Comments on: Toughie 299

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:11:07 +0000

Greenhorn

China => Pal is no different to any other synonym.

On the linked clues, welcome to Toughieland. Wait until you get one of Elgar’s specials.

By: Greenhorn

Greenhorn — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:21:13 +0000

With two 4 hour train jounrneys, had a go at this after solving the ordinary cryptic.
Still finding toughies too hard but got about 1/3 out.
8a Can you please expand. Palpable.
“a word sum gives plain, as in obvious, by combining cockney rhyming slang for china with a word meaning whitish around B(lack)”
China=china plate =mate -but isn”t it a step too far to then say mate=pal?
I’m not keen on clues such as 6d &21a where you asre snookered if you don’t have the answer to refer to.

By: gnomethang

gnomethang — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:04:18 +0000

Got to this a bit late – was halfway through on my newly shortened journey to work (note to self – don’t check on the Toughie if you haven’t finished in the morning!)
Great puzzle. 15d definitely my favourite. I was a bit flummoxed by the Ste abbreviation.

Thanks for the review, BD.

By: Anax

Anax — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:41:27 +0000

I’m probably crosswordland’s number one fan of smooth, convincing surface readings, and there are times when the clues of Notabilis are sort of 90% there. That said, the majority of clues in this puzzle really were bang on (and his clues are consistently smoother than those of most other setters). More importantly for most solvers, though, is the attention to detail and clue-writing rules which he sticks to with a passion. Even on those rare occasions when you have to double-read in an attempt to latch onto the imagery, you have to marvel at Notabilis’ technical skill. Super puzzle!

Incidentally, this is one of those Tele grids I really don’t like – not entirely sure why, but it just feels a bit old-fashioned and, of course, with no long answers it always feels like you get the minimum of help with the rest of the puzzle when you find an answer.

By: Prolixic

Prolixic — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:28:05 +0000

Great cluing and all the fun we expect from Notabilis. I’m going to buck the trend and say that I found it one of his easier puzzles with only perhaps 4 or 5 clues that required backward explanations once I had the answers. This did not detract from the enjoyment of the crossword though.

By: Mike (Touchwood)

Mike (Touchwood) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:26:51 +0000

Definition 2 “peg used to close the opening of a tube or pipe” looks to be pretty spot on for a plug to me! Thanks Libellule.

By: Big Dave

Big Dave — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:25:56 +0000

Mike

Firstly, it’s ok to mention answers in the comments to weekday puzzles – anyone who reads the comments must expect that.

Secondly, Chambers has spigot under plug in its Thesaurus

By: Libellule

Libellule — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:23:51 +0000

Online Chambers:
a peg for a vent-hole,
or peg used to close the opening of a tube or pipe
an end of a pipe that fits into another
a tap or faucet (North American)
an interface (computing)
Hmm no plug, but you could (possibly) stretch definition two into plug if you tried.

By: Digby

Digby — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:12:24 +0000

Edelweiss seems to have shot up all over recently, but this was a good clue for it. Got ORBITING, but needed your debrief as to why, thanks Dave! And 5d was very well constructed I thought. Excellent puzzle and debrief – definitely 4+++ stars for both.

By: Mike (Touchwood)

Mike (Touchwood) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:08:08 +0000

Excellent stuff and most enjoyable, many thanks as usual for the review.

I found this very challenging, just about at the limit of my current expertise, and needed all 5 prompt letters from clued up. Several answers needed some thought before I could see the logic, in particular 15d, but all fair and above board.

A minor quibble – I’m haven’t seen the answer for 1d used as it was defined – in some types of pipework we get ****** and socket joints but this isn’t a plug – neither is the device on beer barrels which is the other usage I’m familiar with. Perhaps someone with access to Chamber’s will put me right!

By: BigBoab

BigBoab — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:08:56 +0000

Superb crossword , 15d was my favourite clue. Great review as ever Dave. Many thanks due to Notablis for the best crossword for some time.

By: gazza

gazza — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:05:59 +0000

Loved it!
“Push” in 5a reminded me of the need to differentiate between the use of a word as a noun and a verb, as demonstrated by the wartime headline “Eighth army push bottles up German rear”.