azed 1917

[AHearer]

Is anybody else having a problem with the intersection of 26D and 34 A?

[greyfox]

The paper version numbers 26 dn as 28 in the grid so I wonder if there has been a editorial mix up.

34 ac is Redstreak for sure which leaves me with ST?DD for 26 dn. The only word that fits is Stedd, but there's no way I can get that from the wordplay. Is the hidden 'Steds' a possibilty, but then there's the clash you refer to.

Perhaps someone else can enlighten us though don't hold you breath for a helpful hint from docspock.

[AHearer]

Yes, greyfox, that's exactly where I ended up. I see no way 26D can be singular -- and even if we ignore the clash 'steds' for 'spots', though justifiable, seems a bit loose for Azed.

[robinruth]

We wondered whether it was a misprint but have, obviously, gone for redstreak and stedd on the basis that the redstreak clue has an r (recipe) in red steak to give us the apple.
Can the spots be spot is (spot's) and thus singular? That gives stedd - I know that leaves a problem with the extra slacks but sobeit.
I am having a problem solving 2d. (struggling with whether 1ac. is the Scots or English version of the word.

[robinruth]

Incidentally, the on-line version also has that confusion of 26 and 28 - probably the source of the trouble as AZED is on holiday this week, isn't he? No doubt all will be clarified next week.

[dr b]

the wordplay for 26d clearly suggests an answer hidden in the clue, which is "feature of worSTED Slacks". Spots also suggests the plural "steds". Ergo, a misprint.

I have 1a as GUB, as a "bug" is a "fan" (as in "gold bug"). 2d is a bit dicey to me but is a place name as far as i can tell.

[dr b]

In fact a quick tour of Wikipedia indicates it's the name of many, many places!

[AHearer]

robinruth, dr b, thanks for reinforcing my view that there was a misprint/editing slip. I read "little 2D" as "stupid" rather than an indication of a place.

[dr b]

2d: Doh! Shouldn't that be clued as "2 words"???

[bathtub]

Thanks for pointing me to the right thread, dr b. Clearly I had little 'up top' when I failed to spot it. I totally agree about 26d/34a being a mistake (a compiler's and editor's mistake, not a misprint - this has happened with Azed more than once before, sadly).

Chambers clearly has the solution to 2d as two words, not one (or hyphenated, which by convention Azed gives as one word).

[robinruth]

Yes - thanks for 2d. As soon as I asked, I realized that it must be two words hyphenated. I always forget that AZED by convention puts hyphenated words as one.
We were also puzzled by 31 until we realised that that odd solidus in the clue was 'I' - AZ