What is the wordplay that gives “son” though? Offspring shouldn’t be used as both part of the wordplay (i.e. synonym for “son”) and the definition (i.e. synonym of “scion”). Unless you’re going for an “&lit” clue, but I don’t see how the word “scion” has anything to do with Central Intelligence.
ISLAND (IdSeLlAnN [odd letters] + D)
Instrument hides Oscar’s crown (7)
CORONET = crown = Cornet with O hidden in it
Aliens turned a Frenchman’s head (4)
TETE
(Et et reversed)
××××
Shuffle, cut, deal, bid, gripe! (9, 6)
Duplicate Bridge. A very nice example of the wordplay functioning as the definition.
Partner swapping makes headlines (4)
Yes, I was going for four separate definitions: dub (to knight someone), equestrian (guy on horseback); gallant (chivalric champion); jumper (chess piece). But I realised “equestrian gallant” can be read together (probably more sensibly).
NEARING. N(ational) E(ducation) A(ssociation) + ring.
I sing of a drunk English sailor and a great one (5,5).
Ok, then how about this:
Drink to celebrate new dorm opening (3, 8)
Dom Perignon (anag. dorm opening)
Sprain relief? Take one. (7)
If it were
Sprain relief? Take one!
I’d say ASPIRIN (anag. sprain + I) and the whole clue is what you’re solving for
ASPIRIN is what I was going for.
I know a ‘!’ is often used to indicate &lit clues, but I’ve seen plenty &lits that don’t use them, and since the clue itself becomes pretty easy once you know it’s an &lit, I decided to not use the ‘!’.
Hastert, in retrospect, did a really bad thing (6)
SINNED (Dennis sinned; the Reader’s Digest version of the world’s longest palindrome).
Paul came improperly? My fault! (3,5)
That was Mea Culpa (anag. Paul Came).
They may be found on the beach, solving crime case (3, 6)
Ice creams.
HIJKLMNO (5)
Water (H to O - H2O).
Cuddle a baffled miser, or muddle a baffled Kaiser? (10)
SPOONERISM
×××××
Insane beat, molest unwary travellers—don’t’ go there. (5,5)
I guess I am too picky or too used to one style! I would have said there needed to be part of the clue that indicated this is said aloud, creating the homonym.