Crossword Help Forum
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Brendan, you're correct on filmic Boston accents.
The Fighter is also accurate in that regard, and an excellent film.
IMO the ultimate Boston crime film is the classic The Friends of Eddie Coyle, but (as far as I can recall) it doesn't feature that much of the famous accent.

Can I have some help with 14 please. With the crossers in place I have a word for a land and a different word for a fish.

Paulnz, I had the same difficulty with 14. I thought the land and fish started with different letters, but my copy of NSOED (I don't have Chambers) says that the land spelling is also a variant of the (more common) fish spelling.

Hi Paul,

14a - The country is in Africa and the fish is a variant spelling of one that would normally begin with an S.

Thanks both. I can't seem to find the fish with a C.

I couldn't find it online, only in the NSOED.

The fish is in Chambers, I know this because I had to look it up.

I also found this more difficult than normal but slowly unlocked. The bigger of the hiddens is one of the best I’ve seen of the type.

Morning all,
Geeker, you’re correct that the Times has a rule of maximum one hidden per grid. Also a maximum of 5 anagrams and some other constraints which are definitely not observed by Guardian setters!

I remember thinking last week that we hadn’t seen the alliterative grid in a while so was pleased to see it this morning.

I felt sure that the fish had appeared in Maskarade’s marathon “fish” puzzle a while back, but in fact he used the S variant.

Good day to everyone. Stared at a blank grid for ages. Thanks for the primarily which I don't like... until I need one! The long hidden was excellent having spent ages trying anagrams. COD for me is 18d. Witty. Thought the long anagrams this week were very good. Thanks Everyman.

Hi, I'd be grateful for help with 21 a. I have the crossers and there is an obvious word to fit, and I can see it sort of, but not the relation to 'anchor' in the clue. Cheers!