Comments on: Everyman 3320

By: sidey

sidey — Sun, 23 May 2010 12:40:56 +0000

I’ve always liked Everyman including the occasional idiosyncratic grid. As Arthur says, often exemplars for beginners.

Thanks for popping in Everyman and keep it up Huw.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sun, 23 May 2010 11:20:12 +0000

Yes, thank you Everyman for dropping in, and thanks to Arthur for the (as always) helpful blog. Being a long-time Observer reader, The Everyman puzzle for me was the ‘entry level’ cryptic that got me re-interested in solving a few years ago. When I finally solved my first one, I will confess to buying an envelope and a stamp and with a smile on my face, posting the solution.

The always clear clueing doesn’t mean a lack of wit or sparkle, and while I’ll try the more demanding Indy and Grauniad dailies most days, I never fail to spend a pleasant part of my Sunday morning with the dead-tree version – this morning’s being no exception. But for those who think it’s too easy, there were a couple of toughies in the acrosses in the bottom half today!

By: Rishi

Rishi — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:19:52 +0000

Thank you, Everyman, for assuring us that it is one person.

I have been solving the Indian avatar of Everyman for decades. What a pleasure it has been!

Solving groups blogging on the puzzle express unconcealed glee over what they perceive as outstanding clues. For them Everyman could often be an anodyne after having fretted and fumed over poor puzzles during the weekdays, these set locally.

By: Everyman

Everyman — Sun, 23 May 2010 08:38:26 +0000

I started compiling the Everyman crossword in 1994, in tandem with Alec Robins until 1996. I have compiled every puzzle since then.
What you always get in an Everyman is four long words or phrases (11 letters or more). I don’t see how many black squares there are really matters, unless it’s an aesthetic thing. You should be OK with today’s grid, Rishi.
Many thanks to Arthur for the kind comments. Much appreciated.

By: Davy

Davy — Sun, 23 May 2010 08:32:15 +0000

Thanks Arthur for explaining LATER which I couldn’t quite figure out. I was trying to fit in LAT(Latvian) for race but that didn’t work. I agree with Rishi about the excess of black squares, it was like part of the crossword was missing.

The surfaces were excellent with lots of good answers such as MEDICAL and MILL but overall I thought the puzzle was too easy.

By: Rishi

Rishi — Sun, 23 May 2010 03:12:16 +0000

I generally solve Everyman when it is reproduced in a local paper some six or seven weeks later. This one I did online on the original site.
It was a quick solve for me too.
It is often mentioned by Don that Everyman is one person. Maybe, but when I come across crosswords such as this one, I have my own suspicion that it is set by a stand-in with their own characteristics.
I must not forget to mention that I don’t like the agglomeration of black squares like that here: a feature we notice often in Everyman grids.

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sat, 22 May 2010 23:28:28 +0000

Wow, first post! This must have just gone live. I had a lot of fun here, proud of finishing it, etc. Thanks, Arthur, for explaining “it” = “S.A.” I had the port but only half knew why.