The Stickler Weekly Ideas

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David Stickley

Recently in one of my weekly blog posts I mentioned how few people contribute on a regular basis. I received a number of emails apologising on behalf of those who enjoy the weekly challenge but aren’t inclined to give, and some even offered up ideas on different models that could help me receive more income. I must make it clear that I don’t do it for money, and there’s no complusion to give – I enjoy keeping my hand in and offering a world-class cryptic crossword to make up for the standard that has become the norm in Australian papers. There is also a faction that wish to establish an Australian cryptic style that is completely off-beam and contrary to what’s needed to help the growth of cryptics in Australia. I believe I’m the only person who is standing in the way of this faction, and, as a result, I must keep flying the cryptic flag. Having said all that, it is nice to feel appreciated whether it be in the form of contributions, blog posts or emails.

One financial model suggestion from a regular poster revolved around solvers effectively raising a prescribed amount each week to enable the publication of the next Stickler Weekly. That is, I would set a price, and if that price is given through contributions by the next publishing date the Stickler Weekly gets published. If not, it’s held over to the next publishing date where the same condition applies. Each time a Stickler Weekly gets published, the amount resets, and the process continues. It doesn’t matter how much is given, it’s just whether the goal has been reached at publishing time. How do you all feel about this idea? It has flaws (like what about contributions already given and those who contribute once a year etc) and technically might be complicated for me to implement, but it’s an idea.

A model that stemmed from this one is similiar (credit to my wife for this): If you add up all the contributions since I started the Stickler Weekly (including almost $2000 raised for the Cancer Council’s Seven Bridges Walk last year), the average contribution per Stickler Weekly is $40. Using that as a starting point, and drawing a chronological line at the start of the year, the goal would be to gradually lift the average contribution per crossword according to a schedule that would end up at a reasonable average price probably in line with that of the first model. If the average hasn’t been lifted by the planned date, the Stickler Weekly would stop until it does. This model, too, has its problems, as it could be that I’m asking too much of solvers and those faithful contributors will suffer as the result of inaction from others. It could be that the Stickler Weekly simply isn’t sustainable.

These are just ideas – I’d like SOMETHING to happen, but for the moment the Stickler Weekly will continue. Please let me know what you think either publicly through the website or privately through email. If you have another idea, feel free to let me know.

David
The Stickler

Posted in Crosswords General, Stickler Weekly General, Stickler Weekly Puzzles, The Stickler | 16 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 175 Clue Hints

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David Stickley

(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

8-across

11-across

15-across

19-across

23-across

25-across

26-across

27-across

28-across

1-down

2-down

4-down

5-down

6-down

7-down

10-down

14-down

16-down

17-down

20-down

24-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.
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 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 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.

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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 , , , | 11 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 175 Overseas Help

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David Stickley

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)


11-across

16-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 174 Solution

Posted on April 26, 2017 by David Stickley

Please see separate post for this week’s cryptic comment.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SUSTAINING
Work of a colourist outside America is holding up (10) STAINING outside US
6 AREA
Art not fully funded by each territory (4) (AR)T + EA
10 A-TEAM
The best people had a meal in the morning (1-4) ATE + AM
11 GRAVEYARD
Weighty cart taken around burial site (9) GRAVE + (DRAY reversed)
12 FRANCE
Country cafe ran poorly without assistance initially (6) Anagram of CAFE RAN minus (A)SSISTANCE
13 EREMITE
Solitary transfer restricted by limitations in Europe (7) REMIT inside (E)UROP(E)
15 EN DASH
Resolution has changed a punctuation mark (2,4) END + anagram of HAS
16 STEALERS
They take livestock around a corral at the back (8) STEERS outside [A + CORRA(L)]
17 ESCARGOT
Freight in established delicacy (8) CARGO inside EST
20 NIPPON
Pinch page about Japan (6) NIP + P + ON
23 TRUSTEE
Guardian’s sign of deterioration in area of golf (7) RUST inside TEE
24 LOADED
Rich, doddery old dear, giving up right (6) Anagram of OLD DEAR minus R
26 AUTHORING
A washer behind ramshackle hut is doing work (9) A + (ORING after anagram of HUT)
27 IBIZA
One business associated with a Spanish resort (5) I + BIZ + A
28 SIRE
Father is one who complains loudly (4) Sounds like SIGHER
29 DESPONDENT
Centre of majestic pond, formed in hollow, is blue (10) [MAJ(ES)TIC + POND] inside DENT
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 SOAK
As reported, a king is a heavy drinker (4) SO + A + K
2 SHEARED
Fleeced sheep are inside farm building (7) ARE inside SHED
3 ADMINISTRATION
A devious mind – it’s helping executive (14) A + anagram of MIND ITS + RATION
4 NAGGER
Person who picks horse backed, for example, by tipster in the end (6) NAG + (EG reversed) + TIPSTE(R)
5 NEATEST
Feast in a cosy environment is most stylish (7) EAT inside NEST
7 REALISE
Appreciate serial rescheduled close to lunchtime (7) Anagram of SERIAL + LUNCHTIM(E)
8 ADDRESSING
Dealing with commercial fertiliser (10) AD + DRESSING
9 GENERALISATION
Sweeping statement, in a lecture originally, is accepted by age group (14) [A + (L)ECTURE + IS) inside GENERATION
14 DESERT RATS
Old soldiers leave stranded major in retreat (6,4) DESERT + (STAR reversed)
16 SET
Centre of authority not supporting a firm (3) SEAT minus A
18 CLUSTER
Author of The Stickler Weekly, perhaps, entertaining street gathering (7) CLUER outside ST
19 ONE-TIME
Old limitations lifted from money before issue turned up (3-4) M(ONE)Y + (EMIT reversed)
21 PRECISE
Accurate record is disclosed in middle of appeal (7) (REC + IS) inside AP(PE)AL
22 CLOG UP
Obstruct record keeper used in competition (4,2) LOG inside CUP
25 BAIT
Provoke one entering club (4) I inside BAT

 

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The Stickler Weekly 174

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David Stickley

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 174
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 174
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 173
  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 174

The Stickler Weekly 174 Clue Hints

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David Stickley

(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

13-across

16-across

17-across

23-across

24-across

26-across

28-across

29-across

2-down

3-down

5-down

8-down

14-down

16-down

18-down

19-down

21-down

22-down

25-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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
Posted in Stickler Weekly Clue Help, The Stickler | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 174 Overseas Help

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David Stickley

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 174 Overseas Help

The Stickler Weekly 173 Solution

Posted on April 19, 2017 by David Stickley

On the odd occasion a solver may say that an answer is obscure. I realise that this is an opinion, unless it’s backed up specifically by a dictionary entry, however, I’d like to tell you little about what I think is obscure. First, it’s nothing to do with the words that I know or have heard of – I have a limited vocabulary and would very quickly start repeating myself if I had to rely on it for grid filling. Second, I have to rely on references to guide me – there’s no other way.

 

For me an obscure answer is one that is:

  • Listed in just one reference or can only be found by searching Google
  • Listed as an alternative (secondary) spelling in two or less references
  • Listed as archaic, obscure, obsolete or poetic
  • Specific to a particular region of the world

Note that definitions (and wordplays) in clues can be qualified in order to use some of these obscures words. For example, “before in poetry” would be “ere”.
There’s an imperfect way to judge the suitability of a word that I might be undecided about using, especially when multiple spellings are in play: do a simple Google search. The number of hits of the different spellings will soon tell you what’s most popular although there’s a US bias on the web that must be considered.
I tend to stick to concise dictionaries when writing daily cryptics but will expand to full dictionaries when writing weekly cryptics. I generally know when a word or term isn’t widely used in everyday conversation, so, if I use that as answer, I’ll endeavour to write a straightfoward clue.
Same rules apply when using uncommon meanings of words in clues. Meanings must be backed up by more than one reference and regional differences come into play here.
In this crossword LAMELLIBRANCH caused some discussion: it appears in all my major references as well as all my concise dictionaries, so I felt OK about using it, especially as key letters in the answer were obtainable for crossing answers. It’s not an exact science but including words that not everyone knows is inevitable and necessary to create a balanced crossword with variety that presents a challenge for all.

Across Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BUTCHERED
Tough deer, prepared and cut up for food? (9) BUTCH + anagram of DEER
6 GAIN
Win card game holding ace (4) GIN outside A
10 SEEDS
Top competitors understand limitations of diets? (5) SEE + (D)IET(S)
11 TEAR APART
Modern music and art after tea should be separate (4,5) (RAP + ART) after TEA
12 COLONIST
Settler on island invested in horse (8) (ON + IS) inside COLT
13 INVEST
Use capital to make money in underwear (6) IN + VEST
15 SOCKEYE SALMON
Fish definitely included in cook’s meal upset one’s gut? (7,6) YES inside anagram of COOKS MEAL + O(N)E
18 LAMELLIBRANCH
Unsatisfactory statement about farm’s oyster, say (13) LAME + (BILL reversed) + RANCH
22 MUTANT
Freak, one bitten by dog (6) AN inside MUTT
23 STILETTO
Weapon ignited when retreating in a fight (8) LIT reversed inside SETTO
26 INSTALLER
Insert all customised software needed to get a program running (9) Anagram of INSERT ALL
27 COPED
Law enforcer with little education muddled through (5) COP + ED
28 DYED
Coloured items featured in trendy edition (4) trenDY EDition
29 SUBEDITOR
Newspaper worker’s foundation in pocket of person known to court (9) BED inside SUITOR
 Down  Answers and Clues Explanations
1 BASICS
Integrated circuit put into guitar with staples (6) IC inside BASS
2 THE ALPS
End of snowdrift helps crossing a mountain range (3,4) [SNOWDRIF(T) + HELPS] outside A
3 HAS ON
Tricks, for instance, admitted by sweetheart (3,2) AS inside HON
4 ROTISSERIE
Cooking device that is connected to the back of faulty resistor (10) IE after anagram of RESISTOR
5 DRAW
Appeal withdrawal of charge (4) WARD reversed
7 ANAHEIM
An object filled with helium in Disneyland site (7) (AN + AIM) outside HE
8 NOTATING
Writing music in symbols not with a metallic sound (8) NOT + A + TING
9 MAINTAIN
Important metal found outside a claim (8) MAIN + (TIN outside A)
14 HEART-THROB
Brother that nearly murdered idol (5-5) Anagram of (BROTHER THA)T
16 CALENDAR
Tourer, say, accepting a loan schedule (8) CAR outside (A + LEND)
17 OLYMPIAD
Head of consulate pulled out of diplomacy involved with international sports meeting (8) Anagram of DIPLOMACY minus (C)ONSULATE
19 MATISSE
Fauvist painter is getting back to basics with friend about (7) [IS + BASIC(S)] inside MATE
20 HOT SPOT
Popular nightclub host distributed cannabis (3,4) Anagram of HOST + POT
21 BOLDER
Elder, when behind bishop, is more enterprising (6) OLDER after B
24 LACED
Backing of transfer is tied up (5) DECAL reversed
25 PLUS
Benefit may be lavish to a large extent (4) (PLUS)H

 

Posted in Stickler Weekly Solutions, The Stickler | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The Stickler Weekly 173

Posted on April 12, 2017 by David Stickley

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 173
  Overseas Help for The Stickler Weekly 173
  Solution to The Stickler Weekly 172
  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 173

The Stickler Weekly 173 Clue Hints

Posted on April 12, 2017 by David Stickley

(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.


6-across

10-across

11-across

12-across

15-across

18-across

22-across

23-across

26-across

27-across

28-across

29-across

2-down

3-down

5-down

7-down

9-down

14-down

16-down

17-down

21-down

24-down

25-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.
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.

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.
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 entire answer can be discovered by mixing up letters. An appropriate anagram 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.
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 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 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 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.

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 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 , , , | 15 Comments