Charlie's Many Avatars

Charlie is a very useful word for cryptic crossword setters. It can stand for:

1. A foolish, credulous person
   Times 23798: Charlie seeks articles in fashion (7) FATHEAD
                        A & THE (articles) in FAD (fashion)

2. The drug Cocaine
   Guardian 24378 (Arachne): Cocaine, crack and lithium finally ruin movie star (7,7) CHARLIE CHAPLIN
                                           CHARLIE (cocaine) CHAP (crack) Li (Lithium) N (finally 'ruiN') 

3. The letter C – Charlie is the code for C in the radio alphabet
   Guardian 24525 (Chifonie): Boat for Charlie to deliver (6) CUTTER
                                            C (Charlie) UTTER (deliver)

4. A man's name. Usually a famous person like Parker (Charlie Parker, the American jazz saxophonist), Chaplin (the English comic actor) or a Charles from the British nobility, such as Charles Edwards Stuart  (also known as known as Bonnie Prince Charlie).

   Guardian 24936 (Brummie): Lost keys for Charlie’s temporary refuge (4) SKYE (KEYS)*
   Refers to Charles Edwards Stuart who took refuge in the Isle of Skye.

In barred grid cryptics that use lesser-known word meanings, Charlie could even be a nightwatchman (obsolete), a moustache or a fox. An example:

Azed 1975: Charlie (old-fashioned), near so-and-so, can, protecting Her Majesty (13) NIGHTWATCHMAN
                 NIGH (near) TWAT (so-and-so), CAN around HM

Solve These

THC 2491: Charlie on straight and narrow? (9)
Guardian 24175 (Paul): He won something sweet, far more than a can of coke! (7,6)
Times 23912: Charlie upset love wearing novel footwear (7)

Related Posts:

• Many Aspects of "About"
• The meaning of "American"
• How How is Barrow
• The Drug E

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