Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

2d Double definition. 'Perch' and a strong current
From Chambers dictionary
roost2 /roost/ (Orkney and Shetland)
noun
A tidal race

13a 'Skilly' is a strong gruel or soup
ILL, bad, in SKY, weather.

^.. should be 'thin' gruel....

Thanks for the help.

Here's the next batch....

22a. Pink for a girl
CORAL

25a. Unmarried woman in-group slang
ARGOT

5d. Girl secures brooch on back
SUPINE

24a. Equipment officer, needing spades, stole two outside
BOATSWAIN

Parses for the above please.

22a - Double definition 'coral pink' and girl's name

25a - (m)ARGOT = woman without "married" - definition is "group slang" like that used in "A Clockwork Orange" Nadsat Argot

5d - SUE around/secures PIN (brooch)

24a - BOA (stole/fur) + TWAIN (two) around S(pades)

i'm reminded of the story of jean harlow being introduced to margot asquith, who becme more and more irritated at harlow's overfamiliarity, and particularly being addressed as "margott". eventually she said "no dear, the t is silent, as in Harlow"

Ouch! That's a good one, cheers Chris.

Understood, thanks for the replies.

2d. One with many titles damned by a Duke?
PUBLISHER

13a. Part of capital - area surrounded by trees
MAYFAIR

24a. Seek with caution, such an honour
COURT CARD

23d. Top forty, classically speaking
EXCEL

Parses for the above please.

23 Excel. top - and it sounds like XL, forty. in Roman mumerals, classically speaking.

13 Mayfair,part of capital/London. May and Fir, two trees,with A, area inside the Fir.

2D.Publisher, one with many titles. There's also a (relatively) famous quote, Publish and be damned (I expect that was said by a Duke, but I haven't checked.