H _ _ _ _ _ _ O (5)
I imagine Wow's is an anagram of the whole clue, but I'm stuck.
And, being stuck:
Try covering it first in Three-In-One (7)
H _ _ _ _ _ _ O (5)
Water, but you're supposed to solve one first! :D :D
Take the oil? I, a h-holy man? (3,9,8)I imagine Wow's is an anagram of the whole clue, but I'm stuck.You are right, and it's also rather dated. I have to admit to rank plagiarism as this was one of Bunthorne's from about 30 years ago. It so impressed me that I've never forgotten it.
Take the oil? I, a h-holy man? (3,9,8)With that extra context, it's obviously THE AYATOLLAH KHOMEINI.I imagine Wow's is an anagram of the whole clue, but I'm stuck.
You are right, and it's also rather dated. I have to admit to rank plagiarism as this was one of Bunthorne's from about 30 years ago. It so impressed me that I've never forgotten it.
I imagine Wow's is an anagram of the whole clue, but I'm stuck.
And, being stuck:
Try covering it first in Three-In-One (7)
Try covering it first in Three-In-One (7)
Trinity?
Try covering it first in Three-In-One (7)
Trinity?
Yes. TRY covering INIT (IT, but, first IN).
Here's another. I'm finding the Ashes a good theme.
Twenty runs, but at the crease he doesn't push through with his cuts (6)
Dot Matrix Printer
Sorry, yes, in standard crossword stylee : -
Wolf (3)
And the extra info is that the first letter is 'e'.
He plays around under waterfalls (4, 6)
He plays around under waterfalls (4, 6)
He plays around under waterfalls (4, 6)
There's an anagram in there.
There's an anagram in there.
FATS WALLER, who certainly played, is an anagram of "waterfalls". [But I don't really buy "under" as an anagram indicator, while "around" is in the wrong place for one, isn't it? Am I barking up the wrong tree entirely? I'm not good on golfers.]
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em tune sung in church (3,5)
On the assumption that the above is correct:-(it is)
Billericay
Two boys are followed by a youth leader in Essex. (10)
On the assumption that the above is correct:-(it is)QuoteBillericay
Two boys are followed by a youth leader in Essex. (10)
Hans' wife follows fish for forum favourite. (9)
Regrets, of course. Not fond of that type of clue though, tbh. It's more general knowledge quiz than wordplay.
Here's one that I can't claim authorship of but I think it's brilliant - and is a proper cryptic crossword clue:
Eggs on toast. (6)
d.
The trumpet sounds (two notes), right, and no one shall be raised. (7)
Clarion, I think.Yes. And isn't it pleasing?
d.
wedding dress
Anagram of designers + W (white).
d.
Well it took me a while to work out why wolf was ebb earlier even after you had answered it earlier !
European King a small tome's recalled (6)
Who's doing/done the Araucaria Christmas special from last Saturday's Guardian? After a slow start, I'm making some progress but still a long way from completion. One question for anyone who's got further than me: when he says "modern" novels, presumably he means "anything from Don Quixote onwards", right? I got the Dickens novel pretty quickly, but that's a rather narrower range to choose from.
European King a small tome's recalled (6)
Loch Ness Monster?
How about.....
........I weary myself, keeping up with retired people (7)
How about.....
........I weary myself, keeping up with retired people (7)
Sounds like my audax experiences.
What's put in cheese that makes dog start to drool (4)
(click to show/hide)
Not on a cheese theme, but it amused me at lunch-time:
Skinny, toothless what's-his-name (9)
For fans of the Cryptic Crossword, the 20p 'i' newspaper from today includes a daily cryptic crossword :thumbsup:
A clue from todays paper :
Lithe acts performed in the name of sport (9)
Café where the OAPs gather (7)
For fans of the Cryptic Crossword, the 20p 'i' newspaper from today includes a daily cryptic crossword :thumbsup:
A clue from todays paper :
Lithe acts performed in the name of sport (9)
There was one very similar to that in the Guardian the other day.
Here's another of mine that I was quite pleased with:
They order "Horses for courses!" (8)
d.
starters
Slow puncture
Vegetable, say, left between doctor and worker (8)
Vegetable, say, left between doctor and worker (8)
Eggplant
Hydrogen, aluminium, oxygen, germanium, nitrogen ? None of these ! (7)
:thumbsup:Hydrogen, aluminium, oxygen, germanium, nitrogen ? None of these ! (7)
Halogen.
Here's one that occurred to me yesterday:
Resort to deep salination when tides change (9)
Here's one that occurred to me yesterday:
Resort to deep salination when tides change (9)
No one hazard a guess at mine? :(
I might question the 'resort' bit - unless preceded by 'last' perhaps.
tides change = seas alter?
SeasalterFair comment :(
Though I might question the 'resort' bit - unless preceded by 'last' perhaps.
I'm not sure you should have "deep salination" (presumably that's SEA SALT; I don't see the "er" in that section of the wordplay) in there as well as the changing tides. The double false anagram lead is very neat, though.Also fair. It seemed to work at first, but you're right
Gentleman's gentleman's gentleman, pursues (as gentleman lady), pursued by hindparts of joker. (7)
Top player securing University Cricket Club's win (7)
Top player securing University Cricket Club's win (7)
SUCCEED
Shoot from the hip (good one!)
French shout across US city on call for parishioner (7)
French shout across US city on call for parishioner (7)
Clarion
French shout across US city on call for parishioner (7)
Clarion
I don't think the setter should be allowed to solve their own clue. ;)
d.
French shout across US city on call for parishioner (7)
Clarion
I don't think the setter should be allowed to solve their own clue. ;)
d.
It was just taking sooooooo looooong.....! :)
It's Clarion. I guessed that this morning but couldn't work out why.
LA, cri on.
I'd guess that that's MASSAGE PARLOURS.
Sorry to post another one before yours is answered Pingu, but I couldn't resist.
Places in which clients must not be rubbed up the wrong way (7,8)
Material made by bee, say, in mini conflagration (5,5)
Material made by bee, say, in mini conflagration (5,5)
One of the words is denim?
Material made by bee, say, in mini conflagration (5,5)
Material made by bee, say, in mini conflagration (5,5)
MICRO FIBRE
(You could omit the "say", since "bee" already clues B.)
Carbon Fibre
I don't get that. ???
Damn shells! (6)
American Express?
Here's one I liked from a Guardian Quiptic a couple of weeks ago:
Garfunkel recording that's seen in gallery? (4,2,3)
CERN result's no big "Gosh!", possibly? (5,5)
Lead?Very good.
Lead it is - the best cryptic clues are the shortest (IMO)
Circular letter?Correct.
Have we had
E (13)
Errant
Signpost?
DERAILLEUR
Flier accommodates expected argument (5,7)
Bear topped;car tailed;unknown. Might he eat you? (4,6)Bear topped = (T)eddy
I wasn't sure at first but I think it's actually a valid clue within the "rules" - too clever for me though!
At first glance, the "definition" is missing, but it's actually an &lit - the whole clue is the definition. "Curly-headed" is slightly tenuous but works.
d.
l'eleve ?
O Level.
Opium den?
Bar of soap (6,6)
Poisonous, tailless parasite swallows bullock. (5)
Poetical scene has surprisingly chaste Lord Archer vegetating (3, 3, 8, 12)Some, it may be, can get in touch
Shamelessly nicked, but so brilliant I had to share it. Please have a go before googling.
Edit: it's one of Araucaria's.
Poetical scene has surprisingly chaste Lord Archer vegetating (3, 3, 8, 12)
Shamelessly nicked, but so brilliant I had to share it. Please have a go before googling.
Edit: it's one of Araucaria's.
Just been reminded of a bit from Geoff Scarr, a Yorkshire (hmm mmaybe not yorkshire thinking about it) comedian I had the pleasure to see many years ago, resulting in buying his LP http://www.discogs.com/Geoff-Scarr-Cumalot-And-Other-Bawdy-Ballads/release/4914630
Anyone else remember him?
Anyway, he came up with what was probably the best crossword clue ever:
Clue:
Hearken to a sexual deviation, 5 2 4 4(click to show/hide)
twat in a white audi(click to show/hide)
Twat! You heard: where it should be white, lacking "Vorsprung", and unspecified "Technik". Goes without saying? (9)
Yup.(click to show/hide)
http://static.guim.co.uk/ni/1387370480499/Prize-crossword-26,137.pdfNow divested of its [img] tags. The link is correct. I've only got a couple of clues, and the long made-up quotation around the edge, left on the Private Eye crossword, so bear with me.
Did anyone notice that today is the 100th anniversary of the first ever crossword, in the New York Times, 21/12/1913?
3,6,6,4,5,2,3,5,11,2,3,5,4,9,2,3,3,4,5,2/2/4.Did anyone notice that today is the 100th anniversary of the first ever crossword, in the New York Times, 21/12/1913?
How many letters?
Did anyone notice that today is the 100th anniversary of the first ever crossword, in the New York Times, 21/12/1913?
Did anyone notice that today is the 100th anniversary of the first ever crossword, in the New York Times, 21/12/1913?
Diamond Geezer certainly did!
Scrooge's attitude, say, during the Christmas story. (10)No attempts? Answer to this one is
Nice theme in today's Grauniad cryptic :thumbsup:
Answer the question!UK-rain-E. But "topical" is a bit unximenean for my taste.
Answer the question!UK-rain-E. But "topical" is a bit unximenean for my taste.
Sorry; jumped the gun, didn't realise you had to answer one first.After the first exuberant rush on this thread some years ago, that stricture serves no purpose at all. Any clues are welcome. I, for one, welcome our... drat, no solver? (3, 3, 9)
(2,6) (4,1,5)
:)
A French poor girl covers up jumble. That's against our principles (10)
UNE and an anagram of ANNE, around MIX upwards.A French poor girl covers up jumble. That's against our principles (10)
I wrote this one for HTFB if that's any help.
UNE and an anagram of ANNE, around MIX upwards.A French poor girl covers up jumble. That's against our principles (10)
I wrote this one for HTFB if that's any help.
UNE and an anagram of ANNE, around MIX upwards.A French poor girl covers up jumble. That's against our principles (10)
I wrote this one for HTFB if that's any help.
Wee Eck.Yup. Must remember to tweet that again in a fortnight or so.
UNXIMENEAN (i.e., against the canonical principles of crossword-setting, as set out by Ximenes.)A French poor girl covers up jumble. That's against our principles (10)UNE and an anagram of ANNE, around MIX upwards.
I, for one, welcome our... drat, no solver? (3, 3, 9)NEW ANT OVERLORDS ("Drat, no solver" is an anagram of "ant overlords". So the anagram indicator is in the answer, not the clue. I believe Ximenes permits this, at least with the question mark. Doesn't he? Please?)
Within seven days, Union's "historic name": Alex Salmond (3,3)
Referendum.Yup. An alternative clue:
Consultation people (among which I) refer to (10)
He gambles to win partner for him in (traditional!) Union? No. (6, 8)
International standard bra size in Kent. (6)
Nice one from today's Guardian:
Right-wing Mad Hatter ethic. (11)
Yes; who was it? It's Araucaria's style but presumably not him.
There was a nice one in The Week a few weeks ago:
Ultimately sexist ass in America (5)
Not too hard to get.
There was a nice one in The Week a few weeks ago:
Ultimately sexist ass in America (5)
Not too hard to get.
Am I alone in NEVER being able to work out cryptic clues? ??? <BAFFLED> ???
What's the technique? I. Just. Don't. Get. Them.
Must be something to do with Asperger's?
TRUMP is the answer upthread. The ultimate part is rump, which equals ass in USAnian etc...
And 'T' is the ultimate letter of 'sexist'.
Accept what's offered in cash - George Best cons bar when drunk. (7,4,2,8)
(from today's Guardian)
Brexit not a disaster? It’s very costly (10)
In today's Graun:QuoteBrexit not a disaster? It’s very costly (10)
In the Grauniad the other day:
Exhausted by current Tory tactic to stay in government? (4,2)
It was USED UP (use DUP), which is very droll.
OK - today's Graun quick crossword: "Insincere talk - slope" (4)I've certaianly heard it in terms of sloping ie Canted and a two second google turned up thisI can see the insincere talk, but where is the slope? I've don't know of such a meaning and I can't (ha!) find that definition of the word in any dictionary.(click to show/hide)
"Insincere talk - slope" made me think of Alan Rickman.
"Insincere talk - slope" made me think of Alan Rickman.
Great reference! Probably the best thing he ever did, I reckon.
I wonder if that was a deliberate bit of wordplay by Trollope? Seems plausible.
Pants? Really?Given it's the Torygraph I was quite surprised at that usage, but it's not the first time in the last month or so.
Pants? Really?Given it's the Torygraph I was quite surprised at that usage, but it's not the first time in the last month or so.
OK, I don't care about the ridicule, how does one spot an anagram indicator (Ximenean or non-Ximenean)?Ooooo. Where to start ?
OK, I don't care about the ridicule, how does one spot an anagram indicator (Ximenean or non-Ximenean)?
In the Torygraph yesterday (or maybe the day before).
Coats, bras, pants, jumpers.(click to show/hide)
Could also be called "builder's smile" but I just made that up!
Brexiteer, twisted demagogue leers "No EU! No deal!" (4-4)
Brexiteer, twisted demagogue leers "No EU! No deal!" (4-4)
*Like*
Likewise 'commons veto' - then noticed when I checked it that there's a spare letter.No is just cluing "N", obviously. Does that help?
No is just cluing "N", obviously. Does that help?
I can build a bike from the frame up. True wheels, service bearings, even index gears.
I can write acceptable blog posts, even hold a reasonable conversation.
But for the life of me I cannot get cryptic crossword clues.
You're all weirdos . . .
Article 50 Prime Minister left incomplete: she went off the cliff-edge. (6)
Here's another one.That’s excellent. Thanks, HTFB.
Brexit scenario sees Dover approaching sandwich. (2,4)
I still haven’t got the Dominic Raab one. Can someone put me out of my misery please?
(click to show/hide)
As political anagrams go, that one is right up there with Virginia Bottomley. You, Sir, are to be congratulated in the strongest possible terms.Oooooo. I'd quite forgotten that one. Thank you.
The world clearly needs a joke about Raab combining that anagram, pigs flying, and Brexit. If you can make a better one, you do it with my blessing.
My supplementary was "What you get if you cross lions with flatfish."
My supplementary was "What you get if you cross lions with flatfish."
I like it.
Effin' Jeffrey Archer novel? (4,2,3,5)
From today's Grauniad prize crossword:QuoteEffin' Jeffrey Archer novel? (4,2,3,5)
;D
That one's so easy even I got it!
Paddi Pads!
Roman traces...
Liked the theme in today's Grauniad cryptic :thumbsup: Here's a flavour:
Painter of British water? (5)
First lady wears clothes of satin - they were magnificent in the film (5)
Timely indicators of Trump's inadequacy? (6,5)
In today's Grauniad.Quote from: PaulTimely indicators of Trump's inadequacy? (6,5)
In today's Grauniad.Quote from: PaulTimely indicators of Trump's inadequacy? (6,5)
In today's Grauniad.Quote from: PaulTimely indicators of Trump's inadequacy? (6,5)
That man's failing, mate — but he's still in office (4,7)
Another from the Graun.And from the same crossword:Quote from: VladThat man's failing, mate — but he's still in office (4,7)
Big deal, right? Won't work - like government's contact-tracing app. (5-7)
Fancy doorbell, but not a respectable place (8 )
Today's Graun prize crossword is one for Wowbagger :thumbsup:
Today's Graun prize crossword is one for Wowbagger :thumbsup:
Today's Graun prize crossword is one for Wowbagger :thumbsup:
That was utterly beyond me. Either they are getting harder or I am getting more stupid. Possibly both.
The only clues I got were BOARD, BISHOP and GAME.
Today's Graun prize crossword is one for Wowbagger :thumbsup:
That was utterly beyond me. Either they are getting harder or I am getting more stupid. Possibly both.
The only clues I got were BOARD, BISHOP and GAME.
...We nattered for quite a time and the subject came round to cryptic crosswords. Frank is a great solver, and he told me that when he was 60, his wife paid Araucaria (Rev. John Graham) to compile a crossword specially for Frank. It cost her about £30. Frank's verdict on Araucaria: "He was a lovely man."
In today’s Guardian:
Cyclist of note about to sell his pants. (4,9)
Downloaded and will have a go tomorrow :thumbsup:
AZED was a bit simple today
I especially like 10 acc.!
^ Like the simplicity of 4d - made me smile too :thumbsup:
18a was a new one on me - perhaps it ought to have a US indicator?
Still struggling with the NW corner :-[
15A cluing is a bit poor.
Though I suppose it could be considered revenge for the arcane shortcuts used by many setters
...My most recent effort:
https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/204...
15A cluing is a bit poor.
Though I suppose it could be considered revenge for the arcane shortcuts used by many setters
It’s funny. I had what I thought was a nice idea for that one but struggled to make it into a workable clue. And yet it has had positive comments over there.
But I agree with you rather than them. It’s definitely not my best work!
He seeks the Bird King around Switzerland.
I5A led easily enough to the answer, though I see cygnet's point. "Spotter finds crone, in short term"? Too easy, perhaps.
Anyway, well done - I thoroughly enjoyed that!
Not cryptic, but a bit of an oddity in today's Graun "Weekend" crossword. It's in the form of a knowledge quiz, some of it pretty obscure.
French expression meaning "In the know". (1,2,4)
The solution in the ipad app insisted on the grave accent over the first letter, otherwise it said it was wrong. That's rather fussy of it, and also inaccurate, as the app defaults to capitals and accents are optional extras when you are using capitals.
...An earlier one - I'm very pleased with some of the clues here, but there are several that really need polishing:
https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/183 ...
I see you used all the letters in that one.
TV show presented by insufferable prat with ego (3,4) (https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/219#19-down)
TV show presented by insufferable prat with ego (3,4) (https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/219#19-down)
TV show presented by insufferable prat with ego (3,4) (https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/219#19-down)
That is superb!
My latest effort is now up as a guest puzzle on Alberich's website (the top crossword pro for the FT, not the Wagner character):
http://www.alberichcrosswords.com/pages/widdersbel.html
Spent a lot of time polishing this one, and I like to think it shows. For anyone who tries it, I apologise in advance for 27a (which has more going on wordplay-wise than may first meet the eye, so to speak).
Completed yesterday evening but struggling to parse 5a and 21a. Also unsure where the letters UR come from in 2d? Any hints please? They'll probably jump out at me now I've posted!
Favourites were 10a, 15a and 18a :thumbsup:
Also realised I still can't parse 23d. Is vicar a synonym for pope?
Forgot to mention that 17d is another fave :thumbsup:
It’s PREVIOUS (former) - REV (vicar). ‘No longer’ is the deletion indicator - I was quite pleased with myself for that one!
My latest effort is now up as a guest puzzle on Alberich's website (the top crossword pro for the FT, not the Wagner character):
http://www.alberichcrosswords.com/pages/widdersbel.html
Spent a lot of time polishing this one, and I like to think it shows. For anyone who tries it, I apologise in advance for 27a (which has more going on wordplay-wise than may first meet the eye, so to speak).
Because reasons I'm a week behind on the Graun prize crossword, so I've just noticed the theme for last week's one :thumbsup:
Voter knew about Johnson's party! (4,5)
from:
https://twitter.com/7upislemonade/status/1481240979738877952?s=20
;D
Perhaps more accurately (as well as suggesting more than one person in the country knows), plus 20th May 2020 was not the only one -
Voters knew about Johnson's parties! (4,6)
An utterly appalling error in today’s Observer “speedy” crossword.
US WWII General, later president. (8 )
The answer they wanted: ISENHOUR.
How odd - I've come across CAROM twice in other crosswords recently. Once in a daily Guardian cryptic just before Christmas, and once in an Azed. Not a new term to me, but not one I see very often outside crosswords either, and certainly strange that it should crop up on three separate occasions so close together.
Is it an Americanism? I wasn't aware of that.
You are in black darkness and confusion
You have been hugger-muggered and carom-shotted into a war
And you know nothing about it
You know nothing about the forces that caused it
Or you know next to nothing
You ought not to be in this war
You cannot win this war
Today’s “Weekend” crossword in the Graun is mostly very straightforward for R4 listeners.Shirley 6 across is wrong.
https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/weekend/611
I think they used to be written "6, 5 down" - or am I making this up?!
Ha!(click to show/hide)(click to show/hide)
OK waiter...fresh tofu for us please (8 )
https://twitter.com/KnutCrosswords/status/1582708224633208833?s=20&t=9CEInhQEqy5ePTdjC7x91w
My latest cruciverbal creation:
https://crypticcrosswords.net/puzzles/rookie-corner/rookie-corner-449/
My latest cruciverbal creation:
https://crypticcrosswords.net/puzzles/rookie-corner/rookie-corner-449/
My latest cruciverbal creation:
https://crypticcrosswords.net/puzzles/rookie-corner/rookie-corner-449/
Beauty from Nimrod in today’s Indy:
In retrospect, someone partial to prime-ministerial blunders (5)
Beauty from Nimrod in today’s Indy:
In retrospect, someone partial to prime-ministerial blunders (5)
:thumbsup:
And an amusing clue from an all round superb but gentle Pasquale in today's Guardian?
Asian drunk, we hear - one in the pool? (6)
The answer is easy enough but the clue depends on whether or not you think the answer sought the blunders out for preference.
Attack American president receiving head from Monica (6)
Fruit makes pop star extremely randy (6)
(fab simplicity from Brummie' cryptic in today's Guardian)
The first is a famous Rufus classic. I do like that Al Gore one, which I've not seen before. :thumbsup:
Oh, that is nice - if a bit sportist in the clue! My wife resents having to ask me, "Is ........ a fielding position in cricket?" and I think her complaint is fair!
Well, I reckon they are out of step.
Loved this from Filbert in today's Indy:
Heroine seconds from death imprudently smoked Camels by fuel store (4,9)
Today's cryptic in the Guardian was a repeat. I wonder why.
Seems to have been resolved on the Guardian website now - the Tramp puzzle that should have been published today is now available.Thanks for that. When I went back to it I was surprised to find my answers from earlier in the day fitting badly in the new grid!
TV show presented by insufferable prat with ego (3,4) (https://mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/219#19-down)
Is the Granuiad prize crossword getting easier do people think?
I used to rarely finish them, but recently have had much more sustained success.
Just watched this week's Taskmaster which refers to this (https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/29186) crossword :thumbsup: