Listener Crossword 4538: Solution Notes
Joint Conditions by Awinger
Puzzle explanation
The grid clashes formed the standard two-letter abbreviations of 49 states of the USA in approximate relative positions. The four later letter changes produced the bordering countries CANADA and MEXICO and oceans PACIFIC and ATLANTIC. The missing state was MN for Minnesota; some latitude was allowed for its placement in the space bordered by WI, IA, SD, ND and CANADA. The initial letters of the clues for across answers starting with S gave SEA BLUE, for the shading to delineate the landmass.
Clue explanations
Conventions: * = anagram, < = reversal
| No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Across | ||
| 1 | AMERICANA | A + MERI + CANA |
| 10 | SCRIEVE | SIEVE around (C + R) |
| 15 | MAUMET | (MME + T) around AU |
| 17 | ENATE | (A TEEN) * |
| 18 | SYTHE | (S + THE) around Y |
| 20 | SPENER | SPENDER − D |
| 22 | SPIRIT | IR in SPIT |
| 23 | LIMA | MAIL * |
| 24 | MAORI | (I AM) < around OR |
| 25 | TINA | 2 meanings (“there is no alternative”) |
| 26 | BEAT IT | BE AT IT |
| 27 | VIEW | VW around (I’ + E) |
| 28 | TRAIN | TERRAIN − ER |
| 29 | HAJ | HA + J(une) |
| 30 | TIBIA | (I BIT) * + A |
| 32 | SACK | 4 meanings |
| 35 | SLOW | 2 meanings |
| 37 | MEDIA | M’ + AIDE < |
| 41 | VUL | LUV < |
| 43 | CAPOS | POS after CA’ |
| 46 | YEVE | YE + V(intag)E |
| 48 | RICCIA | RIA around CCI |
| 49 | RAPT | homophone of WRAPPED |
| 50 | CRUET | CUTTER * − T |
| 51 | AERO | (E + R) in (A + O) |
| 52 | ANNEKA | ANNE + K + A |
| 53 | TSOTSI | TOTS around S + I(mitate) |
| 55 | ARAME | ((B)REAM + A) * |
| 56 | EXULS | EX + L in US |
| 57 | AGENTS | A + GENTS |
| 58 | HOMERIC | (A)MERIC(a) after HO |
| 59 | SELFHEALS | (ASHES FELL) * |
| Down | ||
| 1 | KISMET | (IS + MET) after K |
| 2 | EWERS | WERE * + S |
| 3 | RUN | 2 meanings |
| 4 | CERGES | G in CERES |
| 5 | AMITY | AMITY after (CA + L) = CALAMITY |
| 6 | NEPIT | PI in NET |
| 7 | ADDER | (RED + DA) < |
| 8 | CAPIAS | CAPITALS − T − L |
| 9 | AT WILL | A + TWILL |
| 10 | SERAI | SAI around (E + R) |
| 11 | COMBO | C(ut) O(ff) + MOB * |
| 12 | INLAND | IN + LA + ND |
| 13 | EVICT | ET around VIC |
| 14 | MEATS | ME + ATS |
| 16 | MEDIATIZE | ME + (E + ZIT + AID) < |
| 18 | STEP DANCE | (CADET PENS) * |
| 19 | NARGILES | NA + RILES around G(as) |
| 21 | PACIFIER | (IF I RECAP) * |
| 31 | INCOME | (IN + CE) around OM |
| 33 | CAME TO | CA(r) + MET + (Cli)O |
| 34 | SPROUT | SPOUT around (flowe)R |
| 36 | VESTAL | VEST + AL |
| 38 | ANTICS | ACTIONS * − O |
| 39 | BRAAI | BR + A + AI |
| 40 | HARAM | HA’ + RAM |
| 42 | LANAI | LANA + I |
| 43 | OLMEC | LO < + MEXICO − XI − O |
| 44 | MARAS | MAR + AS |
| 45 | SPUME | SE around PUM(a) |
| 46 | KNELL | K + NELL |
| 47 | GUTTA | GUT + TA |
| 54 | ONE | ON + E |