Comments on: Guardian 24374 / Auster Holding things together

By: ACP

ACP — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:41:18 +0000

OCTOPUS STRAPS or OCCY STRAPS are pretty commonly known in Oz. More usually they’re a single strap with a hook at each end but Comfy explains where they’ve originated. Every household would have one or two rotting away in the garage waiting for ‘just the right time’.

By: Comfy Settee

Comfy Settee — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:27:56 +0000

OCTOPUS STRAPS are bungee-type ropes, but with several hooked legs coming off a central hoop. Enormously useful on ships, for tying down computer monitors or anything else likely to fall off a bench when the ship rolls. Use them lots, but never thought Id see the phrase used in a crossword!

Enjoyed this puzzle, in a target-practice sort of way. Paul B’s comments are pretty valid, but it didnt spoil it for me.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:21:44 +0000

Lot of familiar stuff in here (assassins clue for example), plus some non-avoidance of root meanings in SI breakdown. Not my kind of puzzle, I guess.

By: tilsit

tilsit — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:01:25 +0000

Thanks John, he said, with a rather red-face.

By: John McDonald

John McDonald — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:55:25 +0000

Re. 13 Across

The word for “clever” is INGENIOUS, thus replacing the second I with U provides INGENUOUS meaning uncomplicated, open.

John McDonald