Catnip
@catnipxword.bsky.social
Learning to set cryptic crosswords at https://mycrossword.co.uk/Catnip. Lover of wordplay, silliness, awful puns, quizzes, etc. Part-time proofreader. Booklover. Bellringer. Accidental runner. I also have a day job.
Pinned
Catnip
@catnipxword.bsky.social
· Jan 1
Cracking Cryptic Crosswords
Cracking Cryptic Crosswords eBook : Dexter, Colin: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
www.amazon.co.uk
🧵 Some suggestions for anyone who feels like getting into cryptic crosswords this year:
1. Get a good book to cover the basics of cryptics. Times (Tim Mooney) and Telegraph (Chris Lancaster) books are good, and I'd also recommend this by Colin Dexter: www.amazon.co.uk/Cracking-Cry... (1/6)
1. Get a good book to cover the basics of cryptics. Times (Tim Mooney) and Telegraph (Chris Lancaster) books are good, and I'd also recommend this by Colin Dexter: www.amazon.co.uk/Cracking-Cry... (1/6)
👀
Some brilliant setters here. It's a bit surreal and very exciting to be sharing a publication with such talented people.
If you haven't pre-ordered yet, do it now to avoid disappointment.
Some brilliant setters here. It's a bit surreal and very exciting to be sharing a publication with such talented people.
If you haven't pre-ordered yet, do it now to avoid disappointment.
I'm very excited about the excellent puzzles we've got lined up for Issue 2, coming out in January.
Setters this time will be:
ALP
Gennaro
Catnip
The Void
Heron
Ruskin
Umpire
Crenditi
Bard
Henri
That's 8 standard cryptics, an alphabetical jigsaw, and a barred thematic. Fun!
unchcrosswords.com
Setters this time will be:
ALP
Gennaro
Catnip
The Void
Heron
Ruskin
Umpire
Crenditi
Bard
Henri
That's 8 standard cryptics, an alphabetical jigsaw, and a barred thematic. Fun!
unchcrosswords.com
Unch Crossword Magazine
Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine
unchcrosswords.com
November 29, 2025 at 5:18 PM
👀
Some brilliant setters here. It's a bit surreal and very exciting to be sharing a publication with such talented people.
If you haven't pre-ordered yet, do it now to avoid disappointment.
Some brilliant setters here. It's a bit surreal and very exciting to be sharing a publication with such talented people.
If you haven't pre-ordered yet, do it now to avoid disappointment.
That's a coincidence. I was just wondering how Gollum's internship at the Graun was going.
November 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
That's a coincidence. I was just wondering how Gollum's internship at the Graun was going.
Interesting to see Spoonerisms in the wild. A bit of research shows that the "Stuck Farmer" slogan is consistently coloured like this.
Even stroppy farmers recognise the need to clearly indicate a Spoonerism.
Even stroppy farmers recognise the need to clearly indicate a Spoonerism.
November 28, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Interesting to see Spoonerisms in the wild. A bit of research shows that the "Stuck Farmer" slogan is consistently coloured like this.
Even stroppy farmers recognise the need to clearly indicate a Spoonerism.
Even stroppy farmers recognise the need to clearly indicate a Spoonerism.
This is now my most popular puzzle ever by likes. A sign of quality or sympathy for the thematic inspiration? You decide.
Morning all. A new puzzle for you to enjoy while I'm suffering in the pouring rain.
Sample clue:
Mad b- taking on Half Marathon today! (7)
Thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk for the excellent site.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/173
Sample clue:
Mad b- taking on Half Marathon today! (7)
Thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk for the excellent site.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/173
Mini crossword No 173 · MyCrossword
Solve Mini crossword No 173 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 8 clues by Catnip. Published Sun 23 Nov 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
This is now my most popular puzzle ever by likes. A sign of quality or sympathy for the thematic inspiration? You decide.
For some unaccountable reason, my feet hurt. 🤷♂️
November 23, 2025 at 9:04 PM
For some unaccountable reason, my feet hurt. 🤷♂️
Morning all. A new puzzle for you to enjoy while I'm suffering in the pouring rain.
Sample clue:
Mad b- taking on Half Marathon today! (7)
Thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk for the excellent site.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/173
Sample clue:
Mad b- taking on Half Marathon today! (7)
Thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk for the excellent site.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/173
Mini crossword No 173 · MyCrossword
Solve Mini crossword No 173 on MyCrossword. 7x7 grid with 8 clues by Catnip. Published Sun 23 Nov 2025. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
mycrossword.co.uk
November 23, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Morning all. A new puzzle for you to enjoy while I'm suffering in the pouring rain.
Sample clue:
Mad b- taking on Half Marathon today! (7)
Thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk for the excellent site.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/173
Sample clue:
Mad b- taking on Half Marathon today! (7)
Thanks to @mycrossword.co.uk for the excellent site.
mycrossword.co.uk/mini/173
I don't know what it is about Stokes. Sometimes it feels like he takes wickets through nothing more than force of personality.
November 21, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I don't know what it is about Stokes. Sometimes it feels like he takes wickets through nothing more than force of personality.
Reposted by Catnip
November 14, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Catnip
It's the Seasonal Reposting Competition! Repost this over the weekend, and on Sunday one lucky person will win a signed copy of one of my books. For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 fiendish @theguardian.com #puzzles and all the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
November 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
It's the Seasonal Reposting Competition! Repost this over the weekend, and on Sunday one lucky person will win a signed copy of one of my books. For you or the #crossword addict in your life: 50 fiendish @theguardian.com #puzzles and all the stories behind them:
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-bo...
Dog crossbreeds that should exist:
Bingo (Beagle/Dingo)
Skyway (Skye Terrier/Huntaway)
Airman (Airedale/Dobermann)
Boxset (Boxer/Basset)
Plotpoint (Plott Hound/Pointer)
Ding-dong (Dingo/Gull Dong)
Labrat (Labrador/Rat Terrier)
Chin Chin, or Double Chin (Chinook/Japanese Chin)
Bingo (Beagle/Dingo)
Skyway (Skye Terrier/Huntaway)
Airman (Airedale/Dobermann)
Boxset (Boxer/Basset)
Plotpoint (Plott Hound/Pointer)
Ding-dong (Dingo/Gull Dong)
Labrat (Labrador/Rat Terrier)
Chin Chin, or Double Chin (Chinook/Japanese Chin)
November 14, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Dog crossbreeds that should exist:
Bingo (Beagle/Dingo)
Skyway (Skye Terrier/Huntaway)
Airman (Airedale/Dobermann)
Boxset (Boxer/Basset)
Plotpoint (Plott Hound/Pointer)
Ding-dong (Dingo/Gull Dong)
Labrat (Labrador/Rat Terrier)
Chin Chin, or Double Chin (Chinook/Japanese Chin)
Bingo (Beagle/Dingo)
Skyway (Skye Terrier/Huntaway)
Airman (Airedale/Dobermann)
Boxset (Boxer/Basset)
Plotpoint (Plott Hound/Pointer)
Ding-dong (Dingo/Gull Dong)
Labrat (Labrador/Rat Terrier)
Chin Chin, or Double Chin (Chinook/Japanese Chin)
Goodwin pictured here providing his own scare quotes for when he's described as an "academic".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform UK accused of embracing racism over its pick for head of student organisation
Matthew Goodwin argued people from minority ethnic backgrounds born and raised in UK were not always British
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Goodwin pictured here providing his own scare quotes for when he's described as an "academic".
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
True for any creative endeavour. My crosswords tend to veer mostly between 1 and 6.
November 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM
True for any creative endeavour. My crosswords tend to veer mostly between 1 and 6.
Same energy. Not all synonyms are equal.
November 9, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Same energy. Not all synonyms are equal.
Today's Minute Cryptic: No.
That is all.
That is all.
November 7, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Today's Minute Cryptic: No.
That is all.
That is all.
Fireworks sounding like a war zone and cats hiding behind the sofa.
Probably a couple more weeks of this. Marvellous.
Probably a couple more weeks of this. Marvellous.
October 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Fireworks sounding like a war zone and cats hiding behind the sofa.
Probably a couple more weeks of this. Marvellous.
Probably a couple more weeks of this. Marvellous.
Reposted by Catnip
Why won’t people talk about slow ghosts?
Because they’re the last taboo.
Because they’re the last taboo.
October 31, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Why won’t people talk about slow ghosts?
Because they’re the last taboo.
Because they’re the last taboo.
This rather leapt out at me this morning. 🤔
October 27, 2025 at 7:48 AM
This rather leapt out at me this morning. 🤔
Reposted by Catnip
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.)
Well hello there, you lovely thing.
October 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Well hello there, you lovely thing.
Well! 🤯
Chambers has either pronunciation for the book, and the variant spelling 'primmer' in that sense.
But it insists on 'PRIMM-er' as the pronunciation for the (obs) printing types 'long primer' and 'great primer'. Apparently taking the lead from 'primarius' rather than 'primary'.
Chambers has either pronunciation for the book, and the variant spelling 'primmer' in that sense.
But it insists on 'PRIMM-er' as the pronunciation for the (obs) printing types 'long primer' and 'great primer'. Apparently taking the lead from 'primarius' rather than 'primary'.
Here’s a primer on ‘primer.’
It’s pronounced ‘PRIMM-er’ if you mean “a small book” or “a short informative piece of writing.”
It’s pronounced ‘PRY-mer’ if you mean “an initial coat of paint.”
It’s pronounced ‘PRIMM-er’ if you mean “a small book” or “a short informative piece of writing.”
It’s pronounced ‘PRY-mer’ if you mean “an initial coat of paint.”
October 10, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Well! 🤯
Chambers has either pronunciation for the book, and the variant spelling 'primmer' in that sense.
But it insists on 'PRIMM-er' as the pronunciation for the (obs) printing types 'long primer' and 'great primer'. Apparently taking the lead from 'primarius' rather than 'primary'.
Chambers has either pronunciation for the book, and the variant spelling 'primmer' in that sense.
But it insists on 'PRIMM-er' as the pronunciation for the (obs) printing types 'long primer' and 'great primer'. Apparently taking the lead from 'primarius' rather than 'primary'.
I had to read this several times before I realised they weren't proposing to relocate unsuccessful benefit claimants to SE England.
October 6, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I had to read this several times before I realised they weren't proposing to relocate unsuccessful benefit claimants to SE England.
September 28, 2025 at 6:31 AM
This is really interesting, but above all, I want to applaud the title of the paper:
"Why axis inversion?"
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
"Why axis inversion?"
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
Why do some gamers invert their controls? Scientists now have answers, but they’re not what you think
The phenomenal response to an article we published on this question led to detailed cognitive research – and the findings have implications that go way beyond gamers
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:13 AM
This is really interesting, but above all, I want to applaud the title of the paper:
"Why axis inversion?"
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
"Why axis inversion?"
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/s...
You're not singing,
You're not singing,
You're not singing anymore!
You're not singing,
You're not singing anymore!
Bangor Cathedral choir suspended over 'inappropriate' hymn
Bangor Cathedral choir suspended over 'inappropriate' hymn
Bangor Cathedral choir walk out of a communion service in a protest over proposed job cuts.
www.bbc.com
September 11, 2025 at 9:19 AM
You're not singing,
You're not singing,
You're not singing anymore!
You're not singing,
You're not singing anymore!