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 🇨🇦
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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!)
#LLB291 Spreading doctrines about how everyone and everything is related? (18) #LowdownLetterBank #LLBTBT
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
#LLB291 Spreading doctrines about how everyone and everything is related? (18) #LowdownLetterBank #LLBTBT
T Campbell's crazily comprehensive round-up of the past year in #crosswords (mostly American-style but also cryptic)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Ringing in the New Year in my usual fashion...
The Year in Crosswords, 2025
Or "45x45."
tcampbell.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:34 PM
T Campbell's crazily comprehensive round-up of the past year in #crosswords (mostly American-style but also cryptic)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Includes almost every crossword-adjacent topic you can imagine, including his own #GuinnessWorldRecord for creating the LARGEST CROSSWORD EVER
(don't be scared off by the pic below)
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
REFLECTIVE ROSE (a palindrome)🌹
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
December 30, 2025 at 7:00 AM
REFLECTIVE ROSE (a palindrome)🌹
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
Hello, wordplay friends! I miss you all, hope everyone is well.
I'm still mostly off of social media, but wordplay is meant to be shared. Here is a new palindrome (a revision / expansion of one I toyed with a couple of years ago).
Enjoy. 😊
#palindrome
Starting the year with this new music, message, and movement from Flea 🎶💬🏃
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
Flea - A Plea (Official Music Video)
YouTube video by Flea
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Starting the year with this new music, message, and movement from Flea 🎶💬🏃
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
As an alt-jazz fan, former drummer, and lapsed spoken-word poet, I love everything Flea's doing here: bass, trumpet, voice, eclectic choreography (at age 63), working with young jazz artists, and pure self-expression 💖
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
In widespread chaos, pray when you're wishing this for people (5,3,4) #LowdownLetterBank
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
a fireworks display with the words best animations written on the bottom
Alt: Brief clip of a colourful fireworks display
media.tenor.com
January 1, 2025 at 4:52 PM
In widespread chaos, pray when you're wishing this for people (5,3,4) #LowdownLetterBank
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
#letterbank #crypticclue (LLB340 from Dec 2021)
The "not really about crosswords" #OffGridPod is in its 5th year of diversely digressive diversion. I was General Knowledge's chief researcher on this episode: offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/08/31/a...
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
Mah momma always said, life is like an #OffGridPod compilation episode: you never know what you're gonna get...
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/12/28/c...
offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/12/28/c...
Constant Money Timezone – Ep. 66 - Off-Grid
In which we enter a Constant Money Timezone, turn bioluminescent, slap your thighs, and consider wind chimes in a new light.
offgrid.tlmb.net
December 30, 2025 at 6:20 PM
The "not really about crosswords" #OffGridPod is in its 5th year of diversely digressive diversion. I was General Knowledge's chief researcher on this episode: offgrid.tlmb.net/2025/08/31/a...
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
If you like #cryptic #crosswords and/or conversational curiosities, give this #podcast a listen in 2026! 📻
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
December 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's my brand-new December #Scrabblegram 🦌🎅🛷
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Happy Holidays and New Year to all! 🎊☮️💕
#Rudolph #Santa #Christmas #HappyHolidays
#Scrabble (see board below)
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
If you like cryptic crosswords repost this
December 20, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If you like cryptic crosswords repost this
It's the first Minute Cryptic daily clue to use emojis! 🔥
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
![Screenshot of Minute Cryptic clue for 20 December, 2025 by Lowdown: Gen Z [fire emoji] morphs into [cold face emoji] (8)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7bh5txgbsgv5g4uetsfaujow/bafkreietsycincedzszhw4xoxwelmqjaaj6kr4n4sm7bey5t2v7jloxzjy@jpeg)
December 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
It's the first Minute Cryptic daily clue to use emojis! 🔥
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
And it's my second published clue with an emoji - the first was in a cryptic crossword for The Browser a few years ago:
Unique mojito ingredient, maybe 🍹 (5)
Congratulations to #Cluedle on its “hot and thus special” daily #crypticclue milestone! 😀
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
December 17, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Congratulations to #Cluedle on its “hot and thus special” daily #crypticclue milestone! 😀
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
Keep up the good work, @jonathanancer.bsky.social and @outlierafrica.bsky.social! 👏
cluedle.theoutlier.co.za
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
Get your 2026 self a little treat!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Unch Crossword Magazine
Unch, the clued-up crossword magazine
unchcrosswords.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Get your 2026 self a little treat!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now...
Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS!
This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!
Thanks to @somsram.bsky.social and www.1across.org for another great year of weekly #crypticclue writing contests! #1ACCWC
I finished 4th overall behind Satyen Nabar, Textrous, and Ramki Krishnan. Last week was my 7th win (2nd to Satyen's 10 wins).
Do they finally catch up? (5) 🥳🎉🥂 #downclue
I finished 4th overall behind Satyen Nabar, Textrous, and Ramki Krishnan. Last week was my 7th win (2nd to Satyen's 10 wins).
Do they finally catch up? (5) 🥳🎉🥂 #downclue
1ACCWC 548 – PARTY – Results
Satyen was the host and here’s his round up of the week’s contest. Having the most fun in the party is Do they finally catch up? (5) @LowdownCryptic winning by a mile with 31 points In …
www.1across.org
December 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Thanks to @somsram.bsky.social and www.1across.org for another great year of weekly #crypticclue writing contests! #1ACCWC
I finished 4th overall behind Satyen Nabar, Textrous, and Ramki Krishnan. Last week was my 7th win (2nd to Satyen's 10 wins).
Do they finally catch up? (5) 🥳🎉🥂 #downclue
I finished 4th overall behind Satyen Nabar, Textrous, and Ramki Krishnan. Last week was my 7th win (2nd to Satyen's 10 wins).
Do they finally catch up? (5) 🥳🎉🥂 #downclue
My November #Scrabblegram is dedicated to an inspirational figure and his credo "Law, not war" 🧑⚖️⚖️☮️
Ben Ferencz (1920-2023) was a prosecutor at the #Nuremberg trials in 1947. He had barely worked as a lawyer yet – it was his first criminal case! (see below for more)
#Scrabble #Justice #BenFerencz
Ben Ferencz (1920-2023) was a prosecutor at the #Nuremberg trials in 1947. He had barely worked as a lawyer yet – it was his first criminal case! (see below for more)
#Scrabble #Justice #BenFerencz
November 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
My November #Scrabblegram is dedicated to an inspirational figure and his credo "Law, not war" 🧑⚖️⚖️☮️
Ben Ferencz (1920-2023) was a prosecutor at the #Nuremberg trials in 1947. He had barely worked as a lawyer yet – it was his first criminal case! (see below for more)
#Scrabble #Justice #BenFerencz
Ben Ferencz (1920-2023) was a prosecutor at the #Nuremberg trials in 1947. He had barely worked as a lawyer yet – it was his first criminal case! (see below for more)
#Scrabble #Justice #BenFerencz
Reposted by Lowdown Cryptic
The mini meta contest will be announced in today’s Classic email.
Submit the solution to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of @natanlast.bsky.social ‘s new crossword history book, Across the Universe. Instructions for getting the pack below!
Submit the solution to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of @natanlast.bsky.social ‘s new crossword history book, Across the Universe. Instructions for getting the pack below!
Here’s the deal! Subscribe, renew, or buy a gift subscription from avxwords.com from now thru the end of the year, and get a new meta mini pack, free.
After subscribing, send a blank email to freeminis@avxwords.com with “mini meta” in the subject line, and we’ll send you the pack. Honor system!
After subscribing, send a blank email to freeminis@avxwords.com with “mini meta” in the subject line, and we’ll send you the pack. Honor system!
November 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The mini meta contest will be announced in today’s Classic email.
Submit the solution to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of @natanlast.bsky.social ‘s new crossword history book, Across the Universe. Instructions for getting the pack below!
Submit the solution to be entered in a drawing to win a copy of @natanlast.bsky.social ‘s new crossword history book, Across the Universe. Instructions for getting the pack below!
This is a fun one! (Especially for fans of a certain... OK, no spoilers)
It's free to solve, and if you like variety cryptic crosswords then sign up for The Gnomon www.gnomoncryptics.com @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social
It's free to solve, and if you like variety cryptic crosswords then sign up for The Gnomon www.gnomoncryptics.com @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
This is a fun one! (Especially for fans of a certain... OK, no spoilers)
It's free to solve, and if you like variety cryptic crosswords then sign up for The Gnomon www.gnomoncryptics.com @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social
It's free to solve, and if you like variety cryptic crosswords then sign up for The Gnomon www.gnomoncryptics.com @gnomoncryptics.bsky.social
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