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Diabolically Arcane

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The Enigmatic Nib

5 May, 2011

If a nifty puzzle idea strikes you, from small-scale to grand, then this blog could be your chance to share the inspiration. Not every whim will find the electronic page, and I can’t say I’m blessed for any Quality Feedback Time, but a neat and refined piece of work is plain for all to see.

Next week, say, you’ll have DC’s own horror-show crossword to enjoy, due to be posted on Friday 13 of course. While today it’s my pleasure to present a lighter diversion, courtesy of regular DAbbler, the nimble-minded Nib. Over to you Nibster:

The last three letters of each answer begin the following word after. (For example: compOST OSTrich) Once all six clues have been solved, anagram the six initial letters into a new word and set a cryptic clue of your own.

  1. Directed befuddled David South-East (7)

  2. Adulterer reduces turmoil (7)

  3. Michael Cera exhales Harry Potter clay (7)

  4. Germ oddly discovered in main carbon blend (7)

  5. Oh Yes in being compliant? (7)

  6. Ravaged genuine virgin (7)

Have you found the seventh word?

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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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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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