Crossword solution
To 2208: MORT
The fictional SCHOLAR (28) was Billy Bunter, described by his creator, Frank Richards, as a ‘FAT GREEDY OWL (22A/31/26)’ (in…
To 2207: An unusual angle
PERCH (13A), SCAR (21A and 10D), SHAD (40A), EEL (5D) AND CARP (19D) were ignored in wordplay in their clues.…
To 2206
The thematic unclued lights (4D, 20D, 34D, 40A and 41A+27A) are COUNTRIES, and the other unclued lights are their anagrams,…
To 2205: In shape
Unclued lights were set out in the form of two squares in the grid (shown here in red). The theme…
To 2204: Security
Five perimeter entries, and 29 and 30, are types of BODYGUARD. First prize Amanda Spielman, London SW4 Runners-up Dr S.M.…
To 2203: Peeping toms
The theme is CATS; the unclued Across lights are breeds of cats and unclued Down lights and TOPCAT (which had…
To 2202: Problem XI
Seven unclued lights are ANAGRAMS (23) of numbers. 2 (7A) + 11 (17) + 10 (40) + 16 (5) +…
2201: Facility
The words FAST FORWARD (given by letters added to definitions in clues) define 42 and 11, both indicating the way…
To 2200
The unclued Down lights can be abbreviated as MM, and the unclued Across lights as CC. Together as MMCC, they…
To 2199: TV Comedy
The unclued lights can be arranged to give: ‘I decided to sell my Hoover … well, it was just collecting…
To 2198: Tuck in
Corrections of misprints in clues give BETWEEN THE SHEETS, the name of a COCKTAIL (1A) whose contents (11, 18/34, 29…
To 2197: Missing
The unclued lights are some of the words highlighted in Chambers 2011 which were unfortunately omitted from the 2014 edition…
To 2196: Diverse
The quotation around the perimeter is from 25 — varieties of French cheese are highlighted. First prize Hugh Aplin,…
To 2195: In question
Material from superfluous words in clues gives ‘fingers on buzzers’ (describing 2/20 and 8/33), ‘your starter for ten’ (indicating 31,…
To 2194: Joe Green
The unclued lights (including 10/1A) are operas by Giuseppe Verdi (whose name in translation is Joe Green). First prize…
To 2193: Celebration II
The MUSICIAN (21), Rod Stewart CBE (25A), was born LXX (16) years ago on 10th January 1945. The associated works…
To 2192: Never again
Eight unclued lights were papal names used only once. Pope JOAN (30) was the fanciful ninth. First prize Michael…
To 2191: Bunk
Ambrose Bierce defined history as an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly…
To 2190: Petra
‘ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME’ (1D/19) is a work by AUGUSTUS TOPLADY (18/13). ELIZABETH WINDSOR (4A/26) and MICHELLE OBAMA…
To 2189: Offering
Answers to clues in italics — stramash (1A), pasteboard (33) and lineated (36) — are treated as in the ROMAN…
To 2188: Pieces of eight
The eight unclued lights are anagrams of eight clued solutions: 2/12, 3/13, 8/35, 16/40, 18/28, 19/30, 24/27 and 26/38. First…
To 2187: River and islands
The theme word is PHOENIX (38A). 6A, 12A and 26A are legendary birds; 15A, 28A and 4D are state capitals;…
2186: From the off
Unclued lights (11/1D, 12/35, 15, 18/1D and 22/17) are fences of the Grand National course, together with two famous winners…
To 2185: Over the sea
The unclued are locations on SKYE, ‘The Misty Isle’ (solutions at 15 and 31). ISLE does double duty in 15/31…
To 2184: Airline
Unclued lights each contained a different TREY (20) from the alphabet: AFGHAN (24), CANOPY (27), DINGHIES (42), DABCHICK (1D), HYMNODY…
