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Category: EV Crosswords

EV 1573 Hints

by Phibs  

Enigmatic Variations 1573 (Hints)

Capital by Vismut

Hints and tips by Phibs

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This is my second Vismut EV, following October’s ‘Save’, which was awash with avian anagrams. Last time I speculated on the setter’s pseudonym being linked in some way to the element bismuth, which is called ‘vismut’ in certain languages. I now find that it is also the name of a device used by the KGB in the Lubyanka Building and Intourist Hotel in Moscow to receive the output from hidden microphones and tapped telephone lines. This was during the Cold War, but perhaps I’m getting warmer…?

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EV 1571 Hints

by Phibs  

Enigmatic Variations 1571 (Hints)

Dotty Links by Wickball

Hints and tips by Phibs

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The sport of Sepat Takraw can be played with a wicker ball, and Wickball is also the name of an ancient camp in Wiltshire. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, I conclude that our setter is a devotee of kick volleyball who lives near Salisbury.

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EV 1569 Hints

by Phibs  

Enigmatic Variations 1569 (Hints)

Coexistence by Skylark

Hints and tips by Phibs

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I’d like to tell you where the pseudonym Skylark comes from, but I can’t. Is she perhaps a diminutive songster, or someone who enjoys the occasional drop of a blithe spirit? Or could the fact that Chambers gives the verb ‘skylark’ as meaning ‘to trick’ be relevant? I’m hoping that our setter might come to my assistance…

…which she has very kindly done – see the first comment below. A much better reason for choosing the name than any of my suggestions!

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EV 1568 (Hints)

by The Numpties  

Enigmatic Variations 1568 (Hints)

Baby’s First Words by Ifor

Hints and tips by The Numpties

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Ifor needs no introduction for EV solvers. Dave Hennings’ crossword database tells us that he has been setting them since 2010 and this will be his 44th in the series.… Continue reading