Comments on: DT 26007

By: Libellule

Libellule — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:41:17 +0000

Giovanni,
Thanks for the comments. One thing is always clear about with just about all crosswords, everybody will have a differing opinion. We had the same issue in the Saturday crossword where a number of people were upset about 15a, even though it was an obvious anagram. The same way that Notochord was obvious from the wordplay.

By: Giovanni

Giovanni — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:11:32 +0000

Thanks for all the feedback. One final word about NOTOCHORD if I may. I think it’s important for me to defend this word and its clue : a) the word is in all the dictionaries, b) it’s biologically extremely significant, being the difference between the vertebrates and invertebrates, c) we should include scientific words (how often have I heard the moan that crosswords are exclusively classically biased!), d) it’s a gift of a word to clue so yes I’d expect many to solve it from NO TO CHORD, e) I would hope that there are a few among you who actually enjoy meeting new vocabulary and learning something through solving. So what to some would see here as ‘very poor’ would I hopeappear to others as ‘rather nice’! Expect more lessons in science and much else from time to time from your Friday setter!

By: mary

mary — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:34:43 +0000

me too

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:28:12 +0000

As far as 15a is concerned, I only got it from the checking letters and an anagram solver.

By: mary

mary — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:24:16 +0000

got it……. thanks anyway Dave
wow can’t believe i’ve finished it

By: mary

mary — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:23:16 +0000

Hello anyone there? hi Dave I am stuck on just the one today 21a in todays 26,008
i actually have the first and third letters but have got a mental block, there are 2 answers i think it might be….but helppp…..otherwise I have actually finished….yeees, some words i’d never heardof 15a for example

By: Barrie

Barrie — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 08:58:15 +0000

Yesterday (Thursday) the clues seemed to me to be fair and although cryptic had a degree of logic. This puzzle to me did not seem to allow one in as shown by 11a which is unnecessarily complicated. And as for 15d, oh come on! I always have trouble with this compiler, I cannot seem to get into his mind or way or working. I am quite prepared to believe it is me but that does not alter the fact that I find his/her puzzles poor.

By: Little Dave

Little Dave — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:38:13 +0000

Evening folks. A few stickers for me, mainly 15d (new word for my vocabulary) plus 11a. Contrary to some of the above I enjoyed this challenge very much but anticipate tomorrow’s will see a return of the usual Saturday disappointment.

By: Libellule

Libellule — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:24:16 +0000

Barrie,
I am a little confused. Today’s crossword was no more difficult than yesterdays. Yet, according to you yesterdays crossword was “Excellent”. For the setter’s sake – would you like to explain in more detail why you had such a problem with it? Or is this just a “throw away” remark?

By: Nubian

Nubian — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:04:22 +0000

Just remebered on submarines they have a conning tower to view from when they go ‘up top’

By: Edi

Edi — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:03:48 +0000

Enjoyed todays. 15d very tricky. 23a had me until i read review. did not like 26a. The night i assumed was DARK ???. gonna have a crack at the toughie now. may need help if you guys are still around

By: Libellule

Libellule — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:52:49 +0000

I found this on “google” – whether it is accurate or not I will leave for others to decide….
“Conning: Derived from cunning, in reference to the skill of the master in manoeuvring his ship, especially in action. Thus we say, “You have the con,” when we exchange Officers of the Watch (not deck in our period). “

By: Barrie

Barrie — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:41:53 +0000

What an awful puzzle!! Two unknown words and as for 10a, the less said the better. UGH!!
Having finished every crossword this week, I could only answer 2 clues on this horror.

By: Nubian

Nubian — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:34:04 +0000

Being Royal Navy retired I remember whenever the Officer if the watch took control on the bridge, the official remarks where from the relieved officer “You have the con” and the reply from the officer taking over was ” I have the con”
So was that short for control or scan ?

By: Libellule

Libellule — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:21:29 +0000

Nana,
Thats called the “stopped smoking weight gain” if he is not careful…..

By: nanaglugglug

nanaglugglug — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:06:28 +0000

Nice gentle crossword for a Friday afternoon to do with our cuppa and biscuits – well, that would be if himself hadn’t taken up biscuit eating in favour of smoking!!
Liked 9d,

By: Libellule

Libellule — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:02:42 +0000

I can see how 27a could be confusing if you had never heard of a “wicket gate” before.

By: Greenhorn

Greenhorn — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:58:33 +0000

Defeated by 26a -I never found Dodd remotely funny but maybe I’m alone in that, 19d &20d -not helped by thinking that 27a was garden edge , muddled thinking that an edge gave rise to a wicket being taken as in “edged to the slips”

By: Libellule

Libellule — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:51:09 +0000

John,
Depressingly we are aware of that. We were wondering if there was a more hidden meaning that might turn it from a cryptic definition (just) into cryptic definition (excellent).

By: john middleton

john middleton — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:42:51 +0000

the rider’s friend is his/her horse