Back to Back
a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon
The twelve unclued lights, taken in the order of their appearance (with Across lights preceding Down lights), form a progression of words which may be linked back to back. Clue answers include six proper words; 10 Across is uncommon; a variant spelling is involved in 17 Across. Remember that punctuation in the clues may be used deceptively.
Across
-
1.
Shed in swamp (SLOUGH)
-
9.
Position open for unskilled laborer (PEON)
-
10.
For vampire Dracula, Miami is home (LAMIA)
-
11.
When the king is away, depression turns to jollity (FUN)
-
13.
Extract from coroner on device for removing hearts (CORER)
-
14.
Love to peruse nymph (OREAD)
-
15.
Garden of Eden has twice the room (DEN)
-
17.
Problem of time and money (TROUBLE)
-
18.
Equality is something very important to the French (PARIS)
-
20.
Rejoiced in return of splendid time (EXULTED)
-
21.
Old Jets given some Rams? (JOSTLED)
-
27.
Prophetic quiet fills Indian place with outset of ceremony (DELPHIC)
-
28.
Top man after Christ (HEAD)
-
29.
Sea monster on the tail of retreating crocodile (ORC)
-
31.
Vault with dangerous consequences (GRAVE)
-
33.
Support a certain opera (AIDA)
-
34.
Land adds mass to concrete (REALM)
-
35.
Turn back (apt to be crowded) (TEEM)
-
36.
Stew in returnable cans (SNIT)
-
37.
Alternate notice now and then (SEESAW)
Down
-
2.
On the field, king equals king (LEAR)
-
3.
Persevering and topping off sundae, died—eating rotten nut (UNDAUNTED)
-
4.
Happy beginning—girl meets boy (GLAD)
-
5.
Characters, alternating in term, accede to presiding position (EMCEE)
-
6.
One king among millions (LION)
-
7.
Hot dog—one with ketchupy exterior (CURRIED)
-
8.
Makes socks smell uplifting (KNITS)
-
-
11.
Alarm is loud, getting attention (FEAR)
-
12.
Lighting of sign with none out (NEON)
-
16.
Moslem lands a hit—place goes wild (CALIPHATE)
-
19.
Indian put back in orphanage home (MOHEGAN)
-
22.
Transfers $100 in business transactions (DECALS)
-
23.
Asian connection at hearing (THAI)
-
24.
Shepherd’s first 100 sheep get lost (SCRAM)
-
25.
More than one fanciful wish (about 1000)! (WHIMS)
-
26.
Win near-falls (EARN)
-
27.
Imagine 500,500 sheets of newspaper (DREAM)
-
30.
Aide changes light bulb (IDEA)
-
32.
Rat gets off craft (ART)