Comments on: Financial Times 13,615 / Flimsy

By: Tony Welsh

Tony Welsh — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:49:29 +0000

Nestorius, that is odd. I would never have thought “underpants” was particularly American, but in any case it is obvious what it means. As for boxers or boxer shorts, I thought both were American. It is not just the word but the item itself that I did not think existed in the UK, at least I don’t think they did when I lived there. My Chambers’ has only two meanings for boxer: one who boxes, and the Chinese Boxer movement.

Nestorius, the solution to Smiffy’s anagram is in plain sight, “Nestorius’ niggle”. My niggle is that there really should be an “s” after the apostrophe.

By: Nestorius

Nestorius — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:37:43 +0000

Gaufrid: I m,eant “underpants” is an americanism. You guys call them “pants”.
Smiffy: could you do me a favour and post the enumeration of your clue in post #9? Thanks.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:03:30 +0000

Problem solved, now can access.

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:47:43 +0000

There seems to be a problem with accessing the weekend cryptic (“server overload”). If this issue persists (which is more than likely based on prior experience), I’d be grateful if someone with access to the print version would be kind enough to post it on this site (I’m in rural North Carolina so unfortunately can’t run out to the corner newsagent to buy a copy). Many thanks.

By: Scarpia

Scarpia — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:41:43 +0000

Thanks Gaufrid.
Very good puzzle from Flimsy.
I was another who was not too keen on the definition in 6 down,but I concluded that it was o.k. because it is quite common for shaped,breaded goujons of fish,to be sold as scampi.
I didn’t know MASTIC as a tree,nor did I realise that poinsettia was a spurge.
Favourite for me – 1 across.

By: Walduck

Walduck — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 19:00:42 +0000

I have to say I always enjoy Flimsy’s clues. Perhaps it’s because, as a relative newcomer, I appreciate the occasional soft-toss to get me started, but they are enjoyable to play with even when I can’t figure them out. I look forward to tackling this on the way home tonight (I didn’t cheat!)

By: Gaufrid

Gaufrid — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:52:56 +0000

Hi Nestorius and Tony
I don’t think ‘boxers’ is specifically an American term. Both Chambers and Collins give it as an alternative to boxer shorts with no indication that it is not in general UK usage. In fact, on-line clothing stores (M&S, Debenhams etc) sub-divide their underwear category into boxers, briefs, slips, trunks etc.

Hi bamberger
You were not alone in only equating mastic with a sealant. I had never heard it as the name of a tree but the wordplay was obvious and a quick check in Chambers confirmed the mastic/tree connection.

By: bamberger

bamberger — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:29:26 +0000

Completely misdirected by 1a where I tried all the terms I knew for fighting boxers.
2a hadn’t seen this before -must remember this trick.
10a Animal-sexual new to me
11a Grill as an anagram indicator new to me
12a Ditto euphorbia
13a Ditto mastic for tree-had only come across the term with reference to a sealant.
3d Couldn’t decide whether I wanted a dog with the first letter taken off to get a bird or vv. Didn’t have enough checking letters to help.

A tad too hard for me but can’t blame the setter.

By: Flimsy

Flimsy — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:31:14 +0000

Comments from all appreciated – glad you enjoyed it!

By: Nestorius

Nestorius — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 16:26:17 +0000

Smiffy, what’s the enumeration? Fair play please