3D Crossword Solution – July 2025

Clues and Grid by Sirius

Theme: Bill Haley (b. July 6, 1925) & His Comets, Rock Around the Clock (#1 on the US Billboard Top One Hundred, week of July 9, 1955)

Winner: Suzanne Farquhar of Reading

Review of the August 2025 3D crossword

A really odd puzzle this month. It’s a dial puzzle (as we’d expect from Sirius), but it’s turned on its side and deformed a bit, making it look more like an eel trap or… something. It’s also a large puzzle with 43 lights, including two long, unclued (and largely unchecked!) entries. There are some peculiar entry methods for entries. Additionally there are two thematic entities known only as X and Y which will play major roles in the proceedings. Where to start?

I hesitate to mention it, because few others likely shared my fate, but I had the misfortune of attempting to solve the uncorrected version of this puzzle back in December before the errata were known to me. I was mightily confused by the first few days (you know, where the errors were) and ended up mostly skipping this one in my Christmas solving frenzy. I skipped ahead to August, finished that one and went to bed. (I have yet to solve the last four months of this year so don’t spoil them, please!)

But once I had that corrected, picking this back up wasn’t so bad. First, we can determine the mysterious X and Y. We can guess that they have cryptic as well as thematic meanings. I usually look for the smallest clues using them to get a foot in the door and there are several useful ones here. Day 39 suggests an anagram, making X an anagrind and a suitable definition for GRANITE. Sounds like ROCK to me, but I’d hate to take that for granite. Day 16 provides a sly backup with STONE.

Day 3 suggests that “X and Y” is a thing and probably part of that definition. Day 11 looks like a reversal making SLAG from gals (that clue could’ve been a lot naughtier). So Y means reversal cryptically, which still leaves a few possibilities, but 36 strongly suggests we want ROLL and ROCK and ROLL certainly fits the Bill, so to speak.

Armed with that knowledge, most of the clues fall pretty neatly. I did have a little trouble parsing some of them even when the answers were apparent. I didn’t immediately clock “dark timber forest” as Blackboard Jungle (and was surprised when SLATE at 18 didn’t reference that). And it took several readings to be happy with 10 as a clue.

The vocabulary is clean and should present few difficulties. KINCOB is crosswordese but not unfamiliar. Being me, I would’ve clued KURGAN with a Highlander reference, which may have been somewhat less obscure (or not). GUSLA probably prompted some dictionary checks, but I guess a rock band could use one.

The thematic content was spectacular. Besides having enough ROCKs to keep a geologist busy, MAX FREEDMAN and BILL HALEY show up as well as a significant portion of the lyrics to the song that is our dedicatee. If you didn’t know it, the checked yellow squares weren’t much help, but if you realize that all these ROCKs are ROLLing around not dials but clocks in not a windsock but a Comet, you could land on ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK and may know enough to PUT YOUR GLAD RAGS ON and sing along: ONE TWO THREE O’CLOCK FOUR O’CLOCK ROCK…

This song was used as the theme song for the TV show “Happy Days” at the start of its original run, which is where most people my age probably know it from (being far too young to know it from the 50s). You won’t hear it there now in streaming because of rights issues, but hopefully it’s still remembered well enough for this puzzle to land.

With its strong theme, varied word length, clever cluing, and interesting — if perhaps unnecessarily complicated — layout, this is a real toe-tapper that’s topping the charts for good reason.

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Grid solution

Visual clue

A King chess piece gives the first letter. The rest are an insertion of one set of letters in another: The circles and arrows tell us to take the ends of GondolA and put them in URN. Together that gives:

K + (GA in URN) = KURGAN

Background image

The backdrop to this month’s puzzle is a path through a jungle by Darkmoon_Art (CC0 1.0 licence). The instructions are written on a blackboard, referencing the film Blackboard Jungle, whose theme song is Rock Around the Clock.

Clues and explanations

Thematic solutions are indicated with an asterisk.

Day	Solution	Clue	Explanation
1	OUTGASSING	45d Unacceptabbothle sagging’s not good — embarrassing issue of a heavenly body? (10)	embarrassing issue of a heavenly body. Anag (unacceptable) (SAGGINgS – g)* Many comets emit gases and vapours forming the tail, as they get near to the sun.
2	MOUSE	46di Quiet chap perhaps might play games with Mrs Slocombe’s pet! (5)	Quiet chap perhaps. Cryptic def. Game of cat & mouse ref Mrs S’s pussy (from Are You Being Served?)
3	MAX FREEDMAN	46AC,49C,52di X and Y writer; the greatest like Julian Assange 25.06.2024 (3,8)	X and Y writer. MAX + FREED MAN
4	HIC	47C Sound of theatrical drunk that would create minor problem with drinking vessel (3)	Sound of theatrical drunk. HIC + cup would make HICcup
5	CENSORED	48d X seed-corn cut like dark timber forest film in the UK? (8)	cut. (SEEDCORN)* Ref Blackboard Jungle (charade of dark timber forest)
6	FOUR X	49di What Australians wouldn’t give for anything else, how many times spelt out? (4,1)	What Australians wouldn’t give for anything else. Castlemaine XXXX (brand of beer) spells …
7	DRUM	51di Y torture without pause — skin stretched over barrel and beaten! (4)	skin stretched over barrel and beaten. (MURDer)<
8	TOTAL	54di Small child given a large sum (5)	sum. TOT + A + L
9	TITLE	55di Y the Spanish aerial expert (for Bristol C.?) is a heading legend (5)	2 defs: heading legend. (EL + TIT) <
10	RATTLE*	56di X lies after outburst from Arabian tribal leader and before Y in 9 by 37,20 and his diagrams (6)	X. Homophone of “sheik”, SHAKE RATTLE and ROLL (=Y) X=rock=RATTLE
11	SLAG	7AC-2,6di Y females to make a heap from metal ores (4)	a heap from metal ores. (GALS)>
12	STARMAPS	7up(torus) Y luncheon meat — peaches too — aids to a celestial disposition (4,4)	aids to a celestial disposition. SPAM RATS <
13	KURGAN	13di X rang UK from X pile in Mongolia? (6)	X pile in Mongolia? (RANG UK)*
14	IGNEOUS*	14di,12AC-6 X-type stated ex-genius has internalised nothing? (7)	X-type. stated ex = X (GENIUS)* around O
15	STAGGER	15di Astound X Gagster (7)	Astound. (GAGSTER)*
16	STONE*	5AC X Peter I? (5)	X. Saint One.
17	SAM SPADE	5up(torus) Casablanca’s Café Americain pianist — one that delves into Maltese birds? (3,5)	Casablanca’s Café Americain pianist. SAM + SPADE Ref protagonist detective in The Maltese Falcon
18	SLATE*	16di X Tesla — after clean, it will allow a fresh start (5)	after clean, it will allow a fresh start. (TESLA)*
19	SHALE*	17di-5 XX heals with quiet beer (5)	X. Double wordplay: (HEALS)*; SH + ALE First X = def, second X = anagrind
20	HALEY*	18di Regular visitor and orchestraleader? Yes! Both drop one seeingX and Y Jungle VIP reach the top? (5)	Cryptic def. HALLEY (comet) – L, also (Charles) HALLÉ – L + Y;  Haley has made regular visits to top 40 etc since 1955, and leads his own band.Ref Blackboard Jungle film (and a misleading reference to The Jungle Book!)
21	CRAG*	19di Short knee-length anorak about right for X (4)	X. CAGoule around R
22	PUT YOUR GLAD RAGS ON*	20C,26di-4,27di-3[6 o’clock] Suggest yogurt (without strong drink) to happy paper boy and dress for developed Lindy Hopper (3,4,4,4,2)	dress for developed Lindy Hopper. YOgURt – g&t + GLAD RAG SON. Rock’n’Roll dance developed from 20s/30s Lindy Hop
23	YES	22di-3 Y is Spanish X band playing Rick’s Bar? (3)	band. Y + ES (Spanish for ‘is’) Not Casablanca but Rick Wakeman
24	RUNS ON	24AC-2,23di Witters away fuelled by race issue (4,2)	2 defs: Witters away fuelled by. RUN + SON
25	REEL	24up-4 Film’s revolutionary vehicle — soundtrack’s why Lee Remick must get part? (4)	Film’s revolutionary vehicle. Hidden (part) in (LEERemick)< (homophone Y (roll) reversal indicator)
26	USE UP	25di,21AC	Deplete. USE (exploit) written UP(wards)
27	GUSLA	28di X Gauls — having one string to the bow (5)	having one string to the bow. (GAULS)*
28	GATOR	28d,45,50 Everglades resident — one to see later, not long (and not the greatest X argot) (5)	Everglades resident. Double wordplay: See you later alliGATOR – L & ALI; (ARGOT)* [&lit, example of R&R patois]
29	OYSTER	29di It’s said to have aphrodisiac qualities or is that a tall storey?  (6)	It’s said to have aphrodisiac qualities. (STOREY)*
30	PARSER	30di Solver’s cheeks in spin (6)	Solver. ARSE in PR
31	MOPS	31AC Cleans hair (4)	Double definition
32	ETNA	33AC-4 Y poker stake and make a mountain of 14 X (4)	mountain of 14 X. (ANTE) < Etna is made of igneous rock
33	A-OK	34C-2,35di-2 “A-all right?”“One’s fine”“Excellent!” (1-2)	Excellent! Double wordplay: A + OK
34	KISS [CURL]	36di-2,40up-3 One of these (4,[4])	Line of kisses in a curl, one of which is X
35	COAL*	37AC X, a jolly old one picked up in nursery (4)	X. homophone, ref Old King Cole
36	LIST	38di Y (as in log) through silt — exit? (4)	Y (as in log). (SILT)* indicated by ‘ex’ = X
37	BILL*	39di Soft pencil lead Sirius will be sticking out in Portland (4)	sticking out in Portland. B + I’LLRef. Portland Bill
38	IN A MO	40di[8o’clock],32AC-3 Amnio fluid in the twinkling of an eye? (2,1,2)	in the twinkling of an eye. (AMNIO)*
39	GRANITE*	41di Hard X tearing X (7)	Hard X. (TEARING)*
40	ONE TWO THREE O’CLOCK*	42up Unclued. See yellow cells (3,3,5,6)
41	DANISH	43di X Sandhi produces a roll of the tongue? (6)	a roll of the tongue?  (SANDHI)* 2 cryptic meanings: Danish pastry and Danish language
42	KINCOB	44di Gold embroidered fine silk round loaf from family bakers? (6)	Gold embroidered fine silk. KIN + COB (round loaf)
43	FOUR O’CLOCK ROCK*	49di-4,3d,53 Unclued (4,6,4)	Solution by reference to song lyrics reveals identity of X
Easter egg	ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK	A revolutionary work (4,6,3,5)
Easter egg	ROCK	X
Easter egg	ROLL	Y

Solvers’ comments

Got the theme fairly early on, which obviously helped a huge amount. Clever use of X and Y with the odd misdirection thrown in for good measure. Happy to see some new words, as always. There are a few parsings which elude us, so look forward to the newsletter – but overall an enjoyable puzzle. And Sirius has defeated us in the last 2/3 years, so pleased to complete this one. Thank you, Sirius. [CW]

A suitably innovative tribute to a cultural milestone. [NI]

Enjoyed this. A couple of unfamiliar words but gettable. I didn’t completely understand the instructions, particularly the hemisphere element, but that didn’t matter in the end. Thanks. [JT]

Between the funky ‘eight dials’ grid & some mildly traumatic childhood memories from algebra class triggered by all the Xs and Ys in the clues, this one was a wild ride! Giving it an ambitiously early shot submitting, but fully expecting to have to wait for those clever Hints & Tips for any chance a clean solve. Thanks, Sirius… you rock! 🤘⏰🪨 [MS]

I had a lot of fun trying to get any sort of foothold with this puzzle. It gave up its secrets slowly but ultimately very satisfyingly. [MH]

This was tough, even when the theme had been deduced. Was stumped for some time getting my glad rags on, not putting them on. [RS]

Sirius has lost none of his guile! [SF]

Some great ideas, but very belated corrections to the print version, after I’d pretty much given up in despair. [RP]

A real challenge to get my head around but a lot of fun once the penny dropped! Thanks to all involved. [JC]

Brilliant. Huge fan of rock’n’roll, really great to see Bill Haley honoured in a crossword. Thanks Sirius. [SC]

This was a fun, challenging puzzle! [DB]

A feat of setting indeed! [DR]

Best puzzle ever! Had everything, great theme, almost all clues linked to theme, tricky clues, obscure answers, higgledy piggledy grid. Marvellous. [SB]

My brain was frazzled by the torus and not having the answers alphabetically made it the hardest one yet! Thank you for the extra challenge! Not sure I will get full marks this time. [HH]

A tough one but really enjoyed it. Liked the theme but still work to do once that was revealed. An excellent puzzle thanks to Sirius. [GW]

Sirius at his most ingenious! Really struggled with day 23. [PD]

No way I coulld have completed it without the aditional grid explanation in the hints and tips. [KD]

Wow, Sirius, that was quite a challenge! As a newcomer, I was immensely grateful that this hadn’t been January’s puzzle, what an initiation that would have been! Once I got the hang of it, it was very enjoyable, some googling required and some laugh out loud moments as pennies dropped! [SB]

The diagram made me dizzy, but I liked that the thematic words also indicated cryptic instructions. [J&JH]

What a riot! Sirius on top form. Utterly brilliant, and revolutionary in its own way, in so many senses of the term. There were so many little clever tricks with X and Y I was still only getting even after I had finished. Some laugh out loud clues , and quite racy at times [eg days 9, 17, 29, 30], and appropriately so, as if also trying to reference some of the shocked reactions of the poor parents listening to this and losing control of their rebellious teenagers… I loved day 34, like a bonus pictorial clue to Frank Paul’s usually excellent one. [MS]

I got X and Y and the song quite early on, which was a big help. I found the grid a challenge but Hints & Tips came to my rescue there, as well as with some of the clues – thanks Nick & co! Thanks to Sirius for a most entertaining and challenging puzzle with a fun theme, and kudos for the inventive uses of X and Y. [RS]

This looked totally impenetrable so I’m surprised how much I enjoyed it. Thank you, Sirius! [JB]

The team and followers of my comments will know that this is not to my taste. Had not tried very hard but the inscrutability of instructions and clues led me to give up early in a busy month, but then I thought Hints and Tips gave far too much away too soon, so I did finish it off and am brazenly submitting. I hope credit is given in your prize draw to those who submit before Hints and Tips arrive (but of course if this is correct and I am out of the hat I will accept the prize with great grace!). Did I detect that Hints and Tips came round earlier than usual this month – perhaps because few solutions had been submitted? Is there a rationale behind the decision not to give clues in alphabetical order in what was already the hardest puzzle for yonks? [Clues in dials based grids have traditionally been given in grid order instead of alphabetically, but that will not always be the case – Ed] (I see even December has that advantage, it makes a huge difference.) Several clues I still don’t understand but I think it is probably right, time will tell in a few minutes. Thanks for the efforts that have gone into it. [EF]

Ridiculously creative (in a good way) – both grid and clues. [JG]

Well! I usually work from the printed calendar. I found the theme and many answers ages ago, but kept coming up with problems fitting them in. I reprinted the grid and tried again—still failure. Suddenly via hints and tips, I discover a numbering misprint. Reprint again and lo I can send in a completed answer. I like the use of X and Y. [MM]

The usual Sirius convolutions, not helped by: 1. Not having solutions in the usual alpha order; 2. Having the grid sideways — I realise this is to fit in the space, but the numbers could have been turned too; 3. Having the numbering start at dial 3 (or is it 4?). [That’s because dial 4 is a clock! -Ed] I was hoping the H&T might help with days 10 and 30, but no luck. Day 1. Initially I had no idea were to enter this. Some unusual anagram indications, e.g. 29 and 36. [MJ]

I enjoyed the theme but struggled with the grid. Struggled with day 30 as ironically I couldn’t parse my answer – then submitted and saw it straight away! [JC]

Phew! That was one of the toughest 3Ds ever! I don’t usually use the Hints and Tips, but this time they were invaluable in helping me to get my breakthrough solution at Day 22, after which I got “into the groove” much better. So thanks in abundance to the Hints and Tips Team. I bow down in reverence at the cleverness of Sirius in setting this complex puzzle, which after I had conquered my trepidation – and after lots of head-scratching – gave me a great deal of satisfaction – and indeed quite a few smiles. This parochial Queenslander from Australia really appreciated our popular local beer “Four X” – or “Fourex” (Castlemaine Perkins XXXX, which is brewed in my state capital) being referenced at Day 6. My last one in was PARSER, which I do hope is right for Day 30. I took the clue with me on a late afternoon walk with my border collie just now, and lo and behold, I had seen how it might parse (!) by the time we got home. Happy dog, happy solver/parser! Just about to press Submit but who knows whether I’ve got it all right – if not, I am really not sure I have the energy to go back and review it! P.S. So I got the reject email and went back through the whole thing twice, and I can’t see where I’ve gone wrong, so I feel very deflated now. I look forward to seeing where I’ve gone wrong when the solution is published. [JA]

Thoroughly enjoyable once I’d escaped the rickroll. [RL]

Like a mountain to climb. Cannot be sure if I have reached the summit! [AB]

That was a lot easier with the errors corrected! [AB]

😎 an enjoyable solve [DM]

I reckon it’s one of the most difficult that Sirius has devised – LOVED IT – but a miracle if I get it all correct 🙂 [RE]

Thank you Sirius for another masterpiece! Such good fun and a real challenge to put it all together. [AR]

Terrific puzzle and amazing achievement. A true delight. So many layers to this one – extra fun once the penny dropped about X and Y. Thank you Sirius. [BS]

Amazing puzzle, so much thematic material, struggled quite a bit to start with, but got there in the end. [MD]

A couple of clues were worthy of Private Eye or Viz. [RR]