Generalist Crossword January

[jenniferd]

I would like to congratulate the winner of the January Generalist crossword - I don't know if she is a contributor to Answerbank. Included in the congratulations are all the finishers of the crossword.
I thought it was extremely difficult and got nowhere near finishing it. Thought of asking for some help but as I had hardly started it - after several goes - decided it would be only the tip of the iceberg in aid required!!
This months, though difficult, is much more straightforward and fingers crossed will be able to find everything I need in my books and google.

[sarumite]

Hi jenniferd .. the January puzzle was a different type of challenge to that normally faced with the generalist.
Whilst we had no clue numbers, there was the advantage of knowing in advance which letter each answer started with. I must admit I found it enjoyable, but agree it was far more challenging than usual .. I likened it to a jigsaw where all of the pieces had only one possible resting place. Once the 15 letter and linking 4 letter words had been placed correctly as an initial move, it did become easier!

[merched]

Thank you for your kind words, no, I didn't win!!!
I usually manage to complete this crossword with the help of my son, and I am more than happy to help you, or anyone else, if needed.
I have almost finished it, I will probably have a go later on this evening.
M

[jenniferd]

Hi sarumite. I knew you had finished it and was amazed at the speed you did it. I was probably being very impatient. I do a lot of jigsaws and will sit for hours doing them. Also there was a lot going on round that time and the more normal crossword came out on top with me. No excuses though - just wasn't my thing!!!!

[Minoru]

Hello jenniferd. I agree February Generalist is more straightforward. Nevertheless I am completely flummoxed by 2 down - people exactly like each other (11). I shalll be interested to know if you solve this clue in due course.

[sarumite]

Hi Minoru ... 2 down was a tricky one. I have the answer if you would like it. Surprisingly, it is not even shown in Chambers.

[Minoru]

Hello sarumite c/o jenniferd.

Yes I would like a lead on 2 down. Rightly or wrongly i have
M?N?C?M?A?S

[merched]

I'm stuck on 2 down as well!!! I have the same letters, and I spent ages trawling through Chambers. I would love to know where Sarumite obtained the answer.

[sarumite]

I spent an age looking through Chambers and on-line crossword solver sites ... all to no avail. As a last resort I looked in Bradford's Crossword Solvers Dictionary, and listed under the heading "Identical" found the solution!!

Your letters are correct Minoru and the answer is MENECHMIANS.

Slaney then kindly supplied me with details concerning the derivation of the word as follows ....

The Oxford Companion to English Literature :-
The Roman writer Plautus wrote a play Men(a)echmi on which Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors is based.

http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/plautus0 03.html

[merched]

Thank you, Sarumite, I don't think I would have found it.
M

[merched]

Thank you also Slaney, Jennifer and Minoru.

[Minoru]

Thanks sarumite for a grand piece of investigation. re 2 down. You have obviously put many more on the right track as well as me.