When James and I first started compiling crosswords, back in the 70s, we found that nearly all crosswords used those odd words that you only ever see in crosswords – such as ambo (an oblong pulpit), arras ( a wall hanging to conceal an alcove), eyot or ait (isle in a river) or umiak [more…]
Did you hear about the man sitting under a toadstool? He was a real fungi! (Though there wasn’t mushroom under there!)
Toadstools are associated with magical beings in many cultures, but why? Is it because they appear magically overnight, or because they look like colourful pixie caps? Maybe it’s because of the hallucinogenic affects, if [more…]
Thank you for making the Mega bi-monthly! It is an extra treat for us as we sit over pots of coffee doing the Stinkers and Bafflers and Demons together and culling our septuagenarian brains for past knowledge before we hunt through the reference books, the atlas or the Internet on my FRED (Flaming Ridiculous [more…]
I love to collect recipes and am always on the lookout for new ones. So many thanks for the recipes you included in June and July BIG. They’re uncomplicated, economical and a delicious treat for the tastebuds. It’s an added bonus and to me is just as good as winning a prize. Is this [more…]
I do the Colossus crossword that you put in the Australian Women’s Weekly to keep myself sane (april 09) and I have only one word left. It has taken a while to complete as I have only a few short moments to myself each day due to two little girls under 6 clamouring for [more…]
Why is it, when I do a cryptic crossword,
I get stuck on a word,
I go to sleep,
when I awake, I can solve the clues,
very easily,
then I repeat it again the next night,
it works for me,
why is it?!?
Diana Saunders
Mirrabooka, WA
I’ve been intending to submit this story for sharing with your subscribers for quite a few years. I think quite enough water has gone under the bridge to get away with it now! It is a wonderful tale of the innocence of youth, and I am sure that even the most sensitive and prudish [more…]
John Jeremy George
Passionately abhorred
Crude Aussie blokes
Telling lewd, bawdy jokes
Cheryl Roach
A Lazy Susan is a revolving tray in the middle of the dining table for easy access to condiments and shared dishes.
What a strange name for this turntable that became fashionable in the early 20th century.
If your name is Susan, I am sure you are not lazy, but you are probably interested in the [more…]
