The Puzzler
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Ten clue answers must be made different before entry in the diagram. Their corresponding diagram entries could each be connected to a common element, which is suggested by 23 Across. Each resulting combination would offer a cryptic description of its clue’s original answer. Original clue answers include 11 capitalized words.
See page 125 for Puzzler contest details. The solution to last month’s Puzzler appears on page 126.
ACROSS
1
Entertainer is Scot, so he’s different (9)
7
Swindle fellows from the East (4)
11
A firearm’s given purpose set into action (7)
13
Knowing of a conflict, reschedule at the end (5)
15
Bill Saint was a cannibal tribe’s chief (9)
16
Heavy metal star (4)
17
Small band with tenor at resort (4)
19
Keeps timeless remarks (4)
21
Owner of a lamp and a youth racket (7)
25
Funky rap she’d styled in speech (7)
27
Essay about old Phrygian city (4)
29
Take a chance on a sort of VCR (4)
31
Recognized London gardens needing nitrogen (4)
33
Fifty born back in majestic Danish territory (9)
34
Short note about a singer named Frankie (5)
35
Leaves enemy holding Gila monster? (7)
36
Burn some corn after school (4)
37
Students of a famous English school sheltering southern Baltic people (9)
DOWN
1
Clown wheels and deals, principally (4)
2
Solitary sorts audited for banks sometimes (7)
3
Lout bungled crooked crime (8)
4
Returned TV set without volume check (4)
5
Cooking vessel outside is from an Italian city (5)
6
Polynesian beginning to sing a lament (6)
8
Hockey team might answer about pass(9)
9
Pretentious social event after the first (4)
10
Signal meal time (7)
12
Sow observed on The Beverly Hillbillies? (4)
14
Lukewarm Los Angeles sea surrounding Di (9)
18
Math class comes back with height and circumference (5)
19
Rat sinks while swimming to tongue of an Asian land (8)
20
With spring, some of the last icicles (7)
22
Experience German and Latin thus(7)
24
Intermediate rabbi blessed official books(6)
25
Quiet gym standout (5)
26
Jump on blades left behind sharp tool(4)
28
Grow stern (4)
30
Commotions pop up (4)
32
Bird watcher ultimately goes in three directions (4)
NOTE: The instructions above are for this month’s puzzle only. It is assumed that you know how to decipher clues. For a complete introduction to clue-solving, send an addressed, stamped envelope to The Atlantic Puzzler, 745 Boylston Street, Boston, Mass. 02116.
Answers to the December Puzzler
“WRAP SESSION”
Smart monarch wraps present: K(NOW)ING Wrapped & Unwrapped, a. R(OMANI)A b. C(YPRES)S C. S(HEATH)E d. W(EIGHTIES)T e. A(CRONY)M f. M(ANTI)S g. P(ROPE)R h. O(RATI0)N i. E(ASTER)N j. T(AMPERE)R k. A(ERATO)R 1. P(LINT)H Across. 1. STYLISTS 9. CH(A)INS 10. P(R)OEM ll.O-RAN 12. FRA(ILES)T (lies anag.) 13. ST(A)IRS 14. PUSSYCAT (hidden rev.) 20. CHERI (anag.) 22. C(0-CH)LEAR 24. ONTARIAN (anag.) 25. OM-N-I (rev.) 26. RED-ON 27. STO(1)LEN Down. 1. S-COOPS 2. THROUGH (homophone) 3. IN LAY 4. TIERRIA 5. SPA-STIC(k) 6. A-RI-SEN 7. SO(L)AR 8. TEENAGE (anag.) 15. SCEPTER (anag.) 16. CO(CAIN)E 17. T(RAIN)EE 18. NI-TROS (rev.) 19. B-RUINS 21. READE (hidden) 23. ROOT (double def.)