Listener 3959

[andrewvc12]

Is the answer to 19a in Chambers? I think I've solved it but can't find it!
Thanks, Andrew

[Quizmonster]

That appears to be one of the ones referred to in the preamble where it reads: "Inflation often makes a nonsense of things." All the letters cross-check, but there is no such word in Chambers.

[cluelessJoe]

No no no ... 19A is not a normal clue, its one of the thematic clues - which is why you can't find the final answer in Chambers. If you have solved it, look closely at what you have for the answer, and within it you will find something you can divide by two to work back to the 'original' defined word which IS in Chambers!

[Quizmonster]

Aha! I hadn't got to the stage of dividing by two. The clues I've looked at so far seem to involve only multiplying by it!
Given that all the letters cross-check in this case anyway, as I've already said, what's the point of the complication? Listenerliness gone mad, I say!

[andrewvc12]

Thanks. Silly me but I hadn't thought about fractions.
Andrew

[cluelessJoe]

No Quizmonster, this is not an odd clue which you have to divide by two, having multiplied for the others. What I said is look at your grid entry ... as for all the thematic clues, the entry has been multiplied by two. So, if you have the entry, you can divide part of that entry to reveal the word as defined within the clue. In other words, view the grid entry as something which has already been thematically modified exactly as all the others have. You can them work your way back to the real word as defined in the clue as a cross-check (pleased to see that Andrew understood though!)

[Quizmonster]

I've got it, Joe, I've got it! Andrew expressed more effectively what I was trying to say...ie I had not thought of fractions. Consequently, I was looking at that particular clue/answer "bottom over tip"...that's all. Cheers

[cluelessJoe]

Good grief Quizmonster, in this and all other threads, you come across as being someone who just can not admit to being wrong. Your previous response here gives no indication whatsoever that you have 'got it'

As you stated "Given that all the letters cross-check in this case anyway, as I've already said, what's the point of the complication? Listenerliness gone mad, I say! " ...

What complication? - this clue and answer follow exactly the same pattern as all other thematic clues in the puzzle! And yet you still strive to find another excuse for a dig at the Listener.

Time to get that bee out of your bonnet?

[Quizmonster]

For crying out loud! I got the grid-answer to 19A. Obviously, I saw the number-word in there and straight away - though clearly mistakenly - thought that number had to be doubled. As I already said, I got things ar$e about face...simple as that...because, like Andrew, I didn't think of fractions and hadn't really got into the puzzle at that point. I made a mistake, OK? I really don't need you chiding me with your "No, no, nos". One �no' would have done...I'm not a toddler!

I have admitted being wrong frequently throughout my many years on this and other Q & A sites. Perhaps you haven't been around long enough to notice or else you've been spending too much time just in this category? Whatever...you are clearly very far from having read "all other threads" I've been involved in. (Click here to see an apology of mine from just a few days ago.)

I have no antipathy whatsoever to the Listener, only to sanctimonious Listener solvers who nuttily believe that what they want is what has to be.

And there I for one shall leave it.

[cluelessJoe]

Apologies Quizmonster, I should have said "many other threads" rather than "all other threads"
I also apologise for having a go at you in the first place on this particular thread. I only did so because you seemed to be using this thread to have another dig at the Listener under false premise.
I now clearly understand that you have no empathy whatsoever with the diehards who do see the Listener as a 'special case'.
I can't fault you for maintaining that stance - though just reflect sadly that you can not show an iota of respect for the people who do hold that polar view. I don't think that many of your comments reflect particularly well on you as a person, but we do after all live in a democracy, and everyone is entitled to an opinion.
As you promised above, there you shall leave it - and here I shall leave it too - albeit in the forlorn hope that one day you may be tempted to be just a little more circumspect in your offering of assistance.

[ichkeria]

This is great fun!
It's now becoming de rigueur for "Listenerites", after posting their entry (of course) to dip into the Answerbank bear pit for a spot of post-match entertainment.
A particularly entertaining contest, this!

[cluelessJoe]

Hi Ichkeria
Always interesting to see how others have fared, always worth checking out whether anyone genuinely just needs a slight friendly nudge to help them on their way. As you may divine, what gets my (and many others') back up is wanton posting of a load of answers / theme explanations, often un-prompted .. though not in fact on this particular thread. I don't claim to be a pure 'Listenerite', though do partly sympathise with those who advocate no discussion until after closing date, because of the special nature of the puzzle (and yes it does have certain unique claims).
I'm all for the odd exchange of ideas and guidance, what I hate to see is the full frontal challenge laid down by certain posters who seem to get certain kicks from attacking the pure devotees of this particular puzzle.
Because the two poles of opinion will probably long persist, the exchanges over the Listener will doubtless persist for some time. Read on and enjoy!