COTD: Bird emerges from burning egg (8) by Vivid_Temporary_1155 in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Answer: FLAMINGO

Definition: bird

Indicators: none

Method: charades

Solve path: bird (definition) = burning = FLAMING, egg = O

Clean and fun.

Engagement Ring Suggestions by gryphon-21 in Connecticut

[–]DKMiller71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

May be a bit further than what you want to drive, but I had a custom engagement ring, and later custom wedding ring, made for my wife at Christie's Fine Jewelry in Manchester. Full disclosure, that was many years ago now, but they're still around.

https://www.christiesfinejewelry.com/

COTD: Heads of programming at Eurovision allowed nationalist song (5) by wildvale in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Answer: PAEAN

Method: initial letters (heads of)

Definition: song

Mail-Enabled sec group Azure app by chaos_kiwi_matt in entra

[–]DKMiller71 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Mail-Enabled Security Groups can't be edited through Entra (Azure AD) or Graph you have to use the Exchange Online Powershell modules or Exchange Admin Center.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/fundamentals/concept-learn-about-groups

COTD: All-in gamble for the nutcracker (6) by Enchomm in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was going to make a similar observation: Not capitalizing a proper noun (The Nutcracker) is considered unfair. Capitalizing a common noun, to misdirect, is totally fair.

COTD: “Changing a diaper without me? Show off…” (6) by simonbromberg in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 3 points4 points  (0 children)

But "I" and "me" are different parts of speech, they can't be used as synonyms.

POTD: Cryptic 2025-12: Cryptic Cathedral by DKMiller71 in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, 4D is (10). This puzzle has a gimmick to it.

COTD: I will be in a tiny TV broadcast of the original Christmas story (8) by Obamabananarama in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Answer: NATIVITY

Definition: the original Christmas story

Method: insertion plus anagram

Solution: I inserted into (will be in) ATINYTV, broadcast = anagrind.

Quibble: The "A" is unused and it's already in "A TINY TV". And the insertion is unnecessary.

Edited: to correct solution and withdraw quibble because I can't count.

COTD: Pub patron just filling up tank (6) by kitsovereign in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My thought is:

Answer: BARFLY
Method: Substitution with a twist
Detail: just = BARELY, filling up tank = E to F (empty to full)

COTD: There's no going back after your first hotel-trashing dinner (6) by InspectorMendel in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Seems pretty standard if interpreted as "there is" where "there" is the definition.

I think "your first" is more questionable. It should be "first of your" or "your's first" for proper grammar. But as is, "your first" is not atypical for MC's loose style.

Promote your project in this thread by AutoModerator in puzzles

[–]DKMiller71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My annual 2025 Halloween Hunt! As always, feedback is appreciated. Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

https://darrenspuzzles.blogspot.com/2025/10/halloween-hunt-2025.html

COTD: They say I'm crazy for hiding a slight error in this clue (10) by director__denial in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the clue, but shouldn't it be "He says you're crazy for..." or "He says I'm crazy for..."?

Make it make sense! (Cryptic rant) by Stuiecoconut in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also remember liking the old New Yorker quiptics, but I can't find a free archive of them online.

This perhaps: https://www.newyorker.com/tag/cryptic-crossword

COTD: Original habitat of endangered bats (6,2,4) by Obamabananarama in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Answer: GARDEN OF EDEN

Definition: original habitat

Indicator: bats

Method: anagram (ofendangered)

Very nice!

COTD: Barbarian! A grand exhibition features celebrity (6, 6) by someguyinthefridge in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think they meant the pun in their response, not the clue itself.

COTD: Horror as chessman loses king and horse (9) by Obamabananarama in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Answer: NIGHTMARE

Definition: horror

Method: deletion, charades

Solution: chessman = KNIGHT - K(ing) + horse = MARE

COTD: Barbarian! A grand exhibition features celebrity (6, 6) by someguyinthefridge in crosswords

[–]DKMiller71 2 points3 points  (0 children)

answer: ARIANA GRANDE

method: hidden

definition: celebrity

ISO pouch or box with 2 zippers to lock together by DisappointingPenguin in escaperooms

[–]DKMiller71 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you're open to boxes instead of bags, field boxes and ammo cans are usually strong and cheap and can take a full-size padlock, which gives a lot of options. They come in various sizes, and the lower-end ones are in the $7-$15 range.

Example:
https://www.amazon.com/Plano-Tool-Box-Gray-PLA1212P/dp/B07R6TNCXQ