Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

21d Charles, a critic (6) CA??EL

I think the last letter should be "r", 32a being "wordsmithery". I can only think that 21d is "carper", but I don't know where the "Charles" fits in.

Thanks martin.

I had Gold instead of word.

21d 'Charles, a critic' - I have carper too - anyone know why that's Charles?
Also, my last one, 20a, American song-writer has wine, usually white: Bacharach is both song-writer and wine but it's too short; any ideas?

Yes, I agree it's Bacharach. Either stick an e on the end or contact the compiler I'd say.

It's "bacharachs", I think - the "s" comes from "....songwriter has". Still can't work out in 21d what "Charles" has to do with "carper".

Latin for Charles is Carolus, abbreviated (on coins?) to car and a = per, as is common in crosswords. Thus car + per = carper. Hope this helps.

It does, thank you, Rogerjw. A bit obscure, even for a Mephisto.

Many thanks Martin and Rogerjw, see you next week I expect.