Alan Connor demystifies the devices used in cryptic crosswords. This time: the sneaky apostrophe
Welcome back, you cryptic-curious!
Inspired by a recent comment, this week’s instalment of cryptic tips looks at the apparently unobtrusive apostrophe.
3d Certain people crash Tim’s stag do (10)
[ make an anagram of (“crash”) TIMS STAG DO ]
18d Private Russell’s cheaper product (3,5)
[ synonym for “Private” + surname of a “Russell” ]
20ac Shaw’s good old city (3,5)
[ first name of a “Shaw” + abbrev. for “good” + abbrev. for “old” ]
[ SANDIE + G + O ]
27ac Setter’s toilet has use of computers etc — yen for greatness! (9)
[ synonyms for “setter’s”, “toilet” and “use of computers etc” + abbrev. for “yen” ]
[ I’M + MEN’S + IT + Y ]
25 Comprehensive school’s head in great distress (8)
[ first letter of “school” + synonym for “in great distress” ]
[ S + WEEPING ]
14ac Liberal’s new, dotty messages? (7)
[ anagram (“dotty”) of “Liberal” ]
17d Missionary given job in ‘ealthy environment (7)
[ synonym for “job” inside synonym for “healthy” without initial H ]
[ POST inside ALE ]
6d What’s strange to a shopper (when greengrocer abuses it!) (10)
[ anagram ‘strange’ of ‘to a shopper’ ]
