At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkative

Archive answer — July 18, 2026

9 Across

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Clue explained

“GASSY” is the published 5-letter fill for 9 Across. Use the crossing letters in the grid below to verify how it fits.

Clue type:
Crossword fill

Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword

This clue’s Saturday, July 18, 2026 appearance

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Crossword solution grid

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Across

8 clues
  1. 4Selfish concierge to (mostly) reform
  2. 8Versatile umpire that shows some guts
  3. 9At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkativeGASSY
  4. 10For the audience, checks pavement edges
  5. 12What you use to dry fluttering owlets, largely
  6. 14Sample from calypso, largely describing the sun
  7. 15Touring Melton, scratching bottom, finding somewhere to stay
  8. 16Paper, pencils etc not moving, we hear

Down

10 clues
  1. 1Steffi, Chris and Martina, in opening stages, needing racket
  2. 2One who’s honoured after day ends, did you say?
  3. 3A little pachyderm is feeling uncomfortable
  4. 5On the radio, ape is member of armed militia
  5. 6Missing tail, sewer rat on tour in liquid with distinctive smell
  6. 7First of all, sonny, install new kitchen fixture for washing-up
  7. 11Not finishing braised bananas somewhere in the Balkans
  8. 13Relax with some icelollies
  9. 14For starters, serving of salad onions is acceptable
  10. 15Locks, in a stable, chief that can be heard

Crossword clues, hints, and answers

Every clue links to a dedicated answer page. Use the list below to scan the complete fill without opening the interactive board.

Across

  1. 4. Selfish concierge to (mostly) reform

    Answer: EGOCENTRIC

  2. 8. Versatile umpire that shows some guts

    Answer: ILEUM

  3. 9. At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkative

    Answer: GASSY

  4. 10. For the audience, checks pavement edges

    Answer: KERBS

  5. 12. What you use to dry fluttering owlets, largely

    Answer: TOWEL

  6. 14. Sample from calypso, largely describing the sun

    Answer: SOLAR

  7. 15. Touring Melton, scratching bottom, finding somewhere to stay

    Answer: MOTEL

  8. 16. Paper, pencils etc not moving, we hear

    Answer: STATIONERY

Down

  1. 1. Steffi, Chris and Martina, in opening stages, needing racket

    Answer: SCAM

  2. 2. One who’s honoured after day ends, did you say?

    Answer: KNIGHT

  3. 3. A little pachyderm is feeling uncomfortable

    Answer: ACHY

  4. 5. On the radio, ape is member of armed militia

    Answer: GUERRILLA

  5. 6. Missing tail, sewer rat on tour in liquid with distinctive smell

    Answer: ROSEWATER

  6. 7. First of all, sonny, install new kitchen fixture for washing-up

    Answer: SINK

  7. 11. Not finishing braised bananas somewhere in the Balkans

    Answer: SERBIA

  8. 13. Relax with some icelollies

    Answer: LOLL

  9. 14. For starters, serving of salad onions is acceptable

    Answer: SOSO

  10. 15. Locks, in a stable, chief that can be heard

    Answer: MANE

The answer to “At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkative” in the Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword is GASSY — a 5-letter word. It appears in our available data for July 18, 2026 at 9-Across. Below you can reveal the fill one letter at a time, check the full puzzle, and open every related clue page.

“At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkative” answer

GASSY(5 letters)

Prefer a nudge first? Use the letter tiles above to hide and reveal individual characters, or use the focused grid to confirm the crossing letters.

Why does GASSY fit?

GASSY is the published 5-letter answer at 9-Across. The highlighted path in the puzzle shows exactly where the entry sits.

When else has “At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkative” appeared?

The same clue can return on another date, sometimes with a different fill. These are the matching appearances in the recent published records available through the Answers API.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “At the beginning, given a second shandy, you’re talkative”?

The answer is GASSY.

How many letters are in the answer?

5 letters: GASSY.

When did this clue appear?

It appears in the Guardian Quick Cryptic Crossword for July 18, 2026 at 9-Across.

Can this clue have a different answer?

Yes. Crossword clues may be reused with a different fill depending on the grid. Recent matching appearances are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day’s answers?

Open the Guardian Quick Cryptic answers page for July 18, 2026 for the full grid and every clue.

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