What do you think solvers complain about the most when it comes to cryptic crosswords? Obscure words? They are up there. Imprecise definitions? No-one is happy with these. Extraneous words? Less and less so. What about poor grid design? Almost never (but it should be scrutinised more). No, it’s none of these. In my experience at the top of the list is poor anagram indicators, probably because anagrams are frequently used and setters are looking for something different so as not to be obvious. Usually a setter will use more anagram indicators (in a full or partial mode) than the rest put together, so solvers shouldn’t be surprised when they explore the edges of what’s considered acceptable. However, the same rule applies no matter what anagram indicator is used: it must directly or indirectly point to a mixing up or rearrangement of letters. Some form of contact isn’t good enough, there must be change involved.
If an anagram indicator can only be deduced after the answer has been found and the rest of the wordplay resolved, then it is faulty; if a solver works out that part of the wordplay must be an anagram indicator based on its context and not on its implicit instruction, then it is also faulty.
All Stickler fans will know how much I like to use the anagram device either for the whole answer or, more commonly, as part of the answer. In over 100,000 Stickler clues I used a relatively small list of anagram indicators without ever being accused of repetition or producing puzzles that were too easy due to the number of anagrams I used. It’s also rare for anyone to question my anagram indicators. I put this down to context. Stick an anagram indicator in a clue where it seems to belong and the most common indicator may be glossed over – it’s human nature. So, if there is a secret, it’s this: don’t try and be tricky with an obscure anagram indicator, just use one that’s natural in the surface reading to get solvers believing it has a rightful, and not artificial, place in the clue.
Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
1 | DEFAMATION | |
Assassination of character broadcast to Mafia hiding in a secluded place (10) | Anagram of TO MAFIA inside DEN | |
6 | BUNT | |
Shot in baseball only keeping man at third (4) | BUT outside MA(N) | |
9 | ROLES | |
Expensive watch mostly designed with small parts (5) | (ROLE)X + S(mall) | |
10 | BADMINTON | |
Counterfeit coin being supported by court action (9) | BAD + MINT + ON | |
12 | CHINATOWN | |
Feature trail in an area dominated by Asian influences (9) | CHIN + (TOW inside AN) | |
13 | CAMEL | |
Old WWI plane arrived and left (5) | CAME + L | |
14 | SCAB | |
One not covered by revamped basic injury cover (4) | Anagram of BASIC minus I | |
15 | BRING OUT | |
Unveil boxing arena used in competition (5,3) | RING inside BOUT | |
18 | TETHERED | |
Broken teeth, a light colour, should be secured? (8) | Anagram of TEETH + RED | |
20 | TINS | |
Quantity of meat in special food containers (4) | meaT IN Special | |
24 | ALIVE | |
A sinful, retired operative? (5) | A + (EVIL reversed) | |
25 | EXONERATE | |
Clear old friend, one found with speed (9) | EX + ONE + RATE | |
26 | GUEST-ROOM | |
Utes incorrectly parked in coach space reserved for visitors (5-4) | Anagram of UTES inside GROOM | |
27 | ADOPT | |
Take in suit during fitting (5) | DO inside APT | |
28 | TIES | |
Asian people announced allegiances (4) | Sounds like THAIS | |
29 | CHARLESTON | |
Kid passed around edited version of her last dance (10) | CON outside (anagram of HER DANCE) | |
Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
1 | DIRECT | |
Give guidance to dreadful court (6) | DIRE + CT | |
2 | FILLIES | |
Races giving entry to one with fifty young horses (7) | FLIES outside (I + L) | |
3 | MISMANAGEMENT | |
Bungling staff – mature workers – featured in film (13) | (MAN + AGE + MEN) inside MIST | |
4 | TABOOS | |
Time a publicity campaign curtailed restrictions (6) | T + A + BOOS(T) | |
5 | ORDINARY | |
Standard or criterion lastly included in journal (8) | OR + [CRITERIO(N) inside DIARY] | |
7 | UP-TEMPO | |
Occupants of shop met pupil running back at a fast pace (2-5) | shOP MET PUpil reversed | |
8 | TONALITY | |
Plaything, inscribed with a translation of Latin, is key (8) | TOY outside anagram of LATIN | |
11 | INCONSIDERATE | |
Current case about dealing with subordinate lacking regard for others (13) | IN + CRATE outside (ON + SIDE) | |
16 | STRAIGHT | |
Conventional art mounted in display (8) | ART reversed inside SIGHT | |
17 | BEHEMOTH | |
Be on flying machine filled with helium – a huge thing (8) | (BE + MOTH) outside HE | |
19 | TRIREME | |
ENT, forced out of retirement, restored old greek warship (7) | Anagram of RETIREMENT minus ENT | |
21 | SEAPORT | |
Electorate containing Parramatta, originally, or Sydney perhaps (7) | SEAT outside [(P)ARRAMATTA + OR] | |
22 | BOOMER | |
Jeer short, battling club basketball player (6) | BOO + MER(E) | |
23 | BEATEN | |
Stuffed rump of lamb put away by consumers (6) | LAM(B) + EATEN |
For 27A, I had ADAPT initially convinced that suit = DA was a reference to a prosecutor. But saw the right answer once the crossing letter from 21D fell in place
Hi David
I’m not sure what the clue for 22d .. Battling club = mere ?? I am at a real loss as to what it’s referring to .. Sorry if it’s very obvious .. I do hope u can keep giving us ur Sticklers .
Cheers Toni
From the Macquarie:
mere[3]
/’meree/.
noun
a Maori club for hand-to-hand fighting.
[Maori]
It’s certainly not a common word. It’s often clued as just “club”. I added a qualifier (“battling”), but that may or may not have helped depending on how you interpret it.
Thanks for doing The Stickler Weekly
The Stickler