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miserableoldhack's avatarmiserableoldhack

I was brought up in the 1970s on a daily diet of The Times cryptic, which we used to attempt to solve together as a family over lunch. Families really can be very strange. I've had various jobs as a professional pedant in various publications in what used to be known as Fleet St, hence my nickname. Though honestly I'm really not very miserable at all, most of the time.

Independent 12,076 by Madcap

Mon June 23, 2025 at 8:17 amMon June 23, 2025 at 7:28 am by miserableoldhack

I don’t think I’ve come across puzzles by Madcap before,

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Categories Independent 10 Comments

Independent on Sunday 1,843 by Filbert

Sun June 22, 2025 at 9:56 amSun June 22, 2025 at 8:14 am by miserableoldhack

Filbert is fast becoming one of my very favourite setters.

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Categories Independent 7 Comments

Everyman 4,102

Sun June 8, 2025 at 12:01 am by miserableoldhack

It wouldn’t be Everyman …

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Categories Everyman 14 Comments

Independent 12,058 by Italicus

Mon June 2, 2025 at 4:51 pmMon June 2, 2025 at 8:25 am by miserableoldhack

This was a slow but steady solve for me…

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Categories Independent 16 Comments

Independent on Sunday 1,839 by Filbert

Sun May 25, 2025 at 8:41 am by miserableoldhack

Another Sunday, another tough nut to crack from Filbert.

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Categories Independent 17 Comments

Independent 12,040 by Filbert

Mon May 12, 2025 at 9:38 am by miserableoldhack

I greatly admire the economy of Filbert’s cluing – there are absolutely no wasted words here –

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Categories Independent 14 Comments

Everyman 4,098

Sun May 11, 2025 at 12:01 am by miserableoldhack

This is the second appearance of Everyman in its/his new home on observer.co.uk

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Categories Everyman 29 Comments

Independent on Sunday 1,835 by Filbert

Sun April 27, 2025 at 12:48 pmSun April 27, 2025 at 9:20 am by miserableoldhack

Some really deft cluing here, with the smoothest of surfaces and some cunningly disguised definitions.

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Categories Independent 21 Comments

Independent 12,022 by Salty

Mon April 21, 2025 at 7:35 am by miserableoldhack

I found this an absolute pleasure to solve – nothing too taxing on the old grey cells, but with a really delightful economy of cluing, along with a great deal of wit.

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Categories Independent 16 Comments

Everyman 4,094 by Everyman

Sun April 13, 2025 at 9:56 amSun April 13, 2025 at 8:30 am by miserableoldhack

A pretty standard sort of Everyman, I thought …

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Categories Everyman 46 Comments

Independent 12,004 by Lette

Mon March 31, 2025 at 9:59 amMon March 31, 2025 at 9:05 am by miserableoldhack

A pleasant start to the week from Lette

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Categories Independent 11 Comments

Independent on Sunday 1,831 by Filbert

Sun March 30, 2025 at 9:05 am by miserableoldhack

 

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Categories Independent 8 Comments
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