Sunday Toughie No 166
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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It appears that getting a midweek toughie slot precedes an appearance here, instead of an X’less pangram proXimal is using Sunday Toughies to demonstrate a Spoonerism to start and compound anagrams. It took me right to the LOI to find the compound.
The topicality of the wordplay for 23d should get an award, but for childhood holidays, the 24a island gets my prize.
14a and 14d clues today, and I have hinted half. A bonus nudge or two may be available if Mother’s Day trips for Mama Bee allow.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 166 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 164 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 16th March 2025
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Sunday Toughie No 165
by Light
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I had a feeling we might be seeing Light today as he debuted a Wednesday Toughie that went down well, This seems a very similar standard of difficulty to me but as I am not obliged to give stars to prize puzzles I will just hope you find it as pleasant as I did.
I am still in the dark as to who Light is and with some light speculation about Richard Osman apart I guess I will have to remain curious.
14a and 14d clues and I have hinted half, I will try and provide a bonus nudge if asked.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 165 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 163 by Beam
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 9th of March 2025
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 163 (Review)”
Sunday Toughie No 164
by Zandio
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I had a rather pleasant tour of the North East Coasts and Castles yesterday, but I was rather tired and a restorative Torabhaigh meant that I fell asleep before I had fully parsed this last night. Coffee and a bacon butty restored me this morning.
Is Zandio having a go at my drinking in the unches going right from 16… perhaps not
14a and 14d clues today and I have hinted half
Here we go…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 164 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 162 by proXimal
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 2nd of March 2025
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Sunday Toughie No 163
by Beam
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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Another reasonably floughie toughie from Beam that didn’t take too long last night. He comes in at under 5.36 words per clue, although there is that rare beast A SEVEN! word clue from Beam (27a). The other Beam trademarks are present (sweetheart, queen and an initial letters clue, not forgetting the lack of anagrams)
I have an even 14a and 14d clues today, but I have an uneven 8a and 6d hints today. I hope you find the checkers to fill the grid, a bonus nudge may be available for the first to ask
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 163 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 161 by Light
Review by Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 23rd of February 2025
I still haven’t worked out who Light is but never mind I enjoyed this puzzle…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 161 (Review)”
Sunday Toughie No 162
by proXimal
Hints and Tips by Sloop John Bee
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I am still none the wiser as to who Light is from last week, but as usual the trademark™ proXimalisms “signed” this crossword better than any byline. We start with a nice Spoonerism in the acrosses and an equally fine compound anagram in the downs.
I have curtailed my hints at half of 14a and 14d clues, but as always, some tricky clues remain unhinted. I will try and give a bonus nudge or two if you ask.
Here we go, Folks…
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 162 (Hints)”
Sunday Toughie No 160 by Zandio
Review by
Sloop John Bee
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This puzzle was published on the 16th February
Continue reading “Sunday Toughie 160 (Review)”
