Question 1

What does the cryptic crossword clue "SLUG NEWS? They can reduce friction (12)" mean?

Accepted Answer

The definition is "They can reduce friction". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). BALL (synonym="ammunition known as a slug is shaped like a BALL") + BEARINGS (synonym="I can’t find a dictionary or Thesaurus that directly links BEARINGS and news. I think this may relate to the phrase ‘I come BEARING tidings of great joy’, but that is BEARING being defined in the sense of bringing news, not as news itself") = BALLBEARINGS The answer is BALLBEARINGS.

Question 2

What is the answer to "SLUG NEWS? They can reduce friction (12)"?

Accepted Answer

The answer is BALLBEARINGS.