An Updated Cryptic Acrostic from Minch Quiz

Answer: suitable

First off, let's consider the introductory hint. Escort past unruly onlookers has the key word unruly to indicate that it is an anagram. Since we need ten letters, it makes sense to rearrange the letters of ESCORT PAST to create a word meaning onlookers, and we will know the first letter of each answer. This gives SPECTATORS, so the answer to Q1 begins with S.

This is a pun, meaning that at least part of the answer involves the use of a word with two meanings. A SUIT is a kind of outfit, and Cain's brother in the Bible is Abel, which sounds like ABLE. Putting them together we get suitable, which is something appropriate.

Answer: paste

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q2 begins with P.

The indicator word defective suggests an anagram. While the letters of stick can be rearranged to make another word (ticks), it does not relate to the other half of the clue, and it doesn't start with P. However, tapes can be rearranged to form the word PASTE, and that relates to the word stick, as you can use paste to stick two pieces of paper together.

Answer: Erratic

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q3 starts with E.

The indicator hid suggests that this may be a question where the answer is actually to be found within the clue, or it may indicate that two words are combined so that the letters of one are written around the other word. That is what works here.

Knowing that the answer starts with E makes it easier to identify the red Norseman as ERIC the Red; we need a rodent to put inside his name to produce a word meaning unpredictable, and a RAT works nicely.

Answer: Cuban

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q4 starts with C.

The indicator in this clue is with - suggesting that two bits are to be put together to form a larger word defined by the remainder of the clue. A little bear is a CUB; joining the letters AN gives a word that describes one who lives in (or comes from) Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean Sea.

Answer: Throw

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q5 starts with T.

This clue provides two different meanings of the word which is the answer. As a verb, to throw something is to fling it or toss it. As a noun, a small decorative pillow is called a throw pillow; a throw rug can be either a small piece of carpeting that covers only a portion of a floor or a decorative blanket that is placed over the lap to keep one's legs warm. All of these are often just called a throw, with the exact meaning made clear from the context.

Answer: allowed

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q6 starts with the letter A.

With no other indicators, this clue seems to require us to find two small words that can be combined to make a word defined by the rest of the clue. In this case, the larger word is defined first, and the two smaller words follow. Everyone suggests ALL, and if you were in debt, you OWED money to someone.

The word allowed can mean permitted (we allowed the children to play in the street), or it can mean admitted (he reluctantly allowed that this was a poor decision).

Answer: thumb

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q7 starts with the letter T.

The indicator content suggests that we are looking for a hidden word, whose meaning fits another part of the clue. Starting with each T, only one works - wiTH UMBrella gives the word thumb, which is a colloquial expression to describe the act of hitchhiking, requesting a free ride from a passing vehicle.

Answer: ordeals

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q8 starts with the letter O.

The indicator drunken suggests an anagram, so we need to rearrange the letters of one or more words to make a word that is defined by the remainder of the clue. While undergo and painful both have seven letters, their letters cannot be anagrammed to form a new word that fits the overall clue, which makes loaders the candidate. Rearranging to form a word that starts with O can give us ORDEALS, which can be considered to be a type of unpleasant experience.

Answer: raise

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q9 starts with the letter R.

The indicator 'we hear' suggests that we are looking for homophones - words that sound the same but are spelled differently - suggested by the first two words. To lift something can be to RAISE it; to RAZE something is to completely destroy it; beams of light can be called RAYS. Since the answer has five letters, only raise fits.

Answer: stayed

From the introductory clue, the answer to Q10 starts with the letter S.

The indicator reportedly again suggests that we are looking for homophones. Something that remained can be said to have STAYED. Someone described as STAID has a serious and solemn manner. Since the answer has six letters, only stayed fits.