henry hook was american (and wrote american style cryptics, which are very similar to uk cryptics but have a few stylistic differences) also i'd say portmantea

henry hook was american (and wrote american style cryptics, which are very similar to uk cryptics but have a few stylistic differences) also i'd say portmanteau clues (and rebuses) are standard wordplay for an nyt crossword, they just unfamiliar to people who don't do that kind.