Everyman

Solving time: 45’ I actually fell asleep solving this – not because the puzzle was boring, simply due to jet-lag (or as my aunt would say, let-jag). Probably unintended but a couple of … Read more >>

Solving time: 20’ except for one answer This puzzle number as printed in the paper is No. 00. So even The Observer isn’t free of Graudian Gremlins. I did this in a minicab … Read more >>

Solving time: 25′ Good puzzle with strong clear wordplay leading unequivocally to the right answer: pleasant diversion over morning tea (even coffee) Across 4 WAG,E SLAVE – leaves* follows WAG for “jocular type”. … Read more >>

Solving time: intermittent Solved on and off on the tube last Sunday with only 18A refusing to yield until I got home. Not sure I’ve fully worked out the wordplay for EXTRAVAGANZA. Across … Read more >>

At first I thought there might be a King Lear theme since he showed up along with one of his daughters. But then it petered out. 25A (TELAMON) was new to me and … Read more >>

Solved last week before I left for Sicily. Solved again today as I write this up upon return from Italy – where my only exposure to crosswords, let alone cryptics, was Un Mot … Read more >>

This Everyman was harder for me than the run of the mill. Me or the puzzle? Not sure why: no “dictionary words” per se. Only one reference that I needed to look up … Read more >>

I’m sure the 8th row of unches reading PEE (on the) IRS is unrelated to the fact that I’m in the middle of trying to do my taxes for 2006. Right? Across 4 … Read more >>

If Monday is the Day of Cryptic Definition (from Rufus), then Sunday’s Everyman is a day for well-constructed Ximenean clues without recourse to puns. Across 4 [g]O SLO[w] – “endless” removes both the … Read more >>

I really wanted to be able to say that if it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium. But sorry it’s Sunday. I’m hoping someone will explain 6D for me. Everyman has done so below… … Read more >>

All the long clues refer to something a bit intense: OVERBOARD, INTENSIVE CARE, PANIC STATIONS, GREAT SCOT (sic), SHOUTING MATCH, NAIL-BITER. Well, except for UPRIGHT PIANOS (uptight?). One unknown composer at 19D (COATES … Read more >>

Far ranging puzzle: from ENFIELD to the ACROPOLIS. I also learnt that under the Mersey there are several tunnels, and I thought the only way cross the Mersey was via ferry, a la … Read more >>

I had no idea that the mesmerizing 5 silver balls swinging back and forth on my desk was called a Newton’s cradle (17A). Across 3 DAY TRIPPE,R – (pity padre)* followed by R … Read more >>

Two American cities. Perhaps that qualifies as a theme? Across 1 MINNEAPOLIS – (pile, mansion)*. “Gothic” is somehow the anagrind. 7 S,CREW,UP – Really an Americanism – at least I only learnt it … Read more >>

A leftover xmas clue (7D) and two new words. The nice thing about Everyman is that Chambers isn’t strictly necessary usually if you have the courage of your wordplay convictions: e.g. POCHARD and … Read more >>