The Stickler Weekly 257

Thanks for the feedback on my NYT cryptic submission. The process of publishing it on the website made me think that I hadn’t actually met Will Shortz basic requirements, which is why he wasn’t more positive about it. Your respsonses also indicated a lack of flair and guile, which probably resulted from the dumbing-down that I felt I needed to do. I might actually have another go.

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 257
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 257
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 256
  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 257 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.



11-across

12-across

15-across




23-across


27-across

28-across


1-down

2-down

3-down

4-down

6-down



16-down


22-down

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 the removal of a letter, letters, word or words (or their equivalents) from other parts of the clue (or their equivalents).

Examples: taken from, decreased by, less.

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 the result of removing the first or last letter from part of the clue or its synonym. A truncation 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 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.
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 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.

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 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.

The answer is a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation indicator will be present.
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The Stickler Weekly 257 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.

There aren’t any extra hints needed 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 257 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 256 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DANDRUFF
Back of head and collar showing signs of skin problem (8) HEAD(D) + AND + RUFF
5 USES UP
Goes through items stored in house supposedly (4,2) hoUSE SUPposedly
9 CATALAN
Group of people grabbing at a Spaniard (7) CLAN outside (AT + A)
10 MANDATE
Staff meeting’s official instruction (7) MAN (verb) + DATE
11 PROPAGANDA
Specialist US prosecutor, going after atheist, organized spread of information (10) PRO + (DA after PAGAN)
12 SEGA
Game producer is a long time in retirement (4) AGES reversed
13 DETAINEES
People held in custody need a site rebuilt (9) Anagram of NEED A SITE
15 MELEE
Five of nine elements brought back confused group (5) ninE ELEMents reversed
16 DYING
Adding colour in speech is on the way out (5) Sounds like DYEING
17 TOP-FLIGHT
Superior is to function in a dangerous situation (3-6) TO + (F inside PLIGHT)
19 RODE
Most members of cowboy show did some travelling (4) (RODE)O
20 ALTRUISTIC
Key country person embracing one humanitarian (10) ALT + (RUSTIC outside I)
23 CHARITY
Helpful organization’s complex not quite finished in a large town (7) (HAR)D inside CITY
24 NOSTRIL
Numbers connected to trial not taking a breather (7) NOS + (TRIAL minus A)
25 SKEWED
Stitched across front of kimono on an angle (6) SEWED outside (K)IMONO
26 MIGRANTS
Head of mission is receiving government handout for people subject to relocation (8) [(M)ISSION + IS] outside GRANT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DECAPOD
Dupe stepped around crab, say (7) (DO + PACED) reversed
2 NITRO
Explosive from of iron maintaining temperature (5) Anagram of IRON outside T
3 RELEASING
Redeployed General is letting go (9) Anagram of GENERAL IS
4 FUNDAMENTALLY
Available money a unit’s members count up primarily (13) FUND + A + MEN + TALLY
6 SONG
Succession of notes on gramophone? (4) noteS ON Gramophone
7 SHAKE A LEG
Start moving fish in sale before end of trading (5,1,3) (HAKE inside SALE) + TRADING(G)
8 PRESAGE
Forecast resolution in section of newspaper (7) RES inside PAGE
10 MODUS OPERANDI
Ponderous maid refined routine (5,8) Anagram of PONDEROUS MAID
14 THIRD BASE
Bids are greatly varied in the diamond area (5,4) Anagram of (BIDS AR)E inside THE
15 MULTI-USER
Drug carrier, transporting business executive up river, is available to many (5-4) MULE outside (SUIT reversed) + R
16 DIRECTS
Alarming cuts not supported by university masterminds (7) DIRE + (CUTS minus U)
18 TACKLES
Has a go at gutless clerk in accounts? (7) C(ler)K inside TALES
21 TURIN
Circuit going around one Italian city (5) TURN outside I
22 FINE
Fair penalty (4) Double Definition

 

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The Stickler Weekly 256 (US style)

Here is this week’s Stickler – with a difference. In 2001, I had my first cryptic crossword published in The New York Times (NYT). I was the first Australian to achieve this feat. The editor, Will Shortz, demands nothing but the best and strict adherence to US cryptic rules, meaning I had to make multiple changes before my crossword was accepted. In 2014 I asked him whether he wanted another cryptic, and he said “why not?”. The NYT only publish about 6 cryptics a year, so I knew I could have quite a wait before getting my second chance. The years have gone by and I’ve heard nothing, so I assumed it wasn’t going to happen and so some of the clues used have ended up in previous Stickler Weeklys.

Just before Christmas last year Will Shortz posted new payment rates for crosswords in the NYT, which blew me away, quite frankly. The payment for a cryptic is US$600, about 7 times the money I got paid for my Stickler in The Daily Telegraph. I decided to reconnect with Will – maybe a little prodding could get me some easy cash? Turns out he had put it on the backburner because he wanted a number of tweaks – was I prepared to make them? I know what I went through before and how demanding the process could be, so I declined – one day in the sun is enough for me.

So here it is, exactly as I sent it to Will Shortz in 2014, now assigned to his circular filing system (the bin). Cryptics for the NYT are restricted by a number of key things that you should bear in mind as you solve: no etymological crossover between any part of the wordplay and definition; no more than two devices should be used in the wordplay; cryptic definition-only clues are not allowed; British cryptic abbreviations may not be acceptable (depends on their acceptance in the US generally); and all words must be as New Yorkers know them. (I noticed as I was listing these that I didn’t stick to them in all cases, hence the need for tweaks, perhaps?) These requirements tend to make US cryptics easier to solve. Let me know what you think.

(Note: Some clues have been used before in Stickler Weeklys)

Please select your preferred solving format.

The solution to this puzzle will appear next week.

  Clue Hints for The Stickler Weekly 256
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 256
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 255
  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 256 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.










17-across


20-across



26-across







15-down

16-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 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.
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 entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram indicator will be present.
The answer is hidden inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 , , , | 10 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 256 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.

There aren’t any extra hints needed 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 256 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 255 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 CARROT
Rust found in a vehicle could be an attractive thing (6) CAR-ROT
5 PUTTERS
Green activists, say, posted in supplementary information? (7) UTTER inside PS
9 CONTEMPORARIES
Reformed prisoner came to like people (14) Anagram of PRISONER CAME TO
11 TAIPAN
Asian dish, reportedly, is snake (6) Sounds like THAI PAN
12 MILANESE
Italian male that is checking sections of road (8) (M + IE) outside LANES
14 MAIN
Principal, one accepted by staff (4) I inside MAN
15 CHIEFTAINS
I established payment system in chains for powerful people (10) (I + EFT) inside CHAINS
18 CONSPIRACY
Cheat’s robbery plot (10) CON’S + PIRACY
19 GOLD
Metal ring ultimately made long ago (4) RIN(G) + OLD
22 AERATION
A drug helping oxygenation of the blood by respiration (8) A + E + RATION
24 BOW-WOW
Submit to greatly impress boxer, for instance (3-3) BOW + WOW
26 SUICIDE BOMBERS
Group retrieved in rescue bid is wrongly associated with terrorists (7,7) MOB reversed inside anagram of RESCUE BID IS
27 PLEDGER
Promising person’s narrow projection accepted by public relations (7) LEDGE inside PR
28 GROUSE
Land-based game bird is very good in Australia (6) Double Definition
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
2 ABOLITION
Ending fired up one in a benefit (9) (LIT + I) inside (A + BOON)
3 RATTAN
Snake in the grass and brown cane (6) RAT + TAN
4 TIME
Measure load in semi-trailer making a return journey (4) sEMI Trailer reversed
5 PROVIDENCE
Timely preparation for study should be maintained in weakness (10) PRO + (DEN inside VICE)
6 TEA PARTY
Tape badly exposed stylish American political group (3,5) Anagram of TAPE + ARTY
7 ELITE
“E” letter in Scrabble, flipped over, may be selected (5) (E + TILE) reversed
8 SYSTEMS
Organisations, say, not keeping a plant’s main supports (7) (SAY minus A) + STEMS
10 ITEM
Point 4 needing a rewrite? (4) Anagram of TIME
13 CHARIOTEER
Old driver is a riot with good spirits about (10) (A RIOT) inside CHEER
16 IRONWORKS
Bugs crawling around on rolled scrap metal factory (9) IRKS outside [ON + (ROW reversed)]
17 SPOTTING
Cannabis used in police operation is leaving marks (8) POT inside STING
18 CHATS UP
Gets friendly with bowlers, say, taking part in sporting contest (5,2) HATS inside CUP
20 DOWN
Blue feathers (4) Double Definition
21 BOO-BOO
Two publications missing endings? What a blunder (3-3) BOO(k) twice
23 RAISE
Upgrade is put into mounted sensitive equipment (5) IS inside (EAR reversed)
25 BONG
Gear carried by dweeb on grass? (4) dweeB ON Grass

 

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The Stickler Weekly 255

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 255
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 255
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 254
  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 , , , | Comments Off on The Stickler Weekly 255

The Stickler Weekly 255 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



22-across

24-across

26-across

2-down



5-down


8-down

10-down

13-down

16-down





The entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram indicator will be present.
The answer is found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
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 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 inside the clue in reverse order. There are two indicators: one to signify that a hidden word is present; the other to reverse the letters.
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.
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.

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 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 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.

Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 41 Comments