The Stickler Weekly 200

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 200
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 200
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 199
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 200 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.



4-across


13-across

16-across


22-across


25-across

27-across



4-down

6-down

7-down


9-down

14-down

18-down



24-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 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.
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 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.

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.
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 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.
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.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 200 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 200 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 199 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RYDER CUP
Equestrian reportedly caught up with international competition (5,3) Sounds like RIDER + C + UP
5 WRISTS
Legal documents breached by opening of sleazy joints (6) WRITS outside (S)LEAZY
9 FUSES
Fellow handles explosive attachments (5) F + USES
10 SELF-TIMER
Term is coined involving brownie camera function (4-5) ELF inside anagram of TERM IS
12 INTERMIXED
Changed index containing expression, one jumbled up (10) Anagram of INDEX outside (TERM + I)
13 RAKE
A playboy leaves collector (4) Double Definition
15 GO PLACES
New version of gospel plugged by a churchman primarily to succeed (2,6) Anagram of GOSPEL outside [A + (C)HURCHMAN]
16 OLD-HAT
Antiquated, rickety hand tool not holding on (3-3) Anagram of HAND TOOL minus ON
18 GOOFED
Professional holding iron made a mistake (6) GOOD outside FE
19 RHINITIS
Nose infection’s resistance is documented after hospital accepted it (8) R + [IS after (H + IN + IT)]
22 TYPE
Kind characters in authority, perhaps (4) authoriTY PErhaps
23 VINTAGE CAR
VIN and docket reflected race vehicle of old (7,3) VIN + TAG + (RACE reversed)
25 POTPOURRI
Pour drop of red into container with one fragrant mixture (9) [POUR + (R)ED] inside (POT + I)
26 TILDE
Punctuation mark left in withdrawn rewrite (5) L inside (EDIT reversed)
27 THRIFT
Most of the division is saving (6) (TH)E + RIFT
28 DEFRAYAL
Conflict in trade settlement (8) FRAY inside DEAL
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 RAFTING
Rapid negotiation behind breaking syndicate (7) AFT inside RING
2 DESKTOP COMPUTER
Weird customer kept iPod disconnected from one electronic organiser (7,8) Anagram of CUSTOMER KEPT IPOD minus I
3 RESURFACED
Surf star, wearing red, didn’t drown? (10) (SURF + ACE) inside RED
4 UNSOILED
Oddly-shaped nodule is free of blemishes (8) Anagram of NODULE IS
6 RUTS
Ingredients of moisturiser fixed up line markings (4) moiSTURiser reversed
7 SYMPATHETICALLY
They’ll impact, say, broadcast with feeling (15) Anagram of THEYLL IMPACT SAY
8 SERPENT
Malicious person is ready to drop around heart of alderman (7) SPENT outside ALD(ER)MAN
11 LIED
Ran around island and told stories (4) LED outside I
14 ALLNIGHTER
Convert keeping close once at the end of long, dark experience (10) ALTER outside (NIGH after L)
17 CHATLINE
Client has cut off misused telephone service (8) Anagram of (CLIENT HA)S
18 GO TO POT
Degenerate understood nothing on drugs (2,2,3) GOT + O + POT
20 SURREAL
Bizarre right claimed by firm, a lawyer’s first (7) R inside SURE + A + (L)AWYER
21 TIER
Level match heading for replay (4) TIE + (R)EPLAY
24 GOLF
Use clubs, say, to strike back (4) FLOG reversed

 

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The Stickler Weekly Insights 199 – Looking Ahead

Last week there was a reasonable amount of discussion about 23-down: 7 – 5 = 2? Continue reading

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

The Stickler Weekly 199

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 199
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 199
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 198
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 199

The Stickler Weekly 199 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

10-across

12-across


16-across

18-across

19-across

23-across

25-across

26-across

28-across

1-down


3-down


8-down

14-down


18-down

20-down

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.
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.
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 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.

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 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 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.
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 a jumbling of letters except for the initial or final letter of the anagram fodder. An anagram indicator and truncation indicator will be present.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 199 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 199 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 198 Solution

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ABSOLUTELY
By all means use lot mixed in well (10) Anagram of USE LOT inside ABLY
6 LOUD
Rowdy pair left a different way (4) (DUO + L) reversed
10 PROPS
They support items seen on stage (5) Double definition
11 ERADICATE
Get rid of distracted dear that is occupied with cat (9) Anagram of DEAR + (CAT inside IE)
12 RETAILED
Sold dog in a rush (8) TAIL inside REED
13 NO-GOOD
Worthless sentimentality stuffing affirmative action (2-4) GOO inside NOD
15 DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
Handle guitar restored by widower’s first son’s wife (8-2-3) Anagram of HANDLE GUITAR + (W)IDOWER
18 NUCLEAR WEAPON
Warplane, on cue, deployed a destructive device (7,6) Anagram of WARPLANE ON CUE
22 LOCUST
Place stripped its false acacia? (6) LOCUS + I(T)S
24 FLOUNDER
Come unstuck trapping large fish (8) FOUNDER outside L
26 WINNEBAGO
Camper’s accommodation secured by network in the past (9) INN inside WEB + AGO
27 DELAY
Head of department backed American school’s suspension (5) (D)EPARTMENT + (YALE reversed)
28 RAYS
Pick up sound beams (4) Sounds like RAISE
29 CONSIDERED
Fool, embarrassed about large body part, should be studied (10) CON + (RED outside SIDE)
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 ASPIRE
Have high ambitions as detective progressed at the centre (6) AS + PI + PROG(RE)SSED
2 SPOTTED
Polka-dot snotrag initially put in pocket (7) (S)NOTRAG + POTTED
3 LASSITUDE
Lab mostly studies treated apathy (9) (LA)B + anagram of STUDIES
4 THERE THERE
The retired in this place don’t cry (5,5) THE + RET + HERE
5 LOAD
Prepare to fire young man outside ring (4) LAD outside O
7 ON A ROLL
List of distinguished people reportedly having continued success (2,1,4) Sounds like HONOUR ROLL
8 DEEP DOWN
Page in legal document now modified fundamentally (4,4) P inside DEED + anagram NOW
9 LINO
Strip of vinyl in ordinary floor covering (4) vinyL IN Ordinary
14 REBELLIOUS
Be unfortunate with upturn in fluctuating euros defying lawful control (10) [BE + (ILL reversed)] inside anagram of EUROS
16 IMPOUNDED
Legally seized drugs primarily used in shady opium den (9) (D)RUGS inside anagram of OPIUM DEN
17 IN FLOWER
Come to a conclusion about poor blossoming (2,6) INFER outside LOW
19 COCKNEY
Unloved one embraced by arrogant Londoner? (7) O(NE) inside COCKY
20 NODULAR
Unload broken container finally with a few bumps (7) Anagram of UNLOAD + CONTAINE(R)
21 PRAYED
Padre, upset about conclusion of homily, talked to God (6) Anagram of PADRE outside HOMIL(Y)
23 SEEN
7 – 5 = 2? (4) SEVEN minus V
25 TACO
Types bound to eat a cooked Mexican dish (4) eaT A COoked

 

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The Stickler Weekly Insights 198 – Course of Action

Over the years I have tried to do my bit to help people learn something about solving cryptic crosswords. For a number of semesters I ran a solving cryptic crossword course at one of my local community colleges, with the course running for two hours a week for eight consecutive weeks. Attendance was never great, and early drop-outs (“What have I got myself into!”) were relatively common. When I got really busy with other crossword work, I had to stop these courses, but there was (and still is) a need to have an introductory taster presentation prepared for various groups who want some cryptic insight. I’m generally reluctant to give two-hour presentations unless it’s made abundantly clear to particpants that I’m not teaching people how to solve, I’m just opening a small window into the cryptic world. No-one should expect to be a cryptic crossword solving expert after a two-hour download of pure head knowledge. I think it takes about a year of practice to become proficient at solving. As long as that’s clear, I’ll happily run a session for allcomers.
A couple of years ago I ran some introductory courses for a mob call Laneway Learning, which operates mostly in the inner city. These sessions were one-time only, so I had to come up with something that wasn’t too academic, a bit of fun, and got the message across. The result was a series of word games, each one representing a common cryptic device. After talking briefly about the basic structure of a clue (definition and wordplay), I would seemingly stop the cryptic talk and launch into the word games, saying that I want them in the right frame of mind for what is to come. First one is a letter jumble, starting with direct letter matching, followed by something a little more complex, a letter jumble that results in a word that means the same as a given one. Next, a basic search among words followed by finding hidden words that mean the same as given words. Then, joining words to make new ones, and last putting words around or in others to make new words. In each case, I took the concept beyond the original one by introducing complexity without changing the structure. By the end of the four word games I had the basis to to talk about anagrams, hiddens, charades and container and its contents, four common cryptic clue concepts. I used one example from each of the word games and turned them into cryptic clues, showing how my instructions on playing the word games were replaced by indicators in the clues.
I think this is a really good way to ease newcomers into cryptic solving, using concepts they are familiar with in a non-threatening way. Almost everyone can deal with a few simple word games.

The Stickler

Spread the word
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