A Puzzle by Serbosh
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The puzzle is available by clicking on the above grid.
As usual, the setter will be delighted to receive feedback from you, the solvers. We do ask that you remember that for most setters this is a new experience, so please only offer constructive criticism.
There was a lot to enjoy in this crossword from Serbosh, though not the illegal plural of Octopus! The other comments were more in relation to the placement of clues. Overall the commentometer is 2/26 or 7.7%.
Across
4a Tree huggers return fine unfortunately (6)
KOALAS: A reversal (return) of a two-letter word meaning fine followed by a four-letter word meaning unfortunately.
6a East End tramp’s highly flammable liquid (8)
PARAFFIN: Double definition, the first being the Cockney rhyming slang for a tramp.
9a Groovy music from Tool? (6)
NEEDLE: Cryptic definition of a “tool” that is used to pick up music from the grooves on a record.
10a Wacky, endless anecdote including a pest settling in Australia (4,4)
CANE TOAD: An anagram (wacky) of ANECTODE after removing the last letter (endless) around (including) the A from the clue.
11a Misguidedly assault Iran for southern nationals (11)
AUSTRALIANS: An anagram (misguidedly) of ASSAULT IRAN.  Having Australia in the previous clue forming the majority of the solution to this clue is not ideal.
15a Frequent squatter starts to organise payment of substantial amount of money (7)
OPOSSUM: The initial letters (starts to) of fifth to eighth words of the clue followed by a three-letter word for a substantial amount of money.
17a Infant’s father is tense being associated with artistic movement (7)
DADAIST: A four-letter word for how a young child might describe their father followed by the IS from the clue and the abbreviation for tense.
18a Discourage inmate misbehaving: settled (11)
DETERMINATE: A five-letter word meaning discourage followed by an anagram (misbehaving) of INMATE.
22a Wolves, deceivers… vermin (4,4)
PACK RATS: The collective noun for wolves followed by a four-letter word for deceivers.
23a Fly from Thailand with group to borders of Singapore (6)
TSETSE: The IVR code for Thailand followed by a three-letter word for a group and the outer letters (borders) of Thailand.
24a Errands regularly taken on by US work animal (8)
LABRADOR: The even letters (regularly) in errands inside (taken on by) the American word for work.
25a Spineless ones with camouflaged arms? (6)
OCTOPI: Cryptic definition. The solution is not the correct plural.
Down
1d Some, not all erections reaching higher point (6)
TALLER: The answer is hidden (some) in the second to fifth words of the clue.
2d One cold-blooded fellow found in leaves by emergency room (10)
SALAMANDER: A three-letter word for a fellow inside a five-letter word for leaves (in the food sense) followed by the abbreviation for emergency room.
3d Stroked Cynthia’s skin before bringing up unfinished pudding (8)
CARESSED: The outer letters (skin) of Cynthia followed by a reversal (bringing up) a seven-letter word for a pudding with the final letter removed (unfinished).
4d Boxer fighting ok with a groan (8)
KANGAROO: An anagram (fighting) of OK A GROAN.
5d Strong dislike of athletic type (8)
AVERSION: The abbreviation for athletic followed by a seven-letter word for a type.
7d Maybe Volkswagen reversed right instead of left to get amphibian (4)
FROG: A brand of Volkswagen car reversed with the L (left) replaced by an R.
8d Dune director changes position with new state of attire (4)
NUDE: Swap the positions of the abbreviations for director and new in the word Dune. Having two letter swap clues in a row is not ideal.
12d Finale of SNL impersonation shows lack of scope (10)
LIMITATION: The last letter (finale) of SNL followed by a nine-letter word meaning impersonation.
13d Herb (in Chicago) playing clarionet without energy… (8)
CILANTRO: An anagram (playing) of CLARIONET after removing (without) the abbreviation for energy.
14d …and the other people left accept refrain occasionally (2,6)
ET CETERI: The even letters (occasionally) in the fifth to seventh words of the clue.
16d Realised careers of the stars (8)
SIDEREAL: An anagram (careers) of REALISED.
19d Six-footer joins cult (6)
INSECT: Split 2, 4 this would be the result of someone joining a cult.
20d Old friend’s a gem (4)
OPAL: The abbreviation for old followed by a three-letter word for a friend.
21d Sign of healing seen in mollusc abnormality (4)
SCAB: The answer is hidden (seen) in the final two words of the clue.
We’d hazard a guess that Serbosh hails from somewhere not too far from us. Pity about 25a. Even BRB insists that it is wrong.
Took a little while to get into our stride but once we had twigged a couple of the theme words it flowed more smoothly. Enjoyed encountering all the familiar themed answers.
Thanks Serbosh.
Totally understand why but I’m from the UK! I tried to set up a grid with different types of animals in each quadrant. South West being the weakest link with only two. I couldn’t resist the opportunity for 10a and 11a when they came along, so my theme changed a little as I went on. Many thanks for the solve and comments!
Thanks Serbosh – a definite antipodean content from 4a to 4d and 15a to 20d!
I concur with the 2Kiwis on 25a – one has to be a Greek scholar rather than a Latin scholar.
Smiles for 4a, 2d, 13d, and 20d.
Thanks again and thanks in advance to Prolixic.
Wasn’t aware of just how much 20d is from that part of the world! A happy coincidence really! Many thanks.
A lovely Antipodean start to Monday morning, although as our overseas correspondents have said, a shame about 25a. Apart from that, there was lots to enjoy
Thanks to Serbosh and, in advance to Prolixic
Thank you for your comment and faves!
Very enjoyable with a lovely theme – many thanks to Serbosh.
I particularly liked 4a, 22a and 5d.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Well done to Serbosh for managing to include so many themed solutions.
Having consecutive clues (7d and 8d) involving letter switching is probably best avoided.
Look forward to your next one. Many thanks.
Many thanks. Noted!
Thank you Serbosh, really enjoyable. Favourites were 4a and 5d. We look forward to your next one. Thanks in advance to Prolixic.
Thank you very much!