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Obscure vault 99 (7)
help
It's the cryptic crossword discussion game. Tease each other with clues, help each other with the dailies, educate the beginners, whatever.
Hello all, I'm the first to post
I'm rather flattered that rab titled this game with my clue!
Whacking a bottle of champagne against the game*
I have one left in the Sunday Times, it's "Shakespeare's equal" -G-L. All I can get is "Egal", but why Shakespeare?

[rab] Did you finish the Everyman then?

*This is not a clue

Everyclue
[MF] Thanks to Raak's confirmation of the last, yip. Did it quite quickly, thanks to the clear clues (apart from that last). I've left it at home, but I can post the ones I thought were particularly cute.
Clue
Here's a clue for you (not particularly hard, but I just came up with it reading this page's description). Debate Sid's cousin strangely (10)
not quite every man
[rab] Had a brief glimpse of the Everyman last night in the pub, over the shoulder of a friend, as it were. We'd all had far too much to drink to concentrate fully but I did notice that 11 across wasn't completed . . . (4, 8) first word *might* have been 'OPEN'. It's been niggling me so please can you put me out of my misery so's I can get some work done? Oh yes - how do I hide text in here?
None
[Chalky] Open question (open = public, question = enquiry)Try this: <font color="white">Hello Chalky</font>
[Darren] Round American boy chatting? (10)
Shakespeare
[MF] The only thing that is ringing a distant bell is that Egal might be a character, not sure from which play. Or I could be barking up the wrong tree.
None
[MF] No, no, I think you mean Field event is back on for consideration (10).
Of course, what I meant to say was...
"Hell!" Swearin' about love talk. (10)
None
[Darren, MF (x2), CdM] No, surely that should be Talk about failing to show respect for soft furnishings, we hear (10)

Quibble : 99 is XCIX not IC, but let it pass.

Improvement
Cocked that up a bit in my haste, better would be Debate failure to show respect for soft furnishing, we hear. (10)
Blob's quibble
Well I was thinking along the line of ice creams myself...
Dodgy clues are us :
A new one An end to land-mines ! Her idea caused split (8)
Outdodging Blob
For example, good man left in charge of Queen, we hear, notes 509 very quiet flowers by the way, points at the Spanish sailor, and confuses the novice French model with account concerning dead woman's jewelry. (3, 8)
None
Blimey, CdM, there are enough components there to make eight words ! EG ST L IC ER/HM {we hear = sounds like} A/B/C/D/E/F/G(plural) DIX PP ST/RD N/S/E/W(plural) AT EL AB(S)/TAR .... and that's only got us up to the Spanish sailor !
I feel...
...a multiple definition, perchance?
None
Or rather, multiple devices.
None
Actually, I think it's a single cryptic definition, the answer being RED HERRINGS.
None
[rab] Very good! Although it is actually a strict Ximinean clue. Details: The last four words are the cryptic part (RE D HER RINGS); the rest of the clue up to "...account" is the definition.
Aha
I probably would have noticed that if I wasn't (supposed to be) working at the same time! In the meantime, this has reminded me of one that I've wanted to clue for a while:
This clue might be: "500. Precedes solid containing volume of mute's heart"
Whoops
10 letters, btw.
Ha ha!
[Blob] Division?
None
Player's second throw (4)
Dissin' Blob's clue
Re your dis-cushion: Can 'dis' be used as a noun as well as a verb?
None
[MF] BLOB, I think, hehehe
A clue I like
Here's a clue I saw in an Acorn User crossword in the early 90s, which I've always remembered. It's a long way short of perfect, but still, I liked it... Yalp? (8)
None
Poster confused near narrow road (6)
None
[Darren]PLAYBACK seems too obvious. [MF] Sorry - meant to say - thanks for help earlier
None
Could letters ultimately elucidate? (4)
Yes they could.
Although are you sure you mean ultimately? I once saw this clued as This is it!
None
Like this? (4-11)
[rab] well, yes, I was aware that was a flaw; I was hoping to get away with a loose sense of ultimate = end. And I want yours to be DEFINITION, but I can't figure out why.
Simile
Can't get your questioned simile just now, but I'm afraid your not quite right with mine just yet. It's somehow more in the vein of your magnum opus.
Burger king
My clue is wrong. Sorry, it should read: This clue might be: "500. Follows solid containing volume of mute's heart" (10) which might give a clue in its own right.
Self-obsession
CdM's is either self-explanatory or self-descriptive; rab's is maybe convoluted: vol & ut in cone; 500 = D.
PS. Do we really need hidden text in this game?
CdM's previous clue
[CdM] Possibly SELF-REFERENTIAL
Hidden text
[MF] Well, it might be nice for people who want to try solving something themselves after it's already been answered.
None
I was thinking of Darren's answer, but I think MF's first is every bit as good, which of course means the clue is flawed...
None
Doctor's wrapped up in umbilical cord
Ka-ching
[MF] Congrats. I tried to make it more so, but failed!
More clues
I didn't bring the Everyman, but here's some (probably) (probably dodgy) clues of my own writing that give a hint as to my preference:
1. Bug Her Majesty? It's the thin end of the wedge (5)
2. Small animal run over by learner driver (6)
3. It's a selfish pleasure to range before the King with the others in tune (5,3,6)
The last is my attempt at a Private Eye style clue.
Whoops, sorry...
...to complete my last: (3)
None
[Martha] What, on her first day?
Bug
2 above is wrong. Whoops. Try again:
2. Small animal said to be run over by learner driver
None
[rab] (1) is TAPER (TAP E.R.). Is (3) STRIP THE WILLOW? If so, I'm not sure why.

Pure French romance on the edge (8)
Twisted small mammal eats a chopped nut (6)

None
[Raak] Is the first one PURCHASE?
None
[Raak] I suppose the second could be TURNED but that would mean "red" was the small mammal... I suppose a "red squirrel" could work... also, RED hasn't actually eaten (fully enclosed) the chopped nut (TUN) so I'm probably wrong on that.
None
[Darren] No to both.
None
[Raak] Wow, must be a bad day for my brain.
Adjudication
[Raak] (1) Yes (3) No
Raak's second again
[Raak] Your second one; is it PURFLING?
None
[Raak] Sorry, I meant the first one, of course.
None
[Darren] Yes.
ahem
[MF]DIVISION was of course correct, wd. I'm a little confused as to what has been solved and what is still outstanding : would someone like to summarise perhaps ?
Meanwhile, here's the next Blobbian clue : Presume the leader is back in place (8)
As far as I can tell...
Unsolved clues include, but are not restricted to,
  1. Small animal said to be run over by learner driver (6) (me)
  2. It's a selfish pleasure to range before the King with the others in tune (5,3,6) (also me - and Raak was somehow along the right lines, but way off at the same time)
  3. Twisted small mammal eats a chopped nut (6) (Raak)
  4. Presume the leader is back in place (8) (Blob)
Perhaps no new clues for a while?

Meanwhile, a new Private Eye fell onto my doormat this morning. I'll probably attempt the crossword at the weekend. I do so enjoy the smutty clues.

Oh an a few attempts at solving :
[Raak] (1) PURLIEUS ?
[rab] (3) SPANK THE MONKEY ? If not, then Coat
None
Ah - sorry - I now realise that Darren had solved Raak's first (and that mine was wrong) - if I'd read rab's simmulpost then I'd've realised sooner.
None
[Blob] You're bang on (ahem) with rab's: SPAN (range) K (king) THEM (the others) ON KEY (in tune).
Red-faced
Sorry, couldn't resist it!
obscure times
Please can someone explain why [hidden answer] ENTICE is the probable solution to this clue 'Person bound to learn to sacrifice pawn and rook to offer temptation (6). Letters E_T_C_ already secured. [The Times Crossword - Weds]. Damned if I can work it out.
None
[Chalky] Here is the explanation: Person bound to learn=PRENTICE. Sacrifice pawn (P) and rook (R) to leave ENTICE. To offer temptation=ENTICE (straight def). There you go.
being shown the light
Ah - many thanks, kind sir. Didn't realise that PRENTICE was aphetic for APPRENTICE and if I hadn't been so lazy a quick peek in the dictionary would have told me that.
Eye Crossword 241
This crossword pretty much did itself last night, but I don't fully understand two of them. (Answers in square brackets).
  • Archer's thing? Yes, with or without dash (12) [BULLSHITTING]
  • US would-be persuaders of the continuing need for persuaders (3,5) [GUN LOBBY]
The former has an obvious main definition - I don't get the device. The latter looks like a single definition, but I just don't get it.

Meanwhile the same puzzle includes (8) (Geddit?) which should be obvious in the light of our recent discussions.

None
[rab] Re-archer: I assume the idea is that it is a double definition. With a dash (hyphen), it can be read as bulls-hitting, which is what archers do. Without, it is what Jeff does. And I've seen "clueless" done that way before, more or less.
Archole
[CdM] Thanks - I've got so used to reading 'without' as the opposite of 'within' I forget it can also mean the opposite of 'with'. Also I should have realised this: Cyclops has clued this word in this kind of way before.
Archery
I think that clue would be improved by being simply Archer's thing. Like the bust down reason example, it makes the entire clue simultaneously the definition and the cryptic indication.
None
Well, since BULLS-HITTING isn't a common phrase as far as I'm aware (unlike BULLSHITTING) you'd probably need to write it as Archer's thing? with a question mark.
a new one
The game is subintervention. Any clue? (7, 5, 6-4)
None
[CdM] How about OBSCURE VAULT NINETY-NINE?
None
Yup. :-)
a little late,
but a better clue might have been:
Hereby ruin sonnet? I'ven't a clue, sorry. (7, 5, 6-4)
Well, if CdM can do new ones...
Shouldn't be hard... Take on muse, upset as before (6)
None
[Darren] ASSUME.
The story so far
There appear to be seven currently outstanding:
  • An end to land-mines ! Her idea caused split (8) (Blob)
  • This clue might be: "500. Follows solid containing volume of mute's heart" (10) (rab)
  • Poster confused near narrow road (6) (Chalky)
  • Doctor's wrapped up in umbilical cord (MF)
  • Small animal run over by learner driver (6) (rab)
  • Twisted small mammal eats a chopped nut (6) (Raak)
  • Presume the leader is back in place (8) (Blob)
Perhaps some further hints would be in order. Mine contains a misdirection: "Twisted" is the definition part, not a sign of an anagram.
None
Raak's one has been bothering me for some time now. Some ideas I've had have been TURNED, TURBAN, TRUANT but none of them really seem right. I'm sure when the real answer comes up I'll feel really stupid for missing it. Some explanations of those ideas: I'd realised the "Twisted" misdirection quite early on. Presumably the letters of "nut", chopped (by which I assume anagrammed or split up or both), are in there somewhere, so it comes back to the small mammal. For TURBAN (and yes that's not a great answer for "Twisted") it would be "RAB" (heh) which could be a small form of RABBIT. Very messy, that one. TURNED it would be RED, which I covered above. TRUANT would be RAT, but is TRUANT an answer for "Twisted"? Still, Raak, if you'd be so kind, could you tell me if I'm anywhere near the right lines here?
None
Oh, and rab's "500" one was solved above, iirc.
None
Oh, and Chalky's is DARREN but uses a rather naughty indirect anagram.
Chopped nuts
[Darren] "Chopped" in this case means beheaded, rather than rearranged. The answer is a fairly uncommon word.
Solvent
I believe Martha's Doctor was also solved, by CdM if I recall.
mine, all mine
And the landmines one was also solved, by MF. And I could have sworn that some one had also posted the answer to Chalky's a while back, but maybe that was my imagination. I know I solved it and then didn't post the answer for some reason. So only the last three of Raak's list are outstanding.
Raak's one!
I've got it: it's VOLUTE, and thanks for the hints.
None
I'd like to have a stab at Blob's - is it THEORISE? (I wouldn't be surprised if it was wrong though.)
my clue
Raak copied the buggy v1.0 of my outstanding clue. It's:
Small animal said to be run over by learner driver (6)
None
Is Rab a learner driver? If so, I wondered if it could be RABBIT (that is, Rab-hit)... just me clutching at straws again, I suppose.
Provisions
No. It doesn't require anything outside general knowledge - although it could be a rubbish clue. There is a big clue in the amendment. The definition is 'driver'.
rab's clue
Been thinking about this one for ages now - the small animal combined with the learner might suggest the word: GOLFER - GOPHER with 'L' a driver is used in golf, etc etc. I'm having a problem, however, with the phrase 'run over' . If I'm correct perhaps you can explain the last bit of hidden text.
A commentary upon rab's clue
[Chalky] I believe you've got it: Small animal = GOPHER. Small animal said = GOFER. "Run over by learner" means insert an L, hence GOLFER, who drives from the tee.
None
[Raak] Thanks. 'run over by' as an insertion indicator is new to me, but the rest is much as I thought. Have we solved all the outstanding ones now? If so, before the serious stuff begins again, here's a little light-hearted diversion:
Be alert when one's aurally deviating? (5, 2, 4, 4)
Not sure of the technical term ...
[Chalky] Well I reckon that must be Prick up ones ears (or "your" for "ones" - but "ones" is commoner in Xwd answers).
Still my Presume the leader is back in place (8) to do. rab may well complain that the penultimate word is unnecessary and confusing, so you can ignore it if you like.
Coconut
[Chalky] Have a coconut! My understanding about the use of terms like run over is that it's ok if it could be taken in the intended crossword sense without too much difficulty. This might be on the edge of fair play, but lenience may be granted as it carries on the English language sense of the clue, and strengthens the misdirection of "driver" as a controller of automotive transport. Well, anyway.
blathering on a bit . . .
[Blob] Nice one. Have you seen this clue before? My late father was convinced he was the originator. I just adapted it a little. BTW - The 3rd word is 'YOUR' which I feel is more idiomatically natural ['ONE'S' is perhaps too formal?] and besides, I wanted to use 'one's' in the clue giving 15 letters to strengthen the anagram red herring.I shall now take a break from work and give some thought to your outstanding clue, unless someone has posted the answer while I've been faffing around.

[rab] Cheers. It was quite a relief to see that some literary license *can* be taken when indicating insertions etc. It would be awfully dull if we had to adhere to a strict list of accepted words/phrases. Cavalierism is good. Can we have some more clues? I'm learning lots.

None
Punctuation, endlessly one group (9)
None
[Chalky] Heh, I doubt you'd learn much from my clues.
(5,2,2,4)
I once saw that clued, in a book on crosswords I once read, as
Pay attention, or a new sexual perversion? (5,2,4,4)
A little help
If this was really a crossword, then you would probably have a few letters in my clue by now - so how about ...

Presume the leader is back (in) place (8)
_ O _ I _ I _ N

Answer
Well it's obviously POSITION = POSIT (presume) + ION (Iliescu, Romanian leader). The in doesn't bother me - you need link words occasionally and you get used to ignorning them. However you've exposed my pet hate, albeit one which I don't have time to expand upon as I need to go to try and reverse the effects of a weekend's drinking with a session at the pool.
None
I don't get that. I mean, I follow POSIT but not how you get Ion Iliescu from just "the leader" - is he the only leader? Perhaps this has some connection to rab's pet hate, whatever that is?
Ka-ching
[Darren] You got it! In order to avoid the Tippex® effect, I shall assume that everyone's had a look at this and shall assume that Darren and my reasoning is correct. The problem is that "the leader" does not define "ion". I know we often get "the girl" etc in crosswords but we simply shouldn't. As Darren points out, Ion is not "the leader" he is "a leader". So the definite article should be made indefinite, or dropped completely. The importance of articles in clues really should not be overlooked.

But this is only part of the problem: "leader" is simply far too vague an indication for "ion". You have no idea as to what kind of leader to look for, nor how many letters it might be. This renders any kind of investigation into what it might be utterly futile, leaving you only with 'presume' and 'place' left to hint as to what the solution might be. You could just about get 'posit' as the common ground between these two words, so the clue might just about be ok as a 'filler' where you can be sure that the solver will have got some of the intersecting letters. But as a solvable clue in its own right - I think we've demonstrated it's too vague.

So my pet hate is the use of overly vague indications for components of the solution. Vague definitions are fine: that's rather the point. Words with many different meanings are also fine: setters should ruthlessly exploit these as much as possible. Manley suggests that "point" for any point of the compass, or "many" for any roman numeral is too vague. I think that you can get away with this: there are, after all, only about 16 points, so your search is reasonably restricted. However, Manley seems quite happy with the use of "boy" to mean "DES", "SID", "TIM", "IAN", ... and about 3000 other possibilities which I find inconsistent to say the least. I try and avoid puzzles with boys and girls in because I know I'm not going to get those clues: the Everyman used to be very fond of this kind of thing, but seems to have bucked its ideas up recently.

In the case of Blob's clue, you don't need to stoop so low. Here are two plausible alternatives which I think make for a better clue - although I expect to be alone in this opinion.

Presume one is on location (8) (the 'is' might be dodgy' but we can maybe let this ride - the alternatives destroy the clue)
Fundamental particle gives up right to one place (8)

None
So, in all, how many outstanding clues are there now? I think it's just my Punctuation... one above.
Hit digits have winning card -- and French end self-congratulation (4,4,3,7)
Woo-hoo! I actually managed to complete Araucaria's Saturday Guardian outing unaided this week! Not much to brag about by the standards here, but quite an achievement for me. There were definitely a couple of weak clues, including one of those "girls" rab was just complaining about and what seemed to me a very dodgy thing about drifts, shelves and breakfasts. Happy bunny all the same :)
Boggles
[matt] Wow! I think I've only ever got a single Arucaria. Once. We are not worthy, etc.
None
Well the reason you're all making such a song & dance about the ION of POSITION is that it isn't ION(ESCU) ... you're all ignoring the "back" NO.1 back = ION, and I think No.1 is a reasonable leader.
P.S.
BTW I wouldn't dream of using Ion Iliescu, the Romanian leader in such a context without at least pointing to the country, for as rab says such clues are wildly unfair. I also agree about some of the other vague letter clues - one of the most annoying being "notes" for any of the letters A,B,C,D,E,F,G - If that's allowable (and it generally is) then you might as well allow "letters" and have all 26 !
Do's
[Blob] Fair do's. It was a practice worth highlighting, even if it transpired that you weren't guilty, your honour. But "note" is a single choice of 8. Unless you start including the tonic sol-fa I guess... so although I think this should probably be frowned upon, I would say that if you have less than about a dozen choices you're doing ok. However "boy" expands to a list that spans about 20 pages in my Crossword dictionary and should be banned.
Fair's fair
[rab] I accept your grovelling apology ;-)
Re notes - 8 ? Er, 7 I think ... and yes I suppose 7 ain't too bad. But if it's three such notes then you're up to 343 possible combinations.
Re names - well yes, but usually it boils down to just a few (Sid, Tim & Ian being the favorites) and names such as IGOR are usually clued as "Russian" - but in principle I agree that they are a scoundrel's tactic.
Eight-ball pool
[Blob] Depends on whether you include H, which is German for what we call B.
Hmmm
[rab] A likely story !

Anyway I haven't set one for a while - this one would probably spread over two answers if you know what I mean, as it is 19 letters long, and the max is usually 15 - but we don't have that constraint here.

They come in light, they punish harm - I embraced destruction ! (8,3,8)

None
[Blob] Rab is quite right, H *is* used in Germany (and some other European countries).
H
[Darren, rab] duhh ? So if H = B, what equals A (second time round ?) - or is it A,H,C,D,E,F,G ?
German notation
Germans use eight letters. The British "natural" notes A to G are represented as you so very rightly say above. B is reserved for B-flat. Apparantly it has something to do with a superstition revolving around the use of the letter B. However I suspect it is more likely due to the prevailing mode of the time. (And yes, I do mean mode).
Nota Bene
So it's A,B,H,C,D,E,F,G ... how sensible is that ? Anyway, I don't think a Xwd compiler who used "note" to mean the letter H would be very popular with his subscribers somehow.
Blob's last clue
I guess it is Seraphim and Cherubim ? Being an anagram of "punish harm I embraced".
Very quick
[Bb] It is indeed - I don't think you really had to ask did you - it was unlikely to be an anagram by accident ! I was actually thinking of them the other way round (simply coz. that's the way they are more usually said) but there is nothing in the clue to suuggest the order, so spot on, and *** for getting it so quickly - I thought as anagrams go it was quite tricky - but I seem to remember from the Cryptic Stations games that you have an aptitude for them. wd.
Wow! Singer has pork rump consumed by president. (4,4)
[Blob] Thanks, once I spotted cherub (more by accident), it fell into place. If I can get my brain in gear, I'd supply a clue. I seem to have lost touch with cryptics just lately. Haven't done a crossword in months.
None
Is everyone ignoring my last clue on purpose??
None
[Darren] I don't think so. I've just looked it up.
Punctuation, endlessly one group (9)
Mating
That'll be COMMUNITY = COMM(A) + UNITY or I'll pawn my shawl.
Still wearing my shawl
OK, time for another rude one folks.

Flatulence might raise the temperature when receiving head from call-girl -- coat! (11)

Not so much a shawl ....
More a windcheater methinks - (explanation : Flautlence = wind, raise temp = heater, receiving head (first letter) of call girl = C, inserted wind-c-heater)
Wow!
That was quick. Too easy, clearly...
How about ...
Scheming man outside a pod welcome inside. (13)
None
[Blob] It's MACHIAVELLIAN (MAN surrounding A CHILLI, all surrounding AVE).
None
Ten-ball (2)
Could it be . . .
[Raak] Are you refereing to Io, a moon of Jupiter?
Indeed it could
Martian terror. (6)
None
[Darren] It sure is - well done. I presume the pod rather gave it away, but I couldn't think of a reasonable alternative.
I'm beginning to wonder if the use of <font="white"> is really necessary - coz. once they're solved we're moving onto the next one. What does everyone think ?
None
[Blob] I don't mind either way. Here's one I made up last night:
Sound out the swimmer after a very soft introduction. (8)
None
Well, I don't mind if we leave off the <font color=white> business either. But until we get a majority decision either way... [Raak] It's PHOBOS.
None
[Blob] Btw, regarding your clue, it was actually the "man outside" bit which was the giveaway for me. That, with the scheming part, clinched it.
None
Here's another opportunity to get one's coat... Risk manipulating a turd, even (9)
None
[Darren] Close...
None
[Darren] ADVENTURE.
Phobos &
DEIMOS - Phobos being Fear rather than Terror. Nice dogs those.
None
The farthest dog. (5)
Coat at the ready...
Shower us or show us your bum -- it's a huge gas!
None
...(6)
None
[Raak] That's the spirit. Not in the right frame of mind at the mo, tho. Too many stochastic functions.
None
[Raak] I think there is a theme to your clues . . . . I know what the answers are but not sure how I get the answer from the Shower us . . . clue (unless it's a double sound-a-like).
Golden...
[Boolbar] The BBC-approved pronunciation puts the stress on the first syllable, to avoid the er, assonance of stressing the second.
on the same planet
[Raak] OK - someone has to do this and it may as well be me - URANUS - and, like Boolbar, I would also quite like to know how the 'URAN' bit works. I, do, however, have a hunch, that you may be referring to the practice of the 'golden shower' [which I'm not unfamiliar with] which points to the 'soundalike' that Bb hinted at, ie. 'urine' sounding like 'uran'. It is at this juncture, that I feel it may be best to continue with the 'hidden text' feature!
Raak's first above
It's PLUTO of course, which everyone probably has got by now.
Everyman
Have to say I'm a bit pissed off with this week's Everyman. Bird, girl and river clues aplenty... Also it seems that crosswords can sometimes be like bridges - if you get certain key solutions then the rest fits in around out. If you don't, the whole thing falls over. Maybe I'm just grumpy cos I can't finish it.
Clueless
Well, I'm stuck here at the desk for a couple of days doing tedious accounts work. My brain needs teasing. Is everybody on holiday or exceptionally busy or somefink?
A couple of clues I just made up, so don't expect wonders.
Flow around short length of first baffle (7)
Poor shape breaks into odd cabin (3,9)
[Darren]
First one's flummox.
and...
second one's Bad Condition
Here's a couple from me...
Headless garden pest - a negative in Switzerland (6)
Allowed evil empire with dreadful leader to hold a race (9)
Plez ring, an rnser is requird
1.) Gay sports R-R-D (though not 100% on the D)
2.) Formerly in Greece, young men the last to be hip, perhaps -P---I
[rab] Really? I thought it was quite easy this week. Or was that from last week?
[Big Dave] Permitted?
hmmmm.
[MF] You are correct.

Afraid I can't help with yours, apart from to suggest that Number 1) does not end in "D" - I have written out all the possibilities, assuming that the missing letters are vowels, and nothing seems to fit the clue. Number 2) may end in "phi" (anag. of "hip").
Sorry I can't be of more assistance.
[MF] I think your last one is EPHEBI - Big Dave was on the right track but it's "the last" (E), then an anagram of BE HIP (PHEBI). These are, according to http://76.1911encyclopedia.org/E/EP/EPHEBI.htm "a name specially given, in Athens and other Greek towns, to a class of young men from eighteen to twenty years of age, who formed a sort of college under state control."
Astute and helpful bear
[Darren] Thanx, that's the Sunday Times finished then. I'll send you a page of my new dictionary as soon as I've won it.
[Big D] Lugano - as in the lake?
Correctamundo!
I'll post a couple more this arvo sometime, when I can be arsed to make some up.
Clues I found which I made up some time ago. Posted here if anyone's arsed to solve them! Some of these are pretty old though.
1. A mad, mad, mad toy belonging to family of U2 member. (4,7)
2. Over the top? A Washington city found in Canada! (6)
3. Rustic walkway with shops, says Ian. (8)
4. Yard-arm (without my reconstruction) detects presence of other objects. (5)
[Darren]
1) Adam Clayton?
4) Radar?
[Again Darren]
2) Ottawa?
3) Arcadian?
I'd guess those are right, so here's one of mine. I'm not a great cryptics man, so my goal is merely competence: Ingrained bear of the ocean floor (4-6).
I note my pork rump clue went unnoticed. :o)
[Big Dave/Martha Farquar] Yes, all four correct!
[Hugo] Is it DEEP-SEATED, by any chance?
More monkey puzzling
"Maybe leaves ancient city in the Cape" V-R-U-E
[MF] VERDURE (maybe leaves = defn., UR in (Cap) VERDE).
Aaaaaaaaargh!!
Would anyone believe me if I said I'd just got it? No, probably not. How very annoying that is. Still, that's that finished, anyway
15 minutes later...
[Raak] Thanks
[Darren] It is, yes.
Flesh-eating crone follows pig draped in the Koranic verses (11). This is a work in progress, and an experiment for me, so see how you do...
Only flesh-eating crone I know is Baba Yaga - which doesn't help me but maybe it will for someone else.
CARNIVOROUS fits the length and what might be the definition, but doesn't appear to fit anything else.
It's something like ----COPHAGE or (more likely) --COPHAGOUS, I think - but the Koranic verses bit has me stumped, and the whole is (I reckon) a word I don't know.
Cop hags
Got it, it's SARCOPHAGUS. The COP/HAG part is at Wol suggested, and it's surrounded by SURAS, i.e. Koranic verses, except it's backwards, which there's no indication of. The definition part is cleverly obscure, I had to search for this to confirm it. , Koranic verses might be indicating SURAS, but SURAPHAGOUS SARCOPHAGUS
Oops
Ignore the fragments after the part that makes sense.
[Raak, Wol] Thunderous applause Good work.
A spot on the unfair side, I think; the experiment was in judging difficulty. If you hadn't got it, I'd have reposted as Flesh-eating Greek crone.... I do wish I could find a way to indicate the reversal of SURAS without losing the neatness and sense of the clue...
unfair ...
Hmmm - seeing as you say so, I'd agree. The English word doesn't mean flesh-eating (or anything like it); it merely derives from a foreign word that means that. Now, if the answer had been sarcophagous ... the clue could have been flesh-eating crone to love following pig draped in Koranic verses!
Plez cnoke etc....
"Paul's about to compile, going back into business for very little money abroad" -E-T-S-M- (Paul is the setter.) And I promise not to emit furious noises if you get it this time!
Piece of piece
[MF] I suspect it's CENTESIMO being the Uraguayan sub-currency. I except you'll be able to work out how to get there from the clue, so I shan't insult you by explaining it. Look forward to sitting down with a crossword later...
I don't geddit
There's an "EN" I can't account for.
Indeed
Took me a while to re-work out the logic: it comes from the fact that Paul's = MINE.
Having finally rediscovered mc5 ...
How about Scale back creature (6)
Blob...
Only thing I can think of is animal, not a common usage of "scale" though.
I think it works, but it's ambiguous. It could equally well be LAMINA by taking the clue the other way.
happy returns
Nice to see you back [Blob]. This game's lost a bit of momentum, what with you being temporarily frozen out - and rab peregrinating all over the place. Anyway, I left a clue a while back - which doesn't appear to have been solved. I think it's disappeared off the top.
Falconry
[Chalky] I'm not sure ever been accused of that before... I hope it's legal.
[rab] Great word, eh? One could imagine Kenneth Williams squeezing every last sinewy syllable out of it - much like the way he uttered his favourite word 'proclivities'.
Animal:laminA
Yes indeed either or both - I agree it's ambiguous, but in a xwd situation you'd soon work out which it was from the letters present - that's often the case with "back" - could apply to either half. As to the use of scale : The Concise OED has for "Lamina", A thin plate or scale - but I agree it's not the first word that jumps to mind for scale.
[Chalky] I'll have a look for your clue.
Whilst I know that peregrinations actually refer (usually) to fairly leisurely wanderings, the word always makes me think of the falcon - which is far from leisurely, being (how to start a arguement) the fastest creature on earth.
Sound out the swimmer after a very soft introduction. (8)
Would that be approach ( a pp (very quiet) roach (fish = swimmer) ) by any chance ?

It can make notes to change your beginning as a afterthought (8)

anna
Though it makes no difference to the clue - grammatically that should of course be an afterthought.
beginners luck
Blob]With several days without any attempts could you give a letter or two clue as if part of a crossword.
In the mean time I have had to retreat from the attemt at solving the crossword in one of the broadsheets as I became depressed in my ever worsening attemts. However, I seem to have found my level in one of the tabloids, as an example of difficulty of my daily battle here are two from todays
Wisdom of metropolis ending involved account (8)
Traits game shows up in man at court (10)
Needless to say when really stuck (frequently) there is always the 'Coffee Time' clues.
Inkspot's No 1 & No 2
Perhaps No 1 sagacity? That is, 'metropolis' = city and 'saga' being an involved account.

Maybe No 2 'magistrate' - an anagram of 'traits game'?

right right
Dujon]yes both are correct. In the crossword itself the one clue I was unable to complete I did not post,
"In a team, where one is kept if ostracised?(5) with _S_E_. With the 'S' from the end of "Very good apprentices, having these(7)"NOVICES and 'E' from the begining of "Passionately state (and retract) demand?(7)" EXCLAIM.
We went round and round in frustrated circles in the office. Till the anwer in this morings paper, the correct answer was ASIDE, because EXCLAIM should have been DECLAIM.
ACME kick myself apparatus at the ready
Just to keep rolling along, here are two from today. The first letter of the second clue gives the third letter of the first. (If that makes sense)
How active is the skeleton?(4-4)
Some artists apparently made it their life study(4)

But this one remained incomplete
Disadvantages on flinches from (8) _ R _ W _ A _ K
have you ever felt that the answer was on the tip of you tongue but you can't see the wood for the trees?

Inkspot, again
On the tip of your tongue, you will find the word KCABWARD - but that's because you're looking in the mirror (peering between the trees).
oh, and ...
Sorry - forgot to hide that one. I'm guessing that the previous two are BONE-IDLE and NUDE. Just to keep things going - one I haven't got from today's Times.
Daisy pursues man about town (9) D _ _ _ A _ T _ _
Simmul'd
[Wol] I was going to say "Think Cupid" for KCABWARD - I also agree with your other two.
D***A*T** is Doncaster - being "aster" for daisy after Don and c (circa = about).

As for It can make notes to change your beginning as a afterthought (8) ... here are some letters _ S _ L _ E _ _

Blob's
Sorry - forgot to say Yes to my clue ages ago. As for yours, the letters have certainly helped. Now I know it's PSALTERY - a medieval stringed instrument. PS (the 'afterthought') ALTER (to change) Y (first letter of 'your'). Does the word 'beginning' indicate that the PS should be at the beginning of the word or is it pointing to the letter 'y'?
*ting*
[Chalky] You are of course correct - and <hidden> The "beginning" was signifying the first letter of "your" i.e. the Y - The order of the parts was I hope implicit in the way the clue was phrased - once you get that "an afterthought" was PS then that would normally precede whatever the text of the PS was, if you see what I mean. <\hidden>

How about another (easy I think) .... a bit nudge, nudge this one !
Secreted when you hear loose woman is satisfied ? (7)

loosely speaking
Now - could this one be something like HOARDED? ie. sounds like 'Whore did'? . I will attempt to find a couple of clues to post - I appear to be all 'take' and no 'give'.
drawback
And so through the miricle of modern science the ACME kicking machine sweeps into action. Wol]yes and yes
Slightly pointless expulsion under ruling. [10]
Right tracks
[Chalky]Re Secreted ... Part of your answer is on the right tracks - but you're not quite there.
Latest Eye
Have - I think - completed the latest Eye, but can someone explain why Campbell's job: providing great copy (10) is SUPERPOWER. The other options that fit the letters are SUPERPOSES / SUPERPOSED which would make even less sense.
rab...
Surely SUPERMODEL is more apt, as in Naomi Campbell
A-ha!
Of course. Thank you.
Balls
Let's get the, erm, ball rolling again with another, probably easy, smutty one shall we?

Masturbate, fondling ball, getting excited to climax, as it were (2,2,5)

on the ball
I haven't been able to solve the Blob 'loose woman' one above - perhaps someone can finish the job? There's also a rather dull clue unsolved which I posted a while back.
and as for rab's ... SO TO SPEAK - 'Masturbate' = TOSS - 'fondling ball' = O - 'getting excited' [anagrammed] ending with PEAK = 'climax'. Definition = as it were. Well, you get the jist. Nice and sleazy. More clues please.
to the point
Chalky] I went round and round in circles with your clue, all that I could come up with was * ASTUTENESS from astute being almost acute but no idea about the "expulsion" part.
my strange clue
[Inkspot] Thanks for trying - no-one else has. Your answer isn't what I had in mind. It has occurred to me that it's one of those clues that 'could' be several things, therefore, not a very good one! If anyone else wants to have a crack at it, please be my guest. I compiled it myself and deliberately tried to 'crypticize' it, thinking I was being clever. Shall I post some letter clues?
chalk carvings
Yes please.
I was trying to post this last night when MC5 started to go nuts. Seed of the Greenwich time signal (3) In the meantime, Chalky, yes, do letters.
... and again
Slightly pointless expulsion under ruling. [10]
. U . . E . T . . .
Darren - Is it PIP ?
Chalky - yes. Is yours SUBJECTION?
I'll show you mine if you show me yours ....
Darren - absolutely yes. Now, as you seem to know about these things - would my clue have 'held up' even without the letters to guide the way?
Well, "slightly" for SUB took me a while to get. But that's just my failing! "Under" seems a little superfluous to me, though.
I think it works as a clue, however.
erm
Thanks - I see your point. But without the preposition, the definition would have been 'ruling' - which could be perceived as a verb, therefore the solution would have ended .......ING. Yes?
The fact it *could* be perceived as a verb is irrelevant. It's OK to be misleading in a cryptic clue! Just because the straight def ends in "ING" doesn't mean the solution necessarily has to do so, as long as it's still a valid definition.
Can I do one?
Here's one. Let's see how you go:
Attractive ribbon put to sound use [8,4]
GIII
That'll be MAGNETIC TAPE, I think.
This is shoddy, but it's late at night -
Poor man, since returning passport to province [8]
Need a hand!
Searching for place in England, bugger all good to vegetarians (7 down)
err... more clues please
[Noodle] We need the number of letters, not its position in the grid ;o)
oops
Sorry, there are 7 letters, and it is down, although I suppose its verticality is irrelevant.
That's the one...
[Wol] Yes. Is yours Manitoba?
GIII
I'd like to see your full deconstruction of that one - I'd be amused if it worked. But no, that isn't it.
Wol
Not in England as far as I know, but there is an Omstead County in the US. Not that that helps, but then I'm completely useless at crosswords.
Wol - I believe it's INDIGENT and here's why: INDIGENT=poor (straight def) As for the rest, man=GENT. passport (ID) to province (NI) = IDNI, returning (reversing) to INDI. "since" means put GENT after INDI. Hence, INDIGENT.
bravo
[Darren] word - and letter - perfect.
oops.
Silly me, mine was noodle's of course. If anyone has seen a mind lying around, it's mine.
Plez rnig
"One second and a half behind at racetrack" I-O-A. Not good on racetracks, me
[MF] Looks like ISOLA to me (in France). Not sure about the complete analysis, though.
top right
Could you help me out. Would you believe stuck on 1 across, this is all I need to finish off the top corner.
Reassuring, turning up to protect stronghold (10)
So far the letters are -2O- 3* - 4 R – 5 I – 6 G.
These are from the down clues
2. Result?Middle East has to support dismissed officer(7) O UTCOME
3. Deaf, backward Frenchman admitted being, in fact, renowned(5)asterisk
4. Poor skier reaching dead end took chance (6) R ISKED
5. Hanger-on coming and going depending on weather (6) I CICLE
6. Unusually largely built, it attracts viewers (7) G ALLERY
Hmmmm
[Wol] It worked after a gin. It doesn't now.
Inkblotto
I presume it's Comforting... Coming (turning up) surrounding (to protect) fort (stronghold)
Again hmmmm
And the asterisk one being FAMED - "deaf" backwards containing M. for M'sieur
It fits
GIII and MF]thank you for your help, I may be back :)
It's that time again...
"Framework lacking direction for satirical poet" S-L-T-N
picking the bones
[MF] The name SKELTON [the poet] springs to mind - as in 'framework' = skeleton, without the directional 'E' - but that would mean your letter clue is out of line.. Just a thought.
Ye speaketh true
...'cos it's ephemerae, not ephemeral. How very annoying. And well done.
Oh the pain...
Alright, this is bugging me: Speedy French money? Betsy is.(7) No letters found I'm afraid.
Oh.
Someone just filled me in: Mercury. Ahduhduhduh.
[Wol]
IMOLA racetrack :o(
[MF]
Duh :-(. But there is a track called Isola, too.
Everyman
At last! An Everyman I've been able to complete over a cuppa... not managed that for a while.
I'm jealous. Our crosswords are just boring trivia questions.
Mercury
Kayl] Okay i can see why Speedy/Mercury might fit, but can't see the relevance of the rest of it I am afraid.
Speedy Frenchy Money.
Quick Argent.
Quicksilver.

Betsy = Elizabeth
Elizabeth = Queen
->Freddie Mercury.

aaaargh !
Kayl - that is a really bad clue. So the answer isn't really in the clue. I hate that. Wherever did you find that one > ?
An utterly evil friend gave it to me, he swares it's from an American magazine.
I've been trying some of these at thinks.com... ouch ouch ouch. If anyone knows a site with some beginner-level puzzles, I'd appreciate it. :)
Anyway, this one stumped me: React badly when embraced by one scientist or another (14) -- the answer is BACTERIOLOGIST... the definition makes sense, and I understand 'react badly', but how does the rest of it fit?
Oh... I get it now. d'oh.
Throw away food in error
Answer: CHUCK OUT (or at least, -H-C- OUT). But why?
US slang
The OED's 5th definition of "chuck" is food. And if you're 'out' you might have made an error, I guess.
MF
Chuck = 'throw': Out = 'away': 'Chuck = 'food'(e.g. chuck wagon): Out = 'error' (e.g. misalignment) - Looks like a double bubble at a guess?
Don't think so; just 'chuck out' = 'throw away' (single, definitional clue).
Least favourite type of clue, again
Courtesy of the Everyman: Famous Soviet skater in bar accompanied by girl (7). I have R_D_I_A (where the last A might be dubious). Bloody girls' names again. There are, after all, only about three of them...
icing
Yeah rab - we thought it was RODNINA - the first name of a well-known Soviet ice dancer [maybe figure skater] - I think her surname was Tereskova [Sp?]. As you can see, the breakdown of the clue is fairly straightforward.
So over to News Review instead
"Oil is in lots of shiny metal" C-R-S-M (I'm thinking "Chrysom", but I'm not sure)
[Chalky] I have to say Soviet skaters are not my specialist subject, and Google wasn't being very helpful. I'm of the opinion that crosswords should revolve purely around language, rather than "general knowledge" but I seem to be alone in this.
Famous Soviets
rab] the answer is RODNINA as Chalky says, but it is her surname (Irina Rodnina -3 times olympic Gold Figure Skating) as observed : ROD = bar, NINA = girl.
MF] Answer CHRISOM. lots of shiny metal = chrome (less the E - "lots but not all?") IS is in it. Chrisom is a sacramental oil.
Yup, looks good to me :)
Well, I'd got the rod and thought of 'Tina' but it didn't cross my mind also to consider 'Nina'...
more clues
please :o)
Hokey
[st d] I shall try and think some up later.
Duck coop? (5)
Famous soviets
Thanks st d for Rodnina. However, I don't agree with your definition of CHRISOM. this means the white robe used at baptism. the oil is spelt CHRISM.
[Hugo Rune] DODGE? Double definition, but I'm not quite sure of the connection with "coop".
[Raak] On the right lines...
Rodnina
Grateful thanks for this - I'd hunted high and low for it. Everyman 2981 just makes the post as a result and maintains my record of managing to enter every one for the past couple of years (without a sniff of a prize yet, but that's not important). I thought 2981 easy apart from this damn Soviet skater clue. Your website added to my favourites. 21/11/03.
*blushes*
Wow!
In which case...
...we ought to up the pace of this game a bit... Let's see if I can home-grow a few clues while I have a wee break.
Here's some:
Two-foot tree? (6)
Precisely what a madam might say after intrusion. (4,2)
Closely watch Mr French atop a hill. (7)
(4,2) Bang On ?! [are you making these up or is that from Private Eye ? I find it helps to know where the clue comes form as well - eg if it is Araucaria that makes a big difference to the Telegraph on a Monday]
Two out of three ain't bad.
Haven't peeped in here for ages !
[Rabs clues] Not sure about the tree - but I reckon (2) is BANG ON and I'm pretty sure that (3) is MONITOR.
AH sim'd with st.d who agrees with me on No.2
Upmaking
[st d] They're my own creation, and you're bang on with that one.

[Blob] Both correct. Congrats.

Here are another three to be going on with ...
a) Stories of feet ? (7)
b) Gold deer managed church. Allow beforehand ? The opposite ! (3,2,9)
c) Ring first - ring around by Jove ! (8)
Is b) LET OR HINDRANCE... I think not cos I haven't managed to work the deer in...
[rab] The two-foot tree - PAWPAW?
HIND
Its a reference to The Goilden Hind I do believe and a very tortuous one at that. Well I have a pretty rubbish one that isn't quite right but I reckon could be gotten away iwth in an iffy puzzle :-
Digitally enhance fringes (7)
and two old favorites from the guardian :-
HIJKLMNO (5)
They meet for lunch (5)[_ _ _ T _]
Paws for thought
[Hugo Rune] Yes!
[st d] Please explain the Golden Hind reference.
Fingered by the fuzz
[st d] Your first is FINGERS. As you say, iffy, because the definition defines a different part of speech.
Golden Hind
Not quite Golden Hind. Gold = Or, Giving Or hind ran CE the rest is obvious of course. What about (a) and (c) I thought (a) was particularly straightforward.
[st d] Hah, like the alphabet soup. That'd be WATER, then. My duck coop was FENCE, incidentally.
rab
"digitally touches up fringes"? oh i give up. Its crap anyway. :o)
H2O Bang on!
blob] is it your go in chess ?
Nothing!
How DO you blank out bits of these messages? Or is there a webmaster with an mouse-controlled blue pencil? E2982 complete: are they getting easier?
Blankety-blank
[Jon] It seems so - dictionary required only for one clue this week.

Meanwhile if you want to hide some text you do <font color="white">X marks the spot, ah-ha me hearties</font> like this. If I was clever, I'd find a way to make it easier for you all.

Blank thoughts
[rab] Highjack some little-used HTML tag (strikethrough, maybe?) and jigger it in a stylesheet?
Blankety-blank
which doesn't work if you spell colour colour...
Blankety-blank
Youreallyshouldn'thavetoldmethat!
They Meet for Lunch (5)
is TEETH. I liked it anyway. :o)
Still to do
No-one's had a go at
a) Stories of feet ? (7)
or
c) Ring first - ring around by Jove ! (8)
yet.

[std] re Chess: I'll have a look

Not sure about those
...but the latest Eye is eluding me. Remaining are Time Out's opener on Heath: "Bore" (5) [T_T_D, which leads me to think it's T+O+TED, but none of the meanings of tote correspond with bore, as far as I can see] and Garland on "Learning to be a siren" (7) [L_R_L_I - absolutely no ideas here, although I'm wondering if siren is meant in its ghostly context].
The second must be LORELEI, from the letters. Ok, it works as Learning=LORE, garland=LEI (Hawaiian), siren=LORELEI.
He speaks to the moon, in song. (8)
My suitor left me to become a cobbler. (5)
[Raak] Thanks.
"Bore"
[rab] You're right - "toted" = "carried" = "bore".
Cunning
[Wol] A-ha! Was being too holey in my thought processes...
holeyer than thou
[rab] Bless you my child - for that, thy sins are forgiven thee ...
Helping hand ...
a) Stories of feet ? (7) * E * E * D *
and
c) Ring first - ring around by Jove ! (8) C * * L * S * *
[Blob] (a) LEG ENDS.
(c) CALLISTO - CALL (ring) IST (first) O (ring) satellite of Jupiter (around by Jove).
*ting* *ting*
[Raak] Spot on. Not that convoluted were they ?
Are there any left to be got?
Raak's?
Ah. Can't do them.
Hints required?
The first is O _ _ _ _ _ _ _, the second is a moderately obscure word borrowed from Latin.
Seeing the half light ...
[Raak] The first one must be ORATORIO [orator + io].. Quite straightforward with the first letter given.
I haven't had time to study the second clue, but is the definition borrowed from Latin?
[Chalky] The word means the same in English as it did in Latin. And of course, the definition is in the clue.
Another clue for the same word:
He'd waste away if sent back to the Soviet Union, but not beyond the last. (5)
Another clue
Poirot used to have someone back to make his shoes. (5)
And two more
"Nonsense!" we wrote back to the cobbler. (5)
Besides the dominie, the other learned man in a Scottish village. (5) (May require specialised knowledge, such as one of Neil Innes' novels.)
Here's another
Some understood the original reason, both at first and at last. (5)
I presume these are all clues to the same word...
They are indeed, and here's two more.
At last, the southern aristocrat has reached the door to Germany. (5)
Roust! Roust! At last! (5)
Of the eight clues:
one consists of just the definition,
one is an anagram,
one is an embedding,
one subtracts a letter from a word,
one uses initial letters,
and three break the word down and clue its components.
(These descriptions are in alphabetical order.)
Right, I geddit...
SUTOR, but never heard of it before
Correct!
Rare, even obsolete down south, but it may linger on in the Scottish dialect.
A new clue (for a different word)
Intended to hold final redistribution of money (7)
the different word
[btw Raak - enjoyed the multiclue]
Yes, MF, FINANCÉ [Intended = FIANCÉ, holding the last letter of redistribution = N,] fits the definition, but I can't help feeling I've overcooked it ...
*ting*
That was quick, well done. Didn't expect the Intended to be picked up so quickly.
In that case, how about ...
Uncommon Ale; one I digest (never my first) - and only very rarely (4,2,1,4,4)
I'm thinking it's ONCE IN A BLUE MOON but can't work out why.
A new clue for another different word
I meant to add this:
Hesitate about small business centre (4)
[Chalky] CO (small business) + RE ("er" backwards).
rab *ting*
[rab]Spot on; it's an anagram but with an M (my first) removed - it would have been harder (but still I think acceptable) to have not included the "- and only very rarely" - the definition then being the "Uncommon" which doubled up as part of the anagram.
Er ....
Hmmm - Apologies - I've just looked at it and seen that somehow I missed out the B - sorry, sorry, sorry - will check them better in future.
Nothing still outstanding?
It's not right to scry the lawnmower. (6)
He'll summon you for taking a bad grip on a faulty reamer. (4,6)
Raak's
Second one would be GRIM REAPER?
Sorry, it hit me straight away - I'll have a look at the first one when I'm finished what I'm up to.
Back again
Your first, Raak would be SCYTHE ?
Ruddy 'eck
*chuckles* I'm a bit slow - I only saw the connection 'tween the two after I'd posted my last entry.
... Is Raak hinting something ... ?
Sowing ....
The time has come for this one or Huw ! (3,2,3,4)
Running up to a mate ? (3-4)
Get memory back ? Now begin, cringe not badly - The aroma of a great game !(10,8)
(Boldly)
I think I've got the third of those... but I suspect we really need to solve the first two first!
1,2,3
I perhaps ought to modify the first one slightly ...
The time has come for this one or Huw - that's crazy ! (3,2,3,4)
Running up to a mate ? (3-4)
Get memory back ? Now begin, cringe not badly - The aroma of a great game !(10,8)
[rab,Blob] They are NOW IS THE HOUR and END GAME. I wonder what the third could be?
It looks like it might be Mornington Crescent.
None
*shouts, screams, generally goes wild for rab*
Whoops, didn't mean to be so bold...
*ding*, *ding* & *ding*
I think that's what Raak was suggesting !
Festive Film Fun
This is from a quiz list that appeared in our office a couple of days ago, we have managed quite a few.
See how many you can get before looking at the answers.

A Seasonal Christmas Quiz of 100 Cryptic Film Tiltles
1. Mallard Minestrone Duck Soup 2. Yeti's writing fluid Monster's Inc.
3. Becky's grown up Rebecca 4. Bowling lane, but how's it spelt? Ali
5.Hope this doesn't keep you awake at night? A Nighthare on Elms Street 6. Welsh emblem finised its book? Red Dragon
7. Definite measure of plural time? End of Days 8. Overtaking on the Motorways? Life in the Fast Lane
9. I'm sure I've got one of these on my computer! (Don't feed them after midnight) Gremlins 10. Where debutante yetis go? Monster's Ball
11. Coloured eye zone. Iris 12. How old is this popsicle? ?
13. Not The Bad Boy, but... Good Fellas 14. Continue, little Cleopatra! Carry on Cleo.
15. Initial letters of this family car game. See? ISPY 16. Staay out of sight. Also catch up on the darning. Lilo and Stitch
17. Seventies teen mag joins a dark tan. ? 18. One of these is this; Countdown. Catchphrase. ?
19. Fast train in the middle of the night. Midnight Express 20. Collectively, they have no vices. ?
21. Local transport firm in the spotlight? ? 22.Tempted to do this to annoying parent en route from Swindon to Paddington? Throw Mama from the Train
23. Desert hero definetely not empty. The Full Monty 24. Not "Cat Night Morning". but... Dog Day Afternoon
25. Egglayer Sprint Chicken Run 26.Limited Liabliity Joint Stock________definetely belongs to Midlands FC A Company of Wolves
27. Head of hockey team meets life liquid Captain Blood 28. Tiny, huge adult male. Little Big Man
29. Slapped your lunar body. Moonstruck 30. Offspring of G.W.R. Workforce? Definitely. The Railway Children
31. Azure homocide at infamous girls' seat of learning. Blue Murder at St. Trinians 32. Singular gorgeous brain. A Beautiful Mind
33. Remaining group members. ? 34. Direction of falling raptor who's the opposite of white Black Hawk Down
35. Mr "London Bridge" in the Good Life meets Dr "Mac" in Doctors Jerry MacGuire 36. Little Henry isn't deep Shallow Hal
37. Yankee trousers go with lightning ? 38. Curve definite item in mannerof celeb. Footie star. Bend it Like Beckham
39. Definitely a film for Mr Straw's donkey Jackass the Movie 40. Bugs can't get through this boundary ?
41. Give wrestling area a call? Rings 42. Scorpio's creature is dfinitely a ruler. Scorpion King
43. Half of this clue goes with a Beast. The other half is a colour Black Beauty 44. Cry from a children's game It
45. Definitely pop me one of these to relive my teens! ? 46. Summon E.R.'s Dr. Noah. Get Carter
47. Lucky number of days in the week. 7 48. Another E.R. clue. Where's the hospital? St. Elsewhere
49. Similar to short Micheal Just Like Mike 50. Light black is spelt the American way with Miss Church Charlotte Gray
51. Sandy Mound Dune 52. What comes between answer 51 and the water The Beach
53. Elephant General Hannibal 54. Initially an apple and an Indian A.I.
55. Introduce a controlled water source to a backbone This is Spinal Tap 56. 'Allo, 'Allo parody nation make the link French Connection
57. Volume of this on London Bridge Jerry Trraffic 58.Clue 56's Twix and Mars bars Chocolat
59. Bards proclamation of deep affection Shakespeare in Love 60. Little Laaady haas finish delayed ?
61. Keegan and Fred the sportsmen travel on a big scale Kevin and Perry Go Large 62. Eg Jets and Sharks Gangs of New York
63. Heroic Organ Braaveheart 64. T.S. Meets The Kid...(wot, the 'ell) Billy Elliot
65. Mad peanut butter is definitely this scientific lecturer. The Nutty Proffessor 66. What is left before nightfall ?
67. Definitely a faultless direct attack by troops ? 68. This particular Dartington is not light stuff ?
69. Tell me a secret in Los Angeles L.A. Confidential 70. Sight organs aren't so narrow or open Eyes Wide Shut
71. Rodent marathon for instance Rat race 72. Development of a different type of race ?
73. Mr. Web Spiderman 74. Howard Carter was one of these (officially) Tomb Raider
75. Traditionally a baby girl definitely gets one of these at the font. ? 76. Part of Chaucer's pilgrimage epic (Just the one) A Knights Tale
77. It rains like this, yap,yap, miaow Cats and Dogs 78. Heavenly ice-cream ?
79. Singular mathematical formula ? 80. Take first person, singular from shriek Shrek
81. Before the House of Hanover, it wasn't huge. ? 82. Adds their autographs. Signs
83. Initially needs to 'phone home' ET 84. Tony the Frosties star bends his knees. Pete's Disney pet is out of sight Crouching Tiger, Hidden Lion
85. Goldilocks' middle sized bear definitely comes back The Mummys Return 86. Timely catastrophe Apocalypse Now
87. Insects with a letter error. Bugz 88. Wiltshire folktale features misguided lunar image capture. Just 1. Moonraker
89. Mot a majority feedback Minority Report 90. Add together every dread ?
91. This vast, portly nuptial celebration in Athens, is mine My Big Fat Greek Wedding 92. Do these members of a football team belong to the sea perhaps? Ocean 11
93. Anxious kitchen for example Panic Room 94. Definitely named when one enters the world. ?
95. 33rd American President stages solo performances, just once? The Truman Show 96. Magnetic direction alongside 45 degrees less Nort by North West
97. Sesame Steet's vampire belongs to Jesus' mountain whatever the language The Count of Monte Christo 98. Definitely employment for Mario. The Italian Job
99. The full snake joins the elusive clerical goblet Monty Python and the Holy Grail 100. Is the contents of the book relating to the man-child ?
Films
I'm as far from a film buff as one might possibly get, however, how about four of them?
79: "Big Bang"
81: "Stuart Little"
90: "Fearsome"
94: "Birth"
One more
A bit of a long shot:
66: The Sinister Shadow?
Sorry, I intended to put those in 'white' ... Hides head in shame
frustration
Sorry to drag this mouldy old game out of the cupboard, but I'm stuck on 3 clues in today's Grauniad and may go insane if I don't at least air them. It's by Bunthorne, in case anyone knows the setters well enough for that information to help (I don't, though I know I like some better than others).

27 Across: Backhanders part of this player's service? (9) S _ * _ * _ E _ R
23 Down: The pen of Zeus? (4) _ E _ *
24 Down: She's between borrower and lender (4) _ O _ *

(The asterisks mark the points of intersection, in case that's not totally obvious.)

24 Down
"NORA"? As in neither a borrower nor a lender be?
23 Down
I was thinking of "AURA" (Zeus turned her into a fountain) but apart from being somewhat of a stretch it would muck up your 'E'.
27 Across
"SCRIVENER"? Anagram of 'service' and 'RN' - the latter being the 'senior service' and a type of cigarette produced by Players. Convoluted? Backhander/Bribe/Broker/Scrivener ??? Dunno. Anyway, again, it'll muck up your 'E' in this one too. I shall retire.
Doncha just hate it?
Why am I confusing myself and attacking clues about which I know sweet bugger all? 23 Down could be "LEDA" ... If I recall correctly Zeus diguised himself as a swan to seduce her - which would make her a pen?

That would blow 'Scrivener' out of the water which, given the 'E' conflict sounds reasonable.

      L   N            
  E O    
  D R    
SHAMATEUR
         
         
         

Got the beggars - I think. ... :-/

All correct, I think. NORA came to me in the night, and I'd actually considered LEDA but not added it up right and gone off on some other tangent. I would never have had any hope of getting SHAMATEUR, a word I don't think I've ever encountered before. It doesn't appear in my (somewhat old) Collins English Dictionary, for example, although it does turn out to be the only result of egrep ^s.a.a.e.r$ /usr/share/dict/words.

Anyway, thank you: not only insanity avoided, but a new word learned as well. I shall be forever trying to find excuses to use it in conversation :)

These days, matt, the oportunities would be few and far between. I remember the word being used fairly frequently in days gone by - mainly to do with Olympic Games competitors and Rugby Union players in the days when all participants were supposed to be amateurs. Whilst the meaning of the word is pretty much obvious, as is its etymology, I'm not sure when it was coined. One source (Allwords.com) indicates the late 19C. The dictionary I have here in the workshop (Penguin) is of no assistance.
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