PeterMF

New puzzle from me today in @economist.com 🥳
(Subscription required)

Sample clue:

One let a man in lycra out? That’s gutsy! (10,5)

This is so unbelievably basic.
Degrees are not purely vocational.
Careers are not linear.
Interdisciplinarity is essential.

My own journey is from a degree in English into marketing, into design, into science communication. My arts background is incredibly valuable to my work in science.

Genius crossword No 268 Deadline for entries is 23:59 GMT on Saturday 1 November. You need to register once and then sign in to theguardian.com to enter our online competition for a £100 monthly prize

🥁🥁🥁 I set the October puzzle in the Guardian’s Genius series under my new setting name ‘Odo’

Ever since I started crosswording it’s been my ambition to get into the Guardian, it’s always been ‘my paper’. Many thanks to @alanconnor.bsky.social for the opportunity

www.theguardian.com/crosswords/2...

Seconded! ❤️ Looses.

Good idea!
20 is POOH and 11 is RENO

Someone from my recent crossword workshop sent me this clue from a Telegraph Toughie book:

Warning that 2011 might split, for example? (9,5)

Crossers are R _ V _ R _ I _ G _ I _ H _
So very likely REVERSING LIGHT?

Can anyone parse it?

Ah gotcha. I couldn’t solve it because it has no definition! How about:
One fleeced crossword solver, we hear (3)

Tell me what the answer is to 3 and I’ll give you a review of that one too :)
Hope it’s helpful!

Clue 2 is BASAL.
Again, the definition works. The wordplay is better, but the grammar is off. You mean boat stall oddly. The surface needs work - why would a boat stall be foundational? What’s a boat stall?

The surface doesn’t give a convincing story. There’s a French potato, whose middle section turns, in a fictional diner. I mean, it has a surreal Lynchian quality!

Clue 1 is ROTATOR.
The definition works, the wordplay has a problem or two and the surface doesn’t make much sense!
The heart of potato is TA, not OTATO. I haven’t watched twin peaks for many years and had forgotten the double R. I suspect many solvers wouldn’t know this.

I love that they’re calling it an e-sport.

excel-esports.uk

Scunthorpe's Ha Dang heads for Microsoft Excel World Championship Accountant Ha Dang will represent the UK in the Microsoft Excel World Championship in December.

I love this story. I love the final is in Vegas.
I love spreadsheets.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Crossword folks, what do we think about multiple definitions AND wordplay in a clue?

Example, Imogen 29,663:
Check on a rod for fish (5)

I don’t like it, but would be interested to know how others feel about it.

Pre-order done ✅

I’m headed to the wonderful Wells Maltings on November 4th for another beginners cryptic crossword workshop.
This time with afternoon tea included!

www.wellsmaltings.org.uk/events/a-beg...

I attended a design industry event at a big Ed tech conference not too long ago, chatted to teachers and I’m afraid this satire is too late.

“To design is to think” Dieter Rams.
Let’s not outsource the thinking eh?

via @skirwingle.bsky.social

Cryptic crossword No 1,716 · MyCrossword Solve Cryptic crossword No 1,716 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 39 clues by chopin. Published Thu 18 Apr 2024. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

I tried to enlist its help on this themed puzzle, and it was absolutely useless. What frustrates me is the way it expresses itself so confidently!

mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/1716

YouTube video by SpinDoctorsVEVO Spin Doctors - Jimmy Olsen's Blues (New Version)

In case some folks are too young (or too old) ❤️

youtu.be/GrQCro68sRU?...

The Castle: Rebuilding History Follow Norwich Castle's restoration: one of Europe’s most complex heritage projects

Just got round to watching the documentary on C4 about Norwich Castle. Highly recommend. Also highly recommend a visit to the renovated keep - I’ve been twice already.

Congrats to all involved!

Seen 'The Castle: Rebuilding History'? Watch it here on Channel 4:

www.channel4.com/programmes/t...

Or perhaps the doctor might gently point out…

“For starters, puzzles actually nurture intelligence and calm fear” (5)

Quick crossword No 280 · MyCrossword Solve Quick crossword No 280 on MyCrossword. 13x13 grid with 28 clues by Coot. Published Sat 9 Aug 2025. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

My first stab at a Quiptic proved surprisingly popular. So here’s another.

All the usual thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk

#Quiptic #crossword

www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/280

Join me for an afternoon learning how to solve cryptic crossword puzzles in the fine city of Norwich on the 7th September.

Tickets here:

thehollowaynorwich.com/events/RVb6g...

Shares and word of mouth appreciated!

Oooooo

Sorry to be a downer, but I don’t approve of this sort of cunning.
EOTR print shop charges for prints on site. Payment in kind is OK, but not crowdsourcing from indeterminate pool. Find the nearest illustration degree course. Visit end of year show in June. Commission your favourites directly ☺️

No reversal indicators allowed when setting at Norwich Cathedral.

Greetings all from 5a, 1a ☀️

Apparently when the film composer Zimmer was working as a plongeur in a restaurant with the writer of The Office, both felt unable to dispatch a timid mint coloured cephalopod with unusual whiskers.

Goes to show that Hans that do dishes can be soft as Gervais, with mild green hairy lip squid.

Amazing! 🤩

Zoiks!