Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

If you follow the word ABBA with keep you'll discover a hidden 4+letter word suggesting a high level of heat.

They feel for one is the def. Wordplay: 3-letter word for stone, as in fruit; h is the extra letter, so that his becomes that is (2 letters); then tool (hoe) removed from r(ight) S(hoe)

Thanks, Will!

The ABBA clue I had run down all sorts of rabbit holes as was intended. And there it was, in plain sight!

In the second clue I guessed how the end 2 letters worked but couldn't see the tool.

Just that pesky XxX clue now but enough has been said about that, so I'll think on.

Ps - in my head, your user name indicates your date of birth. So I picture you as a razor sharp 87 year old. No need to confirm or deny.

Glad to have been of some help, whistler.
The number in my username is unconnected to my date of birth!

False Inference!

Found this tough but enjoyable, which is clearly how Listeners should be. Thank you Vismut. 2 very small queries.

What is the purpose of the word 'round' in the clue beginning 'Fortification's ditch...'?
And
I can only get the wordplay to work in the clue beginning 'Zulu medicine' if 'injured' is 'injure', although then the clue wouldn't read well. What am I missing?

I'm not convinced by "round". But for Zulu medicine note that mutilate can be an adjective - "mutilated" - as well as a verb

Thanks. I should have thought of that

I agree that “round” is not convincing and that the clue would be better if it were omitted. It might be termed a “misdirected misdirection”. It could be taken to apply to the wordplay - but it doesn’t. However, as far as I can discover, the distinction between “round fish” and “flat fish” applies only to sea fish, and what appears in the answer is almost entirely from freshwater.

And, yes, I suspect that I should be seeking help to treat my inclination to pursue fish down rabbit holes!

There is nothing wrong with that clue at all. Has none of you thought to look up "round fish" in Chambers?