November 23, 2025 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

Sunday Toughie 200 (Hints)

Sunday Toughie No 200

by proXimal

 

Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee

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It seems to me that we have been treated to a quite tricky weekend of puzzles from Telegraph Towers. Maybe it is just me being worn out by double duty. For this 200th Sunday Toughie proXimal has started with a Spoonerism and plenty of compound/subtractive anagrams.

16a and 14d clues, and I have hinted at half. As ever, some quite tricky constructions remain beware of lurkers, anagrams and “cycling” of letters. I will try and provide a nudge or two if you get stuck. I ask you (21d) to be aware I may be taking Mama Bee out for coffee and cakes (NOT at Greggs)

 

Here we go, Folks…

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EV 1722 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1722 (Hints)

Observer by Hedge-sparrow

Hints and tips by Phibs

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Today marks a welcome return to the EV stage for a setter whose previous puzzle in the series was Different Relation, back in November 2023.

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ST 3344 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3344 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg from where I am happy to report that I have booked my flights for attendance at BB17, a.k.a. my semisesquicentennial plus one year and six days, and some family visiting – I am not sure which is more important – but no more date changes SJB.

For me, and I stress for me,© Dada quirkily friendly, with his own thesaurus in evidence, with six anagrams (four partial), two lurkers, and one homophone in a very asymmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, which I am reasonably certain are below, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.

If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!

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