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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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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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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A Puzzle by Meles
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Continue reading "NTSPP 824"
Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31091 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by Cryptic-Sloop)
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I am standing in for Crypticsue today. I hope she recovers soon as I found this quite tricky for a SPP. I am hopeless at setter spotting, but with a couple of nice linked clues, I suspect this may be the work of Donnybrook.
A generous 16a and 16d clues and I have hinted half.
I’m providing hints for what I consider to be some of the harder clues. If you’re really stuck on one of the clues I haven’t hinted I may provide a bit more help. However, I have to take Mama Bee out shopping/coffee drinking so beware of the naughty step as no cake is available.
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Toughie No 3588 by Osmosis
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
We have a typical Osmosis puzzle with cunningly-disguised definitions, clever wordplay, nothing really obscure and a welcome lack of anagrams. I enjoyed the challenge – thanks to Osmosis.
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Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31085
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 15th November 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A slight tough but entertaining Saturday puzzle from the setter that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback. Continue reading “DT 31085 (Full Review)”
Toughie No 3587 by Django
Hints and tips by ALP
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BD Rating – Toughie difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
The usual cleverness from Django. Some quirky little tricks, fun definitions and a riot of 80s reference – in (bar 28a!) a good way. All yours.
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