Everyman 4,029/7 January

As always, when I’m blogging at least, a carefully constructed puzzle which should entertain and in places stretch the less experienced solver and provide a diversion for those who’ve been doing the puzzle … Read more >>

Everyman 4,028

The standard of these clues seems to me to be pretty high nowadays. Where I take issue with Everyman is in his use of question marks: he doesn’t always use them when he should, and he sometimes uses them pointlessly. There are several clues where the answer is a complete anagram of words in the clue. Very clever, but is the device overused? 3dn and 12dn are I think the pair, in that one begins with ‘Old’ and the other with ‘New’. 1dn is the self-referential clue and 22dn is the first letters clue.

Definitions underlined in crimson. Indicators (hidden, homophone, anagram, reversal etc.) in italics. Anagrams shown (like this)* or *(like this) [yes you’re right of course, Tony Collman@27]. Link-words in green.

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Everyman 4,025/10 December

Nothing to frighten the horses here, I would say. Which is as it should be. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind = anagram indicator [x] … Read more >>

Everyman 4,024

As always seems to be the case this is well-constructed and there are no criticisms really. The usual things are there — the first letters clue, the rhyming pair, the self-reference. My moan at 6dn about the fact that it’s a CD is a voice crying in the wilderness: lots of people, including some good setters, like them.

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, juxtaposition, hidden, etc) in italics. Anagram indicators shown like *(this) or (this)*, link-words in green.

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Everyman 4,021/12 November

All the usual fun of the fair again with Everyman this week: the rhyming couplets, the initial letters clue, and the self-reference.   Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as … Read more >>

Everyman 4,020

The usual (nowadays) sound and satisfactory crossword from Everyman. Because of the time of year, there is a bit of a fireworks theme and 4dn and 9dn don’t rhyme, as in the past, but are related in their subject matter.

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, hidden, reversal etc.) in italics. Anagram indicators indicated *(like this) or (like this)*. Link-words in green.

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Everyman 4,017/15 October

Another sound, pleasing puzzle from Everyman. Not much more I can add, which is a compliment to the setter. Abbreviations cd cryptic definition dd double definition cad clue as definition (xxxx)* anagram anagrind … Read more >>

Everyman 4,016

Everyman has given us more this time than he usually does: two first letters clues (not just one), the usual rhyming pair, and two symmetrically-placed answers both of which are fruits. Probably more, but I can’t see anything. With these limitations he has, as is now customary, provided us with a good sound crossword (I think, although 18dn still troubles me).

Definitions in crimson, underlined. Indicators (anagram, homophone, hidden etc) in italics. Anagram indicators shown *(like this) or (like this)*. Link-words in green.

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