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Jack, you say 'pithy', I say 'economical' - in this period of austerity, I have cut back on everything... including words!

Malone

It will not surprise that I dont know what BRB and LOI mean. A typo for Bed and Breakfast, and Lots of Interest are my best guesses.

Jigjag, you will find these abbreviations frequently on this forum and elsewhere.

“BRB” is “Big Red Book”, ie Chambers (which is doubly daft because even fossils like me don’t have a book but use the Chambers apps).

“LOI” is “Last One In”, ie the clue which most puzzled me and/or I could only solve when I had all the crossers (or had a final shaft of illumination).

You may also come across “my COD”, “my Clue Of the Day” ie my favourite clue because of some outstanding wordplay or quirky definition or whatever.

TTFN

Jack

Thanks for the info. I am afraid that I still use the BRB (1993). I thought I was being clever once, when I used the word "app" to tell Malone that I had replaced the washing machine and tumble dryer, but she kindly advised me that it does not stand for appliance.

COD means cash on delivery to me. I dont suppose the Post Office still do it.

Jigjag, I hope you are enjoying the 'increase your vocabulary' lessons on the Forum?
Like you, I have very little to do with apps - many of them are appalling, don't seem appropriate and simply don't appeal to me.

I'm struggling with this one, so any help would be appreciated.

No idea of the common feature and distinctly unsure of some of the extra words.

Also need help with 9d
Muddy stray hound gutted over bath (6)
S??S?Y

Thanks folks......out of my depth with this one I fear.

fred

9d - 'hound' is extra (and bathe rather than 'bath' is a more helpful synonym for the 4 letter central element).
A particular abbreviation is central to all of the across clues - that word and its position should help with the theme.

Sorry, '...central to all of the across answers' (not 'clues').

Thank you Drxx.

I will persevere......

fred

If all else fails, fred - check out the diagonals.