Spectator 2128

[djawhufc]

Hi all

Normal service resumed.

Enjoy.

All the best

DJA

[barryjbutler]

Good morning Daniel. Many thanks!

[whatsthat]

Thanks Daniel.

[Jogler]

Thank you, Daniel. We are, as always, very grateful for your efforts.

[maurice]

Has anyone got a hint for 6a: I have T?S?AR & can see no connection with the theme!
& btw of course thanx once again to Daniel!

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Daniel.
18 D has me slightly puzzled - I'd have thought it ended in 'a', but I seem to have an 'e'. Can anyone advise? Thanks.

PS. This post will make sense only to those with a copy of the crossword.

[maurice]

It's definitely an "e": think of a word for a stupid person, cut short!
You'll find the 5-letter one in Chambers.

[Neveracrossword]

Maurice,thanks - I see your reasoning. I was maybe too focussed on the '????a', which is defined as 'comic actress' (singular) in Chambers.

[whatsthat]

In the preamble it should read "suggest another form of 42/27" - there is no 47.

[Neveracrossword]

Whatsthat, I just assumed that part of the preamble should have said 'another form of 42/27' and is just a mistake (as is the singular in 18 Down!).

[maurice]

What do you mean by "the singular in 18 down"?
As far as I can see it's perfectly OK as it is!

[Neveracrossword]

My Chambers gives the word ending in 'e' as the plural of the word ending in 'a' - the male version ends in 'o' in the singular and 'i' in the plural.

[maurice]

Sorry, Neveracross......, you're right! Doesn't even work in French!

Have you tumbled to the theme yet? It's not easy to discover.
And I'm still guessing what's so special about today's: not confirmed on the Net (yet)!

[Neveracrossword]

I'm relieved - I thought I was the only one who'd decided there was a mistake in the clue!
I haven't got the theme yet. I have a/the nine-letter word and know, in general terms, what it refers to - but I can't see the 'pair' I've to shade.

[maurice]

Hint: they are both synonyms of the missing one in the quartet (if you think very laterally), then the 9-letter word relates to that fact (2 ......)!

[kayakamina]

Thanks as ever Daniel for supplying our weekly fix.

Judging by the picture I bet Romy is becoming very independent
& demanding.

Regards K

[djawhufc]

Hi K

Yes you have hit the nail on the head. She is just as stubborn as her father but fortunately for her she is better looking and has more charm.

[Neveracrossword]

Maurice, I managed to get this finished off earlier - but thanks.

[Farrwest]

A bit late on this this week. Can someone give me the answer to 5d Abundance of ducks deserted pools (7) Thanks

[Neveracrossword]

Oodlins - abundance.

[Farrwest]

Thanks Neveracrossword.