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Diabolically Arcane

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Huh 62

7 July, 2020

Eight more clues that still puzzle me, half of them drawn from a Times book, published 2016.

On paper, I might have solved them, yet somehow their wordplay continues to gnaw me. What have I missed? A classical allusion? A bit of UK vernacular? Only your insight will ease my plight. 

If you can see what I'm not seeing, let me know. How does each clue work? And can you craft your own clue for any of these same answers? Cheers.

1. Take away copper and half of lead from rear of toy? = MINUS [Times 11,800]

2.  Duty that could be tinier possibly? = RESPONSIBILITY [Times 11,800]

3. Military ruler’s command to soldiers about bad error in the field = SHOGUN [Times 11,816]

4. Cover case before dispatching a dozen in box = SUM UP [Times book]

5. Networks = TOILS [Times book]

6. Fast runner often in form = HARE [Times book]

7.  Cooler sort of house where shades may close on boy = PRISON [Times book]

8. Ape downs energy drink = MEAD [Sunday Times 1212]

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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
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