Comments on: Guardian Cryptic N° 25,765 by Araucaria

By: maarvarq

maarvarq — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 03:44:05 +0000

Why the quotations marks around ‘composer’ in the solution to 25ac? Do you think ‘real’ composers write for orchestras?

By: Jouanny

Jouanny — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 18:19:13 +0000

I thought 11 ac was unfair with the definition, since it no longer exists as a region of the present day Midlands. On the other hand I loved 2 and 13 dn. Made me chuckle.

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 13:58:10 +0000

I criticise puzzles; I praise puzzles.
I thought that was the primary function of this MB.
Perhaps it would help such as PB if I gave forewarning of a criticism so they might prepare their little deniable barbs.
They really do not concern me in the slightest.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 10:35:42 +0000

Agreed, it is a personal belief. I have an altar and everything.

By: Admin

Admin — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 06:34:00 +0000

PaulB @43
Your claim is unsubstantiated and is purely a personal belief. I have found no evidence of multi-id trolling on 15² (unless it occurred during the eleven weeks I was in hospital) despite regular checks.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 01:10:04 +0000

The entity ‘RCW’ does not exist as a real person: I’m afraid he’s just another instance of the multi-id trolling that goes on here, and so he won’t be at Derby.

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 21:19:23 +0000

Well, RCW, the label you put on me with that “equation” occurs to me as rather unfriendly. I am certainly nót someone who wants to have the final word in crossword matters – in fact, I like an open discussion (as long as it about content rather than persons).
The reason why I said “let’s not start a discussion” is that a comment like mine can easily lead to an endless and sometimes purposeless exchange of views. One, for example, like in last Monday’s Rufus which was sensibly cut off by this site’s Admin.

I am happy with everyone who thinks ‘and letters’ can be a-n-d in any order. For me , though, there is a discrepancy between this and the approach of a similar thing like ‘subtraction anagram’ which was heavily discussed in the blog of the previous Redshank puzzle for the FT – which is what made me think.

More importantly, I still do not agree with anyone saying that the level of Guardian crosswords has gone down of lately. It’s only Rufus and Gordius who were recently criticised for their apparently under-par offerings. But that’s nothing new. This thing is going on for as long as I do crosswords and I am immune to it (as long as one doesn’t offend the setter and/or uses offensive language).

So, RCW (and Rowland), what is it that made the Guardian “really a curate’s egg”? I am not saying that every single crossword is a masterpiece or even up to scratch, but has it changed in the past few weeks or months? I don’t think so (in fact, with excellent ‘newbies’ like Tramp, Philistine, Qaos and Picaroon, I think the overall level has gone up), but apparently you do.

Thus far, I have always acknowledged that all of us have different expectations when it comes to solving crosswords.
So please, don’t put me in a box labelled Mr Know-It-All – because I’m not.

Perhaps, for a better understanding, it’s time to visit one of the Bloggers & Setters events. There’s one next month (in Derby). Yes, why not?

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 17:12:04 +0000

The standard abbreviation for pounds sterling id GBP.
Sil
Can I help with a little translation:
“let’s not start a discussion” = “I want the last word”

I pretty much agree with Rowland and certainly do not see any objection to what he said.

By: ancient fish

ancient fish — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 15:56:24 +0000

Re the AND deletion, the ‘letters’ bit means ‘the letters in AND in any order’.

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 01:05:48 +0000

Be surprised. It’s IS plus K in WHY, as blogged.