Comments on: Everyman No. 3438 (26th August)

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 17:12:44 +0000

Though someone using the name ‘slartibartfast’ is quite probably all three.

By: slartibartfast

slartibartfast — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 15:35:08 +0000

It’s a question of cultural depth I suppose
Not everyone attempting Everyman is British, has a liberal arts background or is old enough to remember the ’80s.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:40:05 +0000

Lovely to be heckled by another coward hiding behind a bullshit ID. Or perhaps the same cowartd hiding behind yet another bullshit ID.

By: slartibartfast

slartibartfast — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 21:11:06 +0000

In comparison to the general unwashed hordes
Wow – crossword snobbery!

As a un-ashamed member of the “general unwashed horde” who is coming here for some help, this was the first one I managed to complete in 6 attempts. Thanks to Lorraine for helping me up the learning curve.

And no – I didn’t know The Entertainer (tho’ got it from the rest of the clue) and 11a was the last clue solved..

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:18:36 +0000

You can’t possibly be serious (and from your posting history we may surmise that you’re not, you spiteful oaf).

In comparison to the general unwashed hordes, we can surely expect even ‘the less able crosswordwise’ as someone’s put it, or those ‘who might (sic) come here for help’ to have been exposed to the occasional extremely famous TV dramatist, or know at least the very basics as to clue types, so who’s really being condescending here?

And in any case, it strikes me that there’s a limit to what people can come here and say, and be indulged (or believed).

By: sidey

sidey — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 18:57:35 +0000

but the clue is so easy I can’t see how this answer would be ungettable for anyone who’s ever solved a cryptic

What a lovely way to encourage people who might come here for help, you condescending twerp. And it’s the sort of attitude you show round here regularly, kindly stop it.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 18:17:44 +0000

Thanks, Lorraine.

Did I know THE ENTERTAINER? Well, ish … I guess it’s one of those clues – which Everyman often asks you to solve with some clear wordplay – where having that five-miles-wide-and-one-foot-deep kind of knowledge is a help. But for sure, if you have to look something up, either to solve or confirm, and then store it away for future use, then it’s been a good puzzle. Like this one was.

By: Donna

Donna — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:36:25 +0000

Hello everyone, and thank you to Everyman and Lorraine! Bamberger, I’d never heard of Osborne (except for Ozzie!)or Potter (except for Harry!) either, so I waited until I had as much help from the crossing letters as I could get and then tried again. In fact, 16 Across was the last one in for me. I made a lucky guess and then checked it on Google. 11 Across I got from the straight definition and then checked “Potter” on Google. Even at 1 Across I’d never heard of a “tench,” though I knew the answer had to be “stench.” So I looked up “tench” in Chambers, and now I’ve got another fish to fry! I so agree with Robi about looking up things on Google or in the dictionary because that is how we learn. I also think that so much of what we know or don’t know is simply a matter of our interests and areas of expertise. For example, I love opera, so opera-related clues are always easy for me to figure out, though I know a lot of folks would dread them. On the other hand, anything to do with sports or math makes my blood pressure go up! But by looking up sports or math-related entries when they occur in crosswords I’ve added a bit to my knowledge of these subjects. I may never be an expert on them, but I’m not looking to be one. By calling itself “Everyman” it would seem that this puzzle sets itself up in opposition to even the slightest whiff of cultural elitism. There’s plenty of that elsewhere. Anyway, I’ll get off my soap box now and wish you all a very pleasant week ahead.

By: Bamberger

Bamberger — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:18:17 +0000

Paul B @3. I knew there was an anagram knocking about. 14 letters but which ones ? Stage in theatre has 14 letters -but couldn’t make anything out of that. I just couldn’t see what was required.
I’d be interested to know if others found the clue very easy if they didn’t know the name of the play. In any case Everyman is supposed to cater for the less able crosswordwise.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:30:34 +0000

It’s ENTER in THEATRE/IN* to be precise, but the clue is so easy I can’t see how this answer would be ungettable for anyone who’s ever solved a cryptic crossword. Re 11, same, though would some solvers have been better placed with a reference to a young wizard, say?

It’s a question of cultural depth I suppose, even where Potter is one of the most famous TV dramatists of all time, but this puzzle seemed to me another of the Everyman series extremely well-judged for difficulty, and a very nice Solve On Sunday.