Now I'm trying to work out if the timber/lumber distinction is a North American thing. I was under the impression they were synonyms. Am I just wrong, or is it a regional variation in terminology?
I could be mistaken, however I believe that timber is unprocessed such as felled trees etc. Lumber is after the timber as been processed and can be used in construction.
"To execute someone via mob justice" I had Stone. It's a very common last name and it fits the definition. It might be a prescribed punishment in some parts of the world but mobs have also been known to use it. I suppose it's not ranked 259th, but there's no reasonable way to precisely intuit that.
Though spelled differently there's a comedian in the US Jim Breuer who made a career off the fact that he always looks like he's stoned. Turns out he really is as dumb as he looks.
To be completely pedantic, a brewer is a MAN who makes beer. A brewster is a WOMAN who makes beer. The suffix "ster" denotes a female in the profession. A webster is a female weaver and, although the spelling is slightly different, a baxter is a female baker.
Can you allow a few more spellings for the fourth one, please?
I’ve always spelt it, and seen it spelt with a Y. I don’t want to list the whole spelling for fear of giving away an answer, but hopefully you know the spelling I mean. I appreciate the surname is almost always spelt as in the answer but the clue implies the spelling I suggested should be a type in.
I also thought lynch was specifically hanging, but it looks like this isn't always the case - learning a lot!
Numerous others
I’ve always spelt it, and seen it spelt with a Y. I don’t want to list the whole spelling for fear of giving away an answer, but hopefully you know the spelling I mean. I appreciate the surname is almost always spelt as in the answer but the clue implies the spelling I suggested should be a type in.