Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ****
Dada’s in an avuncular mood today, gifting us a gentle-ish romp that felt airy and upbeat.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***/****
Yes, I’m afraid you’ve got me again, pulling a double.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **/*** – Enjoyment ****
I’d have known this was Dharma even without his Toughie byline: garlicky wordplay, clever definitions and sneaky misdirects.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment **/***
Chalicea’s back with her magic (South African, Scandi and Scots today) dictionary, a couple of semicolons and even a bonus Quickie clue (19d).… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***
A tad quirky, I thought, but crammed with Dada’s usual trademarks – a bombardment of double definitions and anagrams, plus a wee smidgeon of cheek and GK, hence the extra half-star.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***
Not too taxing today despite the double unches (Musaeus seems to like ‘em) some quirky definitions and a handful of peculiar surfaces – 14a, etc.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment *****
Well, I thought this was quite tricky for a Tuesday.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***/****
Dada’s certainly putting in a shift this week, with two on Sunday and another today.… Continue reading
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****/*****
An utterly charming puzzle from Dharma to see out the year in style: cunning misdirection, masked definitions and typically smart surfaces. Nowt outlandish here. My difficulty rating will, I’m sure, meet with snorts of derision as per usual, but Dharma’s style has always suited me down to the ground. Hopefully, I won’t be entirely alone! All yours.
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****
A fun Christmas Eve jaunt, this. Not terribly tricky, despite 14a (hence the extra half) which was certainly new to me and some typically cunning synonyms.… Continue reading