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Catnip

@catnipxword.bsky.social
527 followers 638 following 2.5K posts

Cryptic crossword setter. Nepeta in the Independent or mycrossword.co.uk/Catnip. Lover of wordplay, silliness, awful puns, quizzes, etc. Part-time proofreader. Booklover. Bellringer. Accidental runner. I also have a day job.

PostsRepliesMedia
Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Obviously I have a small personal stake in this, but this really would be a disaster. I can't speak to the veracity of the original quote, but I've heard it repeated by senior newspaper people about readers - "The news gets them in. The crossword makes sure they stay."
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Following whatever the hell is going on in the US: 25% amusement at unintended humour 25% horror at the general idiocy 50% nervous twitch at the persistent misspelling of "bestiality" in comments (If this means nothing to you, be grateful!)
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Anything under 2hrs for a HM is Serious Runner territory IMO. I'm mostly just relieved that I have a bit of a margin before I need to listen to my mum saying the PM runs faster than me.
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Why is there any doubt that the Norman conquest was bad for England, as in just twenty years it led to a Domesday scenario.
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
For the uninitiated, it is a faux pas for a lawyer to say the ‘versus‘ aloud when saying the name of a case. You are supposed to say ‘and’ or sometimes ‘against’. It is one of those legal in-world tells, like the pronunciation of ‘patent’.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Is there anyone out there, ideally *not* going to Sloggers and Betters in York, who would be interested in test solving a puzzle for me? I should have it ready by the end of the week.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Bye Bye Burnley Park The Bus Avenue The Deep-Lying King Crazy Man U Jesus Christ, Sue The Star The Hook of More Money Michael Oliver!
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Nice BH Maskerade all tidied up and put to bed. One unparsed, one definition that I don't like (or quite possibly haven't properly understood), and one basic enumeration howler. (A second enumeration matter is undergoing a stewards' enquiry)
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Mrs Catnip recently suggested that the Beach Boys' I Get Around (1964) must be the last time anyone used "bread" to mean money outside crosswords. Leaving that dubious claim aside, is there any way of answering the wider question of when a term ceased to be in use, beyond a dictionary's (obs)?
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Turns out, the one thing that can defeat Pog is a sudden crash in a relatively uninteresting stage. #cycling #vuelta
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Alan Machnik @alanmachnik.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Who called it a 'Condom' and not 'Dater Protection'?
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The Void ザ・ヴォイド @thevoidtlmb.social.vivaldi.net.ap.brid.gy · 28/08/2026
Next #OffGridPod ep looked at The Indy’s puzzle fr 08/08. Solve if you like, but it’s not really about #crosswords. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cry…
puzzles.independent.co.uk
The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent
Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
I assume The Eagle Has Landed was done ages ago, so how about: 2000AD: A Space Odyssey #ComicsInASongOrMovie
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
My maze/labyrinth pedantry is purring at this.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
#JoinSomeBandsOrSingers Jackson Five + Spice Girls
A jar of Schwartz Five Spice seasoning. You can decide for yourself if you want the supergroup mashup to lean into the Chinese element, but I'd suggest not.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Has anyone checked on Kermit? Either potential risk or prime suspect?
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Henri @henriwords.com · 26/08/2026
A new puzzle put together at short notice, with absolutely no prizes for guessing the theme… Case of dainty lady heading away - in retrospect, a real go-getter (6) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3842
mycrossword.co.uk
Cryptic crossword No 3,842 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,842 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 36 clues by Henri. Published Wed 26 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
5 Simpsons lines I've uttered most off the top of my head: 1. Ow! They're defending themselves somehow! 2. The goggles! They do nothing! 3. One, where's the fife? And two, gimme the fife. 4. Don't blame me - I voted for Kodos. 5. Immigernts, I knew it was them! Even when it was the bears...
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
A new puzzle by me at @mycrossword.co.uk, celebrating a special occasion. Sample clues: More rough diamonds smuggled inside part of ship (6) Do hotels rent accommodation to rakes? (8) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3835
mycrossword.co.uk
Cryptic crossword No 3,835 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,835 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 28 clues by Catnip. Published Tue 25 Aug 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Music legend composed emphatic lies (7,5)
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Sugar Puffs! I forgot that one! 😂 But the Superstars fall is here: youtu.be/n4OzPrskdqU
youtu.be
Kevin Keegan falls off his bike during BBC Superstars 1976
YouTube video by Southstandred
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Optimist: the cup is half full Pessimist: the cup is half empty Test solver: lovely surface, and I can see why it appeals, but I'm afraid it really does need to be "half *of* full"
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Peter Coles 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🇮🇪 @telescoper.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Optimist: the cup is half full Pessimist: the cup is half empty Crossword Solver: how many letters?
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Name a band (or three) using only emojis 👮‍♂️👮‍♀️👮🚔 🐝🐝🫖👦👦 🍆🌊🐥🐥
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Very proud of Littlest Kitten for some amazing GCSE results. The odd subject where he was hoping for more, but that's essays for you. His STEM subjects are just incredible.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
This proves it. The drought is God's punishment for a lack of Proper Cricket.
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Lewis Baston @lewisbaston.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
A fine Canadian electoral district name and not overlong. If I were a candidate there you would not be able to stop me using the slogan ‘I’ll Be There For You’.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
On that second clue...
Guardian headline from yesterday, 18th August: "Where on earth is Melania Trump?"

Summary below reads: "In her husband's first term, her absences sparked conspiracy theories. This time, she is somehow keeping an even lower profile."Screenshot from The Simpsons episode "Bart Gets An Elephant". Two presenters at local radio station KBBL are sitting next to the DJ-3000, an automated system that could replace them with preprogrammed inane chatter. It has just come out with the unimpeachably topical utterance "Looks like those clowns in Congress did it again. What a bunch of clowns."

One presenter is looking at the machine in amazement and asking "How does he keep up with the news like that?"
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Nepeta's back in the Indy today by popular(ish) demand. Sample clues: Private area's security measures no good (5) Fat fool keeping almost emaciated First Lady very close (5,2,7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
puzzles.independent.co.uk
The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent
Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
In non-alert news, I can confirm that Pomada Sorbet is well worth the minimal effort in this weather.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Disappointing effort, especially the split in the Official Monster Raving Loony Party vote. If they'd been able to unite around a single candidate, instead of the three they had standing, they could have had 61 votes.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Liberals sidestepping Clacton libel fun upset leading candidate (5,7) #cryptic #crossword #tricky #topical
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Postcard From The Past @pastpostcard.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
We were looking for Florence but couldn't find it, but we have found a beautiful town called Firenze.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
How I'll post if Bluesky dies
Top row of a solved cryptic crossword from the Guardian, revealing the word BOLLOCKS as a Nina, or hidden message. Being limited to 28 characters per full 15x15 grid would certainly improve my setting productivity.
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Jason @nickmotown.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
“That’ll be £11.86 please" "Ok hang on, mate - I've got a shedload of coupons here. These six are for 50p off the loaves, and one's half price on the fish" Christ the Redeemer.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
An interesting idea, but I tried this before and just ended up straining my eyes. *taps* Is this thing on?
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
I've got used to Cleese turning into the sort of person he used to mock so effectively, but this is quite on the nose, even for him. Compare with his Mr, er, Hilter in the North Minehead By-election:
Cleese in Nazi uniform on a balcony decorated with a swastika, making a campaign speech as "Mr Hilter" to an audience of one confused-looking 'comedy yokel'. He's saying "I am not a racialist. BUT - und this is a big 'but'..."
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Tag yourself. I'm "startled by mouse that only fell on me because I'm a derp."
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I'm Uni :3 @unicouniuni3.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Today is International Cat Day. May all cats be happy
A black-and-white cat sleeping with a small cat plush
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Coming at it from a different angle, hard to see how that claim works. Was her dad likely to be ridiculously wealthy from his setting? No. But surely it would have given him some sort of social clout that would help her get ahead? Also, no.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Rogue died? Droll! (3,6) #cryptic #crossword #TooSoon?
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Ah, Covid Discourse. I thought I'd left you behind. FWIW, lockdowns and school closures are Bad Things. People dying of a horrible disease is a Bad Thing. Balancing those Bad Things is a difficult judgment call, but there's no "simply avoid illness without adverse consequences" button.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
"Even though it was about [Redacted], still very doable." A nice endorsement from @liari.bsky.social, following a fairly brisk solve. But if you want to know the theme, you'll have to take a look while it's timely. I'd love it if you did.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Unch is proper puzzles on proper paper. Be there, and be a 15x15 square.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Just told the Kittens "You need to tidy your rooms." They said "Boring, change the subject." I said "Fine, your rooms need to be tidied by you."
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
😬 For the record, my puzzles are put together without any form of intelligence, artificial or otherwise.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Connections Puzzle #1146 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟪🟪🟪🟪 Some real hesitation after I got the greens. #IYKYK
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Mutable Joe @mutablejoe.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
police have arrested a man for failing to update his PDF reader, he is described as mid 30s, brown hair and has no fixed adobe
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
A new puzzle from me, at the awesome @mycrossword.co.uk. You might spot a slight theme. Sample clues: Opening match cut short by scrap (6) Full coverage of Italy erupting following shot (8) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3746
mycrossword.co.uk
Cryptic crossword No 3,746 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,746 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 30 clues by Catnip. Published Thu 30 Jul 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
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Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Another Philp broadcast - he just keeps on giving! (12) #cryptic #crossword
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