EV Crosswords – Page 28 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

EV 1597 Hints

Enigmatic Variations 1597 (Hints)

Illumination by Vagans

Hints and tips by Phibs

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

I believe that we may be dealing here with an episcopus vagans, or wandering bishop. My usual source of information on all things historical is 1066 and All That, but it appears to be silent on this subject. However, what I have gleaned from other sources is that the Middle Ages engendered a Wave of Wandering Bishops, deflocked clerics who considered domus to be wherever their mitres came to rest. The Sitting Bishops, who were trained to recognize a crook at a hundred ells, declared their itinerant counterparts parsonae non gratae and united against them under the banner nolo episcopari (‘no nasty episcopalians’), mercilessly moving them on using crosiers especially sharpened for the purpose. The Wandering Bishops were thus a Bad Thing, whose only lasting legacy is the expression ‘long time no see’.

Continue reading “EV 1597 Hints”

EV 1595 Hints

Enigmatic Variations 1595 (Hints)

Barred Off by Chalicea

Hints and tips by Phibs

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

To say that Chalicea is a prolific setter is akin to describing Elon Musk as quite well off. As with any puzzle by my fellow EV blogger, we can expect sound clues, accurate definitions, and a level of difficulty towards the lower end of the spectrum.

Continue reading “EV 1595 Hints”

EV 1594 (Hints)

Enigmatic Variations 1594 (Hints)

Vicinities by Stick Insect

Hints and tips by The Numpties

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Stick insect is well into double figures for the EVs he has produced and solvers will be familiar with his Listener and Magpie puzzles too, and confident that there will be an entertaining endgame.… Continue reading

EV 1593 Hints

Enigmatic Variations 1593 (Hints)

Apparently by Skylark

Hints and tips by Phibs

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

When I provided hints for her last EV, Skylark was kind enough to explain the origin of her pseudonym, chosen because as a youngster she was entranced by Errol Garner’s rendition of the Johnny Mercer / Hoagy Carmichael song of that name. Since we will be searching for names in the completed grid, Mercer’s closing couplet may well be relevant: “So if you see them anywhere / Won’t you lead me there?”

Continue reading “EV 1593 Hints”