The Private Eye 644

[ltaddy]

18 down. *** off with mugging (8). I think it’s ‘steaming’ but not at all sure why.
Can anyone help?

[klazomaniac]

More info needed please.

what are the known letters you have?
E.g

?t?a???g

And how many letters has the rude word got in it/
Is it 3 as suggested ***
And what letter does it start with and end with?

This will make it more clear for those trying to help.

[Neveracrossword]

The asterisked word rhymes with 'kissed', starts with P. The crossing letters give S?E?M?N?

I've done this, am just providing info.

[ltaddy]

Sorry, forgot that bit! S?E?M?N?

[Mountainjoe]

The clue is: *** off with mugging (8)

Also, any help with 19d - Wanting beer brewed, a small measure (6) No letters yet.

[fiction-factory]

steaming seems a possibility
steaming can be PSISED and PSSied off/angry
steaming is also shoplifting by a large group of youths. Could also be a mugging perhapps.
And steam = muggy.
So several possible links

[klazomaniac]

s(w)earing

[aelmpvw]

19d bereft

[klazomaniac]

Oh. should look closer at letters given.

I'm off for a pint. Brain is definitely kaput today.

[Neveracrossword]

19 Bereft, wanting. Beer, anagrammed, with FT, foot.

The M in 18 D is definite.

[ltaddy]

Thank you everyone! That all sounds plausible. I will settle for steaming.

[goodgoalie]

It's definitely Steaming. Steaming is a sort of mugging on the London Underground, where groups of youths 'steam' through the carriages threatening and robbing from passengers