Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

1a the definition is "smooth" as an adjective
1d is a weak clue
6d is quite fun. If read upwards it means "it isn't rude"
15 refers to the NATO alphabet

I'm with Quisling on 12A: 'almost arranged' indicates the shortened fodder for the anagram; 'very much the' gives the single letter; 'reverse' tells you to put these two elements in reverse order; and the whole thing iss an &lit. Ingenious!

1a - Can someone please explain how the last 5 letters equate to dead?

Gasmanjack, dead just gives the last letter. The previous word gives the other four

I'm afraid I got no further and looked up the answers.
I was never going to get 15a as I had the second word of 8d wrong.
For 19a, I did wonder if the English word rather than the French word for the second word was correct but have heard it said that way sometimes.
I still can't fathom 1d and 15a nor equate "series" with the four letter word in the answer.
15a is really irritating me -can't see how the NATO alphabet helps.

15 say out loud the letters that November and Victor represent

That works but surely the clue tells you to put V inside Nov ? What's the point of "in" otherwise?

I didn't like the "in" either, but the clue wouldn't make grammatical sebse without it.

Hello. Can’t parse the Spoonerism— can’t see what letters to reverse. Help please?

swap the first 2 letters with the first letter of the third word