Denise Sutherland's Blog, page 9

Spotted in the wild

This week I've spotted my books in several book shops - very exciting! It never gets old  :)

At Kinokuniya in Sydney ...



At Paperchain in Canberra (excuse the blurry iPod Touch photo), where they are already selling well ...

Gemini 6343

Here's my break down of the clues from the Gemini Cryptic Crossword from The Canberra Times, Monday 13 August 2012. I solved this one on the train up to Sydney (the only civilised way to travel!),  on a very foggy wintery morning:



As usual, definitions are underlined (except in double definition and cryptic definition clues).

Across
1. Tries to correct extreme spin (11) = EXPERIMENTS
An anagram (indicated by correct)  of extreme spin

9. Reversion to type puts Mavis at variance (7) = ATAVISM
An anagram (variance) of Mavis at.  Atavism is a less common word (I had to look it up). Its dictionary definition is: "reversion to something ancient or ancestral"

10. Issue foreign coins (5) = SCION
An anagram (foreign) of coins. A scion is a descendant from a notable family, so issue here has the meaning of "children".

11. Touch with an oral greeting (4)  = KISS
A double definition clue. Billiard balls can kiss, meaning to lightly touch. And I'm sure you know the other meaning!

12. Honest deal? (8) = STRAIGHT
A cryptic definition (indicated by the question mark). If you're honest, you're straight. And a straight is a continuous sequence of cards in poker, so you could be dealt those cards ...

14. Changing planes in Italy (6)  = NAPLES
Another anagram! It's indicated by changing, and planes is the anagram fodder. In Italy is a rather oblique or imprecise clue for Naples ... there are a lot of things in Italy, after all! In this case, the definition part of the clue really only gives you a pointer.

16. Closely connected with German revolutionary (6)  = MITRED
A charade clue; one bit comes after the other. With German = MIT (the German word for with) + RED (revolutionary).

The definition part of this clue is not well-written. The dictionary definitions I found for mitred all refer to an angled join or seam at a corner. OK, such seams are closely connected, but so are tons of other things. It's not a fair definition in my book.

18. Reliable mathematical term (8)  = CONSTANT
Double definition. If you're constant, you're reliable. And a constant is a mathematical parameter that doesn't change its value.

19. Turning knocks into a pole (4)  = SPAR
A reversal clue. Knocks = RAPS. Turning is the reversal indicator. Run RAPS backwards, and you get SPAR!

22. Quick way to take the air between flights (5)  = STAIR
A charade clue, with a word in the clear. A quick way is also a short name for a way, or street. So we get ST. It takes AIR, giving us ST+AIR. You'll be familiar with flights of stairs. The word between doesn't really have a good purpose here, and is a bit misleading (I wouldn't have used it, if it was my clue).

23. A light case (7)  = LANTERN
A cryptic definition. A case for light, get it?

24. Suits oneself? (4,7)  = GETS DRESSED
Another cryptic definition clue. In this case, suits refers to a suit that you wear, or the act of putting on a suit, not that something is convenient.

Down
2. They show bones of unknown number of fish (1-4)  = X-RAYS
A charade clue, with an abbreviation. An unknown number usually refers to the letters X or Y (used in algebra a lot). In this instance, it's X. Fish = RAYS. And X-RAYS definitely do show bones!

3. Ancient Mariner's story upset an Arab prince (4)  = EMIR
You need to know a little about literature to get this clue. The Ancient Mariner's story is the famous Rime of the Ancient Mariner poem by Coleridge.

4. Resident is at home with his wife (6)  = INMATE
Another charade clue. If you're at home, you're IN. His wife = MATE. So we have IN+MATE, who is also a resident, although this meaning is archaic. (The more common meaning for INMATE is of a person living in an institution such as a prison or hospital.)

5. Note a hundred still in a trance (8)  = ECSTATIC
A charade clue. Note = E (as in a musical note) + a hundred = C (Roman numerals) + STATIC (still). I'm not thrilled with in a trance as the definition for ECSTATIC. It is the rarer definition of "involving an experience of mystic self-transcendence".

6. How happy gunslingers might be? (7)  = TRIGGER
Cryptic definition. They have guns, and they're TRIGGER happy — look out!

7. Pedestrian injured? (7,4)  = WALKING CASE
Another cryptic definition (that question mark is often a good pointer to these clues). I must admit I had WALKING DEAD in here originally (well, the pedestrian was very badly injured!). I'm not familiar with the term WALKING CASE, but gather it is synonymous with 'convalescent'. Anyway, a pedestrian is clearly someone who is WALKING. And if they were injured, they could be a WALKING CASE.

8. It will be presented by a group at one (6,5)  = UNITED FRONT
Cryptic definition again. The trick here is that at one doesn't mean a time, and isn't an abbreviation for I (1), but is part of a group at one — a united team. And what they present is a UNITED FRONT.

13. Reprimands for rules etc. being broken (8)  = LECTURES
An anagram clue, indicated by being broken. Rules etc is the anagram fodder.

15. It gives accommodation inside a speed boat (7)  = PINNACE
Another word I didn't know! A PINNACE is a small boat. This is a container clue. It gives accommodation = INN. Put it inside another word for speed (PACE).

17. Aggressive branch of the animal kingdom (6)  = ANTLER
Yet another cryptic definition clue (they are a little overfond of these clues in the Gemini series). An ANTLER can be said to be a branch, on an animal. And it's often used aggressively.

20. Not all the pianist plays (5)  = PIECE
Double definition clue. A PIECE is not all of something. And a PIECE of music is what a pianist could play.

21. We bear it (4)  = ONUS
Oh, rather clever this one. Could be an &lit clue, what do you think? We bear, or carry, it, so it is ON US. Plus ONUS is something that it our duty or responsibility that we have to bear.

How did you get on?

Creating Crossword Cookies

Well, Crossword Biscuit. But I couldn't resist the alliteration  :)




Here is my method of how to make crossword biscuits. It's adapted from the decoration technique outlined on the Cake or Death? website.
You will need: plain smooth biscuits / cookiesfondant icing (comes in a box, usually)icing sugara little sugar syrup or sieved, warm jamblack paste food colouringblack edible ink pen
a rolling pinpastry brusha small knifea very clean ruler, or a chef's knifea thin paint brusha tiny disha crossword grid design from a newspaper or online
How to do the crossword decoration
Dust the bench with icing sugar, and roll out a little of the fondant thinly.
Coat the biscuits with a swipe of warmed, sieved jam, or the sugar syrup. This helps the fondant icing to stick to the biscuit.
Carefully lift the piece of fondant icing, and press it onto the biscuit. Trim around the edges with the little knife. 
Repeat for the rest of the biscuits.
Press a grid design into the top of the icing, with the back of the chef's knife, or a very clean ruler edge. Just press lightly, you just need faint indent marks. You should be able to just eye-ball it to get a square grid (that's all I've done). Close-enough is good enough  :)
Leave the biscuits to dry for a good long while — at least 6 hours, but a day is better.
When the icing is firm, put some of the black food colouring paste into the tiny dish, and moisten it with a few drops of water. Mix well with the brush. Use the brush to mark the lines of the grid (or use the pen). Steady your hand by leaning your elbow on the bench, and holding your painting-hand wrist with the other hand.
Following a crossword grid, colour in the black squares with the brush and food colouring 'paint'. 
If you go over the lines, you can rescue the design by using a clean damp brush to wipe away the excess paint, and then a clean damp cloth to wipe the surface of the icing. Be careful not too add anything very wet, or the icing will dissolve and the ink will only spread further!
Leave to dry for a good few hours!
When everything is really dry, write the grid numbers into the appropriate squares, using the edible ink pen (fine tip). You can write words into the grid if you like, too (a special greeting for someone, perhaps?!).
Ta dah! You're ready to impress your friends and influence people!

Making Crossword Cookies

Well, Crossword Biscuit. But I couldn't resist the alliteration  :)




Here is my method of how to make crossword biscuits. It's adapted from the decoration technique outlined on the Cake or Death? website.
You will need: plain smooth biscuits / cookiesfondant icing (comes in a box, usually)icing sugara little sugar syrup or sieved, warm jamblack paste food colouringblack edible ink pen
a rolling pinpastry brusha small knifea very clean ruler, or a chef's knifea thin paint brusha tiny disha crossword grid design from a newspaper or online
How to do the crossword decoration
Dust the bench with icing sugar, and roll out a little of the fondant thinly.
Coat the biscuits with a swipe of warmed, sieved jam, or the sugar syrup. This helps the fondant icing to stick to the biscuit.
Carefully lift the piece of fondant icing, and press it onto the biscuit. Trim around the edges with the little knife. 
Repeat for the rest of the biscuits.
Press a grid design into the top of the icing, with the back of the chef's knife, or a very clean ruler edge. Just press lightly, you just need faint indent marks. You should be able to just eye-ball it to get a square grid (that's all I've done). Close-enough is good enough  :)
Leave the biscuits to dry for a good long while — at least 6 hours, but a day is better.
When the icing is firm, put some of the black food colouring paste into the tiny dish, and moisten it with a few drops of water. Mix well with the brush. Use the brush to mark the lines of the grid (or use the pen). Steady your hand by leaning your elbow on the bench, and holding your painting-hand wrist with the other hand.
Following a crossword grid, colour in the black squares with the brush and food colouring 'paint'. 
If you go over the lines, you can rescue the design by using a clean damp brush to wipe away the excess paint, and then a clean damp cloth to wipe the surface of the icing. Be careful not too add anything very wet, or the icing will dissolve and the ink will only spread further!
Leave to dry for a good few hours!
When everything is really dry, write the grid numbers into the appropriate squares, using the edible ink pen (fine tip). You can write words into the grid if you like, too (a special greeting for someone, perhaps?!).
Ta dah! You're ready to impress your friends and influence people!

Technorati

Just a post for Technorati: 9Q92KEVVT3N2

Lesson 7: Double Definitions

Double definitions are cute little cryptic clues. They break the usual Definition + Wordplay = Answer cryptic equation. With these clues (as you may have already surmised) the equation is Definition + Definition = Answer.


English is a language with masses of redundancy. There are multiple ways of saying most things, and many words have multiple meanings. So with this sort of cryptic clue, the clue simply presents two definitions of the same word, one after the other. Indicator words are not usually used (if they are, they are words like and, or, but, gives, provides, or though, or some punctuation such as a comma, dash, or apostrophe S).


Here's an example:

Baby cow's leg part (4) = CALF
As you can no doubt see, CALF is the name of both a baby cow, and a leg part. 


While they seem ridiculously simple in essence, these clues can be very difficult to spot 'in the wild' amongst a bunch of cryptic clues with a crossword. You are all keyed up to looking for indicator words, anagrams, containers, reversals, homophones, and the whole catastrophe. This simple device can quickly trip you up.

Say you come across Wretched fluffy feathers (4); it would be perfectly reasonable to think that wretched is an anagram indicator, only there's nothing there that's four letters long to be the anagram fodder, argh ...

The trick with any clue that you suspect might be a double definition is to mentally insert a comma or break between the words in a clue, to see if two definitions suddenly fall out.

Wretched fluffy / feathers? Nope ... unless Fluffy is your naughty cat!
Wretched / fluffy feathers ... Aaah, there we go. A four letter word for fluffy feathers  is DOWN. And if you're feeling wretched, or depressed, you're also DOWN!

Double definition clues can be very short, even just two words. So if you spot a very short clue, check it for double definitioness!

Another thing to look out for is that the pronunciation of the answer may be slightly different (think of WINDY, as in a winding road, and WINDY, as in blustery weather). Or one meaning may be a noun, and another may be a verb (or adjective, or whatever). One of the definitions can also be archaic or a rare usage (you have been warned!).

Here are some double definition clues to try:

1. Abandons fronds (6)
2. Hawthorn blossom's month (3)
3. Abandon the wasteland (6)
4. Loud noise from a tennis bat (6)
5. Glide over ice, Ray (5)

Griff is the noble guardian of the explanations and answers ... And isn't he just looking extra noble today?


Explanations
1. Abandons fronds (6) This one is (hopefully) easy, as there's only two words, and only one place to put that 'mental comma'. 
2. Hawthorn blossom's month (3) This double definition clue uses a less-known definition for one part (hawthorn blossom). The other definition is a name of a month of the year.
3. Abandon the wasteland (6) In this clue, the two answers for the two definition are pronounced differently (but must, of course, be spelled the same way). The break goes after abandon.
4. Loud noise from a tennis bat (6) This is a more wordy double definition clue. Loud, noise from a tennis bat? No ... Loud noise from a tennis, bat? Nope. How about Loud noise (from is an indicator/linking word here), a tennis bat. There you go.
5. Glide over ice, Ray (5) Bit of a trick here, the comma is actually in the right place for you already! Ray isn't Raymond, as I have blatantly tried to trick you into thinking, but a type of marine creature ...

Answers1. LEAVES2. MAY3. DESERT4. RACKET5. SKATE

Delicious Alphabet

I've started baking for the books' launch next month!

And my crossword corset is nearly done too!

Lesson 6: Containers

Containers are a common device which you will come across all the time in cryptic crosswords. You will also see them called Containers and Contents clues.

I bet you can guess what happens with this cryptic device, given the name ... yes, letters or words are put inside other letters or words to get to the answer. These clues can be written as A being put inside B, or A going around, or containing, B.

For example,  SARONG can be clued as RON put inside SAG – SA(RON)G. And PRY around an ANT to get a  PANTRY – P(ANT)RY.

Abbreviations are often used in container clues, especially as it's rather rare for words to break up exactly into "One word put inside another word". So you may find DENVER clued as NV (an abbreviation for Nevada) put in DEER – DE(NV)ER.

Containers may also be combined with other clue devices such as reversals (LAVENDER is VEND in REAL reversed –LA(VEND)ER), and anagrams (SCALLION is an anagram of LILAC put inside SON – S(CALLI)ON), and so on.
Container Indicators
Container clues definitely do need indicator words. They are one or a few words in the clue which will tell you to put one thing inside another, or put one thing around another.

Here are some examples of indicator words that give a sense of one word containing, or around, another:
aboutabsorbingacquiringbreakingclutchingdevouringeatingenfoldingfull ofgetting aroundgraspinghuggingimprisoninginvolvingoutsidepocketingprotectingreceivingshelteringsurroundingtaking inwrapping

And now some indicator words that give a sense of one word being out into another:
aboardamidstbetweencontained byenteringfillingheld inininsideinterruptingkept inpartingpuncturingset intrapped inwearingwithinOK, so let's see how these elements all go together in a real cryptic clue:
Scrap of cloth consumed by Don's mythical beast (6)
A scrap of cloth is also a RAG. It is consumed by, or put inside, the letters of Don. The apostrophe S is just telling you that one part of the clue (Scrap of cloth is consumed by Don) is equivalent to the second part (mythical beast). Mythical beast is the definition. How did you get on? Yes, the answer is DRAGON - D(RAG)ON.
Here's another one, given that it's that time of the year again:
Tour de France activity? H old on tightly, welcoming an unknown Charlie  (7)
Tour de France activity is the definition (and obsession in our household!). This clue uses some abbreviations (see Lesson 3 more for info on abbreviations). An unknown = Y (think of a simple maths equation; X and Y are often used as terms for unknowns). Charlie is from the phonetic alphabet code, and stands for the letter C. So you've got the letters Y + C. What to do now? What about that hold on tightly bit? Another word for hold on tightly is CLING. CLING is welcoming Y + C, so put those letters inside the word CLING, and you will quickly discover the only sensible arrangement is C(YC)LING. Practice Container Clues
Now that you have more of an idea of how container clues work, here are five clues to try. Remember that, as with nearly all cryptic clues, the definition is right there, either at the start or end of the clue, and the rest of the clue is the wordplay. 
1. Sink, as in rubbish container (5)
2. Contented and very quiet, cutting hay (5)
3. Quick! Sieve, including tungsten! (5)
4. Find a doctor getting to grips with garbled voices (7)
5.  Shave back in south eastern Mexican shawl (6)
My mum's dog Bonnie is staying with us for a few weeks, so she is your guest Guardian of the Clues! Bonnie is a very sweet Lhasa apso, and has great fun playing with Griff especially. If you scroll below Bonnie, you will find explanations, and below them, the answers.




Explanations
1. Sink, as in rubbish container (5) Sink is the definition. This clue has a word 'in the clear' - as = AS. the container indicator is in. Put AS in another word for a rubbish container (BIN).
2. Contented and very quiet, cutting hay (5) Cutting is the container indicator (some letters are cutting into another word). Very quiet is a popular cryptic abbreviation for PP, from the musical term pianissimo (meaning very quiet or soft). Hay is in the clear, so PP is put into HAY. Contented is the definition.
3. Quick! Sieve, including tungsten! (5) Whenever you see the name of a chemical element in a cryptic clue, think of the periodic table! Tungsten = W. Another word for sieve is SIFT. Including is the container indicator, and quick is the definition. Ignore the punctuation!
4. Find a doctor getting to grips with garbled voices (7) This is a container clue that includes an anagram. Did you spot the anagram indicator? Yes, it's garbled. Voices are what to jumble up. A doctor = DR, and getting to grips with is the container indicator. All this means that the jumbled letters of VOICES should be put inside DR. The letters DR are gripping, or holding, the anagram of VOICES. Find is the definition.
5.  Shave back in south eastern Mexican shawl (6) This container clue includes a reversal, which is indicated by the word back. So, a synonym for shave is PARE (as in peeling fruit). Put PARE reversed (ERAP) in an abbreviation for south eastern = SE. Mexican shawl  is the definition.
Answers
1. BASIN – B(AS)IN
2. HAPPY – HA(PP)Y
3. SWIFT – S(W)IFT
4. DISCOVER – D(ISCOVE)R
5. SERAPE – S(ERAP)E

Gemini 6305

My analysis of the clues in the Gemini Cryptic from The Canberra Times Friday 6 July 2012


Definitions are underlined (apart from double definition and cryptic definition clues). 

Across

1. Tales of feet? (7) = LEGENDS
Cryptic definition, feet are leg ends, get it?

5. Demoted at the centre, get all worked up (5) = EMOTE
Deletion, it's the centre part of demoted


8. Demanding porridge with fish (9) = GRUELLING
Charade. GRUEL (porridge) + LING (fish)

9. Return of Eastern opponent (3) = FOE
Reversal and charade. Of returns = FO + E (Eastern)

10. A gem of a girl? (4) = RUBY
Double definition, both a possible girl's name, and a gem stone

12. Jumper, pocket-size originally (8) = KANGAROO
Cryptic definition, I guess? I don't see any clear cryptic device at play in this one. Kangaroos have pockets, and baby kangaroos are originally very little and kept in pockets ...

14. The rest of the layers depends on them (6) = ROOSTS
Cryptic definition. Layers being chickens, and the rest of them meaning their rest or sleep ...

15. A call for repeated effort (6) = ENCORE
Cryptic definition

17. Hold back an expression of disapproval in play (4-1-3) = PEEK-A-BOO
Reversal + charade. Hold = KEEP, run it back to get PEEK. An expression of disapproval = A BOO.

18. Write touchingly (4) = TYPE
Cryptic definition, yet again. Think of touch typing ...

21. Drink and possibly eat (3)  = TEA
Anagram. Possibly is the indicator, and eat is the fodder. Drink is a noun, not a verb! Nice little clue.

22. Butter and milk producer (5,4) = NANNY GOAT
Cryptic definition

24. Disturbed adder shows fear (5) = DREAD
Anagram of adder. Disturbed is the anagram indicator.

25. Concern of an eleven yet to be organised (7) = ANXIETY
Charade with an anagram. An = AN (easy!), eleven = XI, and an anagram (organised) of yet = ETY.

Down1. Drink a regal cocktail (5) = LAGER
Another rather nifty drink-related anagram. Anagram of regal, indicated by cocktail. Once again, drink is a noun, not a verb.

2. Animal found in increasing numbers (3) = GNU
Hidden word clue, that animal is hiding in increasinG NUmbers!

3. Miss Gwynn is heard to ring the bell (4) = NELL
Homophone clue, ring the bell = KNELL, which sounds like NELL. Nell Gwyn(n) was an English actress (1650-1687), who was also a mistress of Charles II.

4. April's turned out to be springlike (6) = SPIRAL
Anagram. April's is the fodder, turned out is the anagram indicator.

5. Taking someone on and winning (8) = ENGAGING
Double definition. You can engage staff, and you may have engaging, or winning, ways  :)

6. A collection of service people perhaps (9) = OFFERTORY
Charade, or a cryptic definition? I admit this one stumped me, as I'm not very au fait with religious terminology. An offertory is "an offering or collection of money made at a religious service". I'm not quite sure whether the definition is collection or collection of service. I'm guessing that this is a charade clue, as service = OFFER + people, perhaps = TORY. But I don't much care for this clue  :p

7. Bad sight (7) = EYESORE
Double definition. Sight being bad = sore eyes is a bit of a coined term.

11. Exploded with fury when there's commission to pay (9) = BROKERAGE
Charade. Exploded = BROKE + (with) fury = RAGE.

13. Tense without any grounds (8) = STRAINED
Double definition, think of your coffee grounds ...

14. Held place in the rush (7) = REPUTED
Container. Place = PUT, in the rush = REED (not haste!). I don't really like the definition, held isn't a  great synonym for reputed.

16. No care for this part of the eye (6) = CORNEA
Anagram of no care. No clear anagram indicator though, for isn't really enough!

19. A record that's not way out? (5) = ENTRY
Double definition; a record can be an entry (in a database, for example), and an entry isn't the way out (that's the exit!).

20. Feline connections we hear (4) = LYNX
Homophone clue, connections = LINKS, which sounds like LYNX.

23. Expression the Spanish love to come up with (3) = OLE
Ooh, this is an &ilt clue ('and literally') - a rare breed ... the Spanish = EL (a Spanish word for the) + love = O (as in the tennis score of zero, and 0 looks like O). This gives us EL + O. If you run it backwards (come up with), it gives us OLE, which is an expression.

Now for the clever bit. If you read the whole clue literally again (& lit), I think it's reasonable to say that OLE is an expression the Spanish love to come up with! Very nice. &lit clues are some of the few cryptic clues where the literal meaning of the clue (ie the surface reading) is relevant to the answer.

How did you get on?

The Rude Clues

When my Cryptic Crosswords For Dummies book was being checked by the American editors at Wiley, they decided that my handful of risqué clues couldn't stay in. So I edited the offending 11 clues to tame them down.

But it's a pity to see such naughtiness go to waste. So I thought you'd like to have a try of them here! I've put the puzzle reference in, too, so you can find the edited versions in the book (which should be available in bookshops in a few weeks now).

As ever, my chihuahuas Petal and Griff are the Guardians of the Answers. Have a good try of the clues yourself, and scroll below the pups to see full explanations of the clues, and the answers.


The (Slightly) Rude Clues1. Rampantly sexy, without a kiss? Absolutely! (3)
Crossword 5, 21 Down, pg 36

2. Mesmerist has weird phony tits (9)
Crossword 15, 1 Across, pg 56
3. Naughty escort's laced undergarment (6) Crossword 24, 24 Across, pg 74
4. 101 in advertisement for tart (4) Crossword 26, 27 Down, pg 80
5. Mischievously eyed girl ravenously (8) Crossword 30, 3 Down, pg 88
6. Make noises in bed, in pain around midday! (5) Crossword 33, 20 Across, pg 94
7. Topless tenant gets to cross the threshold (5) Crossword 38, 11 Down, pg 104
8. Jenny and I go, mischievously loving (8) Crossword 40, 11 Across, pg 108
9. Five engaged in awkward caresses lead to rifts (9) Crossword 43, 1 Across, pg 114
10. Call girls' pastries (5) Crossword 43, 24 Across, pg 114

11. Very well, tints without top on (3)
Crossword 45, 28 Across, pg 120
Griff and Petal on their way to the dog park, in their FidoRido seatExplanations / Hints1. Rampantly sexy, without a kiss? Absolutely! (3) Absolutely is the definition in this clue. Rampantly is an anagram indicator, and sexy is the anagram fodder, but without a kiss (the letter X).
2. Mesmerist has weird phony tits (9) Weird is an anagram indicator. Phony tits is the anagram fodder; jumbling them up will give you a synonym for mesmerist.
3. Naughty escort's laced undergarment (6) Another anagram ... naughty is the anagram indicator, escort is the anagram fodder. The apostrophe s is not included in the anagram here, it is saying "A naughty version of escort IS another word for laced undergarment".
4. 101 in advertisement for tart (4) Remember your Roman numerals here! 101 = CI. An advertisement is an AD. So put CI in AD, for a word that means tart (as an adjective).
5. Mischievously eyed girl ravenously (8) Another anagram, indicated by mischievously. Eyed girl is the anagram fodder. Ravenously is the definition.
6. Make noises in bed, in pain around midday! (5) Make noises in bed is the definition here. In pain = SORE. Put these letters around an abbreviation for midday (noon = N).
7. Topless tenant gets to cross the threshold (5) This is a deletion clue, indicated by topless. What is topless? A tenant, or RENTER. The definition is cross the threshold. 
8. Jenny and I go, mischievously loving (8) Mischievously indicates an anagram. The letters of Jenny plus (and) I go are the fodder, and loving is the definition.
9. Five engaged in awkward caresses lead to rifts (9) Five is another indication of a Roman numeral. So five = V. It is engaged in (or put in) an awkward version (anagram) of caresses. Rifts is a noun, and the definition.
10. Call girls' pastries (5) Double definition clue here. What are both call girls, and pastries?
11. Very well, tints without top on (3) Very well is the definition. Another word for tints is DYES. Without top on, means to delete the first letter from DYES.

Answers1. YES
2. HYPNOTIST
3. CORSET
4. ACID
5. GREEDILY
6. SNORE
7. ENTER
8. ENJOYING
9. CREVASSES
10. TARTS
11. YES (again!)

Did you get through them all without blushing?!