Comments on: Guardian 25,878 / Brummie

By: Huw Powell

Huw Powell — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:22:12 +0000

I think Irish courage is a synonym for Dutch courage…

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:56:59 +0000

muffin @52
No need for ‘sorry’, it was a great time. The only way to learn(?)
Some of the personal comments about the compilers after a disappointment would have sent half this MB off to bed with an attack of the vapours.

By: Querulous

Querulous — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:11:47 +0000

Chin-chin does indeed mean the male member in Japanese slang – it’s pronounced cheen-cheen.

By: Otherstuff

Otherstuff — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:24:46 +0000

To say Chin is, here in Italy, quite common but of course it is spelt “cin” here, I think that chin chin is slightly less common but not unknown. Maybe it was more common in times past but along with many phrases that got brought over to the UK and made popular by such as Julian and Sandy, they have not evolved as they do in their source country. Been living here just over a year and never yet heard cin cin but my wife confirms that it is still in use.

By: mrpenney

mrpenney — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:00:15 +0000

As regards the “familiar” film star: Those of us with any manners at all know that she is Ms. Blanchett. If you call her Cate, you’re being excessively familiar.

By: Kriscros

Kriscros — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:34:44 +0000

thank you Eileen and Brummie.

A fitting friday offering and treat. I missed the 2nd layer of the theme so thank you to 225 for adding to the enjoyment.

By: muffin

muffin — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:15:42 +0000

Sorry about your experience @51, RCW. I agree with KD. I learned as an apprentice, journeyman and competent (still awaiting master status) in school staff common rooms at lunchtimes (when pressure of marking allowed).

By: RCWhiting

RCWhiting — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:09:39 +0000

KD
“Some folk say that they started out solving cryptics in a group, with friends or work colleagues, and I guess this blog is the cyberspace version of that –”
Not in my experience,it isn’t.
The former,in an all-male work-force, was a ruthlesss dog eats dog competition.The first test was to hear the clue read out to a shuffling crowd of 6 or 8; then to spot any crossers and the enumeration and finally shout the solution before anyone else.
We warmed up on the D.Tel. and then played the main event – The G.
When I started, getting one success per lunch hour was sublime,and I always tried to read the completed grid after the scrimmage had dispersed.
Happy days.

By: MDatta

MDatta — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:37:30 +0000

With RCW on drum roll. Am I missing something? Lots of alternative cd’ s jump to mind. Otherwise a pleasant run out.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:44:22 +0000

Thanks, Eileen.

Like others, I enjoyed this one. Brummie is one of those compilers who I often struggle with, and it’s just a ‘wavelength’ thing, because his clueing is precise. I should be getting better, because he’s pretty much a once per month man, so I’ll have had a go at a few.

I thought VIOLIN BOW was particularly creative today, but there was good stuff elsewhere too. I saw a few countries scattered around the place but cba to really track down all the links.

I too would hesitate to call myself a ‘mentor’ (but thank you anyway, Michelle); however I do remember when I first started contributing here a few years ago, people were very helpful and friendly when I asked daft questions. Some folk say that they started out solving cryptics in a group, with friends or work colleagues, and I guess this blog is the cyberspace version of that – if someone can’t get or understand a solution, then someone else will.