| Clue | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Overcomes uneasy formality (6,3,3) | ||
| Starts a conversation, or what the answer to each starred clue does to its circled letters | LA Times Daily | 03 Nov 2024 |
| Initiates a chat, say | Eugene Sheffer | 24 Oct 2022 |
| Introduces oneself first, say | Eugene Sheffer | 23 Dec 2019 |
| Cracks a little joke to ease tension, say | ||
| Cracks a little joke to ease tension, say |