Comments on: Independent 7777 by Math

By: Mark B

Mark B — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:37:31 +0000

I solved 14D from the cryptic definition, but did not know the word itself. But my wife recognised ‘sudor’ as being cognate with the Italian ‘sudar’. In Italy, if you have worked very hard to achieve something you can claim to have ‘sudar sette camicie’ – to have sweat seven shirts!

By: Gaufrid

Gaufrid — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 19:51:09 +0000

Thanks to an answer in University Challenge this evening there appears to be another possible thematic entry. Seven 9ac 12ac was a hit single in 2003 for the American group The White Stripes.

By: sidey

sidey — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:30:32 +0000

What fun.

Raoul Wallenberg was Prisoner Number 7, apparently.

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:43:05 +0000

Thanks NealH and Math.

Fun puzzle getting the 7s. COD was 11A VISTA. Though SINS has been mentioned, I’m not sure if anyone has said the Seven Deadly SINS (an indirect reference, perhaps too, to the film Se7en).

By: flashling

flashling — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:19:37 +0000

Well that must have taken a while to blog (and set!) with so many lights. Before I started, seeing the number and perimeter shape theme/nina was shouting at me. Great fun, don’t think I’ve seen anymore theme answers but with so many it’s hard to tell. Surprised the the film se7en didn’t appear but I guess the online version wouldn’t like it.

By: Cumbrian

Cumbrian — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:04:57 +0000

ps The letter S appears seven times in the perimeter…….

By: Cumbrian

Cumbrian — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:59:39 +0000

I struggled in places, but good fun. If there’s a 7 reference to The Prisoner, then the car he drove was a Lotus 7 reg KAR 120C. The Lotus 7 was later to become the Caterham 7, and in 1991 (I think) they produced a special edition Prisoner Seven. I know, I know – I’m deeply sad…….

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:37:24 +0000

Thanks, NealH and Math. While I spotted the theme all right, I did not appreciate its full depth till coming here. Thanks too for explaining LUCKY and INVERT where I did not understand the wordplay nor did I think of the computers aspect of VISTA. Favourite clue NATION.

By: Paul A

Paul A — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:17:14 +0000

Well I managed to finish the dead tree version, lots of 7′s I thought. Didn’t even notice the puzzle number until I came here… Lightbulb moment

By: crypticsue

crypticsue — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:40:42 +0000

Very enjoyable. It was fun spotting all the 7s.