Some words of Mexican origin and some topical material in our collection of the best cryptic clues
In the sample clues below, the links take you to explainers from our beginners’ series. The setter’s name often links to an interview with him or her, in case you feel like getting to know these people better.
5/9ac Current protection scheme in tatters — need extremely qualified expert (4,3,5)
[ wordplay: anagram of (‘qualified’) TATTERS & first & last letters of (‘extremely’) NEED, then synonym for ‘expert’ ]
[ anagram of TATTERSND, then ACE ]
[ definition: current protection scheme ]
1acCameron, perhaps fated to spill daughter’s secret (11)
[ wordplay: what ‘Cameron’ is an example of + synonym for ‘fated’ without (‘to spill’) abbrev. for ‘daughter’ ]
[ CLAN + DESTINED – D ]
[ definition: secret ]
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1ac Fibre for ropemats is a leaf extract (5)
[ wordplay: some of the letters of (‘extract’) MATSISALEAF ]
[ definition: fibre for rope ]
Divvynoun
1. income that is not declared
2. pinhead
(10)
6d Entertainerturning up at party, initially with tower of presents (3,6)
[ wordplay: AT backwards (‘turning up’) + first letter of (‘initially’) PARTY + someone pulling Father Christmas’s sleigh (‘tower of presents’) ]
[ TA + P + DANCER ]
[ definition: entertainer ]