + anagram of LEVER BIT
5 PLATTER
Outspoken hairdresser is a dish (7) Homophone: PLAITER
6 RATED
Had course, say, in middle of road, assessed (5) ATE inside RD
7 DOG-EARS
Finish wheelwork and place markers (3-4) DO + GEARS
8 AUSTRALIAN FLAG
All guitar fans cracked up after introduction of a country standard (10,4) Anagram of ALL GUITAR FANS after A
15 ENCHANTED
Delighted singer finished early in finale (9) CHANTE(r) inside END
17 EVIDENT
Noticeable form of identification worn in competition (7) ID inside EVENT
18 DESTINY
Fortune and time put into animated production of Disney (7) T inside anagram of DISNEY
20 IN TEARS
Crying irritated retinas (2,5) Anagram of RETINAS
22 LEPER.
Drive off heading north with a sick person (5) REPEL reversed.

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

The Stickler Weekly 1

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 1
  Overseas Help For The Stickler Weekly 1
  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 , , , , | 8 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 1 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

9-across


11-across

12-across

13-across

14-across

16-across

19-across


23-across

24-across

25-across

27-across

2-down



6-down


8-down

15-down

17-down


22-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.
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.
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 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 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 using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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.
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.
A word or series of words that signify the turning around (across & down clues), or overturning (down clues only) of letters.

Examples: upset, reversed, retired, in withdrawal, over etc.

Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 1 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)


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 1 Overseas Help

Introducing The Stickler Weekly

Today marks the start of a new era in the life of The Stickler, largely brought about by the tremendous support shown by solvers unhappy with its cancellation in the newspaper. For a minimum of 6 months, The Stickler Weekly will appear here every Monday for free (support is requested but not mandatory). There will be a PDF version that can be downloaded and printed and an online version that should work on a computer, smartphone or tablet using just a browser.

The regular Clue Hints will also be available, as well as help for overseas solvers if applicable. The puzzle’s solution will appear at the time the next puzzle is posted, and will include a cryptic Stickler Snippet and a full listing of answers with explanations.

Those used to The Boxer in The Courier Mail or The Saturday Cryptic in The Adelaide Advertiser will feel right at home with The Stickler Weekly, as the difficulty level is very similiar.

The continuation and possible expansion of this service will depend solely on the ongoing support and generosity of solvers.

Click here for The Stickler Weekly 1

Best

The Stickler
David Stickley

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

Courier Mail Boxer Cryptic cancelled

If you’ve been doing The Courier Mail crosswords during the week, you probably guessed that my Saturday cryptic would be affected. Due to changes by News Ltd that impacted the puzzles all four metro papers, The Courier Mail Boxer cryptic will no longer be published.

I’ve had a great time (hopefully) entertaining you and will miss not writing one of the few, new, Australian, 15×15 cryptics in News Ltd publications.

Unfortunately, this loss, along with others associated with this change, means my crossword business is no longer viable. I was able to turn a hobby into a business, but publishing has changed, and it’s time to move on. Some work remains and will continue, but not enough to make ends meet. I want to thank you, the solvers, for coming along with me on an amazing journey, and News Ltd for giving me the unique opportunity to earn a living from just writing crosswords.

I’m faced with a career change at 51, with crossword-compiling skills and rusty IT skills to offer. I’m methodical and a stickler (don’t you know it!). If anyone out there has a job for me, I’m up for just about anything (contact me).

Many thanks to all,

David Stickley

Posted in Crosswords General, The Boxer | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Advertiser Saturday Cryptic cancelled

If you’ve been doing The Adelaide Advertiser crosswords during the week, you probably guessed that my Saturday cryptic would be affected. Due to changes by News Ltd that impacted the puzzles all four metro papers, The Adelaide Advertiser Saturday cryptic by David Stickley will no longer be published.

I’ve had a great time (hopefully) entertaining you and will miss not writing one of the few, new, Australian, 15×15 cryptics in News Ltd publications.

Unfortunately, this loss, along with others associated with this change, means my crossword business is no longer viable. I was able to turn a hobby into a business, but publishing has changed, and it’s time to move on. Some work remains and will continue, but not enough to make ends meet. I want to thank you, the solvers, for coming along with me on an amazing journey, and News Ltd for giving me the unique opportunity to earn a living from just writing crosswords.

I’m faced with a career change at 51, with crossword-compiling skills and rusty IT skills to offer. I’m methodical and a stickler (don’t you know it!). If anyone out there has a job for me, I’m up for just about anything (contact me).

Many thanks to all,

David Stickley

Posted in Advertiser Saturday Cryptic, Crosswords General | Tagged , , | 20 Comments