The Stickler Weekly 209

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 209
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 209
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 208
Insights for this week
  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 209 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



15-across

19-across

24-across



1-down



8-down

9-down

13-down

16-down

17-down

20-down

23-down


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 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.
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.
Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
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.
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.

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.

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 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 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 209 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 208 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PUSH OFF
Leave smoke floating around shop just before closing (4,3) PUFF outside (SHO)P
5 PACIFY
One fellow taking part in fast is quiet (6) (I + F) inside PACY
9 TONED
Items from great one definitely changed colour (5) greaT ONE Definitely
10 APPENDAGE
Write first section of document in a part of book supplement (9) [PEN + (D)OCUMENT] inside (A + PAGE)
11 IN SPADES
Residents of certain spa described emphatically (2,6) certaIN SPA DEScribed
12 JERKIN
Yank wearing a close-fitting jacket (6) JERK + IN
14 HOLDING PATTERN
Flying course taken by pilot going nowhere? (7,7) Cryptic Definition
16 SPECTATOR SPORT
Top actress drunkenly left much-watched activity (9,5) Anagram of TOP ACTRESS + PORT
20 RECANT
Take back car briefly used in lease (6) (CA)R inside RENT
22 CALAMINE
Zinc ore and carbon according to a supplier of ore (8) C + A LA + MINE
24 EMBELLISH
Centrepiece of Bohemian ring is hard to beautify? (9) Boh(EM)ian + BELL + IS + H
25 EARTH
Sensor is extracted from this ground (5) EAR + (THIS minus IS)
26 MENDED
Healed people died without one (6) MEN + (DIED minus I)
27 DROWNED
Doctor had swallowed water and died (7) DR + OWNED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 PUTRID
Commit clear foul (6) PUT + RID
2 SANDSTONE
Spain, oddly, doesn’t broadcast rock (9) SpAiN + anagram of DOESNT
3 OLD HAND
Hold orderly as well as an experienced person (3,4) Anagram of HOLD + AND
4 FRATERNITY
A sea-bird – it nested in young boys’ club (10) (A + TERN + IT) inside FRY
5 PIPE
Smoker’s panatella almost completely stubbed out in dish? (4) (P)anatella inside PIE
6 CONTENT
Kid with camping gear is quite happy (7) CON + TENT
7 FRANK
Force shown by formation of soldiers is to the point (5) F + RANK
8 PENNON
Old money largely being supported by standard (6) (PENN)Y + ON
13 APPROACHED
A quiet veteran, hurt, came to (10) A + P + PRO + ACHED
15 EARLIER ON
Before hearing organ, one with pride showed around the Queen (7,2) EAR + (LION outside ER)
16 SORBET
Eyeball found in prepared dish that’s frozen (6) ORB inside SET
17 TINKLED
Ink was placed first in order after stockist finally rang (7) (INK + LED) after STOCKIS(T)
18 PLACEBO
Remember most of boy’s useless medication (7) PLACE + (BO)Y
19 METHOD
Overdose of drugs is routine (6) METH OD
21 CABLE
Hire car left front of extended line (5) CAB + L + (E)XTENDED
23 RIND
Peel pieces of pear individually (4) peaR INDividually

 

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The Stickler Weekly Insights 208 – Losing Gracefully

Last weekend I read with interest an interview with David Astle, one of the 7 setters who between them produce the daily cryptic and quick crosswords for The SMH and The Age. Continue reading

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The Stickler Weekly 208

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 208
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 208
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 207
Insights for this week
  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 208

The Stickler Weekly 208 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.





10-across




16-across

20-across

22-across

24-across

25-across


3-down

4-down

5-down

6-down

8-down

13-down

15-down

17-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.
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 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.
There is only one part to this clue, a definition, and it's usually a play on words. There aren't any indicators.
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 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 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.
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The Stickler Weekly 208 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 208 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 207 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LAWYER
Bar worker was lacking, for instance, in bed (6) (WAS minus AS) inside LAYER
4 GALLOPER
American girl, one with a long stride, is a pretty quick runner (8) GAL + LOPER
9 TRADERS
Trash mostly plugged by retired wine merchants (7) (TRAS) outside (RED reversed)
11 TANGRAM
Puzzle bug reversed by computer unit (7) GNAT reversed + RAM
12 LIGHT-FINGERED
Dishonest and brilliant fellow suffering terrible greed (5-8) LIGHT + F + IN + anagram of GREED
14 OPERAS
Dramatic events are held back by operations (6) OPS outside (ARE reversed)
15 CALCUTTA
Large share of money invested in boat by a port in India once (8) (L + CUT) inside CAT + A
18 ENTRENCH
Set entree wench served without lamb, say? (8) ENTREe weNCH
20 MINDED
Opening of duct in dug should be looked after (6) (D)UCT inside MINED
23 INSTANT COFFEE
Beverage served by cafe isn’t often brewed (7,6) Anagram of CAFE ISNT OFTEN
26 ROSTRUM
Support for speaker rose briefly with Trump releasing pressure (7) (ROS)E + (TRUMP minus P)
27 TRIFLED
Wasted time and took flight after trip ended early (7) FLED after (TRI)P
28 ATTITUDE
Flighty singer in a duet changed position? (8) TIT inside anagram of A DUET
29 LENDER
Bank merger lacking initial support? (6) B(LENDER)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 LITTLE ONES
Illuminated lot seen reforming young children (6,4) LIT + anagram of LOT SEEN
2 WRANGLE
Dispute world record set by fish (7) WR + ANGLE
3 EVENTUATE
Give rise to fair trade union at opening of exhibition (9) EVEN + TU + AT + (E)XHIBITION
5 ANTIGUAN
West Indian nest builder – tailless lizard? (8) ANT + (IGUAN)A
6 LINER
Ship a protective covering (5) Double Definition
7 PERIDOT
Green gemstone is beautiful, being a small speck (7) PERI + DOT
8 ROMP
Ace not included in broadcast of pro-am’s easy victory (4) Anagram of PROAM minus A
10 SOIL
Last drop of precious lubricant is dirty (4) PRECIOU(S) + OIL
13 CARD READER
Great fear admitted by one who minds old computer input device (4,6) DREAD inside CARER
16 CRINOLINE
Stiff material made of carbon and iron buckled line (9) C + anagram of IRON + LINE
17 SCRAMMED
Head of school studied hard and left quickly (8) (S)CHOOL + CRAMMED
19 TWINSET
Achieve success in experiment mounting paired gear (7) WIN inside (TEST reversed)
21 DEFILED
Contaminated food store had food stored up (7) (DELI + FED) reversed
22 STAT
Selection of most, a terrific sports figure, perhaps (4) moST A Terrific
24 STRUT
Ordinary routine seen after street parade (5) RUT after ST
25 ARIA
People leaving Armenia performed song (4) ARMENIA minus MEN

 

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The Stickler Weekly Insights 207 – In Short

In Stickler Weekly 205, a number of people mentioned the use of “c” to represent “captain”  in 23-across: Unqualified captain abandoning ship (5). It was noted in the comments that it wasn’t listed in any major reference although it was regularly seen in newspapers and on TV where sporting team line-ups use a “c” to indicate who is the captain (“vc” is also used for “vice-captain”). I’ve talked a little before about abbreviations and how they can be tricky: should an abbreviation be used in a clue if it appears in any major reference, or should it appear in all? Even if there’s referential acceptance of an abbreviation, does this mean it automatically can be used in clues? Setters, as always, have choices. There’s the easy way out – if it appears in any references, it’s fair game; and there’s the considered approach – use it if it’s a widely-accepted abbreviation, which can mean it’s not necessarily in the dictionary. The first approach is a poor one as there are many abbreviations that aren’t relevant to the man in the street, and unlike normal words, there’s no easy way to look possible abbreviations up. No problem the other way, that is, look up “c” and find “caught (cricket)”, but look up “caught” (what the setter would use in a clue) and you won’t find “c” mentioned. The only cases where this isn’t true is for offical symbols, like those that represent elements or SI units. As most dictionaries don’t carry proper nouns, you won’t find New York = NY, but you will find NY = New York. The second approach, while robbing the setter of wordplay ammunition, is a more thoughtful one, giving the solver a chance to actually know and recognise a word that needs to be abbreviated. In the “captain = c” case, I guarantee most would have seen this on TV or in a newspaper, and would certainly be more familiar with it than “succeeded = s” (that appears in a number of references in relation to genealogical notation) that regularly appears in Britsh cryptics.
I intentionally used another “captain”-style abbreviation this week to see if anyone would flag it. “world record = WR” doesn’t appear in any of my references but everyone has seen it used to indicate a world record at international sporting events, especially the Olympics. It’s commonly used, but not in a dictionary, so is it Ok to use in cryptic clues?

The Stickler

Spread the word
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