Welcome to The Clue Clinic – where people interested in solving or setting cryptic crosswords come to learn, sharpen their skills, and get expert guidance from experienced setters.
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What’s New
The PDF of the latest Gemelo puzzle is available at this link: Gemelo 51.
The PDF of the latest Azed puzzle is available at this link: Azed 2,784
The September Digest is now published, with views, news…and a chance to give your opinion on the health of the cryptic
The Forum is now available for discussion of all things crossword-related
Latest Posts




Latest Comments
Latest Forum Topics/Posts
Merciless!
Thanks, RK I added ‘part way through’ to the list specifically as an alternative to ‘during’, which I think is…
I wasn’t keen on that either, but I know (because he told me so) that Gemelo is happy to use…
Hi Doc, I see that “part way through” is listed as an insertion indicator. Why not “go through”, “pass through”…
I find it hard to understand how the guy on the motorbike can lead for most of the race and…
I’ve got to say that I’ve always considered the keirin to be infinitely more comprehensible than the “velodramatic” chaos referred…
16 : A ignored by B for A-B? Hmmph. Your quote in 25 could have come from HMHB, or possibly…
Many years ago I had a a cuddly toy which was given that name, more I think because it bore…
I had a slightly more well known dynasty for a slightly more pungent word for pungency. Blame my parents.
Good question! No, ‘cattle’ doesn’t have to define a plural, but any singular noun which it indicated would need to…
RE: New clue writing competition
I'm looking forward to that! I especially like the idea of the clues with constraints.
By Alex , 5 days ago
RE: New clue writing competition
I think a lot of us felt that way when we first started trying to write clues – either that, or we thought we were total…
By Doctor Cluelittle , 6 days ago
RE: New clue writing competition
That's great news, the sooner the better. I'll certainly give it a go.
By Anonymous , 6 days ago
RE: New clue writing competition
Pretty sure it's not something I'd stand a chance of winning, but sounds like a great idea!
By CluelessBeginner , 6 days ago
RE: New clue writing competition
Hi Dr Cluelittle, I would certainly participate if you were to do this. As you’ve just seen I’ve already jumped the gun …
By Jay , 1 week ago
New clue writing competition
I miss the monthly Azed clue-writing competitions. Even though I only entered a handful of them, I felt I learned a lot,…
By Doctor Cluelittle , 1 week ago
RE: Cruciverbiana
I think "I've only got one clue left" is the one bit of dialogue I failed to take into account in my construction (must …
By Dave Williams , 1 week ago
RE: Cruciverbiana
Hi Skirwingle, and thank you. Since RC says "I've only got one clue left" but his checked letters are just the closin…
By Doctor Clue , 1 week ago
RE: Cruciverbiana
Skirwingle here 😊 Twm has just alerted me to the existence of this thread. Nice work: I like your solution of …
By Dave Williams , 1 week ago
RE: Cruciverbiana
Wait, what?! This is amazing work. I hope DW and others get to see it and it gets shared.
By Crossguesser , 2 weeks ago