Spectator 2595 -"Three Of A Kind" By Devious Doc

[Matakari]

Good morning, a real teaser from Doc this week! Very straightforward anagrams as usual, but the Unclueds appear to be quite tricky, indeed, not to say daunting. A confirmation for the following Unclueds would be appreciated. Hope you have not given up, Klazo! Thanks in advance!
16a TIRG?E
17d ?OW?O?
29d ?IB?ED
30d ?I?ROR
31d ?I?G?E

[klazomaniac]

Not going to argue there Freyabee !

[jazzgirl]

Good morning all. I did not enjoy this puzzle.
However, I think I have finished but would like confirmation that 16a is a botanical description.

[Matakari]

Many thanks again, Klazo, I've got it finished now, even with the multiple alternatives.

[klazomaniac]

Yes jazzy. cylindrical and tapering

[jazzgirl]

Cheers Klazo !

[klazomaniac]

Glad to here it Matakari. I too hit a brick wall yesterday whilst looking for a decent theme. Once the penny had dropped, I also completed it in less than 5 mins. Such a let down of a puzzle.
You better find us another Hawk to test our noggins. lol :-)

[Matakari]

Thanks, Klazo! I do not think we want another Hawk in a hurry. Have you
any puzzle you think I can tackle to keep me occupied? I don't know if you had a look at the Chemistry World puzzles?

[klazomaniac]

Sadly i don't Matakari. And no, I haven't tried the 'Chemistry World puzzles'
Saying that, I'm not very fond of overseas crosswords (Too many Amercanisms and Alt spellings)
Guess we'll just have to wait until next week. :-)

[Matakari]

Ok, we'll just have to be patient until next week. By the way, I've been looking over my completed Doc grid and I must have done something wrong because I did not pick up the mention " Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe". Where exactlly does this appear? Thanks!

[brainiac]

If you particularly like Doc's puzzles, he (Tom Johnson) compiles puzzles as Anorak in the New Statesman magazine, Didymus in Prospect magazine, Maskarade in The Guardian, Gozo in the Financial Times and Busman in the Toughie series in The Daily Telegraph.
He also sets cricket-themed puzzles for Wisden Cricket Monthly

[klazomaniac]

I believe it's from 6d Cartel's (shortened from Cartles)

[klazomaniac]

*Carteles*

[ProfessorMaisie]

It's in 4a, klazo (first word ...'s).

[klazomaniac]

Of course it is Prof M (How stupid of me) I shall go and stand in the corner ! ;-)

[ProfessorMaisie]

(But not for long}.

[klazomaniac]

Hi Prof M. I told you I was in possesion of Chambers. I had it given to me by a friend (12th Edition) and it's in immaculate condition.
Can you confirm if 38a is in the 13th Edition ?

I had to get my library card out and log into the OED to find the answer.

[klazomaniac]

LOL, I've been there all week. Really not having the best of weeks :-(

[Matakari]

Thanks, ProfessorMaisie, I have the right answer, but did not pay attention to the apostrophe. And thanks also, Brainiac, but do you have to subscribe to get these puzzles?

[ProfessorMaisie]

'oragious' (stormy') is there but not the entry we have, which is French for a thunderstorm, I think (but Matakari will know that).

I think a loose appendix of missing words was included in the 12th edition, klazo... or was it in the one before? Even without it you've gt a good deal there (and a very good friend}.

[klazomaniac]

He is a good mate (although, It will cost me in the long run,He's always on the tap for something)

Just wanted to know if I need to shell out £40 to upgrade. (But I will carry on with this Edition and the OED online when needs be)

As always, Thanks for the clarification. :-)