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Reposted by William Snow

Coot @coot.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

There’s a puzzle within my (quite probably last) Independent puzzle today. Sample clues: Furtive latte arranged during fling (8) Hope wife’s left note of reservation (3) #cryptic #crossword 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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Reposted by William Snow

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Punditry, once smart, is primarily excruciating (9) Today's my last Indy #cryptic #crossword. I hope there's a second life in the near future for Mike's fantastic operation. It's been my privilege to set alongside my heroes and super talented friends. 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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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Cryptically, 50 Cent is the inverse of 10cc.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Oh no! Sorry, no - I printed it off from the website.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

From Guy in yesterday’s FT: To wet trousers permitted during it? (6,8)

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Lost garden gnome finally extracted from shopping centre and returned first-class (7) From my cryptic crossword in the FT today. Solve it FREE at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

State in which The Departed is set (5,6) From my cryptic crossword in today’s FT. Do it FOR FREE at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Bear snarled with fury for four weeks or more (8) Part of my cryptic crossword for the FT today. Solve it at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Self-driving car that is made to leave, leaves (4) From today’s cryptic crossword for The Independent, by me, at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent PS There is a ghost theme

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Is it unforgivable to have two cryptic definition clues in a row?

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

There are at least two reasons why this cryptic clue can’t go in a puzzle, so I’m releasing it into the wild … 51p that was dropped by Phil Spector (3)

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Thanks Mark - that's very kind.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Oscar? He writes plays in a different way (9) From my cryptic crossword in today's FT, at ft.com/crosswordapp, or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Belated thanks … I’ll take a look.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Dessert? Fine, but no starter (3) From my cryptic crossword in the Independent today puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

It could be called 'Masthead Revisited'.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Start to drink unwrapped bubbly (5) From today’s FT cryptic crossword by me at ft.com/crosswordapp or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

It's for this reason that I think the term 'Ximenean' is unfortunate, as it is connected to an individual and thus suggests authoritarian decree. I'd rather there was another term that instead suggested foundational principles.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

I agree re ‘drunk’ - in fact there are lots of anagram indicators that are difficult to justify, e.g. ‘bad’. Perhaps we should stop pulling at this string in case they all disappear!

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Similarly, elsewhere, someone referred to something like 'fruit cocktail' = 'a mixture of fruit'. But here 'fruit cocktail' = a mixture of (the objects) fruit'. I don't think that necessarily means we can say 'fruit cocktail' = 'a mixture of (the word) fruit'.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

(I've just enjoyed reading through the nounal anagram indicator debates - thank you.) Something that occurred to me when pondering the Othello example is that, there, 'Othello adaptation' = 'adaptation of (the play) Othello'. But for the cryptic reading we have to read it as '(the word) Othello'.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Following regular rejections, client with cute bum leaves (7) Part of today’s FT puzzle by me at ft.com/crosswordapp, or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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Reposted by William Snow

Coot @coot.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

I’m delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues include: Energy vital if expecting cuddles (4) Handle wiping the backside of Robbie Savage (4) Unblemished and trusted student about to suffer a setback (7) #cryptic #crossword 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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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Does bum express pong escaping trousers? (7) From today’s Indy cryptic, the unmissable #12345! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

What makes a man? Being treated with regard? (11) From today’s FT puzzle by me at ft.com/crosswordapp Or print it out at ft.com/crossword

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I’ve only just realised that this Saturday’s Independent puzzle will be number 12345!

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

I always enjoy Coot’s puzzles. This one’s particularly good. Highly recommended.

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Reposted by William Snow

PeterMF @petermoorefuller.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Bard's turn in the Indy today. 📕 Catchphrase from heavy-going books, setter falls for solver in the second (2,2,2,3) 🌋 Briefly fume before violent rumble (3,7) 🪨 Loose rock formation in dangerous creek (5) Play for free! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... #cryptic #crossword #puzzle

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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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

And a very good puzzle it is too!

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Not sure whether it’s the best but the other day I was very moved by this from ‘Deacon Blues’ by Steely Dan: They got a name for the winners in the world. I want a name when I lose.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

A wonderful way to generate ideas for seamless joins between definition and wordplay.

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

This is wonderful! Thanks @mycrossword.co.uk ! This plus the asterisk functionality within the pattern matcher are the parts I’m particularly impressed with at the moment.

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Reposted by William Snow

Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Maybe 8 out of 10 Cats ended prematurely, in for broadcast (8) It's a pleasure, as always, to set The Independent #cryptic #crossword, especially one with such a lovely palindromic number. I hope it brightens your day! 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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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

SOCIETY: Do you know the period around mid-December that’s really dark/cold? When everyone’s ill? ME: Yes… SOCIETY: Let’s make that when we schedule annual gatherings and concerts for EVERYTHING, including ALL workplaces, schools, clubs… ME: But that would be ridic- SOCIETY: Great - that’s sorted!

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Reposted by William Snow

Susie Mesure @susiemesure.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Christmas* cryptic (crossword) corner meet up, tomorrow night, The Montpelier, Peckham, 6.30pm. Join us if you fancy. *not really Christmas, just December, but I might buy extra crisps *and* those Scampi Fries.

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Reposted by William Snow

Rob Jacques @knutcrosswords.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

I set the cryptic crossword in the weekend edition of The @financialtimes.com. Sample clue: Page One in today's fresh hellscape (8). Solve the puzzle on the FT app or print the pdf here: www.ft.com/content/a694...

ft.com

FT Crossword: Number 18,232

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

To be clear - the dedication is not to suggest an equivalence between you and the solution!

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

Also included is this one, dedicated to @charliemethven.bsky.social : Charlie? Charlie! (4)

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Is there anyone out there with access to the Oxford English Dictionary who’s happy for me to DM them a question?

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Reposted by William Snow

amoebacrosswords.bsky.social @amoebacrosswords.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

I set today's Independent puzzle - but I won't make a song and dance about it. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Brilliant! Congratulations! 🎉

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Reposted by William Snow

Rachel Playforth @archelina.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Another great bunch of crosswords to choose from on MyCrossword this week, delighted to have a chance to stream new cryptics by @pantherapuzzles.bsky.social and @liari.bsky.social! Join us at 12 GMT! #crypticSunday twitch.tv/crypticsunday

William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Brilliant idea brilliantly executed - thank you and well done!

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William Snow @willsnow8.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

All clear - the only break she’s got is the one from school!

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