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Someone said impenetrable. I say obscure. One of those "what a clever setter I am" puzzles. No one tmk has mentioned 1 ac and I've lost the will to live. Any offers please?

quocunque (I like the name - trying to remember the church anthem it appears in!)
Remove a word for 'standard' from spare parts and anagrammatise. Definition is a slightly obscure phrase for when a book etc is in the process of being printed.

Thanks Rog. Don't know the anthem but it's Latin for "anywhere".
I'm no wiser from your tip which also makes my stab at 3dn wrong. I have a word starting with P which can't be right.

Finally tbe penny dropped. Thanks Rog for putting me on the right track. Didn't know 4 dn so no chance of solving forwards. Probably won't attempt another Enigmatic - unfair IMO.

Can anyone put me out of my misery and help me parse 14d? Shilling rung through again for one enjoying Boxing Day feast.
I've got the answer but can't parse it at all.

A synonym for rung inside another word for again (loose). I hope that helps without giving too much away for anyone else.

Thank you!

Judging by all the comments, it appears unanimous - this was indeed a very difficult crossword. That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable, and there were some very good (and, perhaps, a couple not so good) clues.

Great to see so many new names joining our weekly discussion - it's good to get as many opinions as possible.

Stay safe:-)

Hi all, agree with a lot of the comments about this week's puzzle, but I guess as a setter you'll always prefer this of marmite-type response to indifference!

I'm late to the party again (work on a Saturday).. and am still unable to fully parse 5a, 23a, 2d, 5d, 13d. any help much appreciated :)

Hi Bagheera33,

5a definition is "not smiley" - 3 letter synonym for "one" after S(py) + 2 letters for "bill" + F(oot)

23a definition is "bore" - 6 letter synonym for "equipped" around R(iver)

2d definition is "telethon" (as an example) - 7 letter place name of where Ipswich Town play + anagram of "water + duo"

13d definition is "instrument" - 4 letter synonym for "old woman" inside 3 letter synonym for "evil" and 2 letters for "times" (think multiplication)