The Stickler Weekly 207

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 207
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 207
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 206
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 207 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

11-across

12-across

15-across



28-across


2-down

5-down




10-down



19-down

21-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.
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 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.
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 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 butting together parts defined in the wordplay. There may be some positional indicators that change the order of these parts.
Punctuation generally should be ignored - always consider how a clue reads without punctuation.
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 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.
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 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 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.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 207 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)


3-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 207 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 206 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DUST OFF
Prepare to re-employ American gentleman after opening of dealership (4,3) (US + TOFF) after (D)EALERSHIP
5 RESIGN
Give up and come back? (6) Double Definition
9 PILOT
Container holding one large fly (5) POT outside (I + L)
10 IMPORTANT
Key man limiting data connection in IT (9) (MAN outside PORT) inside IT
11 THE RIGHT
Conservative lot that woman listed in compact (3,5) HER inside TIGHT
12 HIGHER
Announcement made to employ superior (6) Sounds like HIRE
14 LAPS
Companion returned with first of several drinks (4) PAL reversed + (S)EVERAL
15 PROVENCAL
French person confirmed call terminated before the end (9) PROVEN + (CAL)L
17 STALEMATE
Drunken male wearing government tie (9) Anagram of MALE inside STATE
18 LEAD
Heavy metal guitarist (4) Double Definition
20 GRAVEL
Weighty and large rock fragments (6) GRAVE + L
21 CLEARING
Close call about each evacuation (8) (CL + RING) outside EA
24 SHORTHORN
Cow and horse mostly chewed something prickly (9) Anagram of (HORS)E + THORN
25 VENUE
Street without a location (5) AVENUE minus A
26 EYELET
Small opening in can leaving acetylene all over the place (6) Anagram of ACETYLENE minus CAN
27 SCARRED
Small vehicle, a light colour, is damaged? (7) S + CAR + RED
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 DEPOT
Head of state slipped out of tyrant’s military store (5) DESPOT minus (S)TATE
2 SELF-EXPLANATORY
Fine involved with payroll tax seen strangely as obvious (4-11) F inside anagram of PAYROLL TAX SEEN
3 OUTWIT
There are no limits to bout with fool (6) B(OUT WIT)H
4 FLIGHT PLAN
Fault initially connected with light plane reduced aviation schedule (6,4) (F)AULT + LIGHT + (PLAN)E
5 ROPE
Items of property should be secure (4) pROPErty
6 SERVICED
Bearing right inside broken device should be repaired (8) S + R inside anagram of DEVICE
7 GRAPHIC DESIGNER
He’s regarding pic in a new light, perhaps? (7,8) Anagram of HES REGARDING PIC
8 STARTLED
Unsettled principal was up front after short time (8) STAR + (LED after T)
13 POWERLINES
Electrified pole wires supported by pole? (10) Anagram of POLE WIRES + S
14 LAST-GASP
Desperate stalags relocated prisoners at the front (4-4) Anagram of STALAGS + (P)RISONERS
16 PEDESTAL
Friend, ringing editor, established support for a column (8) PAL outside (ED + EST)
19 LATVIA
Departed short on euros through part of Europe (6) (LATE minus E) + VIA
22 GREED
Shook hands, ignoring a strong desire (5) AGREED minus A
23 POST
Standard delivery (4) Double Definition

 

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

The Stickler Weekly Insights 206 – Thinking Inside The Box

I’ve talked a number of times about how I believe solvers have changed the way they solve, creating a completely different experience to the one had by those who grew up solving in the pre-internet days. Continue reading

Posted in Crosswords General, Stickler Weekly General, Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | 2 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 206

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 206
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 206
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 205
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 206

The Stickler Weekly 206 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


15-across

17-across


21-across

24-across



27-across





6-down


8-down

13-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 found by using the sound of a word or phrase. Sounds-like indicators point the way.
The clue has two parts, each one defining the answer without using cryptic devices. Ideally each definition should have no etymological relationship.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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.

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 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 , , , | 13 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 206 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

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 206 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 205 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BLOWPIPE
Low and high-pitched sound originating in “live” missile launcher (8) (LOW + PIP) inside BE
5 CHASER
One following a metal engraver (6) Double Definition
10 NIAGARA
North American river once more receded, and ran briefly (7) AGAIN reversed + (RA)N
11 IMAGING
I am getting old radiographer’s work (7) IM + AGING
12 FORMATTER
Program that prepares disks for whatever occupies space (9) FOR + MATTER
13 SIEVE
Filter is reversed always briefly (5) IS reversed + (EVE)R
14 DEAR
Precious collection of sidearms? (4) siDEARms
16 CARDIGAN
Character, one with plague, returned warmer (8) CARD + I + (NAG reversed)
19 MALAMUTE
Beat back a dumb dog (8) LAM reversed + A + MUTE
20 FLUE
Smoker rushed through speech (4) Sounds like FLEW
23 UTTER
Unqualified captain abandoning ship (5) CUTTER minus C
24 GUILLEMOT
One absorbed in bird book recalled fast-flying seabird (9) I inside GULL + (TOME reversed)
26 BURRITO
Disorganised British tour missing out on this Mexican food (7) Anagram of BRITISH TOUR minus THIS
27 IGNORER
Discounter mixed gin with mineral water in the end (7) Anagram of GIN + ORE + WATE(R)
28 DAMSEL
Old girl holds back heart of truelove? (6) DAMS + TRU(EL)OVE
29 ANTHESIS
Emergence of budding academic’s work listed at end of article (8) THESIS after AN
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BONA FIDE
Real matter of contention about a female ID (4,4) BONE outside (A + F + ID)
2 ON AIR
First-timer pulled out of stylish broadcasting (2,3) DEBONAIR minus DEB
3 PLAZAS
A shocking strike mounted outside large and small shopping areas (6) (A + ZAP) reversed outside L + S
4 PLASTIC SURGEON
Beautician finally appearing in pictures to provide encouragement (7,7) LAST inside PICS + URGE ON
6 HEADSHIP
The fellow notices stylish command (8) HE + ADS + HIP
7 SLIMEBALL
Disgusting person mutilated label on back of remote (9) Anagram of LABEL after SLIM
8 RIGGER
Ship worker set off after the end of shift (6) TRIGGER minus SHIF(T)
9 LIBRARY EDITION
Unusual literary bid, one on a strongly-bound book (7,7) Anagram of LITERARY BID + I + ON
15 APART FROM
Save par in revamped format (5,4) PAR inside anagram of FORMAT
17 HAIRLINE
Hard tube carrying gas is very thin (8) H + AIRLINE
18 RESTARTS
Takes up creative pursuits after time off (8) ARTS after REST
21 TURBID
Unclear track raised price (6) RUT reversed + BID
22 BLANCH
Whiten a significant part of nondescript church (6) (BLAN)D + CH
25 MORES
Head of research involved in some convoluted customs (5) (R)ESEARCH inside anagram of SOME

 

Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

The Stickler Weekly Insights 205 – Battle Royal

It may surprise to find out that I’m not all that happy with last week’s Stickler Weekly. Continue reading

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