Charlie Methven
@charliemethven.bsky.social
I set cryptic crosswords as Methuselah and Chameleon and write questions for Only Connect • charliemethven.com • he/him
Marcel Proust's favourite football fixture: Swans (A)
November 25, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Marcel Proust's favourite football fixture: Swans (A)
Reposted by Charlie Methven
Dice is back - hope you enjoy!
Common ‘addiction’ somewhat symbolic of feeble-mindedness (6)
King Edward’s one dropping packaging rubbish (6)
Make time for first sighting of shark, maybe capturing it (3,2)
#cryptic #crossword
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
Common ‘addiction’ somewhat symbolic of feeble-mindedness (6)
King Edward’s one dropping packaging rubbish (6)
Make time for first sighting of shark, maybe capturing it (3,2)
#cryptic #crossword
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
Quick cryptic crossword No 86
Quick cryptic crossword No 86
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Dice is back - hope you enjoy!
Common ‘addiction’ somewhat symbolic of feeble-mindedness (6)
King Edward’s one dropping packaging rubbish (6)
Make time for first sighting of shark, maybe capturing it (3,2)
#cryptic #crossword
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
Common ‘addiction’ somewhat symbolic of feeble-mindedness (6)
King Edward’s one dropping packaging rubbish (6)
Make time for first sighting of shark, maybe capturing it (3,2)
#cryptic #crossword
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
Reposted by Charlie Methven
For those who missed it yesterday (and who give a damn, obvs.) here's the link to my November #cryptic #crossword:
crossword.info/skirwingle/p...
Sample clue: Run through what traffic lights do (5)
crossword.info/skirwingle/p...
Sample clue: Run through what traffic lights do (5)
Crossword #80
crossword.info
November 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
For those who missed it yesterday (and who give a damn, obvs.) here's the link to my November #cryptic #crossword:
crossword.info/skirwingle/p...
Sample clue: Run through what traffic lights do (5)
crossword.info/skirwingle/p...
Sample clue: Run through what traffic lights do (5)
Reposted by Charlie Methven
Cryptic crossword No 29,858
Cryptic crossword No 29,858
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Lovely clue here... I love how it's almost Schrodinger's catty
Minute Cryptic - 21 November, 2025
"Small diamond rings upset love... you've done it now!" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (9,800 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 21 November, 2025
"Small diamond rings upset love... you've done it now!" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (9,800 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Lovely clue here... I love how it's almost Schrodinger's catty
Minute Cryptic - 21 November, 2025
"Small diamond rings upset love... you've done it now!" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (9,800 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Minute Cryptic - 21 November, 2025
"Small diamond rings upset love... you've done it now!" (6)
🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣
🏆 0 hints – 2 under the community par (9,800 solvers so far).
www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
From the first Methuselah puzzle:
🚨Police leader probing strange deaths (3,8)
🚨Beaming traitor keeps lead from DI Fleming? (7)
🚨Superintendent sets example, arresting sucker (6)
🚨Bent coppers i.e. people in deep may be shown up by this (9)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/487
🚨Police leader probing strange deaths (3,8)
🚨Beaming traitor keeps lead from DI Fleming? (7)
🚨Superintendent sets example, arresting sucker (6)
🚨Bent coppers i.e. people in deep may be shown up by this (9)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/487
November 18, 2025 at 8:49 PM
From the first Methuselah puzzle:
🚨Police leader probing strange deaths (3,8)
🚨Beaming traitor keeps lead from DI Fleming? (7)
🚨Superintendent sets example, arresting sucker (6)
🚨Bent coppers i.e. people in deep may be shown up by this (9)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/487
🚨Police leader probing strange deaths (3,8)
🚨Beaming traitor keeps lead from DI Fleming? (7)
🚨Superintendent sets example, arresting sucker (6)
🚨Bent coppers i.e. people in deep may be shown up by this (9)
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/487
Reposted by Charlie Methven
Ruby Wax has appeared in every episode of Taskmaster
May 20, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Ruby Wax has appeared in every episode of Taskmaster
It's funny that these are a) abbreviations and b) some of the largest letters you'll ever meet
November 17, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It's funny that these are a) abbreviations and b) some of the largest letters you'll ever meet
I've put together this list of crossword abbreviations including explanations. I'd love to correct any errors/gaps (it'd be nice if the first explanation on the list wasn't "no idea").
2- and 3-letter abbreviations coming at some point
charliemethven.com/abbreviations
2- and 3-letter abbreviations coming at some point
charliemethven.com/abbreviations
Crosswords by Charlie Methven
charliemethven.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I've put together this list of crossword abbreviations including explanations. I'd love to correct any errors/gaps (it'd be nice if the first explanation on the list wasn't "no idea").
2- and 3-letter abbreviations coming at some point
charliemethven.com/abbreviations
2- and 3-letter abbreviations coming at some point
charliemethven.com/abbreviations
Another old Methuselah is reborn at MyCrossword mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2851
Featuring:
Charlie more or less gets through drunken toast without slurring (8)
Solver repeatedly excoriated Methuselah cryptic (6)
as well as clues with no autobiographal component
Featuring:
Charlie more or less gets through drunken toast without slurring (8)
Solver repeatedly excoriated Methuselah cryptic (6)
as well as clues with no autobiographal component
Cryptic crossword No 2,851 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 2,851 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 29 clues by Methuselah. Published Fri 14 Nov 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
November 14, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Another old Methuselah is reborn at MyCrossword mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2851
Featuring:
Charlie more or less gets through drunken toast without slurring (8)
Solver repeatedly excoriated Methuselah cryptic (6)
as well as clues with no autobiographal component
Featuring:
Charlie more or less gets through drunken toast without slurring (8)
Solver repeatedly excoriated Methuselah cryptic (6)
as well as clues with no autobiographal component
Reposted by Charlie Methven
I wrote a blog post for @mycrossword.co.uk about how setters can identify and calibrate how difficult (or otherwise) their own puzzles are:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/the-dif...
If you’re a setter, an aspiring setter or just curious as to how these things work - give it 4 minutes of your time! 😊
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/the-dif...
If you’re a setter, an aspiring setter or just curious as to how these things work - give it 4 minutes of your time! 😊
The Difficulty Dial · MyCrossword
As a cryptic crossword setter you don't always know exactly how difficult or otherwise your own puzzle is - they're all easy when you know the answers! And e...
www.mycrossword.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I wrote a blog post for @mycrossword.co.uk about how setters can identify and calibrate how difficult (or otherwise) their own puzzles are:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/the-dif...
If you’re a setter, an aspiring setter or just curious as to how these things work - give it 4 minutes of your time! 😊
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/the-dif...
If you’re a setter, an aspiring setter or just curious as to how these things work - give it 4 minutes of your time! 😊
Reposted by Charlie Methven
ADAM AND EVE (Anagrammed Lines)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
November 2, 2025 at 9:02 AM
ADAM AND EVE (Anagrammed Lines)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
Adam and Eve in God's garden:
So ragged and damned naïve.
Gave a song, minded an adder,
and envisaged Armageddon.
(Dogma and sin ravaged Eden
and God — and gave Man desire.)
I'd told myself I wouldn't flog the(un)dead horse of my 2021 Halloween cryptic this year, but The i Paper have only gone and reprinted it. But will it be a 24 or a 24?
October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I'd told myself I wouldn't flog the(un)dead horse of my 2021 Halloween cryptic this year, but The i Paper have only gone and reprinted it. But will it be a 24 or a 24?
Back to my old tricks in the Indy puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
🤖 Chatbot plugged by social media site exposed home truth (5)
🧲 Villages beginning to hoard lucky charms, but not horseshoe (7)
👨🌾 Half-cut gardener wearing his wife’s skirt (5)
🤢 Quite sour converts like Reform rosettes (9)
🤖 Chatbot plugged by social media site exposed home truth (5)
🧲 Villages beginning to hoard lucky charms, but not horseshoe (7)
👨🌾 Half-cut gardener wearing his wife’s skirt (5)
🤢 Quite sour converts like Reform rosettes (9)
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.
puzzles.independent.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Back to my old tricks in the Indy puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
🤖 Chatbot plugged by social media site exposed home truth (5)
🧲 Villages beginning to hoard lucky charms, but not horseshoe (7)
👨🌾 Half-cut gardener wearing his wife’s skirt (5)
🤢 Quite sour converts like Reform rosettes (9)
🤖 Chatbot plugged by social media site exposed home truth (5)
🧲 Villages beginning to hoard lucky charms, but not horseshoe (7)
👨🌾 Half-cut gardener wearing his wife’s skirt (5)
🤢 Quite sour converts like Reform rosettes (9)
Here's a new Mini crossword from me mycrossword.co.uk/mini/159
Featuring:
See very last supporter behaving thus? (7)
Crosswording authority sadly nixes me (7)
Hue and cry? (6)
Featuring:
See very last supporter behaving thus? (7)
Crosswording authority sadly nixes me (7)
Hue and cry? (6)
Mini crossword No 159 · MyCrossword
Solve Mini crossword No 159 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 8 clues by Chameleon. Published Wed 29 Oct 2025. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Here's a new Mini crossword from me mycrossword.co.uk/mini/159
Featuring:
See very last supporter behaving thus? (7)
Crosswording authority sadly nixes me (7)
Hue and cry? (6)
Featuring:
See very last supporter behaving thus? (7)
Crosswording authority sadly nixes me (7)
Hue and cry? (6)
Reposted by Charlie Methven
Reposted by Charlie Methven
After a two month hiatus, a new PM is out on my crossword.co.uk. Samples:
Slower on road, son went behind papa (5,4)
One such as Dracula inspiring conclusion of classic tale (7)
African sign of disapproval is to turn around (5)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2803
Slower on road, son went behind papa (5,4)
One such as Dracula inspiring conclusion of classic tale (7)
African sign of disapproval is to turn around (5)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2803
Cryptic crossword No 2,803 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 2,803 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by PostMark. Published Wed 29 Oct 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 7:59 AM
After a two month hiatus, a new PM is out on my crossword.co.uk. Samples:
Slower on road, son went behind papa (5,4)
One such as Dracula inspiring conclusion of classic tale (7)
African sign of disapproval is to turn around (5)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2803
Slower on road, son went behind papa (5,4)
One such as Dracula inspiring conclusion of classic tale (7)
African sign of disapproval is to turn around (5)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2803
Someone in today's Minute Cryptic comments is saying Ximenean rules say "you cannot apply the wordplay rules [to] the output of another wordplay indicator"*. I haven't read Xim cover to cover but surely that can't be right?!
(*In this case reversing a word after ditching its odd-numbered letters)
(*In this case reversing a word after ditching its odd-numbered letters)
October 28, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Someone in today's Minute Cryptic comments is saying Ximenean rules say "you cannot apply the wordplay rules [to] the output of another wordplay indicator"*. I haven't read Xim cover to cover but surely that can't be right?!
(*In this case reversing a word after ditching its odd-numbered letters)
(*In this case reversing a word after ditching its odd-numbered letters)
Belatedly realised I had the perfect backdrop for my @unchcrosswords.com arrival pic and failed to use it
October 27, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Belatedly realised I had the perfect backdrop for my @unchcrosswords.com arrival pic and failed to use it
Reposted by Charlie Methven
do you think the nyt puzzles people saw the only connect wall about them
October 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
do you think the nyt puzzles people saw the only connect wall about them
I can't be in York today but have sent a clue via the Platypus hivemind. Hope it's a good weekend. mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2788
Cryptic crossword No 2,788 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 2,788 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 30 clues by Platypus. Published Sat 25 Oct 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
October 25, 2025 at 10:33 AM
I can't be in York today but have sent a clue via the Platypus hivemind. Hope it's a good weekend. mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2788
@wyrd.systems Film crossword setter getting crossword magazine answer in Holland? (6,9)
October 21, 2025 at 1:29 PM
@wyrd.systems Film crossword setter getting crossword magazine answer in Holland? (6,9)
Do any crossworders know where you might see any of the following represented by their first initial in the wild? 🤔(I'm guessing amateur and athletic might be sports things)
advance, amateur, athletic, date, dead, degree, Germany, house, Japanese, prince, query, zero, zone
advance, amateur, athletic, date, dead, degree, Germany, house, Japanese, prince, query, zero, zone
October 19, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Do any crossworders know where you might see any of the following represented by their first initial in the wild? 🤔(I'm guessing amateur and athletic might be sports things)
advance, amateur, athletic, date, dead, degree, Germany, house, Japanese, prince, query, zero, zone
advance, amateur, athletic, date, dead, degree, Germany, house, Japanese, prince, query, zero, zone
Reposted by Charlie Methven
I know I posted this on Twitter ages ago, but I came across it again last night and thought some may not have seen it yet.
(From the Not the Nine O'Clock News spin-off book, 1980.)
(From the Not the Nine O'Clock News spin-off book, 1980.)
October 19, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I know I posted this on Twitter ages ago, but I came across it again last night and thought some may not have seen it yet.
(From the Not the Nine O'Clock News spin-off book, 1980.)
(From the Not the Nine O'Clock News spin-off book, 1980.)