Comments on: Guardian Cryptic 25539 Rufus

By: Davy

Davy — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:39:43 +0000

Thanks scchua,

Your name is already much easier to remember now I know that your family name is Chua.

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:37:30 +0000

Hi Davy@26, my id is derived in the same manner as yours (presumably), except that mine has my initials and family name in full – S. C. Chua. (J. Smith, or the like, was probably something my parents never considered )

By: morpheus

morpheus — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:52:49 +0000

Did anyone else come up with the answer of “Sext” for 11? According to Wikipedia the office of Sext apparently commemorates the passion of Christ in the Coptic liturgy. Should have realised that would be a bit too obscure for a Monday Rufus!

By: Davy

Davy — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:31:10 +0000

Thanks scchua,

I wish you had a more memorable name as I always have to check the spelling. Pardon my ignorance but where does your id come from ?. Sorry if it’s blindingly obvious.

I thought this was a very enjoyable puzzle from Rufus and thought that the surface for MUSEUM made it my clue of the day. I was another LENT person but also considered ZEST and HEAT. The latter is obviously the correct answer but I didn’t see the sporting sense.

Lots of good clues here so I’ll forgive the minority which were not.

I find myself agreeing with RCW again which must be a sign of one of us mellowing but I certainly get annoyed by Rufus always being described as a ‘gentle start’ or a ‘gentle stroll’.
He’s not always that easy and I usually struggle to get the last three or four. The SEETHE clue today is a typical example. Thanks Rufus.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:47:54 +0000

Your book is your book, Mitz, and I’m sure it’s a very learned one. But some crossword editors (certainly not all) prefer their contributors to stick to the single-letter indications given in either Chambers or Collins, or both, and perhaps regrettably N for ‘no’ is not present in either. However, and as hinted at above, NG = ‘no good’ is listed, and being very handy for a number of words (especially their endings) is oft-aired.

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:57:12 +0000

Thanks for all your comments and CNY wishes. Same again for me tomorrow, ie. more visiting and another blog. Goodnight all!

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:46:16 +0000

Thank you, scchua and Rufus.

Not much to add, except that I thought that CLEFT was a very good clue and I liked STRUCK OUT as well.

By: Mitz

Mitz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:02:34 +0000

*my* book

By: Mitz

Mitz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:02:11 +0000

Not sure I agree Paul: ‘no = n’ is completely fine in book (mostly for the specific example that you yourself cite).

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:26:57 +0000

Whilst hating to appear pedantic, quite naturally, I would like to point out that NG for ‘no good’ is a discrete unit rather than a composite of elements in crosswordese SI: as it happens, ‘good’ on its own does equal G, but N for ‘no’ is not generally recognised (even though some people think it should be, where Y/N = yes/no in application forms etc).