Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I think there are at least 3 potential options for the appropriate symbols.
My preference would be to use two different symbols for the replacement in both parts of the sequence. I would have prefered “replace by appropriate symbols” in the preamble but I think I can still justify doing this with “replace (each) by an appropriate symbol”.

I have a full grid but..........

I cannot parse 23d and I only have 6 of the letters omitted from the wordplay. Those six letters do no make any sense to me, are they supposed to spell a word or are they an anagram of a word? Finally, I haven't yet got a clue to the links between the extra words in the across and down clues. Seems to me that the end game is significantly more difficult than the crossword itself - which always disappoints and irritates me.

Gitto, 23 down is a “two meanings” clue. The definition is the last word with 5th letter omitted in the wordplay. As regards the theme, look back to my post number 7.

Sorry meant a double definition clue.

Thanks jeg, I now understand 23d. I have the thematic links (9 letters in total) and the thematic word - now just contemplating what I need to do!

Gitto, when you have the 7th letter, you’ll find it makes sense. It is a straightforward word, not an anagram, but it’s positioning in the grid is significant.

How did that bl***y apostrophe creep in ? 🤬

hw - your comment makes me think i have missed a subtle nuance (?) - i simply went for one that was aesthetically pleasing...

Also can someone explain wp for 2d pls.

overall enjoyed that - certainly learnt some new terms involving the thematic link in the downs!

Finally worked it out. As I have commented on the previous occasions that this device has been used, I dislike it intensely.

At least there only seems to be one version of this one rather than the hundreds of options previously, so I'm not too unhappy with its use here.

.

Hw7 & Candledave -thanks for clarification of 8d - straightforward - and 18a - crafty! I was taking the wordplay to be 'baleful' as an anagrind of a common example of the first word - which works perfectly...but is wrong! The first word is thematic.