Comments on: Financial Times 13,922 by Gozo

By: crypticsue

crypticsue — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:05:17 +0000

I am never sure about whether I am a fan of a crossword that is a geography lesson too which for me made it slightly more difficult than straightforward. Thanks to PeeDee and Gozo.

By: PeeDee

PeeDee — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:05:06 +0000

Thanks Brian and Steve. I will look next time I need a prescription. Prescriptions from our local surgery have been printed by computer for a long time now, so it will be interesting to see if the ‘R’ tradition is continued.

By: Brian H

Brian H — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:53:29 +0000

Thanks for the analysis – it was all straightforward and quickly solved.

But you ask for example of “R” meaning “Recipe”. All doctor’s prescriptions begin with a flourished capital R (at least they always used to). It is an instruction (mediaeval dog-Latin) for “recipe” = “take” the stated amounts of drugs etc.

I don’t often call at this site – more often on the guardian line under the name of “Dragoncel” – hope you’ll forgive my intrusion.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:49:20 +0000

Thanks PeeDee – re 22d, one definition of recipe is for a medical prescription, however this is normally abbreviated as Rx, e.g. Rx aspirin 75mg.

By: PeeDee

PeeDee — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:06:59 +0000

Thanks Thoma99, blog updated. I had not heard of a Kilkenny cat before and din’t know any Pogues songs either. I’m paying the price for not mis-spending my youth.

By: Thomas99

Thomas99 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:58:30 +0000

Many thanks for the blog. Another fun mystery tour from crosswords greatest public transport fan.

Re 30a – Wikipedia has a page on “Kilkenny cat” which explains things very well, but I got it from an old Pogues song “Wild Cats of Kilkenny”. I imagine the boy Kenny is the anorak-clad serial victim in South Park.