Listener Crossword 4158: Solution Notes
Two Little Words by Danda
Puzzle explanation
The phrase “cheap and nasty” appears in rows 6 to 8. Of the unclued entries, three are synonyms of “cheap” (SIXPENNY, INEXPENSIVE, A DIME A DOZEN), three are synonyms of “nasty” (LOVELY, INDECENT, NAUSEOUS) and one means “cheap and nasty” (SHODDY).
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 2 | REIMPORT | REPORT around I’M |
| 7 | OWED | homophone of ODE |
| 11 | PICNICKERS | homophone of PICK KNICKERS |
| 12 | IN RE | REIN with the letters cycled |
| 13 | SPAHI | SPA + H + I |
| 15 | ARDS | ’ARD + S |
| 17 | TEEPEE | homophone of TP |
| 18 | OBSIGNS | BOSSING * |
| 20 | E(CHE) | E |
| 22 | (AP)OZEM | ME(z)ZO < |
| 24 | DE(AN) | D + E |
| 26 | EMUS | (th)E MUS(tard) |
| 27 | (STY)ING | ING |
| 28 | AESC | (Encyclopedi)A ESC(ulapii); ref. alternative spelling Encyclopædia Æsculapii |
| 30 | STRIGIL | (IT GIRLS) * |
| 32 | DIDDER | (REDD + ID) < |
| 36 | AIDE | MAIDEN − M(e)N |
| 37 | INFRA | (ma)INFRA(me) |
| 39 | ZEUS | SUEZ < |
| 40 | STRIPTEASE | (SISTER + TAPE) * |
| 41 | EACH | (p)EACH(y) |
| Down | ||
| 1 | OPIATE | (I + ATE) after OP |
| 3 | ECRU | CRUDE * − (bleache)D |
| 4 | MISLE(AD) | M + ISLE |
| 5 | OKA | OK + A |
| 6 | TRIOS | RIOT * + S |
| 8 | WORD | DROW < |
| 9 | EDDY | 2 meanings |
| 10 | DESISTS | DEISTS around S |
| 14 | PRE(P)A(Y) | PRE + A |
| 16 | SOOTILY | SNOOTILY − N |
| 19 | GAME | 2 meanings |
| 21 | (HAA)R | (Dunba)R |
| 23 | ZANDER | AND in (Z + ER) |
| 24 | DISEASE | DI’S + EASE |
| 25 | AGITATE | A + GI + TATE |
| 29 | CRISES | C(aused) + RISES |
| 31 | GEITS | I in GETS |
| 33 | LIRA | L + IRA |
| 34 | ODIC | (rhaps)ODIC(al) |
| 35 | LEAN | 2 meanings |
| 38 | FIX | 2 meanings |