Herculis X word.

[Bordeaux]

29d What is correct TYRO or TIRO in dictionary both mean beginner. Thank you,

[crofter]

Both are "correct", but I would take TIRO to be the usual spelling because the dictionary gives the full definition under TIRO.

If you look up TYRO, it refers you back to TIRO.

It would appear that tiro is directly from the Latin and tyro is Late Latin(!)

[dzug]

Does the clue give any hint or does an across clue provide a check letter?

[cheshunt]

Why does Mike Mepham do this to us. Last week's linked words is another example. MOSS PEAT or PEAT MOSS ??. I would say either is right but I see he has only allowed a variance with APPPLE GREEN or GREEN APPLE. Needless to say I plumped for the wrong option and put Moss Peat. Makes me feel like giving up. Anyone else feel the same ?

[dzug]

Perhaps it's deliberate to introduce an element of chance and reduce the number of correct entries?

[JRB]

My dictionaries (all 3) give TYRO as the first choice, from the latin "tyron" but "tiro" seems an acceptacle variant.

Cheshunt - none of the above mentioned dictionaries have an entry for "moss peat" . It's definitely "peat moss" though I agree that I had to toss a coin to decide between "apple green" and "green apple" the previous week.

I sometimes wish that the linked section of the Herculis crossword was a little more subtle - too often I can guess the answer from the link, rather than from the clue.