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16a Very odd gag on culture- Classic's first off - we
all use it 12 two words vu?ga??o???e
24a Yankee publican is a rascal who supports mistress
12 s?loo??e???r
Thanks for help

16 looks like VULGAR TONGUE - I'll try to work out the parsing!

anagram V(ery) GAG ON (c)ULTURE?

SALOONKEEPER (US version of "innkeeper" or "publican")

Sorry - don't see the parsing for that one.

is a = 's a
rascal = loon
keeper = (antiquated) someone who keeps a mistress

Hi ginge
Why is rascal = loon? In my vocab "loon" is either a bird (US name for "diver") or a foolish person, rather than rascally.

Never mind - it's in Chambers (some way down the list, though!)

Hi chrise, just seen your post. Similar with "keeper". I've done a few Mephistos to " know" obscure/unusual definitions are frequently used.

Thanks Chrise and Ginge.