Ev 1115

[Geoff.T]

Hi
Is anybody is doing today EV and if so are you having similar difficulties to me. I can't reconcile the two top north western thematic entries and also 35d and 40a don't seem to fit together. Would be glad of some reassurance from someone.
Thanks
Geoff

[DocHH]

Hello Geoff.T,
The only reassurance I can offer is that 40a and 35d fit together in my fully populated grid. I have also been able to justify the 3 that cross appropriately, even the ones in the NW corner, using my 2003 version of the BRB.

[novalis]

Hi all.

This did not have me in a spin.

Agree with Doc. HH. Geoff.T,The problem is that the original performer is the thematic across entry in the N-W corner while the crossing down entry is the first name of the person who actually invented that thematic across entry.

[Geoff.T]

Hi Doc and thanks for reply.
For 40a I have put the usual US president with an abbreviation inserted for third letter. This leaves 39d with an 'e' for third letter. I would like an 'i' for my 39d to work.
In NW, 2nd row down I have assumed a four letter action. The name associated with this does not fit into the second column down according to all sources except Chambers which suggests another surname.
I remain bemused about SE corner.
Geoff

[jim360]

For 35d it's the Scottish equivalent of the definition you seek which amounts to a variant spelling of the entry you presumably have, that does have the required "e" to cross with 40a.

[novalis]

Hi Geoff.T Do you mean 35 down? There is no 39 down. If you do the E does fit. The answer is a Scottish version of the English word you have.

[Geoff.T]

Many thanks to you all.
I have now resolved SE corner and completed NW corner but am dissatisfied with latter as answers refer to two different people. Many thanks for your help.
Geoff

[jim360]

Recall that the preamble insists that Chambers in the primary reference -- thus its word on the origin of the relevant entry is the one that is taken to be correct. A cursory search suggests that most dictionaries seem to agree with Chambers, whereas official bodies and Wikipedia prefer the more obvious originator. It's not clear where this has come from, but one source notes that the "preferred" originator never demonstrated his creation internationally. It's possible that the competing origins represent a delay between the first showing and its adoption by other practitioners later, so that it became etymologically associated with the Chambers source despite predating his contribution?

Anyway, the point is that Chambers' word is law in crosswords like this, even if it's wrong.

[Geoff.T]

Thanks for your time Jim, Novalis, Doc et al.
I'll now get back to my struggles with this week's listener. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Geoff

[bambi123]

Enjoyable crossword - However stuck on 31a
Is it simply an anagram? If so my Chambers does not have the definition
It also could be the Xmas season but if so I don't understand the wordplay ... Would be grateful for advice

[jim360]

31a's probably one of the more devious clues in the puzzle. In some sense the wordplay is given by the answer.

[bambi123]

Thx Jim360 - Got it I think!

[Christiana]

31a is the one I'm also struggling with, and still don't see it, I'm afraid, Jim.

Was away for a couple of weeks visiting friends in the Greater Manchester area - no time for crosswords, but enjoyed ourselves visiting the Lowry exhibition, Dunham Massey and Lyme Park plus much more. Managed to complete last week's EV on our return and can now turn my attention to 1113 which also remains outstanding

[DocHH]

Christiana,
You seem to be spending lots of time on cultural things rather than the essentials of EV!
As far as 31a is concerned the punctuation is deliberately misleading. Try putting a comma afterr the 6th word of the clus!

[DocHH]

clue, not clus! My typing is abysmall!

[novalis]

Hi Christiana!

Hope you enjoyed yourself in this part of the world. Where do your friends live? Back now to refining the training material for new examiners.

[Christiana]

Thanks DocHH all is now clear. I enjoyed my cultural excursion, but now am back to the important things of life.
Novalis, we have two sets of friends in the area. The ones we stayed with are in Altrincham, and we also have friends in Stockport. We are seriously considering relocating to somewhere on the fringes of Greater Manchester and are looking for that impossible perfect place that has all the benefits of the town, is near good transport links but is also out in the country. After our quiet life in a small Lincolnshire village the traffic and general busyness is a bit overwhelming. Possible places on our list are Tamporley, Marple and Romiley, not necessarily in that order.

[novalis]

Hi Christiana!
If you are looking in that part of the world try Marple Bridge rather than Marple itself.

[Christiana]

Ok, will do - any particular reason?

[novalis]

Hi Christiana. It still retains a lot of old world charm and it is a really beautiful little place. On the other side of Manchester you could look in the Saddleworth area.

[Christiana]

Thanks - there's a small matter of selling our house here first, and houses in this part of Lincolnshire sell very slowly, but we'll have a look as soon as we get some sort of offer.