Back to Back

a cryptic puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

Solution grid
The word chain is: back-hand-cart-wheel-chair-man-handle-bar-bellpull-over-come-back.

Across

  • 1.
    SLOUGH: SLOUGH (double def.)
  • 9.
    PEON: PEON (anag.)
  • 10.
    LAMIA: LAMIA (hidden)
  • 11.
    FUN: FUN(k)
  • 13.
    CORER: COR(on)ER
  • 14.
    OREAD: O + READ
  • 15.
    DEN: DEN (hidden)
  • 17.
    TROUBLE: T + ROUBLE
  • 18.
    PARIS: PAR + IS
  • 20.
    EXULTED: EXUL(T)ED ("deluxe" rev.)
  • 21.
    JOSTLED: JOSTLED (anag.)
  • 27.
    DELPHIC: DEL(P)HI + C
  • 28.
    HEAD: HE + AD
  • 29.
    ORC: ORC (hidden rev.)
  • 31.
    GRAVE: GRAVE (double def.)
  • 33.
    AIDA: AID + A
  • 34.
    REALM: REAL + M
  • 35.
    TEEM: TEEM ("meet" rev.)
  • 36.
    SNIT: SNIT ("tins" rev.)
  • 37.
    SEESAW: SEE + SAW

Down

  • 2.
    LEAR: LEAR
  • 3.
    UNDAUNTED: UNDAUNTED
  • 4.
    GLAD: GLAD
  • 5.
    EMCEE: EMCEE
  • 6.
    LION: LION
  • 7.
    CURRIED: CURRIED
  • 8.
    KNITS: KNITS
  • 9.
    PHOTO: PHOTO
  • 11.
    FEAR: FEAR
  • 12.
    NEON: NEON
  • 16.
    CALIPHATE: CALIPHATE
  • 19.
    MOHEGAN: MOHEGAN
  • 22.
    DECALS: DECALS
  • 23.
    THAI: THAI
  • 24.
    SCRAM: SCRAM
  • 25.
    WHIMS: WHIMS
  • 26.
    EARN: EARN
  • 27.
    DREAM: DREAM
  • 30.
    IDEA: IDEA
  • 32.
    ART: ART