New words for old things in our pick of the best of the broadsheets’ 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.
1acFreeschool meal tiny? Rashford’s first to get involved (13)
[ wordplay: type of ‘school’, then anagram (‘to get involved’) of MEAL & TINY & initial letter (‘first’) of RASHFORD ]
[ COMP, then anagram of MEALTINYR ]
[ definition: free ]
8dOld order to disperserhino at intervals with sensitivity (4,3)
[ wordplay: alternate letters (‘at intervals’) of RHINO + synonym for ‘sensitivity’ ]
[ RIO + TACT ]
[ definition: old order to disperse ]
14acPC in courtopened eyes? (4,2)
[ wordplay: synonyms for ‘politically correct’ (PC) & ‘on trial’ (‘in court’) ]
[ WOKE & UP ]
[ definition: opened eyes? ]
21acWoke clutching auntie, oddly, in fear (5)
[ wordplay: synonym for ‘woke’, containing (‘clutching’) alternate letters of (‘oddly’) AUNTIE ]
[ PC containing ANI ]
[ definition: fear ]
25acFor Penn and Teller, according to Carroll, it’s a driving mechanism (9)
[ wordplay: synonym of ‘for’ + carrollism of PENN and TELLER ]
[ PRO + PELLER ]
[ definition: it’s a driving mechanism ]