that’s not how you spell it

"Terminal insomnia" is such a ridiculously stupid term for when you keep waking up at 3am and can't get back to sleep. I think probably don't the word terminal in a diagnosis unless you really have to. www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/chro...

Numbermogged by this week's Listener so I guess I get an early start on the IQ.

me reading the #CrypticSunday stream chat

I'm a big proponent (nerd) about open standards and protocols on the web, so it always gives me a little sparkle of joy when I see sites implementing RSS feeds. A big 💚 in the direction of @mycrossword.co.uk today; having a public feed of new puzzles I can subscribe to is just such a delight.

I'm thinking of doing a #CrypticSunday spinoff video thing. Are you (or someone you know) new to cryptics or have you been doing them for a little while but still not feeling like you're properly confident? Fancy doing a joint solve with me on a Zoom call - pre-recorded not streamed?

"Who put the crisp in the biscuit?" youtu.be/qTKSIk7Uqvo?...

l Iove finding little scribbled notes and stuff in charity shop books: "Martin hoovered your carpet. I’ll send you a postcard and we’ll see you next Monday. Oh yeah I was bollocked by Matron, and eventually sacked." www.wyrd.systems/posts/we-mad...

I set today’s #cryptic #crossword in The Independent. Solve free online here: https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20260214

Nice gentle Listener this week :)

🚨Incredibly important information!

it's not easy breeding deer for gigantism, but that's why I make the big bucks

"When I get finished, I hope never to hear anything more about puzzles of any kind."

new cicierega

'Hundeprutterutchebane (Danish for "Dog-Fart Roller Coaster") is a steel roller coaster at BonBon-Land in southern Zealand. The rollercoaster is known for its dog-flatulence-related theme' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundepr...

I need some stuff to read - please quote-post with an interesting Wikipedia article.

Starting shortly

IT'S SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!!!! ...so I made a #cryptic #crossword: -Left one pound at end of the day and cashed in (10) -I decline for everyone; answer borders on technical language (7) -Learned elements of gambit, a Réti line brought back (8) mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3110

My 7th offering now on MyCrossword. It's my first with a shenanigans special instruction so it will be interesting to see how it goes down! Clues include: Displays trendy tart on the counter (9) Fake cafe chain given purpose (7) Material caught near naked blond (5) mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3101

Listener completed ☑️ Not a theme I was familiar with, but even so not too difficult - despite the scary looking special instructions :)

A few weeks ago, I decided to try some speed-setting. Before I knew it, I'd made an entire 12x12 barred grid in a single evening! It's not brilliant, but I'm sharing it with you all regardless. 1d and 4d are two-word entries. ouroboroscryptics.github.io/12x12PlainNo...

Finished my Better Call Saul rewatch and thinking of just starting again.

Some terrifically titled papers from a discovered collection of NASA research documents found in a skip (with thanks to @juliarez.placid.horse)

Seven years today since @archelina.bsky.social and I streamed our first crossword. #CrypticSunday

Breakfast in America? Thanks for getting it all the way over to me, @unchcrosswords.com!

Number 11 from me - please give it a whirl... Knock sculpture over and say nothing! (5) Thanks to @amoebacrosswords.bsky.social and @mycrossword.co.uk #cryptic #crossword mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3086

Nice Listener this week, finished before 4pm on a Saturday which is good for me - much aided by @archelina.bsky.social co-solving :) Thanks @jo42.bsky.social !

Magpie meet-up was good fun, nice to see some familiar faces, and meet some new people too.

hello, i have started posting cryptic crosswords on mycrossword, if you're into that sort of thing xoxo more soon! www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3076

Enjoying my copy of @unchcrosswords.com as I try to get back into cryptic crosswords this year. I'm making slow and steady progress with Catnip's puzzle and found another cryptic crossword lover in the office to help

Any recommendations for fun/geeky cross stitch kits? I need something to do with my hands, and the bit of my brain that needs patterns, that isn't playing stupid games on my phone.

Proud to be third up in @mycrossword.co.uk’s featured puzzle series!

A stage adaption of #TheTraitors, written by @johnfinnemore.bsky.social? Don't mind if I do!

The new issue of the fabulous Unch magazine has arrived and Teddy is curious. Thanks @unchcrosswords.com 🙏🏻

That capital fellow Playfair is back in the @economist.com day, featuring: 15D. Inexpert leader in love with another country’s territory (9) 20A. United Kingdom getting behind new university for 15D’s capital (4) www.economist.com/interactive/...

Lovely time had in Bath. Dropped off a few sampler copies of @unchcrosswords.com to @mrbsemporium.bsky.social and @magalleria.bsky.social in case they knew anyone that might fancy one. And spent quite a long time sat in hot water and very steamy saunas. Also some great low-alcohol beer in The Raven.

New puzzle on My Crossword (mycrossword.co.uk). Tons of 1d for input & advice from @mossdef.bsky.social (esp. on 1d) & @crypticblah.bsky.social. As always, grateful to @liari.bsky.social, @guineverecryptic.bsky.social, @tpgrammar.bsky.social, @wyrd.systems. 14a for them & the rest of this community!

Made it safely to Bath

Feeling cute, might delete later... www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/are-nou...

Busy day so I treated myself to a coffee and this pistachio croissant whilst I test-solved a puzzle that I think will end up in @unchcrosswords.com Issue 4. Crossword was great, croissant was a bit much. Couldn't quite finish either of them in one sitting! #CrypticCrosswords

(to my pleasant surprise) I set today's cryptic in the Indy. Including: Start of transmission where ad's naughty? (9) Chicken or fish sandwiches campaign (6) Good job to deliver step of cheese making process? (3,2,2) Solve for free here: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Retaliating for more US tariffs by adding further unnecessary letters to words. From now on, we will be spelling them thusly: - COULOUR - CNETRE - ALUMINIMINIUM

A busy weekend ahead, but hoping to find time to tackle both the Listener and the Inquisitor if I get a bit of spare time. #crypticcrosswords

Inquisitor Puzzle of the Year 2025: Voting closes at midnight tonight, last chance to have your say: www.fifteensquared.net/2025/12/27/i...

Just now finding out that Bernard Sumner from New Order did all the colouring of the animation cels in Jamie and the Magic Torch... youtu.be/Q-rrO7Hz2-c?...

If you like cryptic crosswords repost this

Programme idea: Every week, Clare Balding plans and commits a daring robbery with the help of a different celebrity guest. Title: "Clare's Accessories"

Some of the tools I often use when trying to solve crosswords: www.wyrd.systems/pages/crossw...