The Stickler Weekly 253 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

12-across


15-across



25-across

27-across

30-across

2-down

3-down




9-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 a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation 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.

Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
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 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.
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 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 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.
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The Stickler Weekly 253 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.

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The Stickler Weekly 252 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DEMOGRAPHY
Market researchers study this sample phone produced in dull color? (10) DEMO + (PH inside GRAY)
6 COS
Salad ingredient’s reduced price (3) (COS)t
9 BEDEVIL
Base, active, repelled trouble (7) BED + (LIVE reversed)
10 MEASURE
Meat trimmed with certain size (7) (MEA)t + SURE
11 TREMULOUS
Timid bird from Australia located primarily during tours abroad (9) [EMU + (L)OCATED] inside anagram of TOURS
12 HET UP
Male sheep is agitated (3,2) HE + TUP
13 NICETY
Sir, lacking in sincerity, mishandled a matter of fine discrimination (6) Anagram of SINCERITY minus SIR
15 GUANACO
Wild llama dung containing a trace of carbon (7) GUANO outside (A + C)
16 DON
Head of family settled a little short (3) (DON)e
18 BENEFIT
Speculation about organisation of fine fund-raiser (7) BET outside anagram of FINE
19 GELATO
It’s set at zero (6) GEL + AT + O
21 MIRTH
Fun orderly “retired” by hospital (5) TRIM reversed + H
22 OUTRIGGER
Core section of tour set off in boat (9) t(OU)R + TRIGGER
24 CANASTA
Call off all but the last part of a stag’s card game (7) CAN + (ASTA)g
25 PRESENT
It’s offered for free here (7) Double Definition
26 HUE
Colour house in an uneven way (3) (H)o(U)s(E)
27 BRANDY SNAP
Make reflection of flower with biscuit (6,4) BRAND + (PANSY reversed)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DEBUTANT
New performer manoeuvred tuba in an impressive display (8) Anagram of TUBA inside DENT
2 MIDGE
Grey mounted grey, oddly, with bug (5) DIM reversed + (G)r(E)y
3 GIVE UP THE GHOST
Go and get huge VIP prepared to put on a show (4,2,3,5) Anagram of GET HUGE VIP + HOST
4 ABLOOM
Flowering bushes initially planted behind a tower (6) [(B)USHES after A] + LOOM
5 HOMESPUN
Digger’s joke about maiden is crude (8) (HOES + PUN) outside M
6 CRUSTACEA
Film expert with a collection of sea creatures (9) CRUST + ACE + A
7 SLEEP
Takes off outside, returning for a rest period (5) PEELS reversed
8 CASH ON DELIVERY
Payment method has varied in fraud committed by deli especially (4,2,8) Anagram of HAS inside CON + DELI + VERY
14 CLEARANCE
Auditor in family group once missing out on authorisation (9) EAR inside CLAN + (ONCE minus ON)
15 GOT
Received leave ahead of time (3) GO + T
16 DINOSAUR
Is a round reshaped a square? (8) Anagram of IS A ROUND
17 DOORSTOP
Gathering troops shifted a heavy, bulky item (8) DO + anagram of TROOPS
20 STEP IN
Take action to secure material, for example, after change to set (4,2) PIN after anagram of SET
21 MICAH
Letters kept by academic, a holy part of the Bible (5) acadeMIC A Holy
23 GLEAN
Pick up angler down river in a sorry state (5) Anagram of (ANGLER minus R)

 

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The Stickler Weekly Unfortunate Break

On Saturday the 15th of December, really bad weather struck our area of Sydney. Power was lost, and didn’t return until the following Monday night. However, the NBN network was badly damaged. Luckily I had already completed last week’s Stickler, so it went ahead as normal. Unfortunately I’m still without internet, landline and pay TV, as they all run through the same cabling which hasn’t yet been repaired. I operate my work through a wired desktop PC, and I haven’t found an easy way to duplicate my setup somewhere else or hook up some kind if mobile internet service that works well with my PC. Consequently I haven’t done ANY crossword work in the last week. This means no Stickler Weekly or last week’s solution for this week. I had an email almost ready for general distribution – that’s on hold. I also had a giant Christmas Tree crossword for 2018 half written – that’s on the scrapheap. I’m told it could be another week before the internet returns – let’s hope it’s much sooner than that!

I received a number of contributions this month – many thanks to those kind people.

Thanks for doing The Stickler Weekly – it will return next week (hopefully).

Best and thanks

David
The Stickler

Posted in Crosswords General, Stickler Weekly General, Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | 5 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 252

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 252
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 252
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 251
  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 252 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




18-across

22-across

1-down

3-down

4-down


6-down

8-down

14-down

17-down


23-down

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.
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 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.
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.
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.

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The Stickler Weekly 252 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)


6-across

5-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 251 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HOODWINK
Deceive gangster and secure crook finally (8) HOOD + WIN + CROO(K)
5 THEMES
The network curtailed items proposed for discussion (6) THE + (MES)H
10 SHALLOW
Everything on view in exhibition is lacking depth (7) ALL inside SHOW
11 IN TRUTH
One New Testament character, related to David actually (2,5) I + NT + RUTH
12 ASSISTANCE
Help as is needed in position (10) AS + (IS inside STANCE)
13 GO TO
Approach experienced head of operations (2,2) GOT + (O)PERATIONS
15 EVIL ONE
I have returned with single character that cannot be trusted (4,3) IVE reversed + LONE
17 NOOSES
Loops ring through the middle of nose close to lips (6) O inside NOSE + LIP(S)
18 DOT
Organise time period (3) DO + T
20 COME TO
Revive space traveller with oxygen (4,2) COMET + O
21 ISTHMUS
Neck is so cut by machete initially (7) IS + [THUS outside (M)ACHETE]
23 OPUS
Work round festering issue (4) O + PUS
24 FIGURATIVE
Typical sort of guitar owned by quintet (10) Anagram of GUITAR inside FIVE
27 STAND-IN
Offensive act taking time and reserve (5-2) SIN outside (T + AND)
28 NAGGERS
They always pick new release of Grange, and starter of salmon (7) Anagram of GRANGE + (S)ALMON
29 PEEPER
Get rid of unwanted matter for a voyeur (6) PEE + PER
30 VENTOLIN
Preparation of salbutamol not strangely left in blood vessel (8) (Anagram of NOT + L) inside VEIN
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 HOSTAGES
People detained by army a relatively long time (8) HOST + AGES
2 OKAYS
Big punch up, say, ruined sanctions (5) KO reversed + anagram of SAY
3 WELL-SPOKEN
Articulate sources dig Newton (4-6) WELLS + POKE + N
4 NEW CALEDONIANS
Islanders making island canoe, possibly? (3,11) Anagram of ISLAND CANOE makes CALEDONIANS
6 HITS
Hotel is taking into account temperature impacts (4) (H + IS) outside T
7 MAUSOLEUM
Gold individual found in old lady’s vault (9) (AU + SOLE) inside MUM
8 SCHOOL
Small hospital invested in sophisticated training centre (6) S + (H inside COOL)
9 DISCONTINUANCE
Social event, held outside, is against retired unit stopping (14) DANCE outside [IS + CON (UNIT reversed)]
14 SOFT TARGET
Get behind start of developed site that’s considered vulnerable (4,6) GET after anagram of START OF
16 INOCULATE
Protect one copper after number departed (9) I + (CU after NO) + LATE
19 USHERS IN
Introduces drug dealer, not starting with wrongdoing (6,2) (P)USHER + SIN
22 DOES UP
Secures employment in school heading in a new direction (4,2) (USE in POD) reversed
25 IDEAL
Banker’s claim is fanciful (5) I DEAL
26 EDGE
Bind unbound book of accounts? (4) (L)EDGE(R)

 

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The Stickler Weekly 251

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 251
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 251
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 250
  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 251 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




15-across

21-across


27-across

28-across



2-down

3-down

4-down


7-down

8-down

9-down

19-down

22-down

26-down

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 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) 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 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 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.
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.

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, then the entire result is reversed. The type of container clue involved is determined by an appropriate containment indicator.
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 , , , | 14 Comments