Crossword Clues Part 2

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

The flower is OXLIP. It’s a bit obscure but “neat” is an old term for an ox. I only know this from doing crosswords decades ago - it’s not something I would have known otherwise.

Now you have that “X” the other clue should be easy.

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

The flower is OXLIP. It’s a bit obscure but “neat” is an old term for an ox. I only know this from doing crosswords decades ago - it’s not something I would have known otherwise.

Now you have that “X” the other clue should be easy.

formation.
Many thanks - I'd never hav got the OXLIP, but I should have remembered the 'cunning' > fox and removed the F; and that 'gen' is information.

[SusanDoris]

Bit of a problem this week - not the crosswords themselves, I've done the Quick and a few answers on the Cryptic, but the light bulb in the CCTV is less bright than it should be so it is making it a bit difficult to see the grid and clues. looks as if I'll have to get a new bulb and that means phoning Optelec to get one sent.

[SusanDoris]

25 across is: Head off arm-in-arm showing tattoos (5)
Letters: - - K - -

I knew I should know it, but as it's a bit early I googled and the answer is of course INKED,  but I can't work out how the clue works and a quick explanation will, as always, be much appreciated.

[SusanDoris]

Quite a few of the clues are repeats  , including 1 across, but my brain is not bringing forward the answer, and a hint would much help please.

1 across: Union supporter surprisingly is left outside backing a communist (10)
Letters: - - D - - - L - - -

Obviously RED or DER comes in.

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday and this morning trying to work out an answer, then realised I was looking at the wrong place for it! (The answer was COCKER) )SPANIEL.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

25 across is: Head off arm-in-arm showing tattoos (5)
Letters: - - K - -

I knew I should know it, but as it's a bit early I googled and the answer is of course INKED,  but I can't work out how the clue works and a quick explanation will, as always, be much appreciated.

“arm-in-arm" is LINKED, and if you take the “head off” you get INKED.

Quite a few of the clues are repeats  , including 1 across, but my brain is not bringing forward the answer, and a hint would much help please.

1 across: Union supporter surprisingly is left outside backing a communist (10)
Letters: - - D - - - L - - -

Obviously RED or DER comes in.

I spent quite a bit of time yesterday and this morning trying to work out an answer, then realised I was looking at the wrong place for it! (The answer was COCKER) )SPANIEL.

The “union supporter” is the synonym. The “surprisingly” could tell you there’s an anagram – possibly of “is left”, which surrounds (“outside”) a communist, but in reverse (“backing”). You’re on the right lines with RED.

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

“arm-in-arm" is LINKED, and if you take the “head off” you get INKED.

Thank you - and that's something else I should have remembered! I knew I had to take the first letter(s) off something, but didn't think of 'linked'.

The “union supporter” is the synonym. The “surprisingly” could tell you there’s an anagram – possibly of “is left”, which surrounds (“outside”) a communist, but in reverse (“backing”). You’re on the right lines with RED.

I finally finished the remaining clues by the time I turned off the computer having managed to keep working at it and not cheating! I did look up synonyms. Anyway the answer is FEDERALIST, isn't it, but I didn't workout that 'is left' was the anagram, that was luck. That made 1 dow FAME and 3 down R---CARNATION' and I tried to make it ROSECARNATION at first, but finally remembered that it must be REINCARNATION (making a comeback). The only one I'm not sure of is 26 across which is: Dash around during vernal equinox (4) with letters: E - D -
I've put in EDDY but it's a guess- is it correct?

Thank you.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

No - the D is wrong (and the answer is in the clue!).

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

No - the D is wrong (and the answer is in the clue!).

Thank you. I suppose that means ELAN? That seems to be the only way four letters beginning with E make any sense! However, that leaves the answer to 18 down ending with an A. I think the answer must be BANDANA. Anna with D of daughter … not sure about the B and the A after the D. 

Clue is: Headgear of daughter taken by one in hand (7)
Letters: B - N - A - -

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Thank you. I suppose that means ELAN? That seems to be the only way four letters beginning with E make any sense!

Yes – ELAN is backwards inside the words “vernal equinox”, and it’s a synonym for “dash” (as in verve or style). 

However, that leaves the answer to 18 down ending with an A. I think the answer must be BANDANA. Anna with D of daughter … not sure about the B and the A after the D.

Clue is: Headgear of daughter taken by one in hand (7)
Letters: B - N - A - -

Yes, you’ve got the daughter part and a bunch of bananas is called a “hand”.

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Yes – ELAN is backwards inside the words “vernal equinox”, and it’s a synonym for “dash” (as in verve or style). 

Yes, you’ve got the daughter part and a bunch of bananas is called a “hand”.

Thank you.

[SusanDoris]

I am slightly sad this weekend to find that just about all the Cryptic clues are ones that have shown up during these past two years, and some of course more than once, so instead of reading them with a lively anticipation, I find it is a case of trying to remember what the answer was last time and/or  the associated very helpful hints. I'm not just going to stop doing them - and I'd like to keep this topic open as a 'sticky', please, because, always the optimist, I hope there might be a new and particularly interesting one turn up which will need a hint request!

The trouble is that I do not know with what I could replace doing crosswords, which would be something of a challenge and which can be done at home. All suggestions gratefully rceived. In the meantime, I'll plod on of course!       

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Usan,

I am slightly sad this weekend to find that just about all the Cryptic clues are ones that have shown up during these past two years, and some of course more than once, so instead of reading them with a lively anticipation, I find it is a case of trying to remember what the answer was last time and/or  the associated very helpful hints. I'm not just going to stop doing them - and I'd like to keep this topic open as a 'sticky', please, because, always the optimist, I hope there might be a new and particularly interesting one turn up which will need a hint request!

The trouble is that I do not know with what I could replace doing crosswords, which would be something of a challenge and which can be done at home. All suggestions gratefully rceived. In the meantime, I'll plod on of course!

Oh that's a shame - why not give it a go anyway though as I can't imagine there aren't some new clues at least. Here's a idea though - why not try to write clue or two of your own? It's harder to do than you might think you know!

[SusanDoris]

Hi Usan,

Oh that's a shame - why not give it a go anyway though as I can't imagine there aren't some new clues at least.

thank you for reply - yes, I shall keep looking at it and persevering, as I'man 'I've started so I'll finish' person!

Here's a idea though - why not try to write clue or two of your own? It's harder to do than you might think you know!

Yes, I do appreciate that and give the credit where it is due to the crossword compilers - I wouldn't know where to start!

Actually4 down: Furies in Ireland?Certainly! (7)
Letters: E - I - Y - -

is something I would appreciate a hint for, please. I don't think I'll get it - or remember it -  even if I find the last letter.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Yes, I do appreciate that and give the credit where it is due to the crossword compilers - I wouldn't know where to start!

Actually4 down: Furies in Ireland?Certainly! (7)
Letters: E - I - Y - -

is something I would appreciate a hint for, please. I don't think I'll get it - or remember it -  even if I find the last letter.

I worked this out, but confess I didn’t know the word it gave me so had to look it up! Anyway, you need a four letter synonym for “Ireland”, then a three-letter synonym for “certainly”.

[Nearly Sane]

Hi Susan,

I worked this out, but confess I didn’t know the word it gave me so had to look it up! Anyway, you need a four letter synonym for “Ireland”, then a three-letter synonym for “certainly”.

need to be a Greek mythology geek to know the word

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

I worked this out, but confess I didn’t know the word it gave me so had to look it up! Anyway, you need a four letter synonym for “Ireland”, then a three-letter synonym for “certainly”.

The idea that I might be able to work out an answer that you had to look up, just does not compute!!!

EIRE  and YES presumably, but may I have the answer,please?!
And of course, every now and again the compiler whose clues are just up my street comes along so I'll certainly be doing those.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

The idea that I might be able to work out an answer that you had to look up, just does not compute!!!

EIRE  and YES presumably, but may I have the answer,please?!
And of course, every now and again the compiler whose clues are just up my street comes along so I'll certainly be doing those.

Aw, stop it now!

It's ERINYES - not a word I knew before as as said, so thank you for enabling me to learn something new today ; - )

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Aw, stop it now!

It's ERINYES - not a word I knew before as as said, so thank you for enabling me to learn something new today ; - )

Thank you. I've googled one answer  this morning* and have completed all but three  all of which my subconscious is probably looking through previous hints and answers to find the right ones! One of them is: Set out at night? (7) with letters: S - N - U - E but not sure about the S.

*The one about 'Sub-machine gun loaded with little honey, SWEETEN. I knew STEN but  forgot the WEE for little.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Thank you. I've googled one answer  this morning* and have completed all but three  all of which my subconscious is probably looking through previous hints and answers to find the right ones! One of them is: Set out at night? (7) with letters: S - N - U - E but not sure about the S.

*The one about 'Sub-machine gun loaded with little honey, SWEETEN. I knew STEN but  forgot the WEE for little.

Re “set out at night” you’re right to be not sure – it isn’t S!

[Nearly Sane]

Thank you. I've googled one answer  this morning* and have completed all but three  all of which my subconscious is probably looking through previous hints and answers to find the right ones! One of them is: Set out at night? (7) with letters: S - N - U - E but not sure about the S.

*The one about 'Sub-machine gun loaded with little honey, SWEETEN. I knew STEN but  forgot the WEE for little.

I don't think the S is right

[SusanDoris]

bluehillside and NS

Thank you for replies. I'll see what I can do ...

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

bluehillside and NS

Thank you for replies. I'll see what I can do ...

I'm sure it'll come to you once you get your teeth into it...

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

I'm sure it'll come to you once you get your teeth into it...

Thank you - but oh dear! That makes the answer DENTURE and, no, my brain would never have come up with that, especially as I do not possess such a thing!!

That makes the answer to the across clue beginning with D DELFTWARE I think. Clue: Escaped over water breaking pottery(9) I had the L, T and WARE, but hadn't remembered the FLED part from the previous occasion.

[SusanDoris]

Two clues remain stubbornly unanswered.
7 down: Arab stopping Mona's obsessive single-mindedness (9)
Letters: M - N - S - - - A

16 across: Wise for instance feeding one to sea eagle (5)
Letters: E - - - E

3rd letter of 16 across = 7th of 7 down

Both clues have appeared before, but I'm afraid I have not come up with the answers, so a strong hint for both will be much appreciated. Thank you.