Cryptic Stuff

[not_for_sale2025]

While it was done some years ago I see, I thought I would try a cryptic crossword-like thread for fun and to try and boost a little more interest here. I made up the below question for anyone interested in such a challenge. I thought the first person to get it correct might come up with the next question. A clue though - if you copy one from a newspaper or magazine etc., the answer can often be found on the internet. I can explain the answer for anyone who asks. 🙂

The prisoner at the cave would not stand for the electrically charged droplets of water.

(12 letters)

[countessalmirena]

No, not basic.

Testing programme changes universal rating for nothing, harking back to a classic swell (5)

_ _ l i _

There’s a charade, letter substitution, abbreviation, charade letter, reversal indicator…

The whole def harks back to older definitions.

[not_for_sale2025]

Relic.....

[countessalmirena]

No, not relic.

It’s a word that was in vogue with this particular definition during 17th and 18th century in particular. It is still in common use but with a more common definition.

The charade for this word is also in use today but again, the definition I’ve used is an older one in vogue in the Roaring Twenties, 30s, 40s…

Testing programme changes universal rating for nothing, harking back to a classic swell (5)

_ _ l i _

There’s a charade, letter substitution, abbreviation, charade letter, reversal indicator…

The whole def harks back to older definitions.

[not_for_sale2025]

Solid.....

[countessalmirena]

Not solid.

Testing programme changes universal rating for nothing, harking back to a classic swell (5)

_ _ l i _

Let me add a second cryptic clue:

I’ve heard both of the mouth adorn Dutch fields (5)

[not_for_sale2025]

“Solid,” meaning “great, okay, swell,” appeared in big band leader Cab Calloway's Hepster's Dictionary: Language of Jive in the early 1930s."

LOL, a coincidence. 

[not_for_sale2025]

Tulip.....

[countessalmirena]

More…

Testing programme changes universal rating for nothing, harking back to a classic swell (5)

_ _ l i _

testing programme [charade]
changes [letter substitution indicator]
universal rating [abbreviation] single letter
nothing [charade] single letter

harking back to [reversal indicator]
 

[twyngwyn]

Did nfs answer correctly while you were typing your last response? 🌷

[countessalmirena]

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@twyngwyn wrote:

Did nfs answer correctly while you were typing your last response? 🌷

---

Yes! Exactly.

nfs, you have it.

Testing programme changes universal rating for nothing, harking back to a classic swell (5)

WORDPLAY

testing programme [charade: pilot]
changes [letter substitution indicator]
universal rating [abbreviation] U
nothing [charade] O

-> substitute U for O => pilut

harking back to [reversal indicator] => tulip

WHOLE DEFINITION:

a classic swell = Tulip

(From Georgian /Regency periods, a Tulip was a dandy, a swell, a dashed pernickety finicky fellow dressed up to the nines.)

Over to you, nfs.