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I enjoyed this but I do have a few queries.

1a - why "woman"?

2d - primarily is a giveaway as to the wordplay device but what is the definition?

26a - I had confidently thought the mention of "gunpowder" was referring to our rebellious cousins from Boston but realised that was wrong when I got 19d so now I don't really know what it is ...

... so, technically, a DNF 😥

Oh well, had to happen sooner or later - I shall soldier on with a stiff upper lip, trooper that I am 😀

Thanks to Everyman.

Did you run into problems like me or was I just not on Everyman's wavelength?

Let us know in the comments.

Stay safe:-)

Brendan,

Exactly the same situation here. DNF due to no idea about first word of 26. Best guess is KEG but that seems questionable.

Agreed on your other points. Oddly, I finished yesterday's Prize in 15 min and DNF'd this Everyman. "Some days you bite the bear, some days the bear bites you". ;-)

Some good clues though, thanks to Everyman.

1a - it could just as well have been ‘wise man’ or indeed ‘wise person’ but a wise woman will also display it.
2d - check out what the OT book in question is about.
26a - just think of an outdoor location where you might enjoy the thing that our Bostonian cousins disposed of unceremoniously. And pluralise it.

Thank you, rogissimo. I found 24 and 26 both extremely tough, but fair and strong clues. That type of "Boston substance" I've only encountered in crosswords, and had forgotten.

PS Brendan - if your first idea for 26a is what I think it is, it wouldn’t fit with either 19d or 21d

I did rather poorly at today’s Wordle, Wafflegame and Codeword (the daily warm-up) before attempting this so wasn’t best pleased. Everyman used “gunpowder” earlier this year so no surprise there. Not sure why we have “playing area” in 23a and 21d I don’t quite get. Oh well, on to Azed and hoping for some cricket today!

Brendan, not sure what the problem is with 26A. You seem to have the correct substance. Maybe just had it in the wrong place?
Jono, re 23A, I think playing area is fair enough, as that's where you're most likely to see one (also, I guess Everyman used it as a bit of sneaky misdirection). Re, 21D, I suppose the idea is you might develop a headache if you encounter one of these in a pub.
COD 17A - simple but very elegant.

26 there's a green variety called gunpowder

can't parse 3d

"fleeced" to remove just one letter?

I think fleeced removes two outside letters, and the T is part of little money (4 letters).

thanks jono - i was too casual with that one.