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Clues of Repute 54

30 December, 2015

You may have struck these Brit clues on your own steam. Each one stems from a recent crossword from that fair isle, attracting plenty of nerd-love from your blog host. Some you'll find a breeze to solve, others will need some forum confabbing - but all ten are classy creations. Enjoy them - and a wonderful clue-cracking new year to all solvers.

1. Shh...it's after midnight! (5,5) [Puck channels the Santa suspense.]

2. He'd possibly committed theft? (4-6) [Puck again. Toughest clue in the list - but good.]

3. Not threatened with fine for criminal activity (4-8) [Further felony, this one from Times 10438]

4. Links backbeat and gritty vocal (4,6) [Our own SK in a clue he'd crafted this year. A classy cocktail.]

5. Must've? (5,7,2,3,3) [Tramp's own favourite clue - a stellar rebus.]

6. Performing great act of wickedness, one is expelled from halls (7) [Key clue in a recent Arachne themer.]

7. Clean without water (4) [Love this Sunday Times sleight - it's neat.]

8. Work out initially what gym costs? (7) [Times 10426 lends fresh lustre to a familiar word.]

9. Preparing to twerk after rest (8,2,3,4) [Louche marvel from the Indy's Donk]

10. He wrote fliers in dynastic style (6,9) [Paul at his Pauline best]

Share your answers, hints, and rival clues (for the same answers) in the Comments below. And here's to a buoyant and brain-teasing 2016.

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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
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