17D. Silly person chooses to split hairs (3-5). However there are 9 spaces. I have N-T-I-K-S. I thought that NITPICKS answers the clue, but doesn't work with 9 letters. Any ideas?
It must be nit picks. If the crossword is symmetrical have a look at the corresponding section to see which space can be shaded so that you end up with only 8 spaces.