Comments on: Guardian Quiptic 614 / Hectence

By: Derek Lazenby

Derek Lazenby — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:08:04 +0000

As one who is only marginally above the target audience, all I can say is I didn’t finish this. I can’t really say I enjoyed much of what I did solve, felt more like doing an exam than an entertainment.

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:11:40 +0000

@ superkiwigirl

The EL usually elicits a groan from those who haven’t seen it before and a self-satisfied smile from those that have.

Also “one’s” or “yours” is a trap for the unwary – and I still fall into it occasionally (but not today)!

By: superkiwigirl

superkiwigirl — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:02:51 +0000

Thanks for the blog, Big Dave, and for an enjoyable Quiptic, Hectence.

Curious how “EL” came up again here, after the discussion about it on Saturday.

I thought that this was going to be a pangram, but in the end the letters “J”, “K” and “Q” were missing.

Some nice clues here, including SETTEE, ERUDITE and HYPHEN.

Like KD I got held up by initially entering STRETCH ONES LEGS.

By: Robi

Robi — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:31:01 +0000

Satisfying solve, although some of the constructions were a bit difficult for a beginner.

Thanks, Big Dave; nice pictures as always. I would always say “ill repute” rather than ILL FAME, especially ‘house of.’

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:48:36 +0000

Thank you, Dave.

Yes, some trickier ones here, but probably enough easier ones to get you going and then attack the more difficult ones with some crossing letters in. I liked BALLPOINT and MALADY but didn’t help myself by putting STRETCH ONES LEGS in at 9ac.

I guessed FISHTAIL but had never heard it before. I got it from the French: they say ‘faire une queue de poisson’ – to do a fishtail – for cutting somebody up on the road.

By: crypticsue

crypticsue — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:34:12 +0000

I agree that this was on the difficult side for a Quiptic but I think I enjoyed myself by the end. Thanks to Hectence and BD.