Comments on: DT 26159 http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/ Putting the words to lights - crossword clues explained in plain English Sat, 04 Feb 2012 11:33:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Big Dave http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13572 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:30:25 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13572 Welcome to the blog Latino

]]> By: Latino http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13571 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:23:23 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13571 Thanks for that – got all but 6 clues on a plane to Turkey – coming back today and at least I can now read my book!

]]> By: Derek http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13424 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:32:05 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13424 Too many anagrams in this one.
I liked 22a and of course 24a – one had to get away from the nag to Patrick and his birds! -
4d, 5d & 14d.
Otherwise pretty straightforward.

Hope today’s DT arrives this afternoon – it is snowing again on this side of the North Sea.

]]> By: Mattparry7 http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13387 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:38:20 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13387 This is the quickest I’ve whizzed through a puzzle for a while – in stark contrast to yesterdays puzzle. There were lots of anagrams today, which helps. There are oftencomments on here about “anagram indicators” being dodgy but if they’re too obvious the clues would be too easy! If I miss an anagram I kick myself rather than blame the clue.

]]> By: Alan http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13383 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:02:31 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13383 Found today’s crossword relatively straightforward compared to the last few days. I fully agree with the poor surface reading, but ironically I think this is what made the puzzle easier for me, the anagrams stuck out like sore thumbs, and anagrams are always good to get some checking letters in.
The more polished setters hide their anagrams and definitions much more neatly, which I think makes a difference to the difficulty level. Trying to work out what the setter is looking for is by far the hardest battle.
I solved the puzzle on a train journey with no access to my electronic friend or this website which forced me to use the grey matter a little more.

]]> By: Little Dave http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13382 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:51:29 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13382 Perhaps tomorrow’s will be better? I actually quite enjoyed today’s but perhaps too many anagrams.

]]> By: Nubian http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13381 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:39:00 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13381 I agree with you Barrie, I think it is the setters style I can’t get into. I checked on my comments two weeks ago on a tuesday and I was going barmy with the puzzle. As I said then, it is not the setters fault, I just can’t get on his wavelength.
I finish but the enjoyment is just not there.

]]> By: Barrie http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13380 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:15:33 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13380 Not impressed with todays, too many silly clues

]]> By: Will http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13379 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:05:40 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13379 It was a straightforward workout. I got the last one, 7d, in a meeting. Multi-tasking! One or two odd clues.

]]> By: gnomethang http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13378 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:51:24 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13378 My 2 cents:
I think with small words (I an the etc) there’s no real issue. Perhaps ‘with/from etc may be considered the same way.

Over on the DIY COW Clue Writing website I recently created ‘Tungsten’:

Metal forged model Sten Gun (8)

7dgunpine who was judging that week pulled me (and one other) up saying:
“Not too keen on STEN remaining unshuffled”

I tended to agree with him since in such a short word it is a bit of a giveaway and pretty inelegant. There is possibly a difference when creating a longer phase so long as the word in question is an article or short conjunction.

]]> By: Mike (Touchwood) http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13376 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:35:23 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13376 Were I the setter, I may (facetiously) argue that the “with” in the answer is comprised of the last three letters in “dimwit” and the second letter in “sheet”!! Prove me wrong!!

]]> By: Little Dave http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13368 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:45:26 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13368 Enjoying a day off today so I tackled it over a cup of tea in M and S – initially not tuned in and struggled but after a cheese and pickle roll, a few jobs at home and some cardiovascular exercise I zipped through it. I must have either energised the brain cells or M and S tea contains some mind numbing propertties.

A fair puzzle and nice to finish it.

]]> By: gazza http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13367 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:31:58 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13367 Digby
Interesting point. If Anax is around, I’d be interested in his take on that.

]]> By: Digby http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13366 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:25:22 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13366 Now you have explained the term “surface readng”, I agree that this puzzle didn’t score too highly in this regard. 22a, 2d and 20d stood out as exceptions to this comment. Would it be pedantic of me to suggest that an anagram should not contain the same word as the solution, as with with in 9a?

]]> By: droopyh http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13363 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:53:25 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13363 Thanks

]]> By: gnomethang http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13362 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:08:18 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13362 I found this workmanlike although not particularly inspired. Got 14d without spotting the cake device – not too enamoured with it!.
23a and 2d were probably favourites.

]]> By: mary http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13361 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:07:28 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13361 Hi droopyh, when i started these about 8 months ago, i found the ‘Chambers crossword dictionary’ one of the best things i could have, i still recommend it and wouldn’t be without it, for Christmas I got The Chambers Dictionary’ 11th edition that Gazza mentioned, which is great but I still like my crossword dictionary best :) , again you can get this from Amazon for about £9.99p soft cover

]]> By: gazza http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13360 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:52:54 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13360 droopyh
It’s “The Chambers Dictionary”. The 11th edition is the latest (unless a new one’s come out recently!). The cover price is £35, but you can get it a lot cheaper than that if you go to Amazon or ebay.

]]> By: droopyh http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13359 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:47:24 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13359 Must have been straightforward as I got through it quite quickly today. Not sure about 11a though I do not have a Chambers dictionary so just assumed it would be in there. I liked 24a, 2d, 14d and 19d though best clue of the day for me was 22a.
Which Chambers should I get?

]]> By: mary http://bigdave44.com/2010/02/09/dt-26159/#comment-13358 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:47:14 +0000 http://bigdave44.com/?p=9305#comment-13358 yes, i suppose, i could see it in that context, thanks Gazza

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