July 2, 2023 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Day: 2 July 2023

Sunday Toughie 75 (Hints)

by Sloop John Bee  

Sunday Toughie No 75 by proXimal

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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I found that quite tough last night but maybe I was affected by the paint fumes from the ongoing redecoration of the bathroom. As usual with proXimal and Toughies, limiting the hints to about half is quite difficult. I hope you have an easier time parsing and find the checkers to finish this puzzle.
I have hinted at half of 14a and 16d clues today (with a bonus pic and video) and I think I have most of this parsed if you want an extra nudge or two just ask. I will be finishing a second coat of a slightly too-vibrant yellow in the bathroom but will assist if required.

Here we go, Folks…

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EV 1597 Hints

by Phibs  

Enigmatic Variations 1597 (Hints)

Illumination by Vagans

Hints and tips by Phibs

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I believe that we may be dealing here with an episcopus vagans, or wandering bishop. My usual source of information on all things historical is 1066 and All That, but it appears to be silent on this subject. However, what I have gleaned from other sources is that the Middle Ages engendered a Wave of Wandering Bishops, deflocked clerics who considered domus to be wherever their mitres came to rest. The Sitting Bishops, who were trained to recognize a crook at a hundred ells, declared their itinerant counterparts parsonae non gratae and united against them under the banner nolo episcopari (‘no nasty episcopalians’), mercilessly moving them on using crosiers especially sharpened for the purpose. The Wandering Bishops were thus a Bad Thing, whose only lasting legacy is the expression ‘long time no see’.

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