Crossword Clues Part 2

[Nearly Sane]

In that case, may |I have the answer, please? I'm quite sad! That was the only really difficult clue in the whole set.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passerine

[SusanDoris]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passerine

Thank you- and for the link. that is very interesting and I shall now remember the word because my current reading is 'Bird Sense  by ProfTim Birkhead so I am learning much that I did not know before. The extraordinary bird I have been reading about today is the Ivorybill-woodpecker.

[SusanDoris]

Yesterday evening, reading more of the 'Bird Sense' book, the word PASSERINE  occurred twice in one paragraph  on the second page I came to!! By then, of course, I knew what it meant!

[SusanDoris]

Cryptic nearly completed, just about 7 clues to go. I would much appreciate a hint, please, for the following:

27 across: Charlie's one part of frontier? (10)
Letters: - T - C - A - I - T

I think the letters are right, although I'm not sure about the first T. I can think of a word that fits: SSTOCKADIST but that doesn't seem to fit the clue.

GThank you.

[Aruntraveller]

Not sure if some of your other letters are correct, as the thing that strikes me is the old West/East Germany border.

[Nearly Sane]

Not sure if some of your other letters are correct, as the thing that strikes me is the old West/East Germany border.

Trentvoyager is correct. The first T and the A are wrong

[SusanDoris]

Trentvoyager and NS

Thank you both for your replies. I'll work on that.

[SusanDoris]

got it! CHECKPOINT The second letter, H, comes from DECIPHER, where I had wrongly put REGISTER first.

Still a few more empty squares, so I'll see if I can fill them in tomorrow.

[SusanDoris]

Once I had changed a down clue from REGISTER to DECIPHER that gave me the H of CHECKPOINT, and therefore an associated down clue completed tooo.

I have now onlythree squares empty and they are from: Mp. O No I mean5 - I have been assuming SALT for the second wword!

11 across: Greek sailor's dry wit (5,4)
Letters: - F - I - / S - L -

A hint would be much appreciated or info if any of the letters are wrong.

There are two more answers I have put in which appear to be the only possible choices, but rather than google for the answer, may I ask if you can tell me if they're right or wrong, please - again to avoid finding I'm wrong by googling because it will give the right answers.

9 across: Northerner, no adult on course (4)
Letters: - T - T  Answer: STOT. I looked up definition and it is a word, and Scottish, so I thought that accounts for the 'no northerner'?

The other is Choice of beverages when papa's promoted (6)
Letters: - P - I - N Answer OPTION  but I can't see how that answer, if correct, fits the clue.
Thank you - no rush.

[Nearly Sane]

Once I had changed a down clue from REGISTER to DECIPHER that gave me the H of CHECKPOINT, and therefore an associated down clue completed tooo.

I have now onlythree squares empty and they are from: Mp. O No I mean5 - I have been assuming SALT for the second wword!

11 across: Greek sailor's dry wit (5,4)
Letters: - F - I - / S - L -

A hint would be much appreciated or info if any of the letters are wrong.

The F is incorrect. I have to say I really like the clue. Salt is correct.

[SusanDoris]

The F is incorrect. I have to say I really like the clue. Salt is correct.

Many thanks. I googled, 'What is the Greek for sailor' and the answer is Lexis Rexand since 'lexis' is to do with language, I suppose the answer is LEXIS SALT. If that is right,  could you pleasse say what is clever about the clue?!

The clue for the word 'notify' is:
2 down: Tiny changes to adopt church's point (6)
Letters: N - T - - -

I thought it was to use the letters from 'tiny' and guessed the rest, thinking the 'if'  might be to do with changes, but obviously wrong!

If you could please let me know if LEXIS is right, I will see if I can find the answer.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

Once I had changed a down clue from REGISTER to DECIPHER that gave me the H of CHECKPOINT, and therefore an associated down clue completed tooo.

I have now onlythree squares empty and they are from: Mp. O No I mean5 - I have been assuming SALT for the second wword!

11 across: Greek sailor's dry wit (5,4)
Letters: - F - I - / S - L -

A hint would be much appreciated or info if any of the letters are wrong.

NS has beaten me to it. It’s a pretty obscure phrase though.

There are two more answers I have put in which appear to be the only possible choices, but rather than google for the answer, may I ask if you can tell me if they're right or wrong, please - again to avoid finding I'm wrong by googling because it will give the right answers.

9 across: Northerner, no adult on course (4)
Letters: - T - T  Answer: STOT. I looked up definition and it is a word, and Scottish, so I thought that accounts for the 'no northerner'?

The first T is wrong I’m afraid. You’re on the right tracks with “Scottish” – think of a racecourse with the initial A missing (ie, “no adult”). 

The other is Choice of beverages when papa's promoted (6)
Letters: - P - I - N Answer OPTION  but I can't see how that answer, if correct, fits the clue.
Thank you - no rush.

OPTION I correct – it’s POTION with the P (“papa”) moved ahead (“promoted”). 

[bluehillside Retd.]

Susan,

Many thanks. I googled, 'What is the Greek for sailor' and the answer is Lexis Rexand since 'lexis' is to do with language, I suppose the answer is LEXIS SALT. If that is right,  could you pleasse say what is clever about the clue?!

Not LEXIS I'm afraid. It's a synonym for "Greek".

The clue for the word 'notify' is:
2 down: Tiny changes to adopt church's point (6)
Letters: N - T - - -

I thought it was to use the letters from 'tiny' and guessed the rest, thinking the 'if'  might be to do with changes, but obviously wrong!

If you could please let me know if LEXIS is right, I will see if I can find the answer.

You need a word meaning a point of detail that's an anagram of TINY and CE ("church"). The T is wrong though. 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

NS has beaten me to it. It’s a pretty obscure phrase though.

Many thanks. However, if it is obscure, I doubt if I'll get it, so may I have the answer please.

The first T is wrong I’m afraid. You’re on the right tracks with “Scottish” – think of a racecourse with the initial A missing (ie, “no adult”).

Ah, in that case it is SCOT.   

OPTION I correct – it’s POTION with the P (“papa”) moved ahead (“promoted”).

Listening to that answer, I see the papa is the phonetic alphabet - I didn't spot it on paper.
 Thank you for your help - I do like to know the why of things!

[SusanDoris]

I have just worked out 2 down: NICETY anagram of 'tiny' plus CE.

I'm afraid that now having - T - I - for the first part of 11 across  doesn't help … ...

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

I have just worked out 2 down: NICETY anagram of 'tiny' plus CE.

I'm afraid that now having - T - I - for the first part of 11 across  doesn't help … ..

No problem, and it's ATTIC (ie, someone from Athens).

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

No problem, and it's ATTIC (ie, someone from Athens).

I would certainly  never have got that, so thank you very much. 

'Salt' is dry I suppose, but I would be interested to know where the 'wit' comes in … ?

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

I would certainly  never have got that, so thank you very much.

'Salt' is dry I suppose, but I would be interested to know where the 'wit' comes in … ?

"Attic salt" means a delicate wit (apparently). I must admit that I got both parts from the clue, then had to look up the phrase to find that out!

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

"Attic salt" means a delicate wit (apparently). I must admit that I got both parts from the clue, then had to look up the phrase to find that out!

thanks again for your help. I'll probably print off tomorrow's prize cryptic, but it's the Saturday ones I really like to see complete.

[SusanDoris]

This Saturday's Cryptic has long clues. I thought I might have to give up straight away, since I was only able to do one half of one hyphenated clue! However, I managed to complete about a third of it yesterday.

16 down is: Political pundit confused by Lib Dem (

Could      someone give me, please, a yes/no answer as to whether it isan anagram of 'by Lib Dem'? 
If it is not, then a hint would be much appreciated.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

This Saturday's Cryptic has long clues. I thought I might have to give up straight away, since I was only able to do one half of one hyphenated clue! However, I managed to complete about a third of it yesterday.

16 down is: Political pundit confused by Lib Dem (

Could      someone give me, please, a yes/no answer as to whether it isan anagram of 'by Lib Dem'?
If it is not, then a hint would be much appreciated.

Yes it is!

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Yes it is!

Thank you.

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Yes it is!

I think I'm going to have to give up on this one - I've tried a selection of non-words, ;including BYLIMBED, but none of them fits the clue. May I have the answer,. please, unless you think a hint would help me to get it!

DIMBLEBY - got it as soon as I'd clicked on post!!

[SusanDoris]

I'm down to the last 7 incomplete clues.  But …
I know the following clue came up a while ago, and I know I asked for ahint, but I just can't bring it to mind, and I know it'll be a kick-self, but just a little hint would be much appreciated.
19 across: Dubious bishop in sporty car, well-padded means of transport (5,3)
Letters: - I - F -  JAG

[Nearly Sane]

I'm down to the last 7 incomplete clues.  But …
I know the following clue came up a while ago, and I know I asked for ahint, but I just can't bring it to mind, and I know it'll be a kick-self, but just a little hint would be much appreciated.
19 across: Dubious bishop in sporty car, well-padded means of transport (5,3)
Letters: - I - F -  JAG

The J is the wrong place.