Comments on: Guardian Quiptic 623 Pan

By: Derek Lazenby

Derek Lazenby — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:27:37 +0000

Class dummy verdict? Not a Quiptic. The list of why is too long, especially as typing it would use up V.D.T.

(That’s Valuable Drinking Time!)

By: Jan

Jan — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:03:52 +0000

Thanks for the chuckles, scchua, and for the definition of BONG – I was too lazy to look it up.

It did seem rather hard for a Quiptic.

I’m too late to identify the pictures. I knew the M ones but couldn’t see the connection for the ‘witnesses’.

By: Robi

Robi — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:43:54 +0000

Got to this late; a bit too complicated for a Quiptic, methinks.

Thanks scchua – nice pictorial appendages. I’ll have my usual moan about abbreviations – CH=chief, when is that used? (I know it’s in Chambers, but that doesn’t help.)

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:17:37 +0000

Hi grandpuzzler, yes, you’ve done it again, and stella, glad you’ve broken your duck .

TESTES: The singular noun is apparently a special usage of the Latin testis, to witness, in this case witness to one’s virility. The Latin is also the root for “testament”, of which a Greek example is shown in the 3rd picture. Language is always fascinating.

EMBOSS: Two compelling films with “em” in the title, director Fritz Lang’s M and Alfred Hitchcock’s Dial M for Murder.

By: grandpuzzler

grandpuzzler — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:40:45 +0000

Back again. Regarding 1d EMBOSS: Peter Lorre from the movie M and Grace Kelly and Ray Milland from the movie Dial M for Murder.

Later…

By: grandpuzzler

grandpuzzler — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:24:04 +0000

Thanks Pan and scchua. To piggyback off Stella’s comments re TESTES: there is Marlene Dietrich from Witness for the Prosecution and Harrison Ford from Witness.
Enjoyed the puzzle.

Cheers…

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:19:08 +0000

K’s Dad-
Ambergris (or at least its meaning) was almost new to me, but luckily it was in the Guardian on Saturday – one of those Q&A articles with Heston Blumenthal. Apparently it’s the most expensive ingredient he’s ever used. And the Quiptic is nominally part of the Guardian so fair enough…

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:37:29 +0000

Thank you, scchua.

Mostly straightforward, although struggled to get going. TRADESCANTIA and AMBERGRIS were new to me, but always good to learn some unfamiliar words.

Like you, smiled at CHEESE GRATER, and also liked DEFEND.

Thanks to Pan.

By: Stella Heath

Stella Heath — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 09:47:29 +0000

Thanks for your amusing commentaries, scchua. I think for once I’ve seen the significance of your photos depicting “testes” – bearing witness or testimony; the Old Testament, perhaps?

I found this slightly tougher than Rufus today. Contrary to your experience, the long answers held me up a little, but I got there in the end, and even 14ac was vaguely familiar.

Thanks for the work-out, Pan.