Comments on: Guardian 25,215 – Rufus

By: Carrots

Carrots — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:32 +0000

I find myself at last critical of a Rufus puzzle. The NW corner vexed me because of an abbreviation (AGGRO) and a stretched definition (RAGTAG). Is “aggro” a legitimate short spelling of “aggravation”? Does “ragtag” mean “scruffy”? Even if dictionaries confirm these readings, I find myself (probably in the company of one) uneasy with them. I got both, but, like a grumpy ol` git, entered them with ill grace.

Interesting to see how different parts of the puzzle stymied others for longer than most. This may be a clue to the universal respect afforded this setter. I`ve always put it down to his characteristic “sting in the tail”, but it seems he has several “stings”!

By: Stella Heath

Stella Heath — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:54:50 +0000

Thanks Paul, I have enough trouble remembering names, not to mention people’s real names plus all their aliases. Ah well!

Now I shall have to look up the original crossword and see what the clue was.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:53:44 +0000

walruss - Rufus set 42 of the 52 Monday puzzles on 2010 (and none on any other day), and Araucaria and Paul dominated Saturday to a lesser extent (24 and 11 puzzles respectively), but apart from that there's no obvious pattern as to who gets published on which day. (Rufus also appears most Mondays in the FT, as Dante.) Last year I published some statistics on this sort of thing for 2009; I'll be doing a version for 2010 soon, but the results are very similar.

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:53:13 +0000

Presumably Rufus’ surname is Squires?
I thought the answer to Squires-squire was “Takes out”, but couldn’t quite parse it!

By: paul8hours

paul8hours — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:46:59 +0000

An enjoyable puzzle as usual on a Monday. This type is perfect for young’uns graduating from the quick, although my kids are still finding that enough of a challenge.
Stella @ 19 – Just in case UY is restrained from replying by the time difference, Rufus is Roger Squires Esq.

By: walruss

walruss — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:40:51 +0000

It is interesting though isn’t it why some setters should always get a certain spot in the week, and there doesn’t seem to be much rhyme or reason to it. I would like to see it mixed up a bit really, or we’ll always get t’the usual stuff’ as Daniel puts it.

By: Stella Heath

Stella Heath — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:33:29 +0000

Hi UY, the answer I found was ‘under age’, in your blog for FT 13032, which fitted with the rest of the clue you give: ‘has a most fertile mind’.

In any case, I’m still baffled by the ‘squire esquire’ device.

I do see what a fig leaf has to do with today’s clue, though

By: Uncle Yap

Uncle Yap — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:51:45 +0000

Stella @ 7
FIG LEAF

By: Stella Heath

Stella Heath — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:34:43 +0000

Hi Daniel, I think it is generally seen to be because of the apparent ease with which he produces an entertaining, while less challenging crossword, which is perhaps one of the most difficult tasks for the setter.

There was a discussion on this a few months ago, but I don’t remember when, and writing ‘Rufus’ into the search facility would produce hundreds of hits!

By: Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:24:08 +0000

The usual Monday fare. Enjoyable as always.

Does anyone have a view on why Rufus often gets the Monday shift?