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Irish Times Crossword (Crosaire)

17891113

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 167 ✭✭stepinnman


    Laurent wrote: »
    I am humbled ! After my success yesterday, and thinking that someone other than Crosaire had set the x-word, to day I have regressed to the point that I have to agree that this one was from the pen of the master! I managed 8, and most of them had (?) after them. I will continue to practice, and try and get a bigger dictonary. Still looking for the meaning of "lambent" !

    I actually could barely do yesterdays Crosaire and got all but 4 today in one sitting! In fairness I was sitting at Sean Dunnes Planning Appeal all day so I had plenty of time to concentrate!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    Bothyhead, thank you yery much for your information concerning dictonaries. It looks as if Amazon will be hearing from me.
    As to nationality, I have the best of both worlds, -- Irish based in France ! Though I do miss the wit and humour of Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    Laurent, I was just looking that sample dictionary pages that I linked the other day. On screen the typeface look a bit blotchy, or perhaps a bit dark. I can assure you that they are perfect in the physical books.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    I thought that Saturday's was quite straightforward aside from 22a which I guessed correctly as ASSEGAI - some sort of African spear. There were a troubling number of clues without definitions thought which slowed things down a bit.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    8a -
    FAMILIAR
    9a -
    OTHERS
    10a -
    MADCAP
    11a -
    UNSORTED
    12a -
    CEDARS
    13a -
    HALIBUTS
    15a -
    OATS
    17a -
    BASKING
    19a -
    PRESIDE
    22a -
    EASE
    24a -
    DIAMONDS
    27a -
    DILATE
    29a -
    UNSTABLE
    30a -
    LITTER
    31a -
    STROKE
    32a -
    TEN TO ONE

    1d -
    PALATE
    2d -
    JIMCRACK or GIMCRACK
    3d -
    DIAPASON
    4d -
    BROUGHT
    5d -
    FOSSIL
    6d -
    CHERUB
    7d -
    ARRESTED
    14d -
    ASPS
    16d -
    AGED
    18d -
    ALIENATE
    20d -
    REDOLENT
    21d -
    SOLUTION
    23d -
    ASCENTS
    25d -
    METHODS
    26d -
    NOBLES
    28d -
    THE END


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Well done, Spike.

    I'd go with
    JIMCRACK
    for 2D, which is given in Chambers Dictionary as an alternative spelling under
    GIMCRACK
    .

    Most unsound clues of the day were 11A, which would have been less bad if worded as "Kind of in the nude, confused?", and 4D, where I can't see a definition and I don't think that
    BROT
    can be derived from "little brother".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    Yes 4d is interesting because it has no definition but three cryptic parts:

    little brother =
    BR or BRO
    should be =
    OUGHT
    coarse inside =
    ROUGH


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    I'm on the lookout for a good thesaurus. I've been looking at some sample pdfs, and am leaning towards the Oxford Concise. Has anyone any experience with this or others? - thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Spike440 wrote: »
    Yes 4d is interesting because it has no definition but three cryptic parts:

    little brother =
    BR or BRO
    should be =
    OUGHT
    coarse inside =
    ROUGH

    That's a better analysis - I was trying to get
    UGH
    for "coarse" inside
    BROT
    for "little brother". :o


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    bothyhead wrote: »
    I'm on the lookout for a good thesaurus. I've been looking at some sample pdfs, and am leaning towards the Oxford Concise. Has anyone any experience with this or others? - thanks

    I tend to use Roget's Thesaurus, published by Penguin (not the current edition, though) for help with writing. I also have an old (1991) edition of Chambers Thesaurus, which I don't particularly like - tends to be better for abstract concepts than more concrete terms, but word lists are a bit limited. For crosswords, I use an old (1993) edition of Bradford's Crossword Solver's Dictionary, but I'll have to drop a hint and see if someone will get me the new edition (published by Collins and just out in paperback) for Christmas.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    hivizman wrote: »
    I tend to use Roget's Thesaurus, published by Penguin

    I bought a second-hand copy of that a few years ago; the print was really faded, and the paper had such a musty smell, that I took a dislike to it and eventually threw it out. I also found the index/classification system a bit of a pain. I suppose I should have another look at it.
    hivizman wrote:
    I also have an old (1991) edition of Chambers Thesaurus, which I don't particularly like

    That's interesting. You've probably gathered from one of my previous posts that I am a Chambers fan; however, on researching thesauri I didn't come across any positive references to Chambers. You've just convinced me to cross this one off my list!

    Many thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    TBH I just use thesaurus.com if I need to check something.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    1a -
    CROSSWORD
    9a -
    CAVEAT
    10a -
    GET ACROSS
    11a -
    BOTTON
    12a -
    DELIVERED
    13a -
    METTLE
    17a -
    ASS
    19a -
    REAPING
    20a -
    THEATRE
    21a -
    ANY
    23a -
    SILVER
    27a -
    IGNORANCE
    28a -
    BASINS
    29a -
    STAGNATED
    30a -
    EMETIC
    31a -
    DESERTING

    2d -
    REELED
    3d -
    STATIC
    4d -
    WARNED
    5d -
    ROSTERS
    6d -
    BAROMETER
    7d -
    DESTITUTE
    8d -
    STAMPEDES
    14d -
    CROSSBRED
    15d -
    BALLASTED
    16d -
    LIVE ON AIR
    17d -
    AGA
    18d -
    STY
    22d -
    NIGHTIE
    25d -
    SAVANT
    26d -
    SCREEN

    I'm just missing 24d. Any takers?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Spike440 wrote: »
    8d -
    STAMPEDES

    I think actually
    STAMPEDED
    - "ran away with it" implies past tense, and "editors" implies
    ED-ED
    . Perhaps you got this but mistyped the answer, though?
    Spike440 wrote: »
    I'm just missing 24d. Any takers?

    I think
    TONGUE
    .

    A lot of the clues today were reasonably sound, but I hated 19A and 27A - I really think that if the clue depends on a pun, there should be some indication of this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    It was a typo.

    What's your logic for 24d?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    "The pack" refers to a pack of hounds, and when a pack of hounds is hunting and starts to yelp and bark when the dogs pick up a scent, they are said to "give
    tongue
    ". The rest of the clue "by the sound of it" is hinting that the answer relates to the sound given by the pack.

    Chambers Dictionary gives a definition under the word
    tongue
    for the expression "give
    tongue
    ": "give voice as hounds on a scent do".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Early lunch today, so here are the answers and my comments:

    1A
    DEARTH - cryptic indication for only part of clue
    4A
    REEF KNOT - punning definition, though quite an amusing clue
    9A
    RATHER
    10A
    STRAITEN - Str(eet) + a + 1 + ten
    12A
    ALTER - ref. to alter ego
    13A
    DEPLETION - can't really criticise: two definitions
    16A
    ENDUE - cryptic indication for only part of clue
    17A
    APATHY - technically sound
    22A
    STASIS - not sure that ST really abbreviates saintly
    24A
    PETAL - t in peal, but unconvincing definition
    27A
    ERA - definition OK but not sure about rest of clue
    28A
    AGITATION - sound but weak
    31A
    TALKS - presumably K in anag of last, but anagram not well indicated
    32A
    ELECTRIC - elect + RIC: a good clue
    33A
    STATUE - U in state: sound but not very exciting
    34A
    TOLERATE - to + la + rate: sound
    35A
    PSYCHE - lover of Cupid: sound

    1D
    DARK AGES - sound
    2D
    ALTITUDE - anag of tail + anag of duet
    3D
    THE ORIENT - E = east: some would think this is unsound (definition is not given directly), but I'd tolerate it
    5D
    EAT UP - clear enough clue
    6D
    FLAME - L in fame: not sure that well-known (an adjective) can indicate fame (a noun)
    7D
    NITRIC - nit + ric: cryptic elements are there but clue is clumsy
    8D
    TENANT - this can be a verb, so "rent" is OK as a definition
    11D
    IDEALS - definition implies a singular answer
    14D
    LIT - lit(any)
    18D
    ASSENT - as sent
    19D
    HEPATITIS - he + Pat + it is: liver disease
    20D
    ATHLETIC - punning definition
    21D
    GLASS EYE - sound and not at all bad as a clue
    23D
    ACT - two definitions
    25D
    TALENT - ta + lent
    26D
    PINEAL - pine + a + L (= 50)
    29D
    AFTER - opposite of fore
    30D
    IDIOT - "I had" = ID + 10 + T - I really dislike making "tent" into 10T like this, though can tolerate "110" as 1TEN in 10A, because some people say the number 110 as "one ten"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    All you've left me is 15a
    ICE
    .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    :o:o:o

    Should have included that one! But not a very strong clue, I thought.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    I am not sure if anybody has done the maths, but going by the Crosaire number displayed, the X- word has been going for 43.72 years! Is this a record and should we make some sort of gesture to the master?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Compared to UK papers, Crosaire is a youngster. Today's Times crossword is number 24,021, The Guardian is up to 24,496, and The Daily Telegraph leads the field with number 25,724. They all started daily crosswords around the same time in the 1920s.

    The Saturday edition of The Times carries the Listener Crossword, which previously appeared in the weekly magazine The Listener, and when this closed moved over to The Times. The puzzle on Saturday 19 September 2008 will be number 4,000, and a special jumbo crossword is promised. The Listener Crossword is the most challenging cryptic crossword regularly published, and I'm pleased if I can make a start and delighted if I finish it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    hivizman wrote: »
    Compared to UK papers, Crosaire is a youngster. Today's Times crossword is number 24,021, The Guardian is up to 24,496, and The Daily Telegraph leads the field with number 25,724. They all started daily crosswords around the same time in the 1920s.

    Ah, yes, ... but the British papers have a team of setters and a editor for each crossword (I'm not sure if this is the case with The Listner.) Crosaire, on the other hand, does it all by himself. So, on an individual compile rate, I would imagine that Crosaire is the grand-daddy of them all!

    I've made a few attempts recently at the Sunday Times crossword. The best I've done is about 75%. I've also had a look at Mephisto, and my best there is 2 clues :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    hivizman, seeing that you do The Times and Listner crosswords, you may be interested in these blogs:

    http://community.livejournal.com/times_xwd_times/

    http://community.livejournal.com/listener_xwd/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,534 ✭✭✭FruitLover


    hivizman wrote: »
    27A
    ERA - definition OK but not sure about rest of clue
    era + sure = removal


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    bothyhead wrote: »
    Ah, yes, ... but the British papers have a team of setters and a editor for each crossword (I'm not sure if this is the case with The Listner.) Crosaire, on the other hand, does it all by himself. So, on an individual compile rate, I would imagine that Crosaire is the grand-daddy of them all!

    Would you believe it? :) There's a Wikipedia article about Crosaire and its setter Derek Crozier (get the pun? :D). He's actually been setting the puzzle for over 60 years, so he outdoes Roger Squires, considered by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific crossword setter, by a couple of decades. Even Araucaria of The Guardian has been at it only since 1958.

    There's a photo of Derek Crozier here.
    bothyhead wrote: »
    I've made a few attempts recently at the Sunday Times crossword. The best I've done is about 75%. I've also had a look at Mephisto, and my best there is 2 clues :D

    Familiarity with a setter's style is the key. On Sundays, I normally go for The Observer and the Azed crossword, which I try to complete without using the dictionary. On average I can solve about half the clues before getting out the reference books. But I've been doing it nearly every week for 15 years (sad or what? :rolleyes:).

    I guess that I should just accept Crosaire's idiosyncratic cluing style as something that's interesting in its own right, rather than whinging about it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    1a -
    CONSTRAINS
    6a -
    SAKI
    10a -
    SANTA
    11a -
    REDBREAST
    12a -
    THE NOVEL
    13a -
    CANNA
    15a -
    MALLARD
    17a -
    REUNION
    19a -
    INSISTS
    21a -
    THE TOWN
    22a -
    THORN
    24a -
    MONARCHY
    27a -
    AITCHBONE
    28a -
    VERSE
    29a -
    NORM
    30a -
    MESSENGER

    1d -
    CAST
    2d -
    NINE HOLES
    3d -
    TRAIN
    4d -
    ARRIVED
    5d -
    NODULAR
    7d -
    AGAIN
    8d -
    IN TRAINING
    9d -
    BROCHURE
    14d -
    A MAIL TRAIN
    16d -
    ABSINTH
    18d -
    IRON HORSE
    20d -
    SOMEONE
    21d -
    TENDERS
    23d -
    OTTER
    25d -
    RAVEN
    26d -
    MESS


    I liked the theme today (
    TRAIN
    ).

    At the risk of sounding like hivizman I have to complain about 6a. Firstly Monro is a misspelling, as it should be Munro. And in order for the "drink in Japan" part of the clue to make sense there should be a homonym indicator, because that particular drink is spelled
    SAKE
    .

    EDIT: Wikipedia notes under
    Saki
    that it is:
    A rarer spelling of sake, a Japanese rice-based spirit
    , but I maintain my objection.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    Is it just me or have the days of this being a group effort passed us by?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Probably getting used to the Crosaire style, so you're able to solve more clues first time round without assistance?

    I hadn't noticed the misspelling of "Munro" as "Monro" in 6a. I agree that the normal spelling of the Japanese drink ends in an "e", but Chambers doesn't flag up the spelling ending in "i" as rare or unusual, so I'm happy to let this one through.

    Nice clue to 2d. Struggled with 14d until I got the pun. Otherwise, no really dreadful clues.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 21 sack lunch


    another quick question... what does the word "state" signify?

    edit: just read back thru some of the posts here. Thanks for your welcome :)

    Checked out the Wikipedia article... so state/states = "us" or "usa"?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    Usually a US State (e.g. Oregon) or a country.

    Yesterday it was part of an anagram (statue).


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    Spike440 wrote: »
    Is it just me or have the days of this being a group effort passed us by?

    You're too good at it! I usually only get to look at it in the evenings after work, where as you have it completed before lunch.

    I do hope that you keep up the good work, as your answers have opened up many an elusive corner for me when I'm bashing my head at 10 p.m.

    With sincere thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    lol

    I fear that when I change jobs in three weeks I won't get the chance to look at it before 5pm!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    Firstly every success with the new appointment.Your fast solutions will be missed,but perhaps it will make us try a little harder. I try to resist checking this site, as it is only a challenge when the result deadline has to be waited for publication. Someone once gave me an X-word book, and the answers were at the back. After a while I gave it up as I was finding it too easy to turn to the back. What I do enjoy is the expliication of some of the clues. The man is a genius with a mind that is very difficult to penetrate. Long may he continue.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    No wonder you've had so much time on your hands! :D

    Best of luck with the new job.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Spike440 wrote: »
    lol

    I fear that when I change jobs in three weeks I won't get the chance to look at it before 5pm!

    I'll add my best wishes to those already posted. My own job gets busy again from next week, so I'll also probably not be able to look at the puzzle until the evening.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    I'm going through today's now, and I have to say it's quite an entertaining puzzle. There are some nice clues.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Finding it difficult today. Answers so far:

    1A
    COME CLEAN
    10A
    APPLE PIE
    12A
    PARSON
    15A
    TREAT
    18A
    AVAILED
    24A
    ERASES
    26A
    ALTER
    30A
    NEXT
    31A
    IMAGES
    32A
    OTTERS
    34A
    NONAGE

    2D
    ORPHAN - don't think "dama" is a real word, which spoils clue
    3D
    ENLIST
    4D
    LUPINE
    5D
    ACETATE
    13D
    ORAL
    17D
    CAME ROUND
    19D
    AWAITING
    20D
    EASES
    22D
    ITEM
    23D
    CATHODE
    25D
    ENRAGE
    27D
    TITTLE

    Now for the elusive right half of the puzzle!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 32,688 ✭✭✭✭ytpe2r5bxkn0c1


    Dama = a genus of deer including the Eurasian fallow deer.

    The discussion is stiffled because so many don't get to look at it until evening and most answers have been posted by then.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    I'm stuck on 11 A and 11D.
    9 A
    became
    15 A
    threat
    21 A
    written
    26 A
    alter
    31 A
    images
    33 A
    outdoors
    25A
    debenture

    Down
    6
    rehash
    7
    tastiest
    8
    cementing
    23
    cathode
    27
    tittle
    ?
    28
    ragout
    29
    terror


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    I think that 11A is
    BATTLE - "sound piece" implies "peace", and "not a peace" implies "battle"
    .

    That would make 11D
    BITER - I'm not sure about this, but I think that the allusion is to the expression "the biter bit", which Chambers defines as "the wrongdoer paid back" - this could be alluded to by "just ice" = "justice"
    .


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    Those were the 2 I came up with, but was not sure how they matched the clue. Thanks for the help.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    8a -
    TEETOTUM
    9a -
    FENDER
    10a -
    COOPER
    ?
    11a -
    IRISHMAN
    12a -
    STANZA
    13a -
    USHERING
    15a -
    RASH
    17a -
    TOP HATS
    ?
    19a -
    OFFENDS
    22a -
    KEEL
    27a -
    ABACUS
    30a -
    FAILED
    32a -
    ANSWERED

    1d -
    DEPORT
    2d -
    AT A PINCH
    3d -
    STAR PART
    ?
    4d -
    IMPIOUS
    5d -
    OFFISH
    6d -
    ANCHOR
    7d -
    REMAINED
    14d -
    SHOE
    16d -
    ASKS
    20d -
    FLATFISH
    21d -
    EXAMINER
    23d -
    ETERNAL
    25d -
    OPERAS
    ?
    28d -
    UNEVEN

    I'm having real difficulty with the missing 5 in SW. I think maybe 24a is
    REFOREST/DEFORIST/ARBORIST
    .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    Spike440 wrote: »
    1d -
    DEPORT

    I think actually
    REPORT
    .
    Spike440 wrote: »
    I'm having real difficulty with the missing 5 in SW. I think maybe 24a is
    REFOREST/DEFORIST/ARBORIST
    .

    31A is
    RELATE
    . But I don't see the others (haven't had time to concentrate on the puzzle today). Could 24A be
    AFFOREST
    ? At least it fits the "by the sound of it" angle.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,163 ✭✭✭hivizman


    18D is
    OFFENDER
    , and 26D is
    EXILES
    . That makes 29A most likely
    INTERIOR
    .

    Why is 10A
    COOPER
    ? Can't think of a better answer, but don't see how the clue works.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    Perhaps "Copper " i.e copper fastened ??


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 45 Laurent


    18 D
    offender


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    My logic for 10 across was because the image of a
    barrel
    came to be but the clue says "one's" which usually indicates an individual. I wasn't sure about it but nothing else springs to mind.

    Hard one today.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 442 ✭✭bothyhead


    I'm on holidays and spent the day in the garden, so I'm very late at doing the crossword today. Anyway, here's idea for 10a
    Hopper
    bound = hop, perhaps like a kangaroo
    a hopper = device for containing things, e.g. a grain silo


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    9a -
    SIRRAH
    11a -
    SHOUTS
    13a -
    PLEDGE
    17a -
    AGO
    19a -
    AGROUND
    20a -
    FISSURE
    21a -
    OUT
    23a -
    CASSIA
    27a -
    LIFELINES
    28a -
    PUBLIC
    29a -
    SOMEWHERE
    30a -
    SUNDAY
    31a - Maybe
    UNDERPART or UNDERPASS

    5d -
    MOORING
    6d -
    SIGHTLESS
    7d -
    GROUNDNUT
    8d -
    WHOSOEVER
    14d -
    MARCH PAST
    15d -
    BRASS BAND
    16d -
    MUNICIPAL
    17d -
    ADO
    18d -
    OFT
    22d -
    UNICORN
    24d -
    REVERE
    25d -
    MISHAP

    I'm only missing 26d which I originally thought was SHARES and NW corner.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 527 ✭✭✭Spike440


    1a -
    SMALL ARMS
    10a -
    ASPERSION
    12a -
    LIVE IN SIN

    2d -
    MYSTIC
    3d -
    LEERED
    4d -
    ASSENT

    Still stuck on 26d.


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