Comments on: Financial Times 13,908 – Gaff

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:23:59 +0000

Thanks Radler & Andrew for enlightening me.

Well, Bamberger, I can imagine how you feel.
Indeed, I knew that it was the start of the Chinese New Year, but even so I couldn’t make much of the puzzle initially. But I had to ‘drag on’ – after all it was me that had to blog it. Well, I got there in the end (with a little help from my Friend).

Despite the fact that you do not agree with me about the theme being obvious, I am with you when it comes to the ‘pleasure factor’.
I wouldn’t write Gaff off completely, though. He has produced some really enjoyable crosswords in the past.
But I agree, this one wasn’t his magnum opus.

By: Bamberger

Bamberger — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:58:47 +0000

The scenario was that I was at a place with absolutely nothing to do for a full hour but do the crossword and drink a cup of tea.
I don’t think I have ever managed to spot the theme in any crossword and have got so few of the non themed clues out that I haven’t even been able to have a stab at the themed clues. However I’d been given advice to just ignore the theme.
So off I went -for me no chance of any of the themed clues which knocked out a high proportion. And after an hour I had solved 2d and that was it.
I knew 6d was an anagram but couldn’t solve it and missed the hidden word at 27d.
It is not often that I would really disagree with the blogger but I don’t think the theme was remotely obvious.I had no idea it was Chinese New year.
I shall add Gaff to my “not worth even starting” list.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:41:36 +0000

1ac – both “dragon” and “amazon” can mean an imposing or fearsome woman.

By: Radler

Radler — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 07:23:10 +0000

Thanks Sil. I agree with your assessment of this puzzle.
21d Deck is slang for to knock (somebody) down, as is to fell. Pump is a plimsoll, not as substantial as most trainers but I think the definition’s fair.