Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

I spent much time thinking of 'puzzling' words and trying to fit them in, which wasn't particularly satisfying (I didn't imagine that even Paul would find room for "**** knows"). The parsing of 12... puzzled me for quite a while. And I think 23 is a tad close to mockery.
But I've finished it, so my brain is working, and on a grey February morning, that counts for a lot!

Not sure I totrally understand the wordplay in

9a - Puzzle parody about prayer, puzzling (9)

I've assumed the definition is "puzzle" and the final 3 letters are "puzzling", and also see a 3 letter 'holy woman' surrounded by a 3 letter 'jest' , but none of that seems to equate to 'parody about prayer'.

Ahh,, someone one who prays is a "prayer" - I get it now:-)

Biggus56. I'm originally from that part of the world so I'm OK with it.

Honestly, the amount of times I've seen "number" as something that numbs and "flower" as something that flows - you'd think I'd know better!

Hi Brendan, that’s the list that Darla was referring to. In a Pedants thread a few years back we went through every one we could think of and I compiled a list. They’re call agent nouns. My favourite is “offer” (one who kills).

Thanks Jono,

I don't recall seeing the list Darla was referring to but do recall his/her reference to the definition of...

"Mullet" "A hairstyle that is short at the front, long at the back, and ridiculous all round"

Classic:-)

Phew - struggling with this one.

For 21d, I have a US author with a three-letter chicken followed by a two-letter way to go, but I can't get "tale" to work for the initial. Feels a bit tenuous - am I barking up the wrong tree?

Hi Deej,

21d - If you add a 2 letter abbr. for "way" to the beginning of the letters surrounding "chicken" you'll get a letter "tale"

... get a 5 letter "tale"

Sorry, the number 5 has stopped working on my keyboard and I keep forgetting.