Badger and the Bear: Solving Cryptic Crosswords Together

In the world of wordplay and wit, Badger and the Bear have forged a unique approach around
solving cryptic crosswords. Their tale, well-known to readers of their blog at crosswords101.com,
unveils the secret of transforming what is often seen as a solitary pastime for curmudgeons and
shrews with shapr wits into a social and invigorating endeavor. Saturday's enigmatic challenge,
dubbed "Waterstones," is notorious for its difficulty, consistently serving as their weekly nemesis, a
true test of their crossword prowess. Today's puzzle, The Times Cryptic No 28710, proved no
exception.

Their approach to this linguistic enigma is rooted in egalitarianism. Guided by the glow of their
phone screens, one of them embarks on a streak, soon to be complemented by the other or
sometimes punctuated by a brief lull. However, the true magic unfurls when both Badger and the
Bear focus their intellect on a clue, cracking it as a formidable team. Badger enjoys unravelling
longer clues to set the pace, while Bear prefers tackling the riddles near the puzzle's depths, gaining
momentum and steering clear of the ignominy of a puzzle left unsolved. Though a future podcast
series is in the works to illuminate their solving techniques, for now, words on a screen convey their
methodology.

Here, we spotlight five standout clues from their recent crossword conquest:

9A: Code of conduct in transport concealed nothing (7) - Unveiling the answer 'Bushido' required
insight into wordplay, combining 'bus,' 'hid,' and 'o.' This obscure term, signifying the samurai code,
remained a mystery to Badger, showcasing the importance of sharing background knowledge.

3D: Drier river crossed by the bank nearest to us (9) - 'Thirstier' presented a formidable challenge
towards the end of their standard 45-minute puzzle session. Badger's triumphant solve illustrated his
steadfast 'never give up' ethos. Decoding the clue from the top-down, they successfully dissected
'drier,' 'river' (R), and 'bank' (tier).

14A: Is it one 100,000th of a dollar for this girl? (9) - The playful banter between Bear and Badger
as they deciphered 'Millicent' epitomized their solving chemistry. Through collaborative wordplay,
'milli' and 'cent' seamlessly merged to yield the answer.

22A: Discharge ambassador with funny clothing (5) - The enigmatic clue 'Rheum' required careful
deliberation. Initially grappling with 'HE' for ambassador, they finally settled on 'Rheum,'
showcasing Bear's conviction and willingness to trust his instincts.

9D: Face a feverish Cockney in debate? (9) - The duo stumbled through the solve for 'Dialectic,'
piecing together clues and creatively navigating Cockney slang. Their 'face' (dial) + 'ectic' (debate)
breakthrough showcased their cooperative problem-solving approach.

13A: Do-not does? (4, 5) - The groan-worthy pun of 'Stag party' left them amused. This wordplay
revelation, emerging from filled squares, humorously combined 'do' (party) and 'does' (female deer),
revealing the cheeky answer.

Their journey through these clues sheds light on the fact that cryptic crosswords need not be
intimidating mind-benders designed to baffle. Instead, they offer an opportunity for camaraderie
and mental stimulation. So, grab a friend and take on the challenge. Badger and the Bar are
developing helpful guidelines for pair solving, aiming to demystify the art of crossword conquest.
Until then, happy puzzling.