Comments on: Independent on Sunday 1185 Donk

By: Tramp

Tramp — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:34:29 +0000

First class

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 14:25:01 +0000

Rowland et al, I think we all agree about the correctness of ‘s.
So, in fact, what’s said about it in the posts 10-14, is a kind of non-discussion.

But even knowing that it is correct, I do not like it, I am afraid. It’s a bit similar to using a legitimate anagram indicator that one doesn’t like. That can happen, can’t it.

Actually, when at the start of last year Brendan (in the Guardian) published a prize crossword with the Oscars as its theme, I was so unfortunate to infuriate the setter while having no bad intentions at all. In the short email contact that followed we sorted things out easily, but there was one thing that Brendan said which I had to think of in connection with the ‘discussion’ here: “Dancing” is excellent for the surface in the NATALIE PORTMAN clue, but is not an anagram indicator I like (taste and convention play very large roles here).

When I wrote @11: “I know 5d’s is right from a technical POV”, well, there we have a good example of the incorrect use of ‘s …..

By: scchua

scchua — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 12:20:26 +0000

Thanks Donk for dropping in with your clarifications. I, like the others, look forward to your next puzzle – especially if one gets to blog it.

By: rowland

rowland — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:24:21 +0000

I guess some people don’t think having the ‘s is as elegant as, maybe, not having it! It is used correctly by Donk though.

Cheers
Rowly.

By: Donk

Donk — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:11:23 +0000

Many thanks to scchua for the excellent blog and to everyone who left their comments, much appreciated! I think we’re pretty much on the money now with all the intended parsings!

TAG – The def here does indeed refer to the playground game ‘It’
BOX – VERY important piece of cricket gear!
CARBON FOOTPRINT – CARB + ON FOOT + PRINT

Thanks again,
Donk

By: JollySwagman

JollySwagman — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:47:05 +0000

Nice puzzle – amusing and nifty cluing with well-hidden defs.

Can’t see that the ‘s thing is an issue here – I know some folk don’t like ‘s = has to juxtapose the next bit (I’m always happy with it) but setter’s for I’ve etc (similar to here) is commonplace.

Too many rules and setters won’t be able to write fantastically entertaining puzzles – eg like this one. Well done Donk – keep ‘em coming.

Love to stop and chat but have to dash- deadlines to meet etc

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:04:12 +0000

Rorschach and Paul B, jolly good to see your comments.
I know 5d’s is right from a technical POV, but what I wanted to say was that I personally do not like that “apostrophe s” is/has thingy anymore – nothing more, nothing less.
I didn’t say it is wrong. I just don’t want to do it myself anymore – a matter of taste, I guess.
Terrific puzzle, btw!

By: Paul B

Paul B — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:37:11 +0000

5d works for me Sil, so hold the press on that Swag-Manual.

To conflate the surface with the cryptic reading here would produce a grammatical problem where there isn’t one (‘Crew on ship Donk has controlling’), so hockey sticks are for me still very Jolly. Some people don’t like the practice of using apostrophes in this way, and that’s a style issue, but from a technical POV I can’t fault this clue.

By: Rorschach

Rorschach — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 23:36:27 +0000

JS Book of Crosswords? Hope you’re not accusing the young Ximenean of being ‘unfair’…

By: Sil van den Hoek

Sil van den Hoek — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 21:34:01 +0000

Donk’s first Indy puzzle was a very good one (with, as I said then, some clues worth the price of the newspaper alone), but this one was even better.

When I solved this puzzle about a week ago, I ticked (tupu terminology ) 12ac (NOTEBOOKS), 4d (AFRO), 20d (GARDENER) and 23d (TRIPOD) as being outstanding/standing out.

I was fairly sure 14ac had to be GAS, but I couldn’t fully explain it. So, thanks to scchua for enlightening me – what a jewel in the crown: “He is one” !!

I do not like simple charades for long answers.
Therefore 9ac (CARBON FOOTPRINT) left me cold until Rorschach opened up my eyes.
That said, in the same category, 17ac (FOUNDATION STONE) still leaves me cold.

But I did like 21ac in which one has to disconnect Missing/work.
Well, in the end I could not make much sense of the surface, but even so.

The only thing (which means one thing only ) I didn’t like was the use of the infamous “apostrophe s” in 5d. I know, in Crosswordland clues are broken down into independent pieces, but I fear having “Donk’s” for “Donk has” where the surface tells me “Donk is” is something I am reluctant to do nowadays even if the JS Book of Crosswords justifies it.

Great puzzle by a super talent.