Comments on: Everyman No. 3414 (11th March)

By: freethejazz

freethejazz — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:21:33 +0000

This is the first cryptic crossword I’ve managed to complete! Took me two very pleasant hours and several delicious pints of ale. Wonderful feeling finally dropping in 8d… Thanks Everyman. Failed to win the prize but it looks beautiful framed on my wall! Many more years of these larks ahead I hope. x

By: hughr

hughr — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:16:46 +0000

This lay on the table with only a few filled in (mainly due to lack of time) until a friend instantly recognised Lessing as the author. This got me to Blessing straight away and then I suddenly clicked with most of the rest of the clue. There were a couple that I didn’t get but after a very slow start, it turned out to be my best Everyman effort for quite a while.

Hugh

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:43:58 +0000

You are right, Rishi, although I see that Lorraine has also put it down as a cd. No matter – it was a good clue however you define it!

By: Rishi

Rishi — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 14:16:46 +0000

I don’t know if I have interpreted your statement correctly, but -

While I agree “Test matches?” is a CD, I think “Minor alteration in coins” is a charade, “minor” yielding SMALL and “alteration”, CHANGE. “Coins” is the def.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:30:07 +0000

I didn’t even think about ETON not being in Buckinghamshire, so that one would have passed me by if Everyman hadn’t fessed up.

You don’t get many cds with this setter as a rule, but I thought TRIAL MARRIAGES and SMALL CHANGE were both nice, concise clues.

Thanks to Everyman and Lorraine.

By: Bamberger

Bamberger — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 08:45:09 +0000

Quick solve for me but thought 24a was a literacy general knowledge question. If you know who the author is , in the answer goes. If not you need a few checking letters unless grace=blessing comes immediately into your mind instead of meanings connected with period of grace or some famous Grace such as Darling.

Thanks for the blog.

By: sidey

sidey — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 07:35:54 +0000

Tee hee, I am tempted to quote from the Goons now. Tales of Men’s Shirts if you want to google.

By: Everyman

Everyman — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 06:41:46 +0000

re 1 down.

Sorry about the error here; Eton is of course in Berkshire.

When I was at Eton, prior to the 1974 boundary changes, it was in Buckinghamshire. I have fond memories of that day trip with my parents!