Comments on: Inquisitor 1116: ? by Hypnos

By: Hypnos

Hypnos — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:50:17 +0000

Thanks to Kenmac for his detailed blog and others for comments. Can certainly recommend ONLY CONNECT for anyone with a crosswording mentality who enjoys quizzing – in particular, the associations used in words in the grids have close affinities with the deception used in crossword clues. Shown every Mon at 830pm on BBC4, the current series concludes with the final scheduled on Apr 12.

By: I

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:00:06 +0000

You’re welcome, K. As I recall (through the haze), the perimeter crumbled early on (while we were still in the Café Royal and possibly still on pint 1). The rest of the puzzle kept us busy for a wee while, but not all day, so it was as well we had the Listener and the EV as backup. Must be the first time I’ve managed all three within 24 hours, so it just shows what collective brainstorming can achieve. I am certain the beer helps, too (up to a point!). See you next year.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:34:28 +0000

HolyGhost

Thanks for replying.

Much respect – Jake.

By: HolyGhost

HolyGhost — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:19:36 +0000

Jake – re Comment 7:

For years I’ve been using the ODQ I bought in 1977 – it is indeed the 2nd edition, published in 1953, but reprinted with revisions several times … my copy says 1975. I also have an Oxford Companion to Eng.Lit. of the same vintage – 4th ed. 1967, reprinted with corrections 1975.

In a recent buying frenzy (and to help spend the UK out of recession), I bought the new Chambers Biographical Dictionary (great) and the 2008 Chambers (11th ed), as well as upgrading to the newest Oxford ref. works above, not to mention the Times Concise Atlas of the World – all with cut-price deals. Brewers is coming for my birthday, and I hope that all that sorts me out for a good few years!

By: kenmac

kenmac — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:05:24 +0000

Presumably if you live within spitting distance of Dublin (and, maybe, Cork.) Not out here in the sticks.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:23:41 +0000

Re comment 4, BBC3 and BBC4, are, I understand, available in Ireland to those with the Chorus/NTL cable package (channels 116,117).

By: Richard Heald

Richard Heald — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:16:52 +0000

Although nmsindy hinted at it earlier, it’s worth pointing out that Hypnos happens to be one of the question setters for Only Connect, for my money currently the best quiz show on the box. For anyone who doesn’t get BBC4, it’s available to view on the BBC iPlayer.

By: Jake

Jake — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:26:16 +0000

Mike Laws,

I’ve only just read on fifteensquared that you’d recommend that I purchase ODQ2. Sorry for my ignorance here, but are you talking about the 2nd edition published in 1953?

Looking at the latest edition 2009, contains quotes by Paris Hilton ???
and I cannot imagine setters using quotes from her (yet)!

Heres a link to the one I assume you are talking about:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oxford-Dictionary-of-Quotations/dp/0192115235/ref=sr_1_22?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268754651&sr=1-22

Also, the Brewers ‘Phrase and Fable’ book, is there a specific edition most used by setters that I should also buy?

Tried to email you but got no reply.

Jake.

By: Mike Laws

Mike Laws — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:01:07 +0000

“Pair” in Chambers – (antepenultimate def of the noun) “a score of no runs in both innings of a two-innings match (cricket)”. It first appeared as simply “a duck in both innings (cricket)” in 1988.

By: HolyGhost

HolyGhost — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:47:09 +0000

Re Comment 2: Chambers has "a score of no runs in both innings of a two-innings match (cricket)" under pair^1, and "pair of spectacles (cricket sl) a duck in both innings" under spectacle. The route from FACILITIES to HEADS via TOILET took a little while to spot. As did ZB in the wordplay of 26a - solving a two-letter element of the wordplay, one letter of which isn't entered, is often quite tricky.