Crossword Clues Part 2

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi again Susan,

TREASURER I  can't quite work out why though.

OK, the synonym is “person responsible for notes” (ie, bank notes). The police etc use “tango” for T, the “decided" is SURE and it’s inside (“interrupt”) a word meaning “final section”, ie REAR.

As A RULE    I might have thought of itif I had had the AS instead ot AT at the start, but don't know..

I’m sure you would!

Glad I was right about RUSSIA! the (braille) book I am reading at the moment is ~'Queen Victoria's Matchmaking' and I am in the middle of a long section about  the marriages of her various granddaughters and how she did her best to persuade Ella not to marry Grand Duke Sergei. It seems that in some cases she, Queen Victoria,  was right but the science of first cousins marrying causing potential trouble was fast catching up with her.  She kept up to date well with Russian politics.

Blimey. Always worth looking for “in conversation”, “we hear”, “when discussed” etc because it tells you there’s a homonym in play.

DETEST I did actually have a T at the end of the word, but misread it when I was posting clues.

Ah, OK. Often that tiny word “in” is a clue to there being a portmanteau word hiding in there somewhere, so it’s worth looking out for.

Thank you - on to Saturday...

No problem – look forward to it!

[SusanDoris]

Hi again Susan,

OK, the synonym is “person responsible for notes” (ie, bank notes). The police etc use “tango” for T, the “decided" is SURE and it’s inside (“interrupt”) a word meaning “final section”, ie REAR.

Thank you - my goodness, that has enough cryptic content for several clues! I think I'll remember the tango>T  though.

Blimey. Always worth looking for “in conversation”, “we hear”, “when discussed” etc because it tells you there’s a homonym in play.

Ah, OK. Often that tiny word “in” is a clue to there being a portmanteau word hiding in there somewhere, so it’s worth looking out for.

No problem – look forward to it!

Help and explanations much appreciated as always.

[SusanDoris]

Slow start this week - my printer ran out of ink half-way down the Cryptic clues, so I had to wait until Tuesday before getting a new cartridge which my neighbour very kindly put in for me ! One question so far, well two actually:
7 down:Object of ridicule in genuine resistance to attack (
Is the answer BUTTRESS? If so, I don't know the answer to :
6 across: One half of pair once popular in America (4)
Second letter would be B

Thank you.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Slow start this week - my printer ran out of ink half-way down the Cryptic clues, so I had to wait until Tuesday before getting a new cartridge which my neighbour very kindly put in for me ! One question so far, well two actually:
7 down:Object of ridicule in genuine resistance to attack (
Is the answer BUTTRESS?

No, but you’ve got part of it. The “object of ridicule” part is the BUTT that you have, but you need to put it inside (“in”) a four-letter word meaning “genuine”. That then leaves an eight-letter word meaning “resistance to attack”, is in a counter-argument.   

If so, I don't know the answer to :
6 across: One half of pair once popular in America (4)
Second letter would be B

Thank you.

Ah, that’s a hidden answer clue. Think of the first name of one of half of a famous comedy duo, then look for his name inside the word “America”.

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

No, but you’ve got part of it. The “object of ridicule” part is the BUTT that you have, but you need to put it inside (“in”) a four-letter word meaning “genuine”. That then leaves an eight-letter word meaning “resistance to attack”, is in a counter-argument.   

Ah, so that will be REBUTTAL

Ah, that’s a hidden answer clue. Think of the first name of one of half of a famous comedy duo, then look for his name inside the word “America”.

ERIC  I was of course trying to think of an American duo, and failing!

Many thanks.

[SusanDoris]

Just some squares here and there empty, or whichh help wil be appreciated.

2 down: US senator keeps Republican jolly (
Letters: M – R – N –
I am assuming MWERIN- ? Soundig like ‘merry’

5 down: European levy raised trapping papa who’s living abroad (5)
Letters: E – P - -
Is it EXPAT

The last letter might be T if and I think it is unlikely - TRAITOR is the correct answer to:
13 across|: Renegade characteristic shown by lowly soldiers (7)
Letters: - - A – T – R

And every other letter of 27 across which I really ought to get, but if I haven’t by tomorrow, I’ll be back, as it’ll be Friday!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Just some squares here and there empty, or whichh help wil be appreciated.

2 down: US senator keeps Republican jolly (
Letters: M – R – N –
I am assuming MWERIN- ? Soundig like ‘merry’

Tough one this if you don’t know that “jolly” is slang term for a type of military person (think "jolly jack tar" for example). You have the “R” though already that’s “kept” by a five-letter US state wrapped around it, which must be M – – N –…now just pop the R into it and....

5 down: European levy raised trapping papa who’s living abroad (5)
Letters: E – P - -
Is it EXPAT

Yes. “European" is “E”, “levy raised” is “TAX” upwards as it’s a down clue, and it “traps” “papa”, which is phonetic alphabet (again!) for “P”.

The last letter might be T if and I think it is unlikely - TRAITOR is the correct answer to:
13 across|: Renegade characteristic shown by lowly soldiers (7)
Letters: - - A – T – R

Yes – you have it already: “characteristic” is “TRAIT”, and “lowly soldiers” is “OR” (other ranks). 

And every other letter of 27 across which I really ought to get, but if I haven’t by tomorrow, I’ll be back, as it’ll be Friday!

Any time Susan!

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Tough one this if you don’t know that “jolly” is slang term for a type of military person (think "jolly jack tar" for example). You have the “R” though already that’s “kept” by a five-letter US state wrapped around it, which must be M – – N –…now just pop the R into it and....

MARINE I had seen that MARINE  could fit, but couldn't work out why.

.Yes. “European" is “E”, “levy raised” is “TAX” upwards as it’s a down clue, and it “traps” “papa”, which is phonetic alphabet (again!) for “P”.

Oh, of course, it's another occasion when the phonetic alphabet doesn't spring to my mind - as it would do to my ex-pilot son - and that P got in the way of it being TAX upwards.

Yes – you have it already: “characteristic” is “TRAIT”, and “lowly soldiers” is “OR” (other ranks). 

Oh, good! Many thanks - much appreciated as always.

Any time Susan!

The 27 across is: America perhaps hosting golf team (10)
- O - T - N - E - T
 but I haven't given up yet!! I'm thinking SOUTH or NORTH  but an N doesn't follow easily ... I'll keep thinking.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hey Susan,

The 27 across is: America perhaps hosting golf team (10)
- O - T - N - E - T
 but I haven't given up yet!! I'm thinking SOUTH or NORTH  but an N doesn't follow easily ... I'll keep thinking.

You'll kick yourself! And speaking of the phonetic alphabet, that "golf" might be helpful... Now if only I could think what "America" (or Africa, or Europe, or...) are examples of and then put that letter in there somewhere to give me a "team"!   

[SusanDoris]

Hey Susan,

You'll kick yourself! And speaking of the phonetic alphabet, that "golf" might be helpful... Now if only I could think what "America" (or Africa, or Europe, or...) are examples of and then put that letter in there somewhere to give me a "team"!

CONTINGENT ! Well, 'continent' had jumped off the page, but not enough letters so I was trying to put that aside, but I still quibble at what it has to  do with team.
Thank  you for the hint - I don't think I'd have got it, actually!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

CONTINGENT ! Well, 'continent' had jumped off the page, but not enough letters so I was trying to put that aside, but I still quibble at what it has to  do with team.
Thank  you for the hint - I don't think I'd have got it, actually!

You're welcome, and I sure you would have solved it.

A "contingent" has the meaning  of a team or a group, as in "a contingent of soldiers entered the room".

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

You're welcome, and I sure you would have solved it.

A "contingent" has the meaning  of a team or a group, as in "a contingent of soldiers entered the room".

Thank you - yes, I thought of that an hour or so later! But it is not a word I have heard in that context for a very long time. Another point to try and remember when it crops up again.

[SusanDoris]

Quick completed quite quickly. The Cryptic appears not to be a hard one - the 9 answers I have so far are quite
'easy', , for instance,
9 across: Did butterfly bring about gaping mouth? (4)
I have assumed GRIN, but not sure why the word butterfly was chosen.

I can't do 1 across - a hint would be, as usual, much appreciated.
1 across: Party's rejected a constituent for boozy tipples (4)

ETA Just spoken to my friend next door and she came up with the answer - HOPS ...and of course I remember it has come up before!
R&E looks a bit quiet today.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Quick completed quite quickly. The Cryptic appears not to be a hard one - the 9 answers I have so far are quite
'easy', , for instance,
9 across: Did butterfly bring about gaping mouth? (4)
I have assumed GRIN, but not sure why the word butterfly was chosen.

The butterfly is also a swimming stroke though, and the past tense of “swim” (“did butterfly”) is…and if you reverse it ("bring about") you get...

I can't do 1 across - a hint would be, as usual, much appreciated.
1 across: Party's rejected a constituent for boozy tipples (4)

ETA Just spoken to my friend next door and she came up with the answer - HOPS ...and of course I remember it has come up before!
R&E looks a bit quiet today.

Strike your friend firmly with a wet kipper for misleading you 

“Party” immediately tells you that there’s a ”do”, but it’s “party’s” so you need an “s” too. Then it’s “rejected” and you know what that means, after which the “a” is given to you. With a bit of luck, you’ll end up with a “constituent for a boozy tipple”, maybe the non-alcoholic part?   

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

The butterfly is also a swimming stroke though, and the past tense of “swim” (“did butterfly”) is…and if you reverse it ("bring about") you get...

MAWS Hmmm, I'd only have got that if the first and third letters were already there and I'd probably have had to go through the alphabet trying out letters!

Strike your friend firmly with a wet kipper for misleading you 

“Party” immediately tells you that there’s a ”do”, but it’s “party’s” so you need an “s” too. Then it’s “rejected” and you know what that means, after which the “a” is given to you. With a bit of luck, you’ll end up with a “constituent for a boozy tipple”, maybe the non-alcoholic part?

She'll have a good laugh at that!! She is such a very nice person and I am so lucky to have her as a next-door neighbour.

SODA I did actually remember 'do' for 'party', but what about the apostrophe s  i.e. 'Party's'?

Many thanks. I think there will be a few more queries going along with this Cryptic.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Just fyi Susan I'll be out of the UK for a couple of days but will be back Wed if I can be of any help.

All best

[SusanDoris]

Just fyi Susan I'll be out of the UK for a couple of days but will be back Wed if I can be of any help.

All best

Thank you for saying. Well, I am quite pleased, and a little surprised"", that I have completed the Cryptic except for two letters. Two of the clues included phonetic alphabet letters!!

26 across: Something often in word that bears nosh (4)
- R - Y

I've  been through the alphabet but so fa haven't come up with a suitable word. I'll have another go and edit this if successful.

18:18: I suppose it has to be TRAY but you don't often hear of people carrying/bearing trays of nosh!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Thank you for saying. Well, I am quite pleased, and a little surprised"", that I have completed the Cryptic except for two letters. Two of the clues included phonetic alphabet letters!!

26 across: Something often in word that bears nosh (4)
- R - Y

I've  been through the alphabet but so fa haven't come up with a suitable word. I'll have another go and edit this if successful.

18:18: I suppose it has to be TRAY but you don't often hear of people carrying/bearing trays of nosh!

Yes, TRAY (or possibly PREY) come to mind. A tray "bears nosh" in that it carries food, so I guess that's it but I'm not getting the "something often in word" bit. Are you sure you have the clue right? 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Yes, TRAY (or possibly PREY) come to mind. A tray "bears nosh" in that it carries food, so I guess that's it but I'm not getting the "something often in word" bit. Are you sure you have the clue right?

Oh dear, that was a typo I did not realise I'd typed - the word should be 'wood'!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Susan,

Oh dear, that was a typo I did not realise I'd typed - the word should be 'wood'!

Problem solved!

[SusanDoris]

About two-thirds completed so far ... and I've arrived at a 'hint will be required tomorrow, please' point!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

About two-thirds completed so far ... and I've arrived at a 'hint will be required tomorrow, please' point!

No problem - pen and pencil at the ready!

[SusanDoris]

A hint for this one would be much appreciated ... and give me letters for three other incomplete answers!

16 across: Violent doctor about to consume drink (7)
Letters: - - A - - I –
Edit No. 2: Just worked out that second letter is R

Presumably it means MB or MD reversed and a drink in the middle, if it is a synonym of violent; or violent in the middle if it is a synonym for drink.

ETA Why is the answer to:
4down: Instrument not in drink (6)
CLARET?  Letters  - l - r - t
That is if it actually is, of course!
Hmmm.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Morning Susan,

A hint for this one would be much appreciated ... and give me letters for three other incomplete answers!

16 across: Violent doctor about to consume drink (7)
Letters: - - A - - I –
Edit No. 2: Just worked out that second letter is R

Presumably it means MB or MD reversed and a drink in the middle, if it is a synonym of violent; or violent in the middle if it is a synonym for drink.

MB or MO are usually good but there’s another, more common abbreviation for “doctor”. “About” has a one-letter equivalent too. So if those two bookend the answer all you need is a four letter drink in between them (“consume”) and you have a synonym for “violent”.

I have to say though that it’s not a great clue – rather than “violent” I’d have thought the answer more commonly means extreme, severe or similar.

ETA Why is the answer to:
4down: Instrument not in drink (6)
CLARET?  Letters  - l - r - t
That is if it actually is, of course!
Hmmm.

It’s clarinet with the “in” missing!

[SusanDoris]

Morning Susan,

MB or MO are usually good but there’s another, more common abbreviation for “doctor”. “About” has a one-letter equivalent too. So if those two bookend the answer all you need is a four letter drink in between them (“consume”) and you have a synonym for “violent”.

I have to say though that it’s not a great clue – rather than “violent” I’d have thought the answer more commonly means extreme, severe or similar.

It’s clarinet with the “in” missing!

Many tthanks – so it’s DRASTIC and I must remember that C can be ‘about’.

That helped with Stanhope = anag of posh neat

The H there helped to confirm cohere for which the clue was:
Stick cardinal in centre (6)
But the reason for that I’m not sure of, especially as in a six-letter word, which letter is the centre one!!

Re the 'clarinet' one - I thought 'not in' = 'out'!ay, I might have to tackle a mid-week cryptic!