Twitter gets a foothold in crosswords

My first sighting of the word Twitter in a cryptic crossword was in 2009. A neologism in those days, any mentions of Twitter and related terms in the grid or clues used to draw comments from solvers. The blogger would explain that Twitter was a "microblogging site", with the understanding that for the typical crossword solver Twitter would be an alien concept.

As the social network has grown in popularity, so has its reach in the crossword fraternity. Crossword setters who use twitter find a new audience for their crosswords, while solvers get to see interesting promos of forthcoming puzzles, interact with setters and listen in on candid thoughts on crossword matters.

With this shift, the increase in frequency of appearance of Twitter-related words in crosswords is but natural.

Here is a set of cryptic clues of which the surface meaning is based on Twitter. Enjoy solving!

Times 24559: Bachelor maybe admitted going on Twitter (9) S_______N

Guardian 25057 (Arachne): Nick phone to make tweet? (4,4) B___ ____

Telegraph Toughie 690: Some upset by extremist in Twitter thread (4) W___

Times Jumbo 961: After church, one bishop posted a tweet (7) C______

THC 10048 (Cryptonyte): Delay surrounding broadcast of tweet essentially about cattle class storage (7) L__R___

…if you're on twitter, you can follow me @ShuchiU.

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