Clues in archive | First Prizes | Other Prizes | VHCs | HCs | Hons points | First mention | Latest mention | Career span |
Also listed as | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R. J. Palmer | 215 | 8 | 22 | 185 | 198 | 245 | Mar 1972 | Dec 2020 | 48y 9m | Dr R. J. Palmer |
Clue word | Award | Clue | Explanation | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020-2021 | ||||
2530 | STUDENTY | Second | —— brood could be tutored by dons | comp. anag. & lit. |
2521 | CHAMBERS | VHC | Burns has penned book that’s boring me – it has many Scottish words | b in me in chars |
2019-2020 | ||||
2508 | CHARACTER (Misprints) | VHC | Care to ring breakdown organisation with the car broken down | card; RAC in anag. |
2495 | BUNG | Second | Brian Clough could have become rich with a ——, brown envelopes centrally involved | comp. anag. incl. o, l, & lit. |
2477 | SPRAT-WEATHER | VHC | Gloomy time to be Prince Andrew initially tense going into what he says he didn’t do with that girl | Pr. + A + t in sweat + her |
2018-2019 | ||||
2447 | CONGENER | VHC | It may give a boost to sack leader of Conservatives and put in one ERG ordered | C + ’n’ in anag.; ref. Con. pro-Brexit group |
2438 | MONTE DI PIETÀ | First | Liberal loans with this could be arranged by old-time Neapolitans | comp. anag. incl. L, & lit. |
2017-2018 | ||||
2408 | LUNCHEONETTE | VHC | Where one could be served one cutlet then head off? | anag. less t, & lit. |
2399 | CHARMEUSE | VHC | M & S haute couture fashions Oldfield’s original tutu with this perhaps | comp. anag. incl. O, & lit.; ref. Bruce O. |
2378 | PROPOSAL | VHC | Going after Prince Harry soap role cut short for this | P + anag. less e, & lit.; ref. Meghan M, former soap actress |
2376 | SOW(PIASTRE)ENS (Christmas Pudding) | VHC | Boy-child’s sheltering was encapsulating religious symbol of Christmas | pi in was + tree, all in son’s |
2369 | FACETIAE | VHC | Getting a fee I act out lines worthy of Oscar | anag.; ref. O. Wilde |
2364 | COMPOST HEAP | VHC | Don’s a regular turn at this competition – he’s top banana ultimately for cluing | comp. + anag.; ref. Monty D., D. Manley |
2016-2017 | ||||
2325 | MASON | VHC | A male turned up bottom of trousers over leg to become this? | a m (rev.) + s + on; ref. initiation ceremony forMasons |
2322 | VENTRICOSE | VHC | Tenor voices must ring out like Pavarotti | anag. less O |
2015-2016 | ||||
2283 | BARGAIN | Third | Save more, striking one | bar (a)gain, & lit. |
2279 | CLEMENTINE | VHC | Orange men entice Loyalists initially with abuse of pope | anag. incl. L; 2 defs. |
2274 | SIMPATICO | VHC | Spanish/Italian originally, I’m apt to make good company | S, I + anag., & lit. |
2272 | SNOWMOBILE | VHC | What could transport be in Oslo round winter months primarily? | w, m in anag., & lit. |
2265 | ESPRIT FORT | VHC | Fellow engaged in Liberal protest about religious instruction | anag. incl. F, RI, & lit. |
2250 | MILESTONE (with missing O) (Missing Letter) | VHC | Dozens sit and start to enjoy meal arranged for Azed’s ——: something to be tasted | toasted; comp. anag. |
2014-2015 | ||||
2248 | WAISTLINE | VHC | One wanting its length reduced must cut booze | a + anag. incl. l in wine, & lit. |
2226 | DOUBLE-PARKING | VHC | It’s abusing kerb loading up? | anag. & lit. |
2220 | A twelve-letter ‘Christmas cracker’ (Christmas Cracker) | VHC | Bearer of Christmas gifts stopped around manger finally – Eastern monarchs about to regard Saviour | REINDEER/REDEEMER; REINERDEEMER; r in reined + E; deem in ER × 2 |
2012-2013 | ||||
2118 | BLOKEISH | VHC | For this sort there’s bosh like Nuts | anag. & lit.; ref. magazine |
2113 | PICAROON | VHC | One noted for stealing gold hoisted aboard | Pica + or (rev.) + on, & lit. |
2011-2012 | ||||
2065 | DERMESTIDAE | VHC | I erase ’em spattering with DDT | anag. & lit. |
2010-2011 | ||||
2014 | HACKETTE | VHC | Take the coalition’s leading character with artifice? One did | anag. incl. c; take = cheat, deceive; ref. V. Cable |
2009-2010 | ||||
1975 | SEPTENTRIONAL | VHC | Put another way, it’s near t’ North Pole | anag. incl. N, & lit. |
1945 | PRISON | VHC | Spoil iron bar to make slick break out here? | anag. less oil, & lit. |
2008-2009 | ||||
1932 | NINE-TO-FIVE | VHC | If No 10 performs reshuffle this person has short time in office perhaps | anag. incl. ten + I’ve |
1910 | BARPERSON | VHC | Who could get sober patron drunk if wanting to | anag. less to, & lit. |
1897 | WASH-OUT | Second | A show going off on a high note? Certainly not! | anag. + ut2, & lit. |
1888 | RASTER (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | For teachers marking exams: was something to be a/mended? | |
2007-2008 | ||||
1856 | LITAS (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | Cute missions by half-ba/ked politicians at summit | ref. Bali conference on climate change |
2006-2007 | ||||
1823 | KISS | VHC | Smack children (sons, not daughters) | kids with s for d |
1801 | RUSE DE GUERRE | VHC | What could be deployed, say, in Napoleon’s way with resistance by British army unit? | used e.g. in rue R RE, & lit. |
1797 | HEART | VHC | ‘Try a little tenderness’ comes from it | hear + t, & lit.; ref. Otis Redding song |
1792 | APPALOOSA / ESTAMINET (Right and Left) | VHC | Wherein meat’s cooked trendily and French giving shock to those starting orders of steak and getting horse | anag. + in + et; appal + first letters |
1784 | TEARAWAY | VHC | One immature, consumed by drink perhaps, ending in delinquency | a raw in tea + y, & lit. |
2005-2006 | ||||
1766 | GEST (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | Homer’s an oaf despite mar/rying to reform him | ref. The Simpsons |
1752 | MIDWINTER | VHC | You may find stormy and snowier times in this season | comp. anag. & lit. |
1741 | LORD NELSON | VHC | Having repositioned lens do see fleet all around? He denied it | anag. in lo RN; ref. ‘I see no ships’ |
1737 | ANIMUS | VHC | One element of masculinity in area of interest for certain psychologists | I m in anus, & lit.; see anal |
2004-2005 | ||||
1724 | MONEYBAGS | Third | Revolutionary socialist’s foremost bogeyman | anag. incl. s, & lit. |
1719 | ANHELATION | VHC | What gets one to inhale irregularly | an + anag., & lit. |
1711 | MINUS | VHC | What reduces in sum | anag. & lit. |
1707 | GALENA (Definition of Anagram) | VHC | A lobe’s first appearing in side of face could be this | anlage; a l in gena, & lit. |
1702 | WORDSMITHERY | Second | Novel style of modish writer with yen for a bit of innovation could show it | anag. with y for i, & lit. |
1700 | FIVE-O’CLOCK SHADOW | VHC | Bit of fuzz I have round face manifest before dark’s first set in | f + I’ve O clock + a. d in show, & lit. |
1698 | CROSSTIE | VHC | Tight corset is requisite to dress lines without bulges | anag. |
1689 | SYNOD | VHC | It sets out terms for laymen and clergy to discuss | anag. of last letters, & lit. |
2003-2004 | ||||
1659 | SCAREDY-CAT | VHC | Maybe worried character at Dorothy’s rear bursting into sort of singing | cared + y in scat, & lit.; ref. the Cowardly Lion in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ |
1646 | BLACK | VHC | Baron facing shortfall (no longer in it?) | B + lack; ref. Conrad B.; i.e. no longer in the b. |
1641 | GADGETEER | VHC | Who could have contrived durable gear e.g. to save labour craftily? | comp. anag. & lit. |
1637 | AMNESIC | VHC | What one could get from abusing mescalin, losing most central of faculties | anag. less l, & lit. |
2002-2003 | ||||
1619 | GISMO (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | In the stable were ox, ass and ma/re – precious gifts | |
1615 | RUGATE | VHC | Being this, disguised true age getting face finally lifted? | anag. less e |
1611 | LEISLER | VHC | I’ll see poorly, right? | anag. + r, & lit. |
1598 | PHRASEMONGER | VHC | Who deploys prose range with extremes of hyperbolism? | anag. incl. h, m, & lit. |
1593 | MANSUETE | VHC | Meek blessed at mount, see, repudiating OT | anag. less OT; bless3; ref. Sermon on the Mount |
1589 | JOKESMITH | VHC | See him jest outrageously? That’s about right | OK in anag., & lit. |
1585 | SHIATSU | VHC | It involves kneading tissue with hand no end | anag. less end, & lit. |
1572 | SHIELD-MAY | VHC | Maid seen involved with hostility – one tit is possibly cut off | anag. less anag., & lit.; ref. Amazons’ supposed practice of removing one breast to facilitate archery |
2001-2002 | ||||
1541 | CHUPRASSY | VHC | One could deliver odd letters for party such as found in a mess | anag. incl. p(a)r(t)y, & lit. |
1537 | CAFTAN | VHC | Afghan coat could form leading items of old hippie garb together with a —— | comp. anag. incl. o, h, g, a, & lit. |
2000-2001 | ||||
1515 | SNIDE | VHC | Malicious note in spin doctored output | n in side, 2 defs. |
1506 | BARE(-)BONES | VHC | Nub, and what it’s made of poor thieves | bare bones; nub = gist, gallows |
1494 | MARATHON | VHC | What requires a man to run hard briefly? Quite otherwise | anag. incl. r, h, & lit. |
1492 | The year that Columbus discovered America (Anagram) | VHC | I steered caravel to Cuba, made much history. | |
1489 | FRONT-BENCHER | VHC | Foot, T. Benn or frightful Thatcher’s no longer that | f + anag. + (That)cher, & lit. |
1485 | BOURSE / TIFOSO (Right and Left) | VHC | See Footsie endlessly fluctuating fan madness of the herd besetting our financial market | anag. less e; our in BSE |
1480 | SAMARITAN | VHC | First of strangers to assist a man having been mugged | anag. incl. first letters, & lit. |
1999-2000 | ||||
1450 | PRETENDANT | VHC | One soliciting: ‘Fancy ardent bit of nookie, pet?’ | anag. incl. n |
1446 | NEWSPAPERDOM | VHC | Its product’s possibly wrapped some rock-salmon finally | anag. incl. n, & lit. |
1441 | Word containing MM displaced by a bug (Millennium Bug) | VHC | One in mad rush round start of Hogmanay shed inhibitions to celebrate | lemming / thrips; H in let rip + sing |
1433 | NEANDERTHAL | VHC | Sort elder than a Cro-Magnon, ultimately | anag. incl. n, & lit. |
1428 | CRICETID | VHC | One’s partial to expedite circles, given a wheel | hidden rev., & lit. |
1998-1999 | ||||
1411 | LOOK-SEE | First | A butcher’s odd bits of steak go so well in a pie | anag. of alternate letters |
1398 | PERMETHRIN | VHC | It takes a second to do for thrips near me | comp. anag. incl. a s, & lit. |
1387 | Dylan Thomas: A Child’s Christmas in Wales (Anagram) | VHC | A Swansea lad calls to mind his rich myths | |
1385 | PANTRIES | VHC | Their contents could be cooked in repast | anag. & lit. |
1380 | RAPPORT (Misprints) | VHC | Blow left fellow reeling | feeling; rap port |
1376 | LOGO | VHC | Specially designed bits of graphic on organisation’s letterhead | anag. of first letters, & lit. |
1367 | SANBENITOS | VHC | One with such garments could have been obeisant, sin being purged | comp. anag. incl. I, & lit. |
1997-1998 | ||||
1342 | ALIENS / RAPINE (Right and Left) | VHC | Nip ear in scrum? That’s violation Barbarians are right to suppress finally | anag.; a lien s |
1329 | PITHOS | VHC | Oenophilists’ supply could be in sole —— | comp. anag. & lit. |
1325 | UPROOTAL | VHC | A fate Portillo endured somehow losing Enfield rated upset | comp. anag. & lit.; ref. Michael P., 1997 Gen. Election |
1322 | CARPET | VHC | Part leaders of European Commission played in Brussels, say | anag. incl. EC; B., type of carpet |
1316 | FINGERLICKIN’ | VHC | Like some takeaway food? Fish portion with batter’s popular | finger lick in |
1996-1997 | ||||
1284 | STALE (3 defs. + sub. ind. of wrapping) (Parcels) | VHC | Holy man’s festival as of old sheds unique message of good will | STA(BLES SING)LE; St + ale |
1273 | SIPOREX | Second | Some artists get me to model: one may arrange me, see, in sexier pose | comp. anag. |
1995-1996 | ||||
1255 | CATAFALCO | VHC | Abuse of coca fatal? Then this could provide the ultimate trip | anag. |
1250 | SONEOCARDIA (STENOCARDIA) (Ten to One) | VHC | Heart may be troubled with this – then a death with coronaries could result | comp. anag. & lit. |
1242 | KNOCKERS | VHC | Bristol City’s strikers, source of much disparagement | 3 mngs.; rhyming slang |
1225 | CURRY | Second | Last bits of your leftover turkey etc you may cook in this | anag. of last letters, & lit. |
1220 | CASSANDRA | VHC | I issued dire warnings misrepresented as canards | anag. |
1216 | CHAPERON | VHC | Companion an individual has to inhibit the onset of sex | CH + a per(s)on, &lit. |
1203 | CLERICALISM | VHC | Excessive power of ministers? ‘Conservative lie’ claims lead to resignations possibly | C + anag. incl. r |
1994-1995 | ||||
1180 | COLD TURKEY | VHC | What makes you flop after effect of snow? | cold + turkey, & lit. |
1178 | BOOTLEG | VHC | What Capone did making profit within the law? Not him | boot + leg(Al) |
1174 | DINGLE-DANGLE | Second | Swinging both ways presents bit of dilemma: fancy Nigel, fancy Glenda | d + anag. + anag. |
1161 | ADIAPHORON | VHC | A minor bit of heresy? Nothing to get wildly paranoid about | h 0 in anag., & lit. |
1993-1994 | ||||
1143 | DEATH (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | To get into the model tra/in figure is needed | |
1113 | EMPLASTRUM | Third | Mule’s male part is out of order – when used for covering it’s sterile | anag. incl. m |
1108 | GREEN | VHC | Integrate variable – you could have found him at it | comp. anag. & lit.; ref. George G., mathematician and physicist 1793-1841 |
1992-1993 | ||||
1091 | SAPSAGO (Spoonerisms) | VHC | Having humour, sex-appeal and vitality could make a crooner lust | lunar crust; sap SA go |
1074 | DEMIREP | VHC | Woman of ill repute – one’s engaged by certain parties for Congress | I in Dem, Rep |
1069 | (P)OSTICHE (Headpieces) | VHC | Disguise incomplete trichoses? Some suffering hair loss hope it can | R; anag. less s |
1991-1992 | ||||
1043 | PESTO (Printer’s Devilry) | Second | Aids can result from unsafe sex and her/oin – many cases | |
1026 | LET-OFF | VHC | What to do with a banger when you have a blow-out? Spare is needed | 3 mngs. |
1021 | BEARD | VHC | A feature of the fourth part in life in Shakespeare? | e in Bard; ref. ‘bearded like the pard’ in The Seven Ages of Man |
1017 | SCHAPSKA / PEARMAIN (Right and Left) | VHC | Another variety from Jonathan does mean pair fellow’s engaged in solving’s kept ambiguous initially – one must go on top | anag.; chap’s in s, k a; ref. varieties of apple, R & L grid |
1000 | ONE THOUSAND | VHC | Present output of Azed, primarily sound puzzling, following on the cryptic power of X | anag. + anag. incl. A; 1000 = 103 |
1990-1991 | ||||
991 | BRASH (or BRUSH) | VHC | Odd bits of hornbeams, having been trimmed? | anag. of odd letters, & lit. |
987 | IRON CURTAIN | First | Border, opening up now, needs one run further before close of play | I r on + curtain; ref. Allan B., cricketer |
1989-1990 | ||||
908 | INDIGO (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | One needs only put an accent onto ru/nal character of ‘S’ | digonal |
895 | TONE DEAF | VHC | Such as may confuse nete with do and fa? | anag. & lit. |
1988-1989 | ||||
868 | ROLAND (2 clues + def. of contents) (Parcels) | Second | Name held by dashing fellow certainly not gay, noble champion who gets the woman’s love? | landgrave, hero; n in lad + grave; her 0 |
849 | VISITE | VHC | It’s like a cardinal, it’s dressed in red | it in vise; red4, vise2 = advise; c. type of cloak |
1987-1988 | ||||
835 | PROSAICAL | VHC | One engaged for money on Calais run? Definitely not striking! | pro + anag. |
809 | DOLCE VITA | VHC | Effortless affluence in TV oil ad shattered, City’s reverse intervening | EC (rev.) in anag.; London postcode |
801 | LINCHET | First | It’s hard for worried client to retain unfurrowed brow | H in anag. |
792 | DISTHENE (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | Horace was a classic, a lo/ver, went in for romances | |
1986-1987 | ||||
774 | VICTORINE | VHC | Notice vair hanging loose? Could be a —— | comp. anag. & lit. |
770 | HERMITS | Second | Sacking could make ’em shirt | anag. & lit. |
744 | SKIRL-IN-THE-PAN / COFFEE-DISEASE (Right and Left) | VHC | Noise made by bangers perhaps – risk thin panel repaired by stuff one’s put in to stop rust | anag.; of feed I’s in cease |
1985-1986 | ||||
731 | STRING | VHC | Cheat, take in | r in sting, & lit. |
722 | SUPERNACULUM | VHC | It’s peer not to be found around in drink, the ultimate in fine liquor | Lucan (rev.) in sup e rum, & lit.; ref. Lord L. |
714 | MOTE | VHC | May once trace earthwork initially | initial letters, 3 mngs. |
705 | MUSICOTHERAPY | VHC | Pieces from Philharmonic Orchestra? – this may cure nuts | anag. incl. P O, & lit. |
696 | ANTIMNEMONIC | VHC | Like the Foreign Legion? Dashing men in action, the ultimate in romanticism | anag. incl. m; ref. traditional reason for joining F. L. |
692 | FIDIBUS def. PRICKET (Wrong Number) | VHC | Stick I dip in fire for lighting endlessly | stick; I dib in fus(e), & lit. |
1984-1985 | ||||
675 | CONSTERNATE | VHC | Upset – one can’t rest being so | anag. |
670 | TURNIP-FLEA | VHC | What gets lust to leap and bite part of cabbage (starting with bottom bit) | rut (rev.) + nip + leaf with f to start, & lit. |
662 | BARGE-COUPLE | VHC | What could form core up gable? | anag. & lit. |
660 | Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (Anagram) | VHC | Wise trio can use star on venture to a manger | |
657 | SILLY-BILLY | VHC | Who’d get close in field with goat? | silly + billy, & lit. |
653 | INTERNUNCIO | VHC | Certain union wrangling wanting a role for ACAS? | anag. less a |
640 | MACHETE | VHC | Hack the cane – not half – with me | anag. incl. ca(ne), & lit. |
635 | ROSEMARY | VHC | Mother involved in devilish sorcery, yielding child initially | ma in anag. less c, & lit. |
631 | INTERLOCK | VHC | Splice or link etc. | anag. & lit. |
1983-1984 | ||||
627 | AMBIENT | VHC | Black one meant it could precipitate | anag. incl. B I, & lit. |
622 | SIMP (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | Some times wasted at work a/re occupied with Azed | |
609 | LUCKY-BAG | VHC | Pick an unknown prize here having spent pence first | (p)luck + y + bag, & lit. |
600 | Into the jaws of Death / Into the mouth of Hell (Anagram) | VHC | Host who made hot jaunt into the foe fell hit | |
594 | DOINGS | VHC | Rings should seal love affairs | 0 in dings |
585 | FLABELLIFORM | VHC | What could describe spread wing in shape? | flab ell i’ form, & lit. |
1982-1983 | ||||
568 | TETHER (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | To seem awas/h in oil endangers me, says thrifty son | |
564 | PARAMENT | Second | Past attire making one stand out? | pa. ra(i)ment, & lit. |
559 | EMBASE | VHC | M. Foot – and what he would like to do to the Government | em base; Michael F. |
547 | GLEEMAN | VHC | Grass held by US cop – he’ll sing | lee in G-man |
538 | INGRAIN | VHC | Put endless colour in through and through | gra(y) in in, in, & lit. |
534 | DODGEM | VHC | Transport charging fair fares – former cut upset Maggie | dod + Meg (rev.) |
1981-1982 | ||||
521 | ATTITUDINISE | VHC | Pose, one featured on its p.3 in sensational ‘Sun’ idea – it | tit1 (or 3!) in anag. |
517 | IMMORTELLE | VHC | I’m set beside grass in stump – by flower arranger perhaps | I’m + tell in more2 |
513 | ETYMOLOGICON | VHC | In book of ‘Roots’ e g. I’m to colony transported | anag.; ref. Alex Haley novel |
508 | POSTURE-MAKER | Second | Who could make toes rake rump? | anag. & lit. |
504 | SIMMENTHALER | VHC | Ends in sirloin and meat fit to go into stew, perhaps | n t hale in simmer, & lit. |
482 | BODY-SNATCHER | VHC | Dry bones strewn around at church – evidence of his activities? | anag. incl. Ch |
478 | BIBLIOPEGIST | First | I put protective cover on work in press – that’s the general idea | bib + op in lie + gist, & lit. |
1980-1981 | ||||
464 | SIMKIN | VHC | One getting married cracks a case – of this? | I m in skin, & lit. |
460 | SWOOP | VHC | Souse and souse to drown sorrow | wo in sop; souse = swoop |
447 | URTICARIA / APOGRAPHS (Right and Left) | VHC | What accompanies ‘The Sting’? Early sort of tune with jerky movement in it copies a piano rag with posh playing | tic in ur-aria; anag. incl. p; ref. Joplin theme music for film |
443 | STEEPLECROWN | VHC | Disgraceful ‘twerp’s cone’ covering heads of lazers erstwhile? | l e in anag., & lit. |
434 | JARDINIÈRE | VHC | Arrangement of irid near heads of jonquil etcetera may go in here | anag. incl. j e, & lit. |
430 | TEGULA | VHC | An appendage turning up at base of wings of tsetse? | t, e + a lug (rev.), & lit. |
1979-1980 | ||||
414 | UNBOSOMER | VHC | One commonly has certain touch of reticence about B.O. – I’d tell friend what the trouble is | BO in ’un some r |
406 | BOIL | VHC | A plague on the Egyptians, as law-giver’s spoken | ‘Boyle’; ref. Exodus 9, 941; Boyle’s Law |
401 | GO-AHEAD | VHC | Simple description of Bishop – a man advanced in divinity | a he A in God; ref. Peter S.’s ‘the go-ahead Bishop of Bevingdon’ |
397 | BIJOUTERIE (Misprints) | VHC | Refuse tipped in error on lake – waste products, possibly | paste; jib (rev.) + out + Erie |
388 | ALEXIPHARMIC | First | With this elixir a chap gets restored having swallowed a bit of monkswood | m in anag., & lit. |
384 | OUTSPREADING | Second | Puts a girdle on tight – must shed pounds – if figure’s this? | anag. less L; tight = drunk |
379 | SCYTHEMAN | VHC | One who works in midst of newmown hay scent | anag. incl. m, & lit. |
371 | GRADIN | Second | Boxing promotion in ring that’s rough held bloodthirsty spectators enthralled | ad in anag. |
1978-1979 | ||||
362 | SEA-SOLDIER | VHC | Who could be easier to have made to believe something, being taken in? | sold in anag., & lit.; “Tell it to the marines” |
358 | UPSTART def. NON-TERM (Wrong Number) | Third | Leader of pop-group making break in America, punk, is vulgar and pretentious | break; p in US + tart |
349 | ODDCOMESHORT | VHC | Doc’s mode with management leads to winger finally getting in vehement scrap | anag. + r in hot; ref. T. Docherty, W. Morgan |
340 | BOOKSIE | VHC | Not quite the ultimate in prose, held by one who deals with better as ‘having literary pretensions’ | s in bookie |
336 | ELF-ARROW / CUTHBERT (Right and Left) | VHC | A reluctant soldier wounded by old weapon – one long discarded – it could have been used in warfare – old, not A.D. | cut + h(al)bert; anag. less AD |
332 | NUT-CASE | VHC | Unseat Conservative in landslide? Quintin thinks only I’d do that! | anag. incl. C; ref. Q. Hogg’s ‘bankers’ speech |
323 | (C)U(C)KOO (Letters Latent) | VHC | Subject of letters in the paper of Top People, eccentric mostly | U koo(k); ref. ‘first cuckoo’ correspondence in The Times |
314 | MERIL (Spoonerisms) | Second | Plan made on board for Morris, etc., marks beginnings of Michael Edwardes’ reign in Leyland | man played; first letters; ref. carmaker |
1977-1978 | ||||
289 | AMNESIAC | VHC | As CIA men after disorientation might be? | anag. & lit. |
276 | AMTRACK | VHC | Duck’s on the Main Course with recipe for stuffing | a-M + r in tack; duck4 |
272 | MALAGUETTA | VHC | Shaking this on could give a tang to meal, unappetising initially | anag. incl. u & lit. |
267 | MORRIS-DANCE | VHC | With this air, men with rods weave round about | c. in anag., & lit. |
1976-1977 | ||||
250 | Stands the church clock at ten to three? (Anagram) | VHC | O thank setter! He hath constructed CCL | |
247 | FLIVVER | VHC | What a gamble holding a pair of fives could be? | V V in flier, & lit.; ref. poker |
234 | HOROSCOPIST | VHC | One who would take you in about configuration of Scorpio? | anag. in host, & lit. |
229 | METRICATE | VHC | To bring in new measures, Foot etc. going for irregular act re time | anag.; ref. Michael F., guillotine bills |
225 | VALETA | VHC | It may amuse some mixed doubles to serve an ace | valet A |
1975-1976 | ||||
195 | SHILLY-SHALLY | VHC | One like Grand Old Duke of York? – leader of horde in senseless excursion round top of hill | h in silly + h in sally |
187 | POWDERING-TUB | VHC | Pot we’d grub in, getting pickled | anag. & lit. |
183 | PICKLE | VHC | Liquid used for cleaning a troublesome child – hot water? | 3 mngs. |
178 | A(U)G(U)ST (Letters Latent) | VHC | Bill Smart could put me in the ring | (r)ag st(ing), & lit.; ref. Billie Smart’s Circus |
169 | THUGGEE | Third | Termination of a Hindu by heartless gang in the East? | u g(an)g in the E, & lit. |
1974-1975 | ||||
152 | ENAMORADO / ESCLANDRE (Right and Left) | First | He’s flighty and a Romeo – this ill-repute getting read about could give a bird’s family great worry | anag. & lit.; (re)e’s clan dre(ad) |
148 | BALLYHOO | First | Bouncer? Brute unleashing one produces a storm of publicity | ball y(a)hoo |
146 | CHARADES | VHC | In which a word, finally, is to be found in merry search | anag. incl. a d & lit. |
130 | EADISH (Printer’s Devilry) | VHC | Could the finder of Piltdown skull b/one stand ingenious hoaxer? | |
123 | SCATTERGOOD | VHC | Lacking an element of restraint, to regard cost must be unusual for him | anag. less r & lit. |
105 | Malabar-rat, raccoon, nylghau, oriole, aberdevine, howler (Anagram) | VHC | Crab, hen, hog, oorial, vole… were in my care, all Ararat-bound | |
1973-1974 | ||||
97 | TREBUCHET | VHC | Slinging the first bit of boulder from this may leave the truce broken | anag. incl. b |
84 | MIRLIGOES / ILL-OMENED (Right and Left) | VHC | Effect of too much whisky? With a litre in drunken orgies, I’m hapless, sick, need MO badly | l. in anag.; ill + anag. |
79 | SLAPSTICK | VHC | Endless pasta being thrown about in crude film perhaps | anag. less a in slick, & lit. |
66 | NONSENSE | VHC | End of Lambton and member of upper house, caught by snooper trifling | n + Sen., all in nose; ref. Anthony L., MP in tabloid scandal |
62 | SOLITAIRES | VHC | They probably believe being desolate is soterial | anag. |
1972-1973 | ||||
43 | A neologism (Neologisms) | VHC | GAGAVEDETTE | B |
40 | FANTOCCINI | Third | Kiddies’ show that’s not riotously comic finally received by loud raspberries, etc. | anag. + c, all in f acini |
36 | CRUSADER | VHC | Terribly scared in pursuit of Saracens? I’m the opposite | RU in anag., & lit.; ref. rugby team |
27 | VINEGAR | Second | Rudely given before a saviour’s end | anag. + a r, & lit.; ref. Matt. 27:48 |
14 | Terrapin, hermit, elephant, armadillo, rhesus (Anagram) | VHC | Tutankhamen laid horrid spell – tamperers ail, perish | |
10 | LINGERIE | VHC | It could produce depraved leering if I were removed | anag. incl. I, & lit. |
5 | SCEUOPHYLAX | VHC | I’m responsible for miscellaneous eastern holy cups and a cross | anag. + a X, & lit. |
2019-2020
2512 OSCITATE
2504 UPBEAT
2500 ESPAGN(OLETTE STRENG)THENER (Half and Half)
2490 DREAMSCAPE
2469 GUDDLE (Spoonerisms)
2018-2019
2451 CAPUT
2443 ERATHEM (Printer’s Devilry)
2434 STONKERED
2425 EPILIMNION
2421 SPASMODICAL
2417 ALTARAGE / PROPOSAL (Right and Left)
2412 UBIQUARIAN
2017-2018
2395 PURITANISM
2386 PENNY-A-LINER
2016-2017
2356 PUBLIC SERVANT
2347 ASLEEP
2343 RESTORE (Printer’s Devilry)
2338 TRUMP
2324 CELEBRATIONS
2015-2016
2291 AVESTA (Printer’s Devilry)
2287 VALET
2270 FENESTRA
2261 GANGSTERLAND
2014-2015
2230 GATES OF DEATH
2205 CUMBERSOME
2013-2014
2174 CHARET (Printer’s Devilry)
2165 OUT OF ORDER
2012-2013
2131 DIVES / MALIK (Right and Left)
2122 NICETY
2011-2012
2087 ROCKET
2064 COLD TURKEY
2010-2011
2040 EASTER (Printer’s Devilry)
2027 THRENETICAL
2023 CHAMBRANLE
2012 BLOATING
2000 TWO THOUSAND
1997 FADO
2009-2010
1967 SUBORDINATELY
2008-2009
1927 TONSURE (Spoonerisms)
1908 WE THREE KINGS
1906 MORSE
1901 SANITISE
2007-2008
1884 FREELOADER
1862 UNALIKE (Spoonerisms)
1858 HUMONGOUS
1836 POSTHASTE
2006-2007
1827 AMAKOSI def. DENUDED (Wrong Number)
1806 INEBRIANT
1804 CLOTHES SENSE (Spoonerisms)
1788 ETHEREAL OILS
2005-2006
1779 NEWIE (misprint of U) (Misprints)
1775 ROUGH-AND-READY
1771 PARTERRE
1762 DUDDERY
1753 DIAGONAL
1746 ENTOMIC
1733 PALESTRA
2004-2005
1728 EIDOLA def. NULLAH (Wrong Number)
1715 RELEASE / RASPING (Right and Left)
1685 MINO (Printer’s Devilry)
1680 PILLOW-CUP
2003-2004
1676 CRINGE-MAKING
1663 ARMAMENTARIA
1650 SAPHENA
1648 MAGIC LANTERN
1624 BELAY
2002-2003
1606 TEOSINTE / INTELSAT (Overlaps)
1602 FENESTRA
1596 GENISTA (Definition of Anagram)
1576 FACADE
2001-2002
1559 THEOLOGASTER
1554 PEARL
1546 TRANSPARENT
1524 INGRATITUDE
2000-2001
1502 RAPPEL
1476 LIGNIPERDOUS
1472 TORAN (Printer’s Devilry)
1467 CANAPÉ
1999-2000
1459 GREATEST (Spoonerisms)
1424 HEIST
1419 SPLODGE
1415 MANATI (Printer’s Devilry)
1998-1999
1402 PENTOSE (Definition of Anagram)
1997-1998
1355 DIACATHOLICON
1351 NEATEN (Printer’s Devilry)
1346 PHARISEE
1336 STOCKING
1312 REST-CURE
1996-1997
1303 PONIARD
1286 CHALET
1268 ARGIE-BARGIE
1995-1996
1247 PREDICANT
1234 AVANT-PROPOS
1994-1995
1194 DONET
1190 DENARIUS
1186 GRISELDA
1181 SLADE
1169 BLITHE / URSINE (Right and Left)
1165 YAPSTER
1993-1994
1134 TOVARICH
1128 CHRISTMAS PRESENT
1126 CHEATERY
1122 BASILIAN
1117 STAMNOS (3 Consecutive Letters)
1992-1993
1095 STINK
1087 OLD SOLDIER
1084 PIERCEABLE / SALESGIRL (DLM)
1078 KIRBEH
1076 PARLOUR GAMES
1065 TANDOORI
1048 GALLOPADE
1991-1992
1030 PASTILLE
1013 ALVEARY
1008 SPORTSCASTER (Misprints)
1004 OIL PAINTINGS
995 STASIMA (Printer’s Devilry)
1990-1991
974 AVANT-PROPOS
1989-1990
934 LACE-UPS
926 NERD
917 HOOLIGANISM
900 (C)HARLATANIS(M) (Letters Latent)
891 CAT
1988-1989
869 HOLD-UPS
862 OFF-AND-ON
857 REDCAP / NICETY (Right and Left)
1987-1988
818 EMBUSQUÉ
816 POTLACH (with extra O in word) (Extra letter)
814 SPOUSAGE
796 UPHOLSTERY
1986-1987
779 MISSING LINK
766 GUBBINS
762 OBELISE
753 SHEEPDOG
750 SALMAGUNDY (THLMAGUY/OULMAGUY) (750 themed clue)
740 ESCADRILLE
1985-1986
718 FLO(GG)IN(G) (Letters Latent)
712 PANTOMIME HORSE
709 GINGER
688 CUCURBITAL
683 BANISH
1984-1985
666 Any word; subsidiary indication omits an animal (Beasts)
649 AUSTRALORP
644 EASY STREET (or STAPELIA)
1983-1984
618 CRETISM
615 HISTORIETTE
610 DOUBLETHINK
603 FIGULINE
590 MINEVER
581 SPADROON def. MAVERICK (Wrong Number)
1982-1983
576 TOP-NOTCH
572 SNAKE-OIL
556 SWEAL (Misprints)
552 NOURICE-FEE
530 PROMETAL
1981-1982
525 PABOUCHE
500 BEFOOL (two extra Ds) (Extra Letter)
495 CACOETHES
486 JUMPED-UP
1980-1981
469 APLUSTRE
456 BALADINE
454 CHRISTMAS BOX
452 DISSENTERISM
439 LINGA (Printer’s Devilry)
1979-1980
375 SPREATHE
1978-1979
366 MONKEY-SHINE
354 SHEER-HULK
352 FAIRY LIGHTS
327 HEMLOCK
319 PODESTA
1977-1978
306 DICKENS
298 NOSER
281 DINOCERAS
259 TRANSIRE
1976-1977
255 ROYAL SILVER JUBILEE
249 RUDOLPH THE REINDEER
243 OLYMPIC
238 CRAMBOJINGLE
212 SURCINGLES
208 RALPH
1975-1976
203 BOGY
200 The Extra Guest (minus CC) (Letters Latent)
190 CASSANDRA
174 EPEOLATRY
165 Lance, pompano, bonito, porbeagle, thornback, menhaden, albacore, huso (Anagram)
161 ANCON
156 OMBROPHOBOUS
1974-1975
139 PIEPOWDER
135 GABIONADE
127 FRITHSOKEN
110 GALLOWS-RIPE
1973-1974
92 BRAINWASH
88 BLOOMERY
57 MINARET (Printer’s Devilry)
53 ALEXANDERS
1972-1973
45 NEMORAL
31 KITCHENDOM
23 SCLERODERMIC
1 ORGIAST
Year | Prizes (1, 2, 3) | VHCs | HCs | Position |
---|---|---|---|---|
2020-2021 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 1 | 0 | – |
2019-2020 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 2 | 5 | 30 |
2018-2019 | 1 (1, 0, 0) | 1 | 7 | – |
2017-2018 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 19 |
2016-2017 | 0 | 2 | 5 | – |
2015-2016 | 1 (0, 0, 1) | 5 | 3 | 12 |
2014-2015 | 0 | 3 | 2 | – |
2013-2014 | 0 | 0 | 2 | – |
2012-2013 | 0 | 2 | 2 | – |
2011-2012 | 0 | 1 | 2 | – |
2010-2011 | 0 | 1 | 6 | – |
2009-2010 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – |
2008-2009 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 3 | 4 | 16 |
2007-2008 | 0 | 1 | 4 | – |
2006-2007 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 21 |
2005-2006 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 25 |
2004-2005 | 2 (0, 1, 1) | 6 | 4 | 4 |
2003-2004 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
2002-2003 | 0 | 8 | 4 | 5 |
2001-2002 | 0 | 2 | 4 | – |
2000-2001 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 12 |
1999-2000 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 16 |
1998-1999 | 1 (1, 0, 0) | 6 | 1 | 8 |
1997-1998 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 17 |
1996-1997 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 1 | 3 | – |
1995-1996 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 6 | 1 | 6 |
1994-1995 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 3 | 6 | 13 |
1993-1994 | 1 (0, 0, 1) | 2 | 5 | 23 |
1992-1993 | 0 | 3 | 7 | – |
1991-1992 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 4 | 5 | 8 |
1990-1991 | 1 (1, 0, 0) | 1 | 1 | – |
1989-1990 | 0 | 2 | 5 | – |
1988-1989 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 1 | 3 | – |
1987-1988 | 1 (1, 0, 0) | 3 | 4 | 11 |
1986-1987 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 2 | 6 | 25 |
1985-1986 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
1984-1985 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 2 |
1983-1984 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
1982-1983 | 1 (0, 1, 0) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
1981-1982 | 2 (1, 1, 0) | 4 | 4 | 3 |
1980-1981 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
1979-1980 | 3 (1, 2, 0) | 5 | 1 | 1 |
1978-1979 | 2 (0, 1, 1) | 6 | 5 | 2 |
1977-1978 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 20 |
1976-1977 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 17 |
1975-1976 | 1 (0, 0, 1) | 4 | 7 | 7 |
1974-1975 | 2 (2, 0, 0) | 4 | 4 | 5 |
1973-1974 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 13 |
1972-1973 | 2 (0, 1, 1) | 5 | 4 | 1 |