David Alfred Bywaters's Crossword Cavalcade & Fortnightly Victorian Novel Recommender. Every Saturday! Either a new language-torturing puzzle or an old novel by an unjustly neglected Victorian author. Why waste time on other amusements?

Crossword 174: Is It In Or Isn't It?

William Shayer Senior, A Halt at the Inn
William Shayer Senior, A Halt at the Inn

Like other hip crossword constructors of today, I ask myself that question over and over again, as I decide on each word:  not “will it be known to the average solver?” but “is it in?”  Only the hottest new celebrities, the coolest TV shows, the freshest slang, will do.  To be sure, the French painter in today’s puzzle died in 1665, and its “mild oath” was in use as early as 1815:  but they’re fadding—wait, I mean trending—now!

Download this week’s crossword:

174-Is-It-In-Or-Isn't-It?.puz

174-Is-It-In-Or-Isn't-It?.pdf

Solve this week’s crossword online:

174 Is It In Or Isn’t It?