David Astle (alias DA)
@dontattempt.bsky.social
Crossword maker. Evenings host ABC Vic. Writer, and Wordplay columnist SMH & The Age. Verbaholic. My views only davidastle.com
Pinned
Just gave ChatGPT a writing deadline and now it’s cleaning the house
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Hello and welcome to Assumptions Club. I think we all know why we’re here.
November 25, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Hello and welcome to Assumptions Club. I think we all know why we’re here.
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
In English, someone who is being persistently annoying can be referred to as a “pain in the arse.” My favourite German equivalent is Nervensäge, which means “nerve saw”
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
In English, someone who is being persistently annoying can be referred to as a “pain in the arse.” My favourite German equivalent is Nervensäge, which means “nerve saw”
choral reef
November 25, 2025 at 7:21 PM
choral reef
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Best Christmas ad yet! Knocks John Lewis into a cocked hat.
November 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Best Christmas ad yet! Knocks John Lewis into a cocked hat.
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Armchair critics and door knockers
November 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Armchair critics and door knockers
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
When calligraphers get mad they send strongly lettered words
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 AM
When calligraphers get mad they send strongly lettered words
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
I’m reading a book on anti gravity. It’s impossible to put down
October 12, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I’m reading a book on anti gravity. It’s impossible to put down
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
I just read “prosecutor” as “prosciutto” and now I desperately require charcuterie
November 23, 2025 at 3:23 AM
I just read “prosecutor” as “prosciutto” and now I desperately require charcuterie
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Many people thought that John Laws died the other week - but he's actually being held in the drains under this dog statue next to the QVB. Every time someone approaches, Pennywise the Clown forces him give this speech! True story.
November 23, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Many people thought that John Laws died the other week - but he's actually being held in the drains under this dog statue next to the QVB. Every time someone approaches, Pennywise the Clown forces him give this speech! True story.
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Felicity is turning herself upside down to fit me in.
November 22, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Felicity is turning herself upside down to fit me in.
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: Because it saw someone from work on a Saturday.
A: Because it saw someone from work on a Saturday.
November 23, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: Because it saw someone from work on a Saturday.
A: Because it saw someone from work on a Saturday.
“If ignorance is bliss, then why aren’t more people happy?” - Anon
November 23, 2025 at 5:59 AM
“If ignorance is bliss, then why aren’t more people happy?” - Anon
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
these chores could have been a montage
June 28, 2025 at 11:29 PM
these chores could have been a montage
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
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
Any time I spell sphygmomanometer, my blood pressure rises
November 21, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Any time I spell sphygmomanometer, my blood pressure rises
Airport Songs
Jet It Be
Long Haul Sally
Duty Free Fallin’
Avalon
ReLAX
Baggage Trousers
Air Qatar Gently Weeps
Total Eclipse of Depart
That’ll Be Delay
50 Ways To Lose Your Luggage
Jet It Be
Long Haul Sally
Duty Free Fallin’
Avalon
ReLAX
Baggage Trousers
Air Qatar Gently Weeps
Total Eclipse of Depart
That’ll Be Delay
50 Ways To Lose Your Luggage
November 20, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Airport Songs
Jet It Be
Long Haul Sally
Duty Free Fallin’
Avalon
ReLAX
Baggage Trousers
Air Qatar Gently Weeps
Total Eclipse of Depart
That’ll Be Delay
50 Ways To Lose Your Luggage
Jet It Be
Long Haul Sally
Duty Free Fallin’
Avalon
ReLAX
Baggage Trousers
Air Qatar Gently Weeps
Total Eclipse of Depart
That’ll Be Delay
50 Ways To Lose Your Luggage
Solver: Hey DA - when's your next insane theme crossword?
Me: Tomorrow
Me: Tomorrow
November 20, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Solver: Hey DA - when's your next insane theme crossword?
Me: Tomorrow
Me: Tomorrow
Last night on radio, Kate Burridge and I were peppered by language dilemmas:
gaol or jail?
Gen ‘Zed’ or Gen ‘Zee’?
home in or hone in?
wiggle room or wriggle room?
‘skedule’ or ‘shedule’
poo or poop?
gaol or jail?
Gen ‘Zed’ or Gen ‘Zee’?
home in or hone in?
wiggle room or wriggle room?
‘skedule’ or ‘shedule’
poo or poop?
November 18, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Last night on radio, Kate Burridge and I were peppered by language dilemmas:
gaol or jail?
Gen ‘Zed’ or Gen ‘Zee’?
home in or hone in?
wiggle room or wriggle room?
‘skedule’ or ‘shedule’
poo or poop?
gaol or jail?
Gen ‘Zed’ or Gen ‘Zee’?
home in or hone in?
wiggle room or wriggle room?
‘skedule’ or ‘shedule’
poo or poop?
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
draw me like one of your conclusions
November 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
draw me like one of your conclusions
Sorry Nick, let’s go with Macquarie’s Lexical Item of 2025 - verse Word
only 2 of the 15 'words' are actually a word, though www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Is bird-dogging your Roman empire? Macquarie Dictionary reveals word of the year finalists
‘AI slop’, ‘Australian sushi’ and ‘ate (left no crumbs)’ are also among the shortlist, which is open for voting until Sunday night
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Sorry Nick, let’s go with Macquarie’s Lexical Item of 2025 - verse Word
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Man, don't fall asleep at a crew party
July 9, 2024 at 11:07 AM
Man, don't fall asleep at a crew party
Reposted by David Astle (alias DA)
Woke up and chose passive-aggressive. Maybe I can explain that to you when you find the time
November 16, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Woke up and chose passive-aggressive. Maybe I can explain that to you when you find the time