Putting the words to lights – crossword clues explained in plain English
Since the beginning of 2010, Wednesday’s regular setter is Jeremy Mutch who has visited the blog as Jay. During 2009, Jay set almost all the Thursday puzzles.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *+ – Enjoyment ***
A busy morning for me, so glad this was a 1-1.5* in difficulty, and slightly less than 3* for enjoyment. Thanks to setter. Definitions are underlined in the clues. (Pardon me for any errors that might have slipped in due to the rush.)
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BD Rating – Difficulty *+ – Enjoyment ***
A straightforward solve. Favourite was 16down, with its amusing imagery. About a 1.5* for difficulty and 3* for enjoyment, though over in a relatively short period of time. Thanks to setter.
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BD Rating – Difficulty **++ – Enjoyment ***
This was made a little bit more difficult by the grid which has more than the usual number of unchecked letters. So I’d give it a 2.5+ * for difficulty and a 3* for enjoyment. Thanks to setter.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Quite straightforward, so a 1.5-2* in difficulty, with a 3* for enjoyment. Thanks to setter. Definitions are underlined in the clues. “[xxx]” denotes a Synonym or equivalent of “xxx”.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
A 2* (or perhaps under) in difficulty, with a 3* for enjoyment, with some interestingly cryptic definitions and indicators smoothly fitting into the surfaces. Thanks to setter. Definitions are underlined in the clues. “[xxx]” denotes a synonym or equivalent of “xxx”.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
A not too difficult (2*) puzzle today, with a 3* for enjoyment. Quite a variety of topics in the clues and answers to test and pique one’s interest. Thank you to setter. Definitions are underlined in the clues. “[xxx]” denotes a synonym or equivalent to “xxx”.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Scchua is otherwise engaged today, but will be tackling Giovanni on Friday. A puzzle that was a joy to review.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This was a fairly easy puzzle, 2.5* and 3* for enjoyment. Thank you to setter. My favourite clue is the one with the broad 
hint below. Definitions are underlined in the clues.
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Scchua has moved to Friday this week (and it’s Falcon tomorrow) leaving me to tackle yet another fine puzzle from Jay.
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
I rate this about 1.5 for difficulty, and a 2.5 for enjoyment. The clues were not that difficult, and there were some nice surfaces too, eg. 17d and 25a. Thanks to setter.
At the request of our sponsor, I’m changing my spots, well half of them today, for a start. So it’s RIP to the style in the Across clues below (apparently some perceived it as near rocket science and/or written in a foreign language and/or outside their comfort zones and/or not chatty and/or too detailed and/or whatever). And hello to a more conformist style a la the Down clues below. Please comment, but, in order that I may respond intelligently, please be as specific as you can.
As usual, definitions are underlined in the clues, and clicking between the curly brackets brings up the answers (bold font) or bits of the answers (regular font).