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Clues of 2013 (6)

16 January, 2014

The second last instalment from 2013, the creme de la creme of clues from the UK. Some you may recognise from recent solving in early summer, though all of them deserve a look – for the first or second time. Their stories are silken, and their wordplay is wondrous. See how many you can crack before the ultimate post’s reveal, sharing insights and answers in the Comments below.

  1. Half managed to turn up for class (7)

  2. A fish out of water gulping oxygen (4)

  3. Exalted station of the blue and non-blue? (6) [Araucaria]

  4. Rocky as in sea (8) [Paul]

  5. Prisoner may get this job as secretary (6) [Puck]

  6. Oblivious to four notes? (4)

  7. Group travel document with two pages missing (8) [Arachne]

SOLUTION NEXT POST
LAST POST’S SOLUTION: (1) Intense, (2) drupe, (3) bruschetta, (4) extol, (5) water closet, (6) catastrophe, (7) succotash

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Rewording The Brain

Focus & memory, lateral leaps & logic - every aspect of cognitive health is lit in Rewording The Brain, a book revelling in how puzzles boost your brain. Part 2 equips your brain to conquer any twisty clue, plus the wild crossword finale. Pop science meets neural gameplay, Rewording is rewarding, and out now.

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Rewording The Brain

Care to renew your noodle? Rewording The Brain explores the latest neural studies, seeing how puzzles (and twisty clues) boost your neurons. Part 2 helps you crack such clues, and prep the grey matter for the crossword showcase to finish. More here

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101 Weird Words (and 3 Fakes)

From Ambidextrous to Zugwang, this mini-dictionary teems with rare or alluring words, plus bonus riddles, puzzles and fun word-facts. Dictionary detective will also nab the collection's three fakes. Ideal for late primary schoolers, or word-nuts in general.

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Gargantuan Book of Words

Sneeze words. Fake pasta. Viking slang. Gargantuan is a jumbo jumble of puzzles & games, mazes & quizzes, tailor-made for that wordy wonderkid in your life. Or anyone in love with letters, secret codes, puns, rhymes, emoji & all things languagey. More here 

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Recent Comments

Riddledom Rave

If you missed my riddle chat with Richard Fidler, then feel free to slurp the podcast at http://ab.co/1I9t1x5

Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
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