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There are two types of knowledge. Knowing the answer and knowing where to find the answer.

Further further comment. I do however believe that there should be a limit on how arcane the required information can be. In a Speccie not so long ago, the unclued lights were all stations on the railway line between Edinburgh and the top of Scotland. It was only because my wife travelled that line frequently as a child that we were able to identify them. The list appears in no reference book, and was available only by scanning a map.

An interesting discussion. I think a distinction needs to be made between the clue and the entry. For me, good wordplay does not require recourse to reference sources. The entry, on the other hand may need checking. Of course, what makes accessible wordplay depends on each solver's vocabulary and general knowledge but, on the whole, the Times crossword follows this model, assuming a well-educated, well-read solver with a broad general knowledge.

Certainly, the crosswords that I enjoy most are those where the challenge lies in the skill and wit of the clue's construction. I can do them in the garden or in the bath and check any unfamiliar entries later.

Whether solvers choose to use aids is entirely up to them. The only problem is the prize element. In these days of online resources, I do not understand why anyone would bother to submit a solution.

Swarbrules.

Sounds like Donald Rumsfeld's " known unknowns" and " unknown unknowns"

Geeker the other point about the letter that caused my eyebrow to wrinkle was 'his' misuse of the word 'lifelong' (aficionado of the crossword) - did his admiration for it start as a new arrival in the maternity ward?

In my letter (unpublished) I did ask them if the letter itself might have been a piece of AI tomfoolery...

I find it interesting that the hosts of the Cracking the Cryptic site on YouTube, who tackle the cryptic in The Times every Friday, refrain from looking-up answers. They rely instead on the setter's wordplay to lead them to the answer. They are, of course, expert solvers with many years' experience behind them. Admirable though, I think, as I reach again for the Chambers..

hounds @15
I once went to a concert (RFH, I think) where the programme notes informed me that Vaughan-Williams started composing during childbirth....

In barred puzzles in particular, there are sometimes very long anagrams leading to very obscure words, such as sub species of plants or fish, etc. I am sure most solvers follow the same path: make an educated guess from the word play and crossers, and verify the solution from Google.

Mr. Pennington can't do the Viz crossword - that always requires the use of reference material, usually the Profanisaurus.

The latest Viz (Issue 358) contains the most specatular anagram I have seen in 50+ years of solving cryptic crosswords.

I would like to see yours, regeff, but it reminded me of this famous one by the Guardian's Araucaria:

Poetical scene with surprisingly chaste Lord Archer vegetating (3,3,9,12)