Lowdown Cryptic
@lowdowncryptic.bsky.social
Cryptics for The Browser, AVCX, OoLF, Crossweird, and Minute Cryptic. Canada’s rep for the World Cryptic Crossword Championship (London 2025) and World Crossword Federation. Scrabblegrams monthly. Letter banks repeatedly. He/him 🇨🇦
Pinned
I created a custom feed to track posts about cryptic crosswords and cryptic clues, so go ahead and add it to your feeds. Please share!
If a post doesn't show, it may be delayed/sporadic due to "cloudy sky" (or maybe the post doesn't mention cryptic crosswords or cryptic clues or cryptics at all!)
If a post doesn't show, it may be delayed/sporadic due to "cloudy sky" (or maybe the post doesn't mention cryptic crosswords or cryptic clues or cryptics at all!)
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
#1ACCWC 549
www.1across.org/2026/01/18/1...
Congrats to Ruskin @clairebennie.bsky.social and all those on the podium.
Thanks for a fun word @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social
www.1across.org/2026/01/18/1...
Congrats to Ruskin @clairebennie.bsky.social and all those on the podium.
Thanks for a fun word @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social
1ACCWC 549 – Wonder – Results
Thanks to @Lowdowncryptic Larry for hosting the contest. Great word to kick off the year and a fantastic response with 35 clues and 38 voters. Top 10 # Name Clue Points Voters Anno Comments 1 Ruski…
www.1across.org
January 18, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
I’ve only just discovered this Cryptic Crosswords/Clues custom feed. Now duly done the ‘Pin feed’ thing to add it to my home feeds. Cheers @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social!
I created a custom feed to track posts about cryptic crosswords and cryptic clues, so go ahead and add it to your feeds. Please share!
If a post doesn't show, it may be delayed/sporadic due to "cloudy sky" (or maybe the post doesn't mention cryptic crosswords or cryptic clues or cryptics at all!)
If a post doesn't show, it may be delayed/sporadic due to "cloudy sky" (or maybe the post doesn't mention cryptic crosswords or cryptic clues or cryptics at all!)
January 17, 2026 at 11:50 AM
I’ve only just discovered this Cryptic Crosswords/Clues custom feed. Now duly done the ‘Pin feed’ thing to add it to my home feeds. Cheers @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social!
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
PSA (Puzzle spreading advice)
Cool little puz! 🙃
When you plug, remember to include the word "cryptic" or a hashtag like #crypticcrossword or #crypticclue so the post appears on my "Cryptic Crosswords/Clues" feed (see my pinned post) – and add it to your feeds!
When you plug, remember to include the word "cryptic" or a hashtag like #crypticcrossword or #crypticclue so the post appears on my "Cryptic Crosswords/Clues" feed (see my pinned post) – and add it to your feeds!
January 16, 2026 at 8:20 PM
PSA (Puzzle spreading advice)
We had a WONDER-ful response of 35 clues and now it's time to vote! 😀
All who entered must vote (always using the same name) and other cryptic fans may also vote 🗳️
Tap/click on clues to shortlist them, choose your 4 favourites, and assign 10 points between them (4,3,2,1 or another way)
#1ACCWC
All who entered must vote (always using the same name) and other cryptic fans may also vote 🗳️
Tap/click on clues to shortlist them, choose your 4 favourites, and assign 10 points between them (4,3,2,1 or another way)
#1ACCWC
Voting Now Open – 1ACCWC 549
1ACCWC 549 hosted by @Lowdowncryptic is now closed for clues. Voting is now OPEN CLICK HERE to cast your votes All participants who set clues are expected to vote. You are not allowed to vote for y…
www.1across.org
January 16, 2026 at 4:51 PM
We had a WONDER-ful response of 35 clues and now it's time to vote! 😀
All who entered must vote (always using the same name) and other cryptic fans may also vote 🗳️
Tap/click on clues to shortlist them, choose your 4 favourites, and assign 10 points between them (4,3,2,1 or another way)
#1ACCWC
All who entered must vote (always using the same name) and other cryptic fans may also vote 🗳️
Tap/click on clues to shortlist them, choose your 4 favourites, and assign 10 points between them (4,3,2,1 or another way)
#1ACCWC
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
Happy Friday to all!
What better way to celebrate than with the much awaited (ed: check this) sequel to my first 15x15?!
Aggrieved TV loser takes to the streets (7)
Boyfriend wants latin celebrity (4)
Habitat receives a government honour (6)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3036
What better way to celebrate than with the much awaited (ed: check this) sequel to my first 15x15?!
Aggrieved TV loser takes to the streets (7)
Boyfriend wants latin celebrity (4)
Habitat receives a government honour (6)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3036
Cryptic crossword No 3,036 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,036 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 30 clues by Wildvale. Published Fri 16 Jan 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 16, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Happy Friday to all!
What better way to celebrate than with the much awaited (ed: check this) sequel to my first 15x15?!
Aggrieved TV loser takes to the streets (7)
Boyfriend wants latin celebrity (4)
Habitat receives a government honour (6)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3036
What better way to celebrate than with the much awaited (ed: check this) sequel to my first 15x15?!
Aggrieved TV loser takes to the streets (7)
Boyfriend wants latin celebrity (4)
Habitat receives a government honour (6)
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3036
#LLB057 "What's 1% and 2%?" cook thunders, while repeating ingredients (5,10) #LowdownLetterBank #LLBTBT
January 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM
#LLB057 "What's 1% and 2%?" cook thunders, while repeating ingredients (5,10) #LowdownLetterBank #LLBTBT
Today is the 5-year anniversary of this blog post about Letter Banks! It's by Eric Chaikin, who co-founded Beyond Wordplay with @benzimmer.bsky.social
By coincidence, I'd just launched my Lowdown Letter Banks (LLB) Twitter account that month! 🙌
Stay tuned for some LLB-related posts soon...
By coincidence, I'd just launched my Lowdown Letter Banks (LLB) Twitter account that month! 🙌
Stay tuned for some LLB-related posts soon...
Bank Shot!
For our first article of 2021, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of a venerable form of wordplay: the letter bank.
beyondwordplay.com
January 14, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Today is the 5-year anniversary of this blog post about Letter Banks! It's by Eric Chaikin, who co-founded Beyond Wordplay with @benzimmer.bsky.social
By coincidence, I'd just launched my Lowdown Letter Banks (LLB) Twitter account that month! 🙌
Stay tuned for some LLB-related posts soon...
By coincidence, I'd just launched my Lowdown Letter Banks (LLB) Twitter account that month! 🙌
Stay tuned for some LLB-related posts soon...
I've chosen WONDER as the first word for 2026 in the weekly 1ACross Clue Writing Competition #1ACCWC
Submit a #crypticclue soon and vote later in the week! Will we have some new setters in the mix this year? I wonder... 🤔
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
Submit a #crypticclue soon and vote later in the week! Will we have some new setters in the mix this year? I wonder... 🤔
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
1ACCWC #549 – WONDER – OPEN FOR CLUES
This weeks contest is hosted by @LowdownCryptic For 1ACCWC 549, the chosen word is “WONDER” Here are the rules Limit of 1 clue per setter. Please Annotate your clues clearly. Please lo…
www.1across.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
I've chosen WONDER as the first word for 2026 in the weekly 1ACross Clue Writing Competition #1ACCWC
Submit a #crypticclue soon and vote later in the week! Will we have some new setters in the mix this year? I wonder... 🤔
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
Submit a #crypticclue soon and vote later in the week! Will we have some new setters in the mix this year? I wonder... 🤔
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
Damage, on the right side of history, can create peaceful coexistence (7) #crypticclue
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
January 12, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Damage, on the right side of history, can create peaceful coexistence (7) #crypticclue
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
Damage, on the right side of history, can create peaceful coexistence (7) #crypticclue
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
January 12, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Damage, on the right side of history, can create peaceful coexistence (7) #crypticclue
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
#IranProtests #WomanLifeFreedom
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
#1ACCWC 549
The new season has begun. The first word for this year picked by the host @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social is “WONDER”.
There’s a new leaderboard for the season and this is the best time to start :)
Wonder what clues you folks will come up with…
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
The new season has begun. The first word for this year picked by the host @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social is “WONDER”.
There’s a new leaderboard for the season and this is the best time to start :)
Wonder what clues you folks will come up with…
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
1ACCWC #549 – WONDER – OPEN FOR CLUES
This weeks contest is hosted by @LowdownCryptic For 1ACCWC 549, the chosen word is “WONDER” Here are the rules Limit of 1 clue per setter. Please Annotate your clues clearly. Please lo…
www.1across.org
January 11, 2026 at 7:15 AM
#1ACCWC 549
The new season has begun. The first word for this year picked by the host @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social is “WONDER”.
There’s a new leaderboard for the season and this is the best time to start :)
Wonder what clues you folks will come up with…
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
The new season has begun. The first word for this year picked by the host @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social is “WONDER”.
There’s a new leaderboard for the season and this is the best time to start :)
Wonder what clues you folks will come up with…
www.1across.org/2026/01/11/1...
1ACross Clue Writing Competition #1ACCWC is kicking off its weekly #crypticclue contests for 2026 with a redesigned site and a fresh leaderboard 🤩
Hoping to have a few new setters participating this year – maybe YOU? 😀
Thanks to Sowmya for all the behind-the-scenes work to make it happen! 👏
Hoping to have a few new setters participating this year – maybe YOU? 😀
Thanks to Sowmya for all the behind-the-scenes work to make it happen! 👏
#1ACCWC Here’s the round up of 1ACCWC 2025. New season begins tomorrow
2025: A Year of Cadence & Craft - 1ACCWC Roundup www.1across.org/2026/01/10/2... via @somsram.bsky.social
2025: A Year of Cadence & Craft - 1ACCWC Roundup www.1across.org/2026/01/10/2... via @somsram.bsky.social
2025: A Year of Cadence & Craft – 1ACCWC Roundup
It was a busy year for the 1ACCWC, with 45 contests and 20 different people taking a weekly win. If 2024 was defined by its intensity, 2025 was a season of endurance and precision. Cadence & C…
www.1across.org
January 10, 2026 at 9:31 PM
1ACross Clue Writing Competition #1ACCWC is kicking off its weekly #crypticclue contests for 2026 with a redesigned site and a fresh leaderboard 🤩
Hoping to have a few new setters participating this year – maybe YOU? 😀
Thanks to Sowmya for all the behind-the-scenes work to make it happen! 👏
Hoping to have a few new setters participating this year – maybe YOU? 😀
Thanks to Sowmya for all the behind-the-scenes work to make it happen! 👏
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
My drag persona is "Ana Grind" and the whole act is just doing cryptic crosswords
January 9, 2026 at 4:49 PM
My drag persona is "Ana Grind" and the whole act is just doing cryptic crosswords
#LLB291 Spreading doctrines about how everyone and everything is related? (18) #LowdownLetterBank #LLBTBT
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
#LLB291 Spreading doctrines about how everyone and everything is related? (18) #LowdownLetterBank #LLBTBT
T Campbell's crazily comprehensive round-up of the past year in #crosswords (mostly American-style but also cryptic)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Ringing in the New Year in my usual fashion...
The Year in Crosswords, 2025
Or "45x45."
tcampbell.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:34 PM
T Campbell's crazily comprehensive round-up of the past year in #crosswords (mostly American-style but also cryptic)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
REFLECTIVE ROSE (a palindrome)🌹
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
December 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
REFLECTIVE ROSE (a palindrome)🌹
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
Starting the year with this new music, message, and movement from Flea 🎶💬🏃
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
Flea - A Plea (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Flea
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Starting the year with this new music, message, and movement from Flea 🎶💬🏃
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
In widespread chaos, pray when you're wishing this for people (5,3,4) #LowdownLetterBank
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
a fireworks display with the words best animations written on the bottom
Alt: Brief clip of a colourful fireworks display
media.tenor.com
January 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
In widespread chaos, pray when you're wishing this for people (5,3,4) #LowdownLetterBank
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
The "not really about crosswords" #OffGridPod is in its 5th year of diversely digressive diversion. I was General Knowledge's chief researcher on this episode: offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/08/31/a...
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
Mah momma always said, life is like an #OffGridPod compilation episode: you never know what you're gonna get...
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/12/28/c...
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/12/28/c...
Constant Money Timezone – Ep. 66 - Off-Grid
In which we enter a Constant Money Timezone, turn bioluminescent, slap your thighs, and consider wind chimes in a new light.
offgrid.tlmb.net
December 30, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The "not really about crosswords" #OffGridPod is in its 5th year of diversely digressive diversion. I was General Knowledge's chief researcher on this episode: offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/08/31/a...
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
If you like cryptic crosswords repost this
December 20, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If you like cryptic crosswords repost this
It's the first Minute Cryptic daily clue to use emojis! 🔥
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
![Screenshot of Minute Cryptic clue for 20 December, 2025 by Lowdown: Gen Z [fire emoji] morphs into [cold face emoji] (8)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7bh5txgbsgv5g4uetsfaujow/bafkreietsycincedzszhw4xoxwelmqjaaj6kr4n4sm7bey5t2v7jloxzjy@jpeg)
December 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It's the first Minute Cryptic daily clue to use emojis! 🔥
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
Congratulations to #Cluedle on its “hot and thus special” daily #crypticclue milestone! 😀
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
December 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Congratulations to #Cluedle on its “hot and thus special” daily #crypticclue milestone! 😀
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
Get your 2026 self a little treat!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Unch Crossword Magazine
Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine
unchcrosswords.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Get your 2026 self a little treat!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!