FT 17,828 by Zamorca

16 comments on “FT 17,828 by Zamorca”

1. I don’t know how long Zamorca has included pangrams in her puzzles but it’s impressive how consistently and naturally they emerge.
   I liked the ‘offset’ play in 1a, along with BY GEORGE, REPUGNANT, UNWED and CLIMAX (as a cinephile, I’m a fan of IMAX). 10a certainly brings back memories; more of a struggle than wavering though.
   Some really lovely surfaces overall.
   Thanks to Zamorca and
   Loonapick.

2. We recently had CAST OFF clued with “exeunt omnes“. Today, with 24a CASTING ON, we’re knitting – a pastime favoured by Actors
   Ryan Gosling, Paul Rudd, Russell Crowe, Ewan McGregor, and Christopher Walken. (But not BY GEORGE Clooney. He’s a SEWER.)

3. [Some people won’t like the “off set” Playtex in 1a. Others won’t like the term “Playtex”. Others still will misname it ‘lift and separate’. Others still will call it “tedious” when the misnomer is pointed out.]

4. I used the pangram to see OXEYE, my LOI as I hadn’t used the X yet.

   Thank you to loonapick and Zamorca.

5. Thanks to Zamora and loonapick
   I didn’t see / know in advance about the Pangram – but not sure it would have helped. Oxeye was my last in – and I sat for far too long looking at oxe-e trying to see the mistake in the crossers as no word fitted (groan)

   Very nice crossword – really liked By George

6. All was proceeding well until LOI OXEYE as I was think “flower” as in river n tried to come up with some gobbledy-gook involving removing CAM from overcame, which has naff all to do with crossing water, but that’s what happens, well to me anyway.. liked WOODWORM mostly as I’m waging a war of attrition against them currently.. I feel a speed trap does work as a deterrent if a) one has been caught in one and b) if they’re advertised in advance, which they frequently are, even if they never materialise, which they frequently don’t over here.. enjoyed REPUGNANT n TALE OF WOE, which seemed apposite for 12ac (sigh)… didn’t spot the panagram but I shall make a note about Zamorca for future reference…
   Thanks Zamorca n loonapick

7. FrankieG @2: I don’t understand your comment about Playtex as it does not appear to be referred to in the clue or answer to 1A. Here in Australia, Playtex was (and still may be) a brand of brassiere, which used the phrase “lift and separate” in its advertisements. I am too much of a lady to expand on what it lifted and separated…

   27A was unknown to me: do cockneys really say “pianna”? Even Billy Joel can pronounce it properly.

8. I also got stuck on OXEYE, trying to do something with Ouse missing the u for university. If I’d noticed the pangram and the missing x I might have got it, but I rarely spot themes, ninas or pangram.
   Otherwise I enjoyed the puzzle, so thanks Zamorca and thank you, too, loonapick.
   Annabelle@7: cockneys call it a joanna. Yes, really!

9. Thanks for the blog, very good set of clues , all very neat and sound.
   SPEED TRAP s are often soon known about. As Undrell@6 says they do deter. The clue contains “standard model” but not THE Standard Model so you are spared a lecture.

10. I started in the NW corner and proceeded anti-clockwise around the grid. There were indeed some nice surfaces and my favourites include IMPEL, WOODWORM, SKEWER, INCUR, and TROJAN HORSE.

    I was surprised that QUEUES can be used to mean arranger others. It is always good to learn.

    Annabelle@7 – FrankieG@2 is referring to the splitting of offset in 1A into two parts – off as an anagram indicator and set as the letters to be rearranged. Several people have previously expressed a dislike for splitting a word like this. You also asked about ‘pianna’. I can only add that I wonder how many people actually use rhyming slang. Sometimes I suspect it is no more than a handful, 80% of whom are crossword setters.

    Thanks for a nice puzzle Zamorca, and thanks for the usual, quality blog loonapick

11. Martyn@10 , a train can mean a long line of people , such as those queueing up .

12. Oh, thank you Roz@11. I am not familiar with that use either and learn again. I guess the clue works both ways

13. Martyn @10 – I’ve worked and played in environments where Cockney rhyming slang was common, so common that I had to learn it to be able to talk to my colleagues.

    Across London it was found in a much wider area the traditional Cockney areas – which are within the sound of Bow Bells – which Bow Bells being left to debate – there are two that it could be: St Mary-le-Bow on Cheapside, near St Paul’s Cathedral, or St Mary’s Church, Bow, east of there, but with a pub opposite called the Bow Bells, and covered with a mural referring to Cockney traditions (and right in the middle of the area where the Kray Twins had influence). And really, “tinkling the old joanna” I’ve heard across London, down as far south as Norwood Junction, along with a lot of other CRS, including syrup (for wig) and barnet for hair, merchant banker, which came up recently in a Brockwell puzzle, and we all use berk.

    For a good while it was fashionable, and there was a certain amount of making stuff up – so you’ve got Whicker for nicker (pound), Ayrton Senna for tenner, Godiva for fiver, Ruby (Murray) for curry – all of which are more modern additions. Think watching Minder or the Sweeney – they were both full of CRS. Nowadays, you’re more likely to hear MLE (Multicultural London English), which has absorbed some CRS, but also other phrases from a range of languages – it’s what I speak now.

14. Very interesting Shanne@13. Many thanks

15. Very interesting Shanne@13. Many thanks.

    I actually went to St Mary le Bow Church several years ago. It was before I started doing the crossword and before I was aware of its significance.

16. Really enjoy this one. Thank you all

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