Comments on: Guardian 25,681 – Chifonie

By: tupu

tupu — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 21:09:46 +0000

Hi Monkeypuzzler

I think ‘absorbent’ is OK. ‘Ing’ adjectival endings can usually refer either to an actual present state/activity or a more general characteristic and this last is also often represented by ‘-ant’ or ‘-ent’ as here.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:56:36 +0000

‘Am I alone in finding clues like 22dn are getting to be used more often.’

You might be: I don’t know. Sorry to hear about your peeved displeasure, but first- and last-letters clues are only rarely espied in daily puzzles as far as I know, and in any case I don’t necessarily agree that this example is devoid of sense. Here it is in full:

Drink starts to compromise our command over assistants.

Nothing wrong with the picture painted there. As pointed out, drunken bosses might be responsible for the disciplinary problems, but then so might drunken assistants: maybe that’s the more likely scenario! You could assume they’re all at it, but I find myself drawn almost inexorably toward the second possibility.

All of the above comes to you via My Opinion, naturally. Let me now consider whether or not to continue, in some suitably convivial ‘laboratory’, my own research into the effects of alcohol on the liver.

By: nametab

nametab — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:42:27 +0000

Thanks to setter & blogger.
Apiarist @10 – uou’re not alone. Even I could create such a clue. They are becoming more common, and need to both make sense and be well-disguised to satisfy.
Nice to learn another meaning of ‘gentle’.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:46:22 +0000

Sorry apiarist
Cannot offer further fascinating erudite explanations.
Try easier alternatives.

By: Monkeypuzzler

Monkeypuzzler — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 17:26:06 +0000

Anyone else not convinced by imbibing = absorbent in 13d? I see the liquid intake connection, but the tenses bother me. To my thinking the definition would lead to “absorbing”

By: apiarist

apiarist — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:48:29 +0000

RCW,worked under a drunken manager ? I should cocoa !!!!!!!!

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 16:10:30 +0000

I usually enjoy a Chifonie and I enjoyed this one. The clueing is always concise and precise, and today I didn’t spot any stand-out clues, but it was a well-constructed and pleasing solve.

Thanks to blogger and setter.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 15:32:37 +0000

apiarist
If you have ever worked under a drunken manager you would think it made perfect sense.

By: Headteacher

Headteacher — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 14:23:10 +0000

Passed a few idle moments supervising Friday evening detention!

By: apiarist

apiarist — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 13:47:49 +0000

A nice gentle crossword, eased by by some good cluing. But, am I alone in finding clues like 22dn are getting to be used more often. It just seems to be an accepted way of presenting the required word by forming a sentence or phrase which usually does not mean anything. Somehow it both peeves me and causes a modicum of displeasure!