DIY COW Clue Writing Contests

by **Qix** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:27 pm

Thanks again to MadJaqk for judging #139 like an old hand.

With a public inquiry going on in the UK into press ethics, I'd like to hear your thoughts on:

SLANDER

Maximum of four clues per person, with no editing please. Entries in by 5pm GMT on Friday 2nd December.

Good luck!

by **eXternal** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:59 pm

Australian beheaded for defamation?

Australian = islander
beheaded = origin deleticator
defamation = def
? = query to indicate example

by **qball** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:36 pm

Bad mouth badly affecting speech? (7)

bad mouth - def

badly affecting speech - loose def

by **steveran** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:04 am

Mud sled ran erratically (7)

MUD - def
SLED RAN - fodder
erratically - anagrind

by **timmah** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:19 am

Dirt throwing point scorer

Dirt throwing=def.

Point=s
lander=scorer eg one who scores or lands a blow in boxing

by **timmah** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 1:04 am

RE:DNA, laboratory scientist initially returns dubious report

dubious report=def.

RE DNA LS (lab scientist initially) returns = SLANDER

by **thewizenedgnome** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 1:29 am

For an across clue only:

German article on small network is potentially libellous (7)

DER (German definite articel) on (after in an across clue) S(mall) and LAN (Local Area Network) is the subsiduary indication.
'is potentially libellous' defines slander.

by **steveran** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 1:57 am

Dish the dirt on Berlusconi, say, holding the french letters (7)

Dish the dirt on - def
Berlusconi, say - SR (Senor)
holding - containment indicator
"the" french letters - L AND E

by **GymBunnies** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:04 am

Utter crap from Australian redneck sacking "poofter" (7)

Queenslander - queen

Utter crap = def (verb to utter, obviously)
from = link
Australian redneck = Queenslander (redneck Aussies are invariably from Queensland)
"poofter" = queen, in quotes to indicate its part of what the redneck said, and not condoned by the writer.
sacking = deleticator

by **GymBunnies** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:34 am

It's said to be poisonous (7)

CD

by **eXternal** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:01 am

GymBunnies wrote:It's said to be poisonous (7)

CD

That's a very nice CD, GB. I thought you once said you couldn't do them.

by **pepsib** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:06 am

Smear campaign the German ends after the French enter Senegal (7)

Def - smear campaign
the German ends i.e. der goes at end of word
after the French (la) enter Senegal (SN)

by **pepsib** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:21 am

False report starts scandalous lies about nude doctor examining redhead (7)

Def - false report
Acrostic clue indicated by starts: s(candalous) l(ies) a(bout) n(ude) d(octor) e(xamining) r(edhead)

by **pepsib** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:51 am

Clue removed for not only being rubbish but totally ignoring the indirect anagram rule

by **eXternal** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:54 am

clue withdrawn on account of crapness...normal service will resume soon

by **GymBunnies** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:12 pm

Thanks eXternal, I've been taking lessons

Wacko Jacko result possibly a false negative, we hear? (7)

Wacko Jacko result, possibly = def by example (he successfully sued for slander, and the nickname Wacko Jacko also arose from several defamatory stories)

A false negative we hear = CD

Yes, intentional difference in comma placement in clue (surface) vs clue explanation.

QM indicates slightly less underhanded than eXternal

by **pepsib** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 12:17 pm

GymBunnies wrote:It's said to be poisonous (7)

CD

I like it

by **pepsib** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:19 pm

Slag off Hawaiian? Not me (7)

Def - slag off

Hawaiian? Islander, the question mark indicates by example
Not me - take the i (I = me) off islander

by **thewizenedgnome** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 5:47 pm

pepsib wrote:Scandal and the French Queen assassinated (7)

Def - scandal
Anagram ind by assassinated of: and les(the French) r(Queen)

Please Mary - you shouldn't be making this error as you are better than that!

by **GymBunnies** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:33 pm

It's incorrectly said to be poisonous (7)

CD

by **eXternal** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:44 pm

GymBunnies wrote:It's incorrectly said to be poisonous (7)

CD

Make up your mind!

by **yamraaj** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:26 pm

Roast beef? (7)

DD
Roast in the sense "to roast someone"
Beef = "to complain at length" (Chambers dictionary)

by **GymBunnies** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:29 pm

eXternal wrote:
GymBunnies wrote:It's incorrectly said to be poisonous (7)

CD

Make up your mind!

that's the beauty of having four bites at the cherry!

by **cutlp** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:05 am

"Pork pies?!" doctor snarled (7)

Pork pies?! = definition (cockney rhyming slang for lies); doctor*SNARLED

by **pepsib** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:34 am

thewizenedgnome wrote:
pepsib wrote:Scandal and the French Queen assassinated (7)

Def - scandal
Anagram ind by assassinated of: and les(the French) r(Queen)

Please Mary - you shouldn't be making this error as you are better than that!

Thanks Gnomey but I'm obviously not!

by **spchennai** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:04 am

Killed without one German for defamation (7)

by **Emily** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 4:37 am

Curse as power tool circles left (7)

Curse = definition
power tool = SANDER
circles = container indicator
left = L
S (L) ANDER

Newt without a morning insult? (7)

Newt = SALAMANDER (fodder)
without a morning = remove A, AM from fodder
insult = definition
S(-a)L(-am)ANDER

by **AvaGo** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:03 am

Speech that may be heard at the bar (7)
CD
(The Bar=court of law)

Slurring words (7)
CD

It is land erroneously thought to contain dirt (7)
CD/&Lit/hidden word

I know that mixing these devices may not be very Timesy, but I'm hoping the surface meaning will carry this offering. (Oh, and the &Lit component relies on the reader associating the word "land" with "territory/area as in topic" to work) Is that too much of a stretch?

by **steveran** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:46 am

Mud toss lands on queen (7)

Mud - def
Toss - anagrind (noun in surface, verb in anagrind)
LANDSON - fodder
ER - queen

by **steveran** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:48 am

steveran wrote:Mud toss lands on queen (7)

Mud - def
Toss - anagrind (noun in surface, verb in anagrind)
LANDSON - fodder
ER - queen

... I meant LANDS -fodder

by **steveran** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:57 am

steveran wrote:
steveran wrote:Mud toss lands on queen (7)

Mud - def
Toss - anagrind (noun in surface, verb in anagrind)
LANDSON - fodder
ER - queen

... I meant LANDS -fodder

...and that it's a down clue.

by **timmah** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:04 am

Case of slur involves lies, aspersions, nasty defamatory exaggerations initially, amounting to this?

Case of slur=SR

involves (includes) lies, aspersions, nasty defamatory exaggerations initially= LANDE

by **steveran** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:01 am

Final fling from me this week:

Issue lies in serious financial commitments withheld around the country (7)

Issue lies - def
serious financial commitments withheld - SER[IOUS]
around the country S[LAND]ER

by **pepsib** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:04 am

After withdrawing one clue, I possibly am allowed another attempt, if not please ignore me Qix

Slag off Hawaiian? Not I (7)

Def - slag off
Hawaiian? = islander, the question mark means 'example of'
Not I - take the I off islander

Just a variation on one of my clues above

by **S T Sahasrabudhe** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 1:30 pm

1) Snarled, giving insult (7)

SNARLED* ('giving' indicating change from SNARLED to SLANDER and 'insult' being the definition)

by **axiom** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:08 pm

Slight plus meeting European leader in camera (7)

Slight = def
Plus = AND
European leader = E
Meeting = AND ‘meets’ E
In = containerindificator
Camera = SLR

SL - AND+E - R

by **qball** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 3:18 pm

Something like 'Andrew Neil does Ecstasy' reportedly starts to offend (7)

to offend - def

starts - initials of first 7 words

by **Pearl** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:55 pm

Learned peer oddly postdates expenses; ultimately becomes a ruinous false statement (7)

Def- a ruinous false statement
Wordplay- Learned peer oddly (lander) postdates (comes after) expenses; ultimately (s)

by **qball** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:34 am

It's pronounced 'malice' (7)

CD

Flighty ladies with, it's said, an eye for the sailors? On the contrary - it's malicious gossip (7)

Flighty - anagrind

it's said - homophone ind - eye/I

LADIES (with, it's said, an eye for the sailors) = with I for RN (Royal Navy)

on the contrary = with RN for I = LAD RN ES

it's malicious gossip - def

my brain hurts

by **Pearl** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:49 am

Half-true sermon containing put down (7)

&lit
wordplay- Half-true sermon (ser) containing* put down (land) gives
slander

by **Poongothai** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:51 am

Sierra Leone and Erithrea, over domain, accuse falsely (7)

by **Poongothai** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:54 am

Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

(DR+LEANS)*
smear => def.

by **Penfold_61** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:33 am

Falsely claim for end of nail caught in power tool (7)

(nai)L in SANDER

by **ampere** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:54 am

Near-total bias of upwardly mobile redtop editor resulted in lies being told (7)
SLAN + DE + R

Bias = SLANT
Near-total = not all of it, so SLAN
Redtop = R
Editor = ED
Upwardly mobile = turn it upside down (so this prob only works for a down clue)
Lies being told = def

Public untruths Dean sorted out in camera (7)

DEAN* in SLR

Public untruths = def
Dean = DEAN
sorted out = anagrind
in camera = in SLR

Beaten to the camera gag by axiom!

by **eXternal** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:43 pm

Clue for calumny, empty slur about chemical compound bordering state (7)

BOGOF clue

CALUMNY = def
empty slur = SR
about = boxicator
chemical compound = E
bordering = adjacency indicator
state = LAND
S(LAND+E)R

CALUMNY clue
empty slur = def
about = C
chemical compound = ALUM
bordering = adjacency indicator
state = NY

by **ampere** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:02 pm

It's an offence (7)

CD

Been trying hard to do some nifty word play on offence (legal) and offence (defamation) but I'm going to settle on this and kick myself when someone comes up with a better way!

by **crucifer** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 2:25 pm

eXternal wrote:Clue for calumny, empty slur about chemical compound bordering state (7)

BOGOF clue

CALUMNY = def
empty slur = SR
about = boxicator
chemical compound = E
bordering = adjacency indicator
state = LAND
S(LAND+E)R

CALUMNY clue
empty slur = def
about = C
chemical compound = ALUM
bordering = adjacency indicator
state = NY

My head hurts! Genius. Probably

by **Penfold_61** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:17 pm

eXternal wrote:Clue for calumny, empty slur about chemical compound bordering state (7)

BOGOF clue

CALUMNY = def
empty slur = SR
about = boxicator
chemical compound = E
bordering = adjacency indicator
state = LAND
S(LAND+E)R

CALUMNY clue
empty slur = def
about = C
chemical compound = ALUM
bordering = adjacency indicator
state = NY

Bloody hell.

by **timmah** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:30 pm

Poongothai wrote:Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

(DR+LEANS)*
smear => def.

This is fantastic

by **anax** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 9:42 pm

timmah wrote:
Poongothai wrote:Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

(DR+LEANS)*
smear => def.

This is fantastic

I agree the wording is fantastic. We had a discussion a while ago about the extent to which abbreviations/single letters should be used as part of anagram fodder. Absolutely direct abbreviations (P=parking, n=North etc etc) and single letters (first to fall=F, centre of gravity=V etc etc) are absolutely fine. Abbreviations of 2 or more letters are potentially problematic as they tend to demand more of the solver; doctor=DR is as direct as you can get - but many crossword editors regard the difficulty level as a bordering OTT and, as a result, few setters dare to try it.

by **bingybong** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:38 pm

Pound into smooth surface with topless woman's mud (7)

Smooth surface = sand [verb]

containing l [pound]

+

topless woman's = (h)er

mud = def.

by **bingybong** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:34 pm

Malicious report of Lewis's hero losing head : European article (7)

malicious report = def.

Lewis's hero = ASLAN - ever-present character in The Narnia Chronicles, CS Lewis

losing head = (A)SLAN

+

European article = DER ( German for 'the')

by **Poongothai** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:15 am

Learn key smoothly first to perfect slur (7)

(LEARN+D+S)*
slur - def
to perfect - anagrind

by **Poongothai** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:59 am

Deliver smear regularly otherwise (7).

smear regularly - SER
deliver - LAND(as in '.. a blow' - WordWeb)
otherwise - anagrind.

by **yamraaj** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:45 am

Moon lander's an outright lie? (7)

landers=fodder and moon= anag indicator (moon as in to flash the buttocks)
an outright lie = definition
surface refers to conspiracy theories about moon landings being an elaborate hoax

by **eXternal** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:27 am

Sloucher releases painful cry showing this pair of braces to be deceptively tight, it is said (7)

Sloucher releases painful cry = SLOUCHER - OUCH
showing this pair of braces = leaving 2x2 = SL AND ER
to be deceptively tight, it is said = def (slander is mainly spoken and characteristics are that it is false (deceptive) and malicious/mean (tight))

by **Glen** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:48 pm

Rubber fitted round end of pencil produces smear (7)

Rubber - SANDER - a sander is something that rubs things down
fitted round end of pencil - SANDER goes round the end of penciL to give S-L-ANDER
produces - connector
smear - definition

Surface refers to those rubbers (cap erasers) that you can stick on the end of a pencil and which don't work very well.

by **ampere** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:17 pm

First slugger to register punch with little hesitation gives black eye (7)

First slugger = S
to register punch = LAND
little hesitation = ER
black eye = def.

by **crucifer** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:25 pm

Low-lying (7)

CD

by **boxwood** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:45 pm

Bank's replacement of worker with learner results in mudslinging (7)

Def.= mudslinging
Bank = Santander
worker = ant replaced by L = learner S(ant)(L)ANDER

by **Husky** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:21 pm

It's snarled inaccurately (7)

&Lit
Anag (indicated by 'inaccurately') of SNARLED

by **Penfold_61** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:24 pm

Lying in state in West Africa with monarch (7)

Def = lying

S(ierra) L(eone) + AND + ER

by **Boaz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:01 pm

Slight, possibly with adjective for effect initially? (7)

Slight = SLENDER with A for E

&lit

by **Boaz** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:06 pm

anax wrote:
timmah wrote:
Poongothai wrote:Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

(DR+LEANS)*
smear => def.

This is fantastic

I agree the wording is fantastic. We had a discussion a while ago about the extent to which abbreviations/single letters should be used as part of anagram fodder. Absolutely direct abbreviations (P=parking, n=North etc etc) and single letters (first to fall=F, centre of gravity=V etc etc) are absolutely fine. Abbreviations of 2 or more letters are potentially problematic as they tend to demand more of the solver; doctor=DR is as direct as you can get - but many crossword editors regard the difficulty level as a bordering OTT and, as a result, few setters dare to try it.

Old hands know that if I'm judging, not to include even absolutely direct abbreviations or single letters in their fodder. But that is more in deference to a rule I seem to have made up, rather than an accepted law of crossword land.

by **Husky** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:09 pm

Initially scurrilous lies and abuse; ultimately an attested offence and misdemeanour (7)

&Lit

Initial letters of Scurrilous, Lies and Abuse
Final letters of aN, attesteD, offencE and misdemeanouR

by **shyam** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:16 pm

Slur a European confesses to? (7)

a European = ICELANDER = ~(I SLANDER)

by **shyam** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:24 pm

Moreover Sri Lanka faces the source of ethnic and regional slur (7)

Moreover = AND; {SL} {AND} {ER}

Supposed to be a newspaper headline after the end of civil war a couple of years back. SL=Sri Lanka isn't in Chambers and is not the IVR code either, but I thought should be okay given its familiarity to cricket watchers.

by **Husky** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:30 pm

It's insulting to say the Queen is lagging behind and not leading state (7)

Def = It's insulting to say
Wordplay QUEENSLAND (state) + ER (Queen is lagging behind...) - QUEEN (... and not leading)

by **Poongothai** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:11 pm

crucifer wrote:Low-lying (7)

CD

Sssweeeet!

by **timmah** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 7:16 pm

Poongothai wrote:
crucifer wrote:Low-lying (7)

CD

Sssweeeet!

Yep, brilliant

by **thewizenedgnome** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:50 pm

Original members of Slade and Queen create audible assault (7)

SL (the starting members of SLade) AND (with) ER lead to (create) an audible assault (being the defintion).

C'mon Feel the Noize!

by **timmah** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:47 pm

Case of skull-duggery initially involves an evil relation, heads to this ?

Case of Skull=SL Duggery intially=D (involves AN) evil relation heads=ER

I'll no doubt get shot down for hyphenating skullduggery ! But I think it reads ok otherwise.

by **timmah** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:52 pm

As I'll be too busy for the rest of the week I'll just improve that last one a tad for my final entry :

Case of skull-duggery initially involves an evil relation, leads to this ?

Case of Skull=SL Duggery intially=D (involves AN) evil relation leads=ER

Although I imagine the hyphen will still kill me :lol:

by **Pearl** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:35 pm

Lie uncouthly as not a successful parachuter (7)

Def- Lie uncouthly
Wordplay- as not a (s) successful parachuter (lander)

by **bingybong** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:01 am

Press charges ? (7)

CD

by **mrknip** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:09 am

Dubious homophony this week

Vocal slurring also found in audible difficulty with pronunciation (7)

Vocal slurring= def.
also = AND
audible difficulty with pronunciation = SLUR sounds like SL-ER
[AND] found in [SLER]

My partner has started her training as a speech and language therapist, hence the textbook-like tone. SLUR for SLER doubly cheeky - the fact that 'slur' is in the clue is something of a double-bluff. The fact that SLER isn't a word is a total liberty. I look forward to seeing which of these you like least. (My money is on equal and unreserved disdain for both)

by **freda** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:17 am

Hello everyone. This is my first post here, so please be merciful!

Dish the dirt on, astonishingly, Landseer - and without a shred of evidence (7)

Definition: 'Dish the dirt on"; an anagram ('astonishingly) of 'Landseer' without one of the 'E's ('without a shred of evidence'). I trust the that the 'a' makes it clear that only one 'E' should be removed.

by **mrknip** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:22 am

"Etonian rascals are, primarily, after a second piece of property"- it's not libel! (7)

Etonian rascals...primarily = ER
...are...after [a second] [piece of property] = [S][LAND][ER]
it's not libel!= def. (At least, I used to get them confused. "!" for CDery)

(Full disclosure: had a cheeky edit to remove a hangover from a previous version - substituted 'are' for 'is'. Got there v.quick so hopefully you won't notice. Except I've told you now. Damn.)

by **crucifer** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:30 am

freda wrote:Hello everyone. This is my first post here, so please be merciful!

Dish the dirt on, astonishingly, Landseer - and without a shred of evidence (7)

Definition: 'Dish the dirt on"; an anagram ('astonishingly) of 'Landseer' without one of the 'E's ('without a shred of evidence'). I trust the that the 'a' makes it clear that only one 'E' should be removed.

Welcome freda. Good stuff.

by **boxwood** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 1:21 pm

Dump on ground in London area, west of Richmond upon Thames (7)

Def.= dump on
(ground = LAND) in (SE = London area) + Richmond upon Thames (west of)

by **metame** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:48 pm

Misleading statement: "on the one hand, South, and on the other, East" (6)

"Misleading statement" = def
"on" = placement (of S before L)
"the one hand" = L
"South" = S
"and" = AND
"on" = placement (of E before R)
"the other" = R (in context of statement, could expand the clue to "the other hand" if not clear)
"East" = E

by **Boaz** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:21 pm

Lie with hairy danglers finally hanging out (7)

Lie = def
hairy = anagrind
DAN(g)LERS*

by **crucifer** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 10:58 am

Low-lying region between Sweden and Estonia and Russia's Western borders (7)

def = Low-lying
region = land
Sweden = S
Estonia and Russia's Western borders = E+R
between = containerind

I still quite like "low-lying" as a CD in its own right but I felt it had additional potential as part of a longer clue.

by **adams** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 11:01 am

With reference to Max Mosley's recent run in with the NOTW...

"Loveless Mosley stripped and inserted head of rodent!" That's libel, I say (7)

Loveless Mosley = MSLEY
stripped = remove casing = SLE
and inserted = SL{AND}E
head of rodent = R

That's libel, I say = def. in that the only difference between libel and slander is that the former is written and the latter is spoken.

by **adams** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 11:33 am

Roast pork pies? (7)
DD

Roast = to denigrate = to slander (verb)
pork pies = lies = slander (noun)

question mark is there because you wouldn't normally make pork pies with roast pork!

by **Pearl** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:13 am

Touchdown in first half of series a result of a misplayed charge? (7)

Def- a misplayed charge? Qm as a whimsical definition
touchdown (land) in first half of series (ser)

Is it ok to have the wordplay as 'a result of' the definition? if not does the question mark make it ok?

by **Boaz** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 7:00 am

Pearl wrote:Touchdown in first half of series a result of a misplayed charge? (7)

Def- a misplayed charge? Qm as a whimsical definition
touchdown (land) in first half of series (ser)

Is it ok to have the wordplay as 'a result of' the definition? if not does the question mark make it ok?

I would say, on balance, no. A good clue should be able to be read as a perfectly clear set of wordplay instructions. A test I use is to put the answers in the clue and see if it makes sense as a set of instructions to the solver, so in this case you'd have:

Land in ser a result of a misplaced charge.

I think you can see straight away the problem. A misplaced charge is the result of Land in ser, not vice versa, in the same way that 5 is the result of 2+3. Saying 2+3 is the result of 5 would plainly be a nonsense and in my opinion, without prejudicing Qix's judgement on the matter, is the fundamental problem in your construction here.

by **crucifer** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 8:29 am

Revealed: the slightly surprising title of the lost book in the Millennium series...

The Girl without a Bad Word to Say (7)

bad word to say = def
The Girl without a = S(A)LANDER (Salander being the eponymous "Girl").

(I can almost hear Ximenes turning in his grave.)

by **newton** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:12 am

Hi everyone,

This is my first go, so please be gentle

Savage heartlessly, without grounds? Right (7)

Savage heartlessly -> SE
without -> container indicator
grounds -> LAND (as in "grounds of an estate")
right -> R

Definition as &lit.

N

by **eXternal** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:00 am

Lesser characters damaging jaw? (7)

Lesser characters = (letters of lesser) SL AND ER
damaging jaw = def
? = for a bit of trickery in the clue

by **Penfold_61** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 12:10 pm

eXternal wrote:Lesser characters damaging jaw? (7)

Lesser characters = (letters of lesser) SL AND ER
damaging jaw = def
? = for a bit of trickery in the clue

I get lesandr.

by **eXternal** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 12:18 pm

Penfold_61 wrote:
eXternal wrote:Lesser characters damaging jaw? (7)

Lesser characters = (letters of lesser) SL AND ER
damaging jaw = def
? = for a bit of trickery in the clue

I get lesandr.

Funny, I got SALNDER from crucifer's one above

What do you get from clue one on the following?

http://www.crosswordunclued.com/2011/11/have-fun-with-these-creative-clues-that.html

by **Glen** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 12:26 pm

Arrive in South American hospital that is criminally run down (7)

Arrive - LAND
in South American hospital - LAND in S(South) ER(American hospital)
that is - connector
criminally run down - definition - criminally (illegally) run down (criticise)

by **bingybong** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 1:45 pm

Labour left ran with Ed's malicious speech (7)

Labour = anagrind for L(EFT), RAN and EDS

malicious speech = def.

ref. Ed Milliband, Labour leader

by **Glen** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 3:46 pm

Often, Private Eye gets sued for reporting it, Hislop loses case, and, er, that's it (7)

Often, Private Eye gets sued for reporting it, - definition - Private Eye magazine is often sued for printing slanderous accusations.
Hislop loses case - SL - HiSLop without the shell/outer parts (Hi and op)
and, er, - AND ER
that's it - indication that what has come before is the answer

Plus, "and, er, that's it" is a very commonly used phrase in Private Eye at the end of their joke articles, so the whole thing reads like an article from the magazine.

by **Glen** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 4:41 pm

Or maybe, just:

Hislop loses case, and, er, that's it (7)

Hislop loses case - SL - HiSLop without the shell/outer parts (Hi and op)
and, er, - AND ER
that's it - refering to the case (trial) being lost by Hislop, which it would not be unreasonable to guess would be a slander case.

Bit dubious perhaps.

by **Qix** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 5:01 pm

Thanks to all who entered this week. It's been a privilege to preside over such a large crop of clues, and there's been a wealth of talent on show.

Because of the number of entries, I've had to be rather unforgiving this week, particularly with the definitions.

Having said that, there is a fairly large shortlist, and I decided to pick a top five rather than three this week, to reflect the number and quality of the entries.

So, down to business:

eXternal

Australian beheaded for defamation?

The wordplay is good here, and "beheaded for defamation" integrates the deletion indicator well into the surface. Australia, though, is regarded as a continent rather than an island, and solvers might have some difficulty with this. Decapitation seems like a slightly excessive judicial response to slander, but these things happen in crosswords.

Clue for calumny, empty slur about chemical compound bordering state (7)

This is a great effort, and it's almost there, but not quite. The wordplay is pretty decent in both sense, except for "chemical compound" for E. The drug is, of course, a chemical compound, but, like other compounds such as water or sugar, it's primarily known for something else, so it would be pretty tricky for the solver to get. "Chemical compound" for ALUM is fine. "Chemical compound bordering state" is an odd phrase, and makes the surface sound a little clunky. It was quite a feat to put this together, but it doesn't quite make it to the shortlist.

Sloucher releases painful cry showing this pair of braces to be deceptively tight, it is said (7)

Good wordplay. It wasn't so easy to clue "SL AND ER", but this does it well. Unfortunately, while "tight" is synonymous with "mean", this is only true for the "stingy" sense of mean, so the definition isn't right.

Lesser characters damaging jaw? (7)

Unlike the previous clue, where I thought that the two pairs of letters were clued effectively, I think that this is less successful, although it could work as part of a very libertarian clue in some publications. "Damaging jaw" is a nicely deceptive definition. The surface is less polished than some others this week.

qball

Bad mouth badly affecting speech? (7)

Both halves of the DD work OK, and the double meaning of "affecting" is used well. The use of both "bad" and "badly" like this, though, weakens the surface reading.

Something like 'Andrew Neil does Ecstasy' reportedly starts to offend (7)

The acrostic part works well (although it wouldn't get into the Times because of the reference to a living person (other than HMQ)). "To offend" is not quite the same as slander, though, as it's a broader term. A somewhat vague definition can work when, as here, the wordplay is straightforward, but this is outdone by a few other clues this week.

It's pronounced 'malice' (7)

This CD is fine, although it's probably a little too obvious.

Flighty ladies with, it's said, an eye for the sailors? On the contrary - it's malicious gossip (7)

This is complicated, but it's also very well put-together. The surface reads plausibly. I'd have preferred just "sailors" to "the sailors" since other seafarers are available, and the clue is long at 16 words, but this is *** SHORTLISTED ***

steveran

Mud sled ran erratically (7)

The wordplay is good, and "mud" is fine as a definition. I've never heard of a "mud sled", though. Perhaps a little too mundane for shortlisting this week.

Dish the dirt on Berlusconi, say, holding the french letters (7)

"Berlusconi, say" for SR is very oblique, as is "the French letters" for "L AND E", but it's not beyond what might appear in print. The surface is chuckleworthy, and this one is *** SHORTLISTED ***

Mud toss lands on queen (7)

This one works only as a down clue, as "on" has the opposite positional meaning for across clues. For the surface, I think that it would be the mud that landed, rather than the toss, so the word order could do with being changed.

Issue lies in serious financial commitments withheld around the country (7)

"Serious financial commitments withheld around the country" is good, but "issue lies" is not quite the same as slander.

timmah

Dirt throwing point scorer

Everything works OK here, and it's a decent clue, just lacking the sparkle of the best this week.

RE:DNA, laboratory scientist initially returns dubious report

I like the wordplay here, although RE:DNA is giving too much away. "Re" could have been "concerning", for example, and there are other possibilities for DNA too. "Dubious report" is a rather slack definition, but there's a very good clue hiding not far from the surface here.

Case of skull-duggery initially involves an evil relation, heads to this ?

Case of skull-duggery initially involves an evil relation, leads to this ?

A few problems here. As timmah noted, the hyphen really is a deal-breaker. Skull-duggery isn't a word, and nor is duggery. There's the nucleus of a decent idea in this, but it needs more work.

thewizenedgnome

German article on small network is potentially libellous (7)

The wordplay is good, but I'm not so keen on the definition, because it leads the solver to expect an adjective, when slander ought to be a noun or a verb.

Original members of Slade and Queen create audible assault (7)

I like this. "Original members of Slade" is cleverly phrased. Some would say that the number of letters should be specified, but I think that it's fairly explicit here. "Original members" is understood to mean "letters at the start," which must mean "before half-way". There can, then, only be one or two, and the plural clarifies that nicely. "Audible assault" is OK as a definition I think. On that subject, the offence of slander is defined somewhat differently here in Scotland than it is in other jurisdictions, and it encompasses what would be called "libel" elsewhere. More on this later.

GymBunnies

Utter crap from Australian redneck sacking "poofter" (7)

The definition is not quite the same as slander, and, while admitting a substantial degree of ignorance regarding Australian sociology, I suspect that "invariably" in GymBunnies explanation is probably something of an exaggeration. If there were a prize for the Paul Hogan Show tribute clue of the week, this would get it, and it rates highly on the chucklemeter.

It's said to be poisonous (7)

It's incorrectly said to be poisonous (7)

Excellent CD, and the revision makes all the difference. *** SHORTLISTED ***

Wacko Jacko result possibly a false negative, we hear? (7)

The logic of the explanation would suggest that slander was the cause, rather than the result, surely? In any case, I don't think that the solver could be expected to reach slander from there. The definition is a little vague, but could have been OK with explicit wordplay.

pepsib

Smear campaign the German ends after the French enter Senegal (7)

This is pretty good, although I think that it would have to be "enters" for the cryptic reading - you can't really say "the enter", whether it's French or English.

False report starts scandalous lies about nude doctor examining redhead (7)

"Starts {acrostic fodder}" doesn't work here, because it doesn't indicate the starting letters of the follwing words grammatically.. "Starts of..." or "starts to..." might be OK. "{fodder} starts" also works.

Slag off Hawaiian? Not me (7)
Slag off Hawaiian? Not I (7)

I really shouldn't allow another bite at the cherry, because it's really equivalent to editing, but I'll let this one go. The second version here is a good clue. *** SHORTLISTED ***

yamraaj

Roast beef? (7)

This doesn't quite come off as a DD for me. "Roast" is "to criticize excessively" and "beef", as a verb, is "to grumble" (at least in my version of Chambers).

cutlp

"Pork pies?!" doctor snarled (7)

"Doctor snarled" is very nice, but slander is not really just lies, there must be some malice, or, at least, some resultant damage, I think.

spchennai

Killed without one German for defamation (7)

No explanation given, so I assume that this is SLA(I)N + DER. The surface lacks coherence, I think, although the wordplay is OK.

Emily

Curse as power tool circles left (7)

"Power tool circles left" is very good for L in SANDER, particularly since many sanders do employ circular motion. I don't think that "curse" quite cuts it a definition, though.

Newt without a morning insult? (7)

You can remove A and AM in order from SALAMANDER to reach SLANDER, so that element works OK, but the surface is pretty weak.

AvaGo

Speech that may be heard at the bar (7)

A case of slander might be heard in court, but the slander itself? Well, it would be repeated in the context of the case, I suppose, but I don't think that the wording quite captures the meaning that was intended.

Slurring words (7)

There's some nice misdirection going on here, and this is a decent clue.

It is land erroneously thought to contain dirt (7)

A couple of issues here. "It" and "thought" don't play a part in the wordplay, and only serve to pad the surface. In addition, the whole clue can't be read as a definition because either slander is "actual" dirt, or a "thought" can't, in itself, constitute slander, depending on which way you read the clue.

timmah

Case of slur involves lies, aspersions, nasty defamatory exaggerations initially, amounting to this?

This is a good try. The surface is clunky, and "exaggerations" wouldn't necessarily be involved. It's not up there with the best this week, though.

S T Sahasrabudhe

Snarled, giving insult (7)

I'm not a big fan of "giving" as an anagram indicator, but I'll concede that it can work. OK, but not one of my favourites.

axiom

Slight plus meeting European leader in camera (7)

This hangs together well, and "in camera" is very nice. I don't like "Slight plus" much, though, and this one just misses a shortlisting.

Pearl

Learned peer oddly postdates expenses; ultimately becomes a ruinous false statement (7)

Tremendous wordplay; "Learned peer oddly" is very good, alluding to the Law Lords (as were). The surface lets this down though, as the peer is the subject of the sentence, and can't really become a statement.

Half-true sermon containing put down (7)

Again, some very neat wordplay. This is very close to being an excellent clue. Sadly, I don't think that "half-true" can really mean "half-present", so the deletion isn't properly indicated. Very good attempt.

Touchdown in first half of series a result of a misplayed charge? (7)

Touchdown (all one word) is a noun, and could mean "landing", but not land. "Touch down" could mean LAND, but doesn't work for the surface. Also, the causality is back-to-front; {wordplay} a result of {definition} should really be the other way round, QM or not.

Lie uncouthly as not a successful parachuter (7)

"As not a" for S is extremely cute. "Successful parachuter" - superficially nice, although the more common form (and the one that's in Chambers) is parachutist. I'm not taken by "lie uncouthly" as a definition, and the surface doesn't fit together very well. Nevertheless, all of these clues have plenty going for them, and I expect Pearl to win a DIYCOW soon.

Poongothai

Sierra Leone and Erithrea, over domain, accuse falsely (7)

SL, AFAIK, isn't a generally accepted abbreviation for Sierra Leone - it's not the IVR code, which is accepted in some crosswords (eg the Telegraph, although not the Times), although it is a top-level domain suffix on the internet (which, I think, isn't an accepted abbreviation in any major crossword). ER is OK as the IVR for Eritrea (although the Times wouldn't have this either). The word order in the clue is stilted, and doesn't read well.

Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

This is on the acceptable side of anagram indirectness for me, and the clue reads very smoothly. *** SHORTLISTED ***

Learn key smoothly first to perfect slur (7)

"Smoothly first" doesn't properly indicate S. "Smoothly at first" would be fine. "To perfect" can't really take the preceding words as its object, so the anagram isn't properly indicated either.

Deliver smear regularly otherwise (7)

This is not on the acceptable side of anagram indirectness. We have "deliver" which the solver has to make into LAND, and then form an anagram of it. That's not allowed.

Penfold_61

Falsely claim for end of nail caught in power tool (7)

The wordplay is fine, of course, but I think that "falsely claim" isn't quite slander.

Lying in state in West Africa with monarch (7)

As above, I don't think that "lying" is enough for slander, and SL doesn't work for me as Sierra Leone.

ampere

Near-total bias of upwardly mobile redtop editor resulted in lies being told (7)

"Near-total bias" is pretty good for SLAN; "of" is redundant and potentially misleading. Some would disallow "redtop" for R (the Times certainly would), but I don't mind it. "Lies being told", as I've said before, is not quite the same as slander.

Public untruths Dean sorted out in camera (7)

"In camera" is good, as in axiom's clue. "Public untruths," again, isn't quite slander, although the juxtaposition of "public" and "in camera" is a nice idea.

It's an offence (7)

Much too vague, I'm afraid.

First slugger to register punch with little hesitation gives black eye (7)

"First slugger" doesn't give S. "Slugger's first" would be OK, for example, or, for an across clue, you could have "To register puch on slugger's head," or something like that. I don't buy "black eye" as a definition either, I'm afraid.

bingybong

Pound into smooth surface with topless woman's mud (7)

Pound into the surface with mud? Not sure about that. A very good attempt to paint a mud-wrestling picture, but the surface lets it down a little. "Smooth surface" for sand is very good, though.

Malicious report of Lewis's hero losing head : European article (7)

I don't like the use of "of" as a connector between def and subsidiary indication, and the surface is a little lacklustre, but this is a decent attempt otherwise.

Press charges ? (7)

I see what you're getting at, but this is too vague, and inexplicably plural, too.

Labour left ran with Ed's malicious speech (7)

"Labour" as a transitive anagram indicator is unusual, because it's rarely used in that sense in modern English, but it works OK for me. The surface hangs together very well, and this is *** SHORTLISTED ***

yamraaj

Moon lander's an outright lie? (7)

"Moon" as an anagram indicator? Seriously? I don't see that at all. The definition isn't quite slander, and, in the surface, the lander itself couldn't be a lie (although a claim that it had, in fact, landed, could be)

Glen

Rubber fitted round end of pencil produces smear (7)

Excellent. *** SHORTLISTED ***

Arrive in South American hospital that is criminally run down (7)

"Criminally run down" is very nice. ER, though, isn't a hospital, it's a department of a hospital, so that element doesn't work.

Often, Private Eye gets sued for reporting it, Hislop loses case, and, er, that's it (7)

Another good effort here. I like the wordplay, but "and er" gives too much away, I think. The definition is rather too obvious, and it's a long clue, but this is a pretty good clue with a coherent surface.

Hislop loses case, and, er, that's it (7)

The same comments apply to the wordplay, but a definition is really needed here.

crucifer

Low-lying (7)

The definition here is better than simply "lying", because it implies a degree of ill-intent, but, on its own, I don't think this is enough to get the solver to the solution. It could work as a definition if there were to be some clear wordplay...

Low-lying region between Sweden and Estonia and Russia's Western borders (7)

...and here it is. Nicely integrated geographical theme, too. I'd like to have seen a QM at the end - the solver could do with a hint that there are shenanigans going on with that hyphen - but it's *** SHORTLISTED ***

The Girl without a Bad Word to Say (7)

"The Girl" is just too indirect a reference, and the def isn't quite there either. I think it's also unclear that you only intend one A to be removed, although had the rest of the clue been good, that would have been forgivable.

boxwood

Bank's replacement of worker with learner results in mudslinging (7)

He-he. Nice PDM in this one. It might not make it into the Times, but the surface is good, and reflects one school of thought about the labour market. *** SHORTLISTED ***

Dump on ground in London area, west of Richmond upon Thames (7)

Good attempt to disguise the definition here, but "upon Thames" is redundant and could well have the solver looking for wordplay elements that aren't there.

Husky

It's snarled inaccurately (7)

It doesn't quite pull off the &lit trick, because slander need not be snarled. "It may be snarled..." would have been better, but, even then, not up with the best this week.

Initially scurrilous lies and abuse; ultimately an attested offence and misdemeanour (7)

This is pretty good. I'm not entirely convinced by "offence and misdemeanour" at the end, but *** SHORTLISTED ***

It's insulting to say the Queen is lagging behind and not leading state (7)

"State" for Queensland is OK, although potentially difficult for non-Australians, but otherwise the worplay is good. I like the way that Queen is used both as a deleted and as an added element, that's pretty neat. However, the definition isn't quite right.

Boaz

Slight, possibly with adjective for effect initially? (7)

The double meaning of "slight" is cleverly exploited here, although slight isn't quite the same as slander. I'm not sure it's &lit as such, but the wordplay is very good. Just misses the shortlist.

Lie with hairy danglers finally hanging out (7)

This is stiff competition with GymBunnies for LOL of the week. Sound wordplay, excellent choice of anagram indicator. "Lie" isn't quite the definition, though.

shyam

Slur a European confesses to? (7)

I think that this is supposed to be a homophone, but it doesn't work for me. I'm not convinced by "confesses to" as a homphone indicator either, if that's what it is.

Moreover Sri Lanka faces the source of ethnic and regional slur (7)

Moreover = AND; {SL} {AND} {ER}

As shyam rightly points out, SL isn't an acknowledged abbreviation for Sri Lanka, and, notwithstanding the possibility that it could be referred to in that way, I don't see it as fair to solvers. "Faces" can work in the way that's intended here, as a positional indicator, although I wonder whether it might work better with a different word order. The wording is a little clunky, and, for a newspaper headline, "moreover" is a word that I can't imagine ever being used.

mrknip

Vocal slurring also found in audible difficulty with pronunciation (7)

"Vocal slurring" is a pretty decent definition (although, as mentioned above, I haven't insisted on the spoken element because of Scottish law). The homophone doesn't work for me at all. This is due, in part, to the tendency of people is Scotland to use different vowel sounds for different vowels. Here, the U in "slur" would be pronounced in the same way as the U in "sun". If "sler" were a word, the E would probably sound like the E in "egg". Homophones that depend on a non-universal form of pronunciation are, I think, best avoided.

"Etonian rascals are, primarily, after a second piece of property"- it's not libel! (7)

In this clue, I would have preferred to see the initialism indicator next to the fodder. The interposition of "are" could be misleading. "It's not libel" isn't a good definition, I think.

freda

Dish the dirt on, astonishingly, Landseer - and without a shred of evidence (7)

Welcome freda. For a first entry, this is very good indeed. The main issue is that the solution is easy to spot from the anagram fodder, but this is nonetheless *** SHORTLISTED ***

metame

Misleading statement: "on the one hand, South, and on the other, East" (6)

Very clever piece of wordplay (although this would only work for a down clue, as "on" would mean the opposite for an across clue). "Misleading statement" isn't quite right, but the wordplay is great.

adams

"Loveless Mosley stripped and inserted head of rodent!" That's libel, I say (7)

Clever wordplay, with a nod to recent events. The only element that doesn't convince me is "I say". Perhaps "if reported" or "if broadcast" would have been better, at least for the English definition.

Roast pork pies? (7)

Again, this one falls foul of my view of the definition.

newton

Savage heartlessly, without grounds? Right (7)

Welcome, newton (though some of us already know of you via Twitter) and what a great way to introduce yourself! This is very good stuff, and works for me as an &lit, because "right" can be seen as a response to the preceding QM. Perhaps "that's right" would have sounded more natural, but this one is certainly *** SHORTLISTED ***

by **Qix** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 5:02 pm

This week's "short"list:

qball

Flighty ladies with, it's said, an eye for the sailors? On the contrary - it's malicious gossip (7)

steveran

Dish the dirt on Berlusconi, say, holding the french letters (7)

GymBunnies

It's incorrectly said to be poisonous (7)

pepsib

Slag off Hawaiian? Not I (7)

Poongothai

Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

Glen

Rubber fitted round end of pencil produces smear (7)

crucifer

Low-lying region between Sweden and Estonia and Russia's Western borders (7)

boxwood

Bank's replacement of worker with learner results in mudslinging (7)

Husky

Initially scurrilous lies and abuse; ultimately an attested offence and misdemeanour (7)

freda

Dish the dirt on, astonishingly, Landseer - and without a shred of evidence (7)

newton

Savage heartlessly, without grounds? Right (7)

bingybong

Labour left ran with Ed's malicious speech (7)

And the winners:

Fifth:
Poongothai

Doctor leans awkwardly for smear (7)

Neat and succinct, with a smooth surface. Very nice.

Fourth:
bingybong

Labour left ran with Ed's malicious speech (7)

Very well put together surface. Tricky anagram indicator, but fair. Good stuff.

Third:
GymBunnies

It's incorrectly said to be poisonous (7)

A very nice CD indeed. This could easily have won, as the top three are all of a high standard.

Second:
newton

Savage heartlessly, without grounds? Right (7)

Excellent debut entry (although newton is no stranger to cryptic clues). The only slight gripe I have is that it would have been nice to have had the final R slightly better integrated, but it's excellent nonetheless.

...and top of the shop this week:

Glen

Rubber fitted round end of pencil produces smear (7)

"Rubber" is lovely, and fits beautifully with "end of pencil" and "smear" to produce a clue with a convincing and coherent surface which is nicely deceptive.

Congratulations to Glen, and good luck setting and judging the next challenge!

by **Glen** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 5:13 pm

Wow, thanks Qix! Thought some of the others were brilliant, particularly liked bingybong's and Poongothai's. Hopefully my judging will be up to your accurate and speedy standard.

by **bingybong** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 5:23 pm

I thought the clues throughout were a really high standard. Great judging, thanks.

by **bingybong** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 5:25 pm

...and I shall continue to try to shoehorn mud wrestling into each contest, no matter how tenuous !

by **crucifer** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:12 pm

Excellent judging as always, Qix. And so quick - despite the fact that I rather cheekily had you reviewing an entire crossword in the background

Many thanks for your wise words. I'm hope this week's newcomers will have picked up plenty of tips - and will be back for more. Congratulations to the top table and especially Glen for a lovely winner. Look forward to the next one.

by **eXternal** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 6:44 pm

Informative judging, Qix. I think you chose the right winner. The clue has a nicely flowing surface, precise wordplay and a bit of misdirection in the 'rubber' part. Well done, Glen, on constructing such a fine clue.

Looking forward to seeing what challenge you bring us......and of course, good luck with the judging

by **newton** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 9:14 pm

Glen's use of rubber (so to speak) was a masterstroke. A worthy winner, congratulations Glen!

N

by **timmah** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:12 pm

Great stuff all round, thanks Qix

by **thewizenedgnome** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:39 pm

What they all said above.
It was a class clue that didn't really need Qix' incisive comments in order to float to the top (but he deserves thanks and recognition as well!)
Onwards and Upwards!

by **qball** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:54 pm

Thanks Quix, and congs to Glen

by **Emily** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 12:56 am

Thanks for judging so well and so quickly, Qix, and for the feedback.

Congrats to Glen and all with shortlisted/top five clues.

by **GymBunnies** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 1:31 am

Yes, brilliantly done as usual Qix, and congratulations to Glen and the also-rans. There was a time when it seemed all you had to do was submit a technically valid clue to make the shortlist, but now it's a real achievement in itself.

by **S T Sahasrabudhe** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:15 am

Excellent work Qix and congrats Glen.

Yes, the competition is getting tougher with every new challenge.

Towards making our contests more and more competitive, I have posted a list of addresses of all links (relating to some sites and saved on my PC as 'favorites'), under a new thread titled 'Links useful in cryptic clue-writing' under the (main) thread, 'Non-contest clue-writing'. I request all members to cross-check it with their own list of similar links and add under the same thread, for benefit of other members, links not appearing in my list. Surely, there must me some.

by **AvaGo** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:17 am

Thanks for the judgement, Qix - I'm stoked to have had one of my clues described as "decent". A first for me, I think! Congrats to Glen on the win.

by **pepsib** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:28 am

Hi Qix, what a mammoth task this week, well done on getting the judging done so quickly and allowing one of my clues through to the shortlist, I am quite happy to be there and not on the winners podium these days, congrats to Glen, than would have been a 'toughie' clue for me, I don't think I would have solved it :roll:

One day maybe I'll get an acrostic right, I appreciate what you said Qix but the clue wouldn't have read correctly using 'to', I'll keep trying

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