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Puzzle - WSJ 20240113

https://www.wsj.com/articles/need-a-lift-saturday-variety-puzzle-january-13-b0c0c86f

Please click Download PDF

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Solution for previous - WSJ 20231216

https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/PuzAnswer12232023.pdf

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As always, for best results download & save the file, then open & print.
(In Preview mode check if the Fit button provides a larger grid)

The solution is usually available a week later. Use the Variety puzzle link.

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Previous puzzles & threads can be found here:
http://tinyurl.com/pyvfuwg

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https://www.wsj.com/news/puzzle

There is a new button for Variety puzzles:
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Cryptics are often posted under Variety, but earlier ones reside here if labelled correctly:
https://www.wsj.com/news/types/cryptic?mod=breadcrumb

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Many thanks, syzygy.
New setter, not sure what to expect, but original and great fun.

Very enjoyable. All finished and I'm happy with the contents of the top box but I feel as though I may have missed something along the way. I don't know who the 'helpful person' is in the second sentence of the preamble although I've been able to "put certain letters next to the lift's buttons". I'm also not sure if they're supposed to 'mean' something in themselves or are merely a means to an end. Good fun.

Ah! Just seen the helpful person. Doh!

That answers my niggling doubts and shows what a great construction it is.

I (American) thought at least one clue might have been excessively US-centric, but perhaps not. ;-)

Hi geeker, now I know how you feel doing UK crosswords. There was an across clue (late on) which I had to dredge from the back of my memory and Google just to make sure. There was also a name that I'd never heard of but, as it was my LOI, I worked it out using the theme ("it has to be"), an anagram solver and Google.

Finished, but I can’t see the helpful person yet. Left to right straight across, not diagonally? I see only one proper name right off…

Hi aristo, read the crossing letters used in the lift in columns left to right.

Huh? The lift doesn’t have crossers. Still drawing a blank, prepared to be embarrassed.