Late in 1928, the Guardian made plans to give its readers a weekly cryptic puzzle. At the time, crosswords were considered a waste of time; other newspapers campaigned against them as a distraction keeping the working man from his duties, but the cryptic was different. Sly and witty rather than purely definitional, the cryptic makes…
7Edges of empire sacked by Egypt’s last queen (9) 7 across. Edges of empire sacked by Egypt’s last queen. 9 letters. 8Told ally to lose three pounds before tomorrow (5) 8 across. Told ally to lose three pounds before tomorrow. 5 letters. 9Bring this novel for Leo, perhaps (5,4) 9 across. Bring this novel for…
8Rock purveyor we will make rude noises about (8) 8 across. Rock purveyor we will make rude noises about. 8 letters. 9Sprinter in bar bent back to grasp nuts (1,4) 9 across. Sprinter in bar bent back to grasp nuts. 1 letters and 4 letters. 10Scots knew England’s garden? (4) 10 across. Scots knew England’s…
1Chaos – turn-up this month? (6) 1 across. Chaos – turn-up this month? 6 letters. 4Dog – or, when paired with 18ac, loudspeaker (6) 4 across. Dog – or, when paired with 18ac, loudspeaker. 6 letters. 9Pope (7) 9 across. Pope. 7 letters. 10Demand and obtain (5) 10 across. Demand and obtain. 5 letters. 11Beginning…
1Place to walk on board (9,4) 1 across. Place to walk on board. 9 letters and 4 letters. 8More amusing (7) 8 across. More amusing. 7 letters. 9Lumberjack shirt material (5) 9 across. Lumberjack shirt material. 5 letters. 10Appearance – butcher’s (informal) (4) 10 across. Appearance – butcher’s (informal). 4 letters. 11Work by Gilbert and…
1Take off clothing quietly – like sex naked and calm (7) 1 across. Take off clothing quietly – like sex naked and calm. 7 letters. 5England through winning match (7) 5 across. England through winning match. 7 letters. 10Land every uppercut in left side (4) 10 across. Land every uppercut in left side. 4 letters….
1Iron a suit – not hem (4) 1 down. Iron a suit – not hem. 4 letters. 2Poet outside independent church house (8) 2 down. Poet outside independent church house. 8 letters. 3Cook big cheese after centre removed (4) 3 down. Cook big cheese after centre removed. 4 letters. 4Utterly fail to produce a breakfast…
1Flamboyant and vulgar (6) 1 down. Flamboyant and vulgar. 6 letters. 2Train – attendants (7) 2 down. Train – attendants. 7 letters. 3Mint, jelly or icing? (5) 3 down. Mint, jelly or icing? 5 letters. 5They’re sometimes called ceps or penny buns (7) 5 down. They’re sometimes called ceps or penny buns. 7 letters. 6Not…
1Pretty shy hugging me at rear of school (6) 1 across. Pretty shy hugging me at rear of school. 6 letters. 4Get over arch, and one may make a bolt for it (8) 4 across. Get over arch, and one may make a bolt for it. 8 letters. 9Relish oxygen brought by sudden wind (5)…
9Zero protection for organ (not ball) – almost a disaster? (4,5) 9 across. Zero protection for organ (not ball) – almost a disaster? 4 letters and 5 letters. 10Relation following victory parade (5) 10 across. Relation following victory parade. 5 letters. 11Reward of author, King and his ilk? (7) 11 across. Reward of author, King…
