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!)
Unch finally arrived in Canada!
Recent strikes by Canada Post delayed delivery – I appreciated the hand-written note (from Matt, not Canada Post!)
Thanks, @unchcrosswords.com, and congrats on Issue 1 selling out! #cryptic #crossword #magazine
Recent strikes by Canada Post delayed delivery – I appreciated the hand-written note (from Matt, not Canada Post!)
Thanks, @unchcrosswords.com, and congrats on Issue 1 selling out! #cryptic #crossword #magazine
November 8, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Unch finally arrived in Canada!
Recent strikes by Canada Post delayed delivery – I appreciated the hand-written note (from Matt, not Canada Post!)
Thanks, @unchcrosswords.com, and congrats on Issue 1 selling out! #cryptic #crossword #magazine
Recent strikes by Canada Post delayed delivery – I appreciated the hand-written note (from Matt, not Canada Post!)
Thanks, @unchcrosswords.com, and congrats on Issue 1 selling out! #cryptic #crossword #magazine
It's my October #Scrabblegram and I'm going #darkmode for this one! 🎃👻👹 (board in reply below)
#halloween #scrabble #poem
#constrainedwriting #poetry
#undead #zombies #creepy
#halloween #scrabble #poem
#constrainedwriting #poetry
#undead #zombies #creepy
October 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It's my October #Scrabblegram and I'm going #darkmode for this one! 🎃👻👹 (board in reply below)
#halloween #scrabble #poem
#constrainedwriting #poetry
#undead #zombies #creepy
#halloween #scrabble #poem
#constrainedwriting #poetry
#undead #zombies #creepy
I'll post my new #Scrabblegram later today, but first enjoy this classic from the master, @dcscrabblegram.bsky.social
#Halloween #Scrabble
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his thrilling collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
#Halloween #Scrabble
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his thrilling collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
October 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM
I'll post my new #Scrabblegram later today, but first enjoy this classic from the master, @dcscrabblegram.bsky.social
#Halloween #Scrabble
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his thrilling collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
#Halloween #Scrabble
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his thrilling collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
AVCX is an awesome, independent publisher for all kinds of cool #crosswords (including North American #cryptic!), plus variety #puzzles and #trivia 🤓
Try a subscription and/or give one as a gift 🎁
Try a subscription and/or give one as a gift 🎁
AVCX, the world’s finest puzzles and games service, and an independent media venture, has done some really cool stuff this year! A thread to brag (and to hype our mini subscription drive) …
October 28, 2025 at 7:18 PM
AVCX is an awesome, independent publisher for all kinds of cool #crosswords (including North American #cryptic!), plus variety #puzzles and #trivia 🤓
Try a subscription and/or give one as a gift 🎁
Try a subscription and/or give one as a gift 🎁
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
October 13, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
Yes! I am very much here for this and the new puzzles newsletter from @theobserveruk.bsky.social
“I want cryptics to catch on again the way they did a century ago, because they’re fascinating and they’re ours – and AI can't take them away from us.”
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
“I want cryptics to catch on again the way they did a century ago, because they’re fascinating and they’re ours – and AI can't take them away from us.”
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Trendsetters: how we led the way with the toughest puzzle...
Our puzzles editor on how the cryptic crossword was born in the pages of The Observer
observer.co.uk
October 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Yes! I am very much here for this and the new puzzles newsletter from @theobserveruk.bsky.social
“I want cryptics to catch on again the way they did a century ago, because they’re fascinating and they’re ours – and AI can't take them away from us.”
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
“I want cryptics to catch on again the way they did a century ago, because they’re fascinating and they’re ours – and AI can't take them away from us.”
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
One last clue to share from my Browser cryptic this week (DM me about how to get a copy):
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
October 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
One last clue to share from my Browser cryptic this week (DM me about how to get a copy):
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
One last clue to share from my Browser cryptic this week (DM me about how to get a copy):
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
October 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
One last clue to share from my Browser cryptic this week (DM me about how to get a copy):
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
Anagram signaler! (8) 😜
#meta #anagram #andlit #crypticclue
Another #crypticclue from my puzzle in The Browser this week:
Chopin pieces used once or twice for a children's classic (9) 🎼
(you should all know what type of clue this is by now!)
Chopin pieces used once or twice for a children's classic (9) 🎼
(you should all know what type of clue this is by now!)
October 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Another #crypticclue from my puzzle in The Browser this week:
Chopin pieces used once or twice for a children's classic (9) 🎼
(you should all know what type of clue this is by now!)
Chopin pieces used once or twice for a children's classic (9) 🎼
(you should all know what type of clue this is by now!)
Clue from my #cryptic #crossword in The Browser this week:
Unopened Bach double-disc audio release? (5) 💽💽
Unopened Bach double-disc audio release? (5) 💽💽
October 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Clue from my #cryptic #crossword in The Browser this week:
Unopened Bach double-disc audio release? (5) 💽💽
Unopened Bach double-disc audio release? (5) 💽💽
October 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
I have a new #cryptic #crossword out today – my fifth puzzle for The Browser 😀 I'll post a few clues this week...
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
October 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I have a new #cryptic #crossword out today – my fifth puzzle for The Browser 😀 I'll post a few clues this week...
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
I have a new #cryptic #crossword out today – my fifth puzzle for The Browser 😀 I'll post a few clues this week...
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
October 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I have a new #cryptic #crossword out today – my fifth puzzle for The Browser 😀 I'll post a few clues this week...
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
Sadly, weekly cryptics in The Browser will wrap up at the end of this year ☹️ DM me for details on how to get the puzzles
Thanks to long-time editor Dan Feyer and all the test-solvers!
Congrats to Veera Raghavan on his winning clue!
Weak citadel crumbled at the end of battle (8)
Also well done to ALP (@adamleepotter.bsky.social), Textrous, Manish, and VMA Nair
#1ACCWC #crypticclue #contest
Weak citadel crumbled at the end of battle (8)
Also well done to ALP (@adamleepotter.bsky.social), Textrous, Manish, and VMA Nair
#1ACCWC #crypticclue #contest
1ACCWC 539 – DELICATE – Results
LowdownCryptic hosted the previous contest and here’s his summary of the results. We had 25 clues and 28 voters this week. While the majority of clues featured an anagram, 3 of the top 5 clue…
www.1across.org
October 5, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Congrats to Veera Raghavan on his winning clue!
Weak citadel crumbled at the end of battle (8)
Also well done to ALP (@adamleepotter.bsky.social), Textrous, Manish, and VMA Nair
#1ACCWC #crypticclue #contest
Weak citadel crumbled at the end of battle (8)
Also well done to ALP (@adamleepotter.bsky.social), Textrous, Manish, and VMA Nair
#1ACCWC #crypticclue #contest
Time to make a DELICATE decision and vote for your favourite clues! 🗳️
Everyone who submitted a clue must vote and any other cryptic fans are also welcome to vote
#1ACCWC #cryptic #contest
Everyone who submitted a clue must vote and any other cryptic fans are also welcome to vote
#1ACCWC #cryptic #contest
1ACCWC 539 – DELICATE – Voting OPEN
Great response and we closed the contest with 25 clues, same as the previous contest. Voting is now OPEN CLICK HERE to cast your votes All participants who set clues are expected to vote. You are …
www.1across.org
October 3, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Following up on my poetic #Scrabblegram posted yesterday, here's a seasonal one by the master, @dcscrabblegram.bsky.social
#scrabble #poetry #autumn #fall
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his amazing collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
#scrabble #poetry #autumn #fall
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his amazing collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
October 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Following up on my poetic #Scrabblegram posted yesterday, here's a seasonal one by the master, @dcscrabblegram.bsky.social
#scrabble #poetry #autumn #fall
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his amazing collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
#scrabble #poetry #autumn #fall
Visit davesscrabblegrams.com for his amazing collection of 400+ Scrabblegrams!
Just in time for the end of September, here's my #Scrabblegram tweeted 3 years ago today (Sep 30, 2022)
My first 'gram with poetic meter and rhyme, it alternates iambic hexameter and iambic trimeter, but flipping to trochaic for the first half of line 3
#scrabble #wordplay #poetry #procrastination
My first 'gram with poetic meter and rhyme, it alternates iambic hexameter and iambic trimeter, but flipping to trochaic for the first half of line 3
#scrabble #wordplay #poetry #procrastination
September 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Just in time for the end of September, here's my #Scrabblegram tweeted 3 years ago today (Sep 30, 2022)
My first 'gram with poetic meter and rhyme, it alternates iambic hexameter and iambic trimeter, but flipping to trochaic for the first half of line 3
#scrabble #wordplay #poetry #procrastination
My first 'gram with poetic meter and rhyme, it alternates iambic hexameter and iambic trimeter, but flipping to trochaic for the first half of line 3
#scrabble #wordplay #poetry #procrastination
I'm hosting the 1ACross Clue-Writing Competition again this week! #1ACCWC #cryptic #contest
Please submit a cryptic clue for DELICATE and then come back to vote at the end of the week
May the finest clue win! 😀
Please submit a cryptic clue for DELICATE and then come back to vote at the end of the week
May the finest clue win! 😀
1ACCWC 539 – DELICATE – OPEN for CLUES
This week’s contest is hosted by LowdownCryptic who won 1ACCWC 538 – INSECT taking him to the #4 spot in the hotly contested 2025 1ACCWC leader board For 1ACCWC 539, he’s chosen …
www.1across.org
September 29, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
As horn blown repetitively, it's a New Year! (4,8) 🥳
#crypticclue #LowdownLetterBank
(tweeted as #LLB555 in Sep 2022)
#crypticclue #LowdownLetterBank
(tweeted as #LLB555 in Sep 2022)
October 2, 2024 at 7:01 PM
As horn blown repetitively, it's a New Year! (4,8) 🥳
#crypticclue #LowdownLetterBank
(tweeted as #LLB555 in Sep 2022)
#crypticclue #LowdownLetterBank
(tweeted as #LLB555 in Sep 2022)
The Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword is great for beginners – each clue uses a single type of wordplay and the puzzle is limited to 4 types of wordplay explained upfront
Today's is by Dice (who I met at the World Cryptic Crossword Championship) and it has a secret message to find after solving! 😉
Today's is by Dice (who I met at the World Cryptic Crossword Championship) and it has a secret message to find after solving! 😉
Hope you enjoy the latest Dice 🎲 puzzle today! There’s a little extra gift in there for solvers this week… 💝
Wake up and have a loud drinking session topless (6)
Claims no Ozempic suppresses sleep (6)
Requires massages orally (5)
#cryptic #crossword
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
Wake up and have a loud drinking session topless (6)
Claims no Ozempic suppresses sleep (6)
Requires massages orally (5)
#cryptic #crossword
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/q...
Quick cryptic crossword No 77
Quick cryptic crossword No 77
www.theguardian.com
September 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
The Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword is great for beginners – each clue uses a single type of wordplay and the puzzle is limited to 4 types of wordplay explained upfront
Today's is by Dice (who I met at the World Cryptic Crossword Championship) and it has a secret message to find after solving! 😉
Today's is by Dice (who I met at the World Cryptic Crossword Championship) and it has a secret message to find after solving! 😉
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
As we move toward our fall subscription drive, we hope you’ll consider supporting us in part bc we are an independent media company.
No, crosswords are not as vital as journalism. But yes, all content that we consume matters, and it should be as free as possible from corporate control.
No, crosswords are not as vital as journalism. But yes, all content that we consume matters, and it should be as free as possible from corporate control.
September 18, 2025 at 5:20 PM
As we move toward our fall subscription drive, we hope you’ll consider supporting us in part bc we are an independent media company.
No, crosswords are not as vital as journalism. But yes, all content that we consume matters, and it should be as free as possible from corporate control.
No, crosswords are not as vital as journalism. But yes, all content that we consume matters, and it should be as free as possible from corporate control.
September 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Go ahead, write your own!
I like this one ⬇️
I like this one ⬇️
I created a Minute Cryptic for you to solve: Praviously?! (5)
Give it your best shot!
www.minutecryptic.com/custom/faa76...
Give it your best shot!
www.minutecryptic.com/custom/faa76...
Minute Cryptic
Solve a clue with a hidden meaning
www.minutecryptic.com
September 15, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Go ahead, write your own!
I like this one ⬇️
I like this one ⬇️
The Minute Cryptic clue today is bizarre. It's not even real words. I don't why I wrote it. Sorry.
September 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The Minute Cryptic clue today is bizarre. It's not even real words. I don't why I wrote it. Sorry.
September 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM