Cryptic 5x5 #19 by tuber

Comments

• tuber constructor · 2023-09-18T10:31:15.725Z

  Hi solvers! Thanks for checking out my puzzle, and I hoped you enjoyed it. I might try to do an "easy cryptics" series in future as I think my puzzles can be a bit intimidating! As always, let me know how you got on in the comments below. Here comes my wash-up:

  ACROSS. 1A1AFunny lad succeeding unevenly: sick burn (5)[-----]. Anag. LAD after ["succeeding"] odd letters of "sick" = SC. 5A5AItchy jumper? (4)[----]. Cryptic def. 6A6AIn retreat - no entry - love's a many-layered thing (5)[-----]. Reversal of: NO given literally + "entry" = IN + love = O. 9A9ABowie perhaps playing fine after 'Kooks' intro (5)[-----]. anag. FINE after first letter of "kooks".

  DOWN. 1D1Dand 8A. Ordinary d6? It adds flavour (5, 4)[-----] 8A8ASee 1D.[----]. ordinary = STOCK1Dand 8A. Ordinary d6? It adds flavour (5, 4)[-----] + d6? = CUBE8ASee 1D.[----]. This may be UK-centric? 2D2DCover story: "digital brains limiting freedom" (5)[-----]. "digital brains" = AI surrounding "freedom" = LIB. 3D3DStars inspired by hydroelectric revolution (3)[---]. hidden reversed in "hydroelectric". 4D4DEuropean takes careful opening steps (5)[-----]. European = DANE surrounding first letter of "careful". 7D7DSister heard not a soul (3)[---]. homophone of "not a soul" = NONE.
• girlcow 🤓3:57 · 2023-09-18T20:36:13.040Z

  fun :)
• frostyjhammer 3:25 · 2023-09-18T23:27:20.276Z

  "Stock Cube" is not a thing on this side of the pond, but it wasn't that hard to solve for. Having said that: what's a d6?

  • tuber constructor · 2023-09-19T08:06:41.967Z

    I'd finished cluing everything when I learned "bouillon cube" was the stateside equivalent. Usually I aim to be transatlantic, but on this occasion I slipped up.

    A d6 is just a regular six-sided die, as it's known to role-playing enthusiasts.

    • frostyjhammer 3:25 · 2023-09-20T01:00:40.784Z

      I'ma call them "stock cubes" because it's just a better name. Thanks for the explanation on d6.
• squicc 🤓6:46 · 2023-09-19T00:16:10.098Z

  wow ordinary d6
• El Gordo 42 🤓5:11 · 2023-09-19T01:31:50.678Z

  I'm no gamer, but "ordinary d6" sounded quite plausible to me, and a fair definition of a new term (US-born).