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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 4d

Too American to lead English orchestra (4)

Dwelling as The Beatles were in Hamburg? (6)

I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day!

puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

puzzles.independent.co.uk

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 16d

Quick thing I gotta go do (4)

the sun is setting over the ocean with clouds in the sky .

Alt: a setting sun

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Deb Amlen @debamlen.bsky.social · 23d

Mel Taub, the former Puns and Anagrams constructor and prince of puns, has died at 97. Obit written by the incomparable Penelope Green.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/24/c...

Mel Taub, Creator of a Pun-Loving Puzzle, Is Dead at 97

www.nytimes.com

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · 24d

Me today:

Wishes for a sweet new year, and has at nova spread (5,4)

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Sep 16

Dictator's hurt nation's capital (4)

Delay evident in reactions to new allegations (9)

I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day!

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

puzzles.independent.co.uk

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Sep 15

90 is a lot of puzzles, David. 🐙

A screenshot of the 90th cryptic crossword at Square Chase. That is a lot of puzzles, David.

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Aug 21

Cheers! I hope everybody enjoys them.

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Aug 19

I used to make these Quiptics to help my fellow North Americans grasp the more deceptive UK cluing style by limiting the wordplay devices to one per clue. Every once in a while I get the urge to set a few more for my old blog. Here's a new batch. squarepursuit.com/2025/08/19/q... #cryptic #crossword

Quiptic Pack 2025 (#52-60)

Ah, hello, Quiptic solvers! It’s been such a long time. I hope you’re doing well! I know I haven’t shown up here in a while, but I’ve been busy with a bunch of other stuff. …

squarepursuit.com

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Puzzmo @puzzmo.com · Jul 7

In life things are rarely black and white. Except peppermint patties. People either love them or hate them.

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Viresh Ratnakar @viresh.bsky.social · Jun 27

I have a beginner-level mini #cryptic #crossword out on AVCX (@avcx.bsky.social). It's been fun working with @mossdef.bsky.social as editor. Do subscribe/buy if you can!

avxwords.com/puzzles/1857/

Puzzle – AVCX

avxwords.com

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Jun 16

Thank you! Wouldn't be a Mog without some prickly stuff!

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Matt @wyrd.systems · Jun 16

Mog day in the Indy! Always good fun

// @mossdef.bsky.social

puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

puzzles.independent.co.uk

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Jun 16

Thank you! Always a pleasure being back in the Indy.

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Jun 12

It was a real pleasure editing this one, and not a cryptic to sleep on if you're up for the challenge!

$therackenfracker.bsky.social$ The Rackenfracker @therackenfracker.bsky.social · Jun 12

Delighted to be back in @avcx.bsky.social with another puzzle, edited by @mossdef.bsky.social. It’s a 15x cryptic with no shenanigans other than, you know, everything. avxwords.com/puzzles/1846/

Puzzle – AVCXTwitterFacebookTwitterFacebook

avxwords.com

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

These Puzzles Fund Abortion @tpfa.bsky.social · May 30

We are less than $700 away from our goal, with one day left!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped us get here!!

Fundraising ends tomorrow, Saturday, May 31. Don’t wait until the last minute!

fund.nnaf.org/tpfa

Screenshot of these puzzle fund abortion fundraising page, showing $34,326 raised towards the goal of 35,000, with one day left

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · May 26

The absolute highlight of my puzzling year, every year!

These Puzzles Fund Abortion @tpfa.bsky.social · May 26

✨Editor Spotlight✨

@mossdef.bsky.social (he/him) is a music educator and crossword‬‭ maker living in the Boston‬ area. He knows bodily integrity is a basic human right & that access to abortions is a‬ key part of it.‬

Steve is our incredible variety/cryptic editor!

fund.nnaf.org/tpfa

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Rachel Fabi Ph.D. @fabioethics.bsky.social · May 9

Want to hear a cool story about reproductive justice, mutual aid, and crossword puzzles?

Let me tell you about These Puzzles Fund Abortion (www.abortionpuzzles.com / @tpfa.bsky.social), a crossword puzzle fundraiser that has raised over $350,000 in five years for abortion funds.
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these puzzles fund abortion

www.abortionpuzzles.com

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · May 5

Thanks. If I don't keep laughing, I'll just cry! 😂

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · May 5

Monster herb is leek in the end (8)

It's Mog again in @the-independent.com cryptic crossword. I hope it brightens your day!

puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

The Independent's Cryptic Crossword | Play Online for Free | Independent

Play The Independent's Cryptic Crossword instantly online. The Independent's Cryptic Crossword is a fun and engaging Online game from The Independent. Play it and other games from The Independent.

puzzles.independent.co.uk

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Jeff 🏳️‍🌈 @tinmanic.bsky.social · Apr 28

New color; color has no limits! (3) #cryptic

kottke.org @kottke.org · Apr 28

Scientists have invented (or discovered?) a new color called “olo”. “Verifying that [the] participants had indeed seen a novel color was tricky. Only one person witnesses the experience of color: the person who sees it.” [theatlantic.com]

The ‘Profound’ Experience of Seeing a New Color

The ecstasy of “olo”

www.theatlantic.com

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

These Puzzles Fund Abortion @tpfa.bsky.social · Apr 19

We reached $30K this week! 🤑

That’s 6,000 💵 EACH to

@baltimorefund.bsky.social
Tampa Bay Abortion Fund
Chicago Abortion Fund
@iwrising.bsky.social
Mariposa Fund

We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed to and shared our campaign!

Thank you, thank you!! 💜

fund.nnaf.org/tpfa

Screenshot of TPFA fundraising page, showing 30,423 dollars raised toward the 50,000 dollar goal

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

Crosstalk @thecrosstalkpod.bsky.social · Apr 16

Episode 3 of Crosstalk with @sidsivakumar.bsky.social is out now!

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1sq5...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

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Reposted by Steve Mossberg

These Puzzles Fund Abortion @tpfa.bsky.social · Apr 14

Credit to the constructors of this puzzle, @naytnaytnayt.bsky.social and @enriqueha.bsky.social !

These Puzzles Fund Abortion @tpfa.bsky.social · Apr 14

✨(CRYPTIC) Clue of the Week✨

This week we are featuring a clue from the cryptic/variety section of TPFA. The answer is a word that should be very familiar to our followers 😉

Want more? TPFA5 has seven puzzles in the cryptic/variety section. Donate at fund.nnaf.org/tpfa to get your pack!

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Apr 14

80 is a lot of puzzles, David. 🐙

A picture of the 80th cryptic crossword from the Patreon service Square Chase, which is a silly number of cryptic crosswords for a person to make.

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Steve Mossberg @mossdef.bsky.social · Apr 14

But how do I get maximum butter coverage without breaking the piece of bread of affliction?

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