Comments on: Independent 8,058 by Tyrus (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 11/08/12)

By: Tyrus

Tyrus — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:55:07 +0000

Thanks to Simon for the blog and to others for their comments.

MikeC’s parsing of 10A is correct.

By: flashling

flashling — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 20:59:11 +0000

Ta Simon and Jim. Once again the theme passed me by, hard but fair.

By: allan_c

allan_c — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 19:54:58 +0000

Nice one, Tyrus; and thanks, Simon and others, for the blog and comments. A satisfying puzzle in which the theme gradually became obvious, enabling me to finish. Only one bit of electronic help required – a word finder for ANTECEDE. I too guessed that the ‘street lothario’ was Mr Barlow. Even if one doesn’t watch soaps (I don’t) one can hardly miss the main themes when logging on to one’s ISP or whatever.

By: MikeC

MikeC — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 16:27:08 +0000

Thanks Simon and Tyrus. A good puzzle. I couldn’t fathom the AP part of 1a, so thanks for straightening that out. Also got 18d wrong, convincing myself (somehow) that time could be TELL, including H, E, C. I also figured that it was Iris, rather than Roop, but neglected to check her biblio. Shame on me! But the idea of THE CELL being connected with the News Int Murdoch did rather appeal

In 10a, it’s CAME + TOP + AS S(pecial),isn’t it?

By: yvains

yvains — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:55:38 +0000

@Al Dente & @Dormouse – Thank you, those were the two parsings I couldn’t manage! Thank you, Simon, for the blog, and Tyrus for a tough one!

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 09:16:02 +0000

Second day in a row that’s happened to me.

By: Al Dente

Al Dente — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 08:56:09 +0000

Sorry Dormouse we must have been typing at the same time.

By: Al Dente

Al Dente — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 08:55:00 +0000

Hi again Simon. Just noticed 20a so could have killed two birds with one stone so to speak. Split Amos up so you Am os the os representing an abbreviation for outsize; giving Am outsize = need a diet, Amos= book (of the Bible. Hope this helps too.

By: Dormouse

Dormouse — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 08:54:19 +0000

Didn’t have time to do this last week as I was away (and had time to get all of four answers during the week) but I think I can help with 20ac. It’s “am OS” – outsize as a clothing size.

By: Al Dente

Al Dente — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 08:47:35 +0000

Hi Simon. May be able to help with 1a. Tom is an old criminal and police slang word for a prostitute. So shorten that to pro aching (desperate) with relief reportedly, so sounds like a pee = ap, giving the definition “not far off” = approaching. Hope this helps.