Comments on: Guardian 25,437 / Rufus

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:07:36 +0000

Welcome from a recent joiner.
Yes,Maxine, but there is a cross checking ‘A’ at position four.

By: Maxine

Maxine — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:15:17 +0000

First time of commenting on Fifteensquared after lurking for some time. But i would like to point out that MAMMA is also 2 mothers – MAM and MA.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 08:08:39 +0000

You’re probably right, crosser. As I said, I think this is one of those clues that you solve instinctively and that perhaps don’t bear too much analysis – fun, though!

By: crosser

crosser — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 05:49:51 +0000

Sorry, only just got back here.
Surely, in 4d, the car case is IN the motorists’ boot, and therefore is not synonymous with it? It is a case which the motorist puts in the boot of his car. Eileen?

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:36:50 +0000

I hate this grid, why does Rufus keep using it? Sorry… too many unchecked letters at the start of words, and four independent puzzles sharing barely a word each, does not fun make. Got all but three, but no step along the way was really pleasureable. Sorry to whine. Thanks for the puzzle, Rufus, and the blog, Eileen. I think my COD was INSOLENCE. Took a lot longer than it should have due to wonderful misdirection.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:05:35 +0000

crosser, Eileen & Rishi.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:02:13 +0000

Crosser & Eileen
Thanks Davy,I hope you picked up something useful while you were in there, I didn’t feel anything.
You are right, you read the clue, write in the solution and move on to the next one.
‘Madam’ was a write-in because mother to indicate ma or dam is very hackneyed and in this case there was no need to decide which one was required – both, one after the other!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:35:40 +0000

Hi MEB

I’ve nothing really to add to what Disco says – “if a case is where you pack things away for travel, then a car case is the boot”] – I’m afraid. I didn’t think too deeply about this one – just thought it was a fun type of clue: it did have a ‘perhaps’, to suggest that it was rather whimsical – or droll.

By: MEB

MEB — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:08:47 +0000

I am British, Disco, know about car boots and, indeed, entered carcase at 4d in the grid. Like you, however, I found the equation of case and boot unconvincing. I wonder if Eileen could help?

By: Disco

Disco — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:31:32 +0000

Am I right in guessing you’re not British, MEB?

The boot of a car is the British term for the trunk of the car. So, if a case is where you pack things away for travel, then a car case is the boot.

That’s how I read it. It feels less than convincing but I think it’s right.