Comments on: Independent 6878/Phi

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:51:53 +0000

Well-crafted puzzle, as always, from Phi. Not sure I see the problem with 9 down as trade unions generally represent workers.
Re BOTTLENECK, had some doubts, but finally settled for the interpretation (1) traffic jam (2)jam in jam jars as distinct from bottles with a narrow neck. Thanks for explaining SCALE MODEL where I understood the 1:25 but not the rest.

By: Testy

Testy — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:51:52 +0000

I had to use the reveal button for AUSTRALORP too as none of the combinations of those letters looked plausible to me. I didn’t understand SCALE MODEL either but John’s explanation must be right (I guess the “?” must permit a lot more liberties than I gave it credit for). I also agree with the “jam not coming from bottles” theory.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:41:16 +0000

Sorry – meant to say above that the Australorp is in Collins, and is apparently a contraction of ‘Austral(ian Black) Orp(ington)’.

That this clue makes an anagram with a relatively obscure word in a daily puzzle is of course not a problem unless you’re me – maybe I’m just embittered because I had to use the ‘reveal’ button.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:36:18 +0000

I think it’s simply as blogged – JAM is the definition, with an appended ‘cryptic comment’ re jam being from jars rather than bottles.

Anyone else going down the road – sorry – of ‘jam jars in London’? No, okay.

By: C G Rishikesh

C G Rishikesh — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:31:31 +0000

In 8ac, the reference is probably to traffic jam/bottleneck.