Spectator 1938

[cruciverbali]

'Call Me, I'll Be Round' by Muso is on page 65 this week

http://thespectator.n...om/epaper/viewer.aspx

[barryjbutler]

Thanks again CV!

[kayakamina]

As I said on another thread, even after initially entering the wrong 'duck'
at 14a, I found the puzzle straightforward bar having two possibilites
for 25d.

Regards & thanks as usual.

[cruciverbali]

Don't tell me you're going qwackers K !!

[crucifernz]

Could someone please post the PDF link, thanks.

[crucifernz]

Thanks guys - you've given the game away already and I haven't even seen it!

[kayakamina]

crucifernz I don't consider I was giving anything away as the clue reads-

......Sidekick for Hook A Duck ? (4)

Regarding 25d this is an unclued light and I was suggesting that more than one four
letter word satisfies the theme. I didn't offer any words.

[crucifernz]

OK, Kayakamina, I don't mind really. I'm still waiting for the PDF....

[Mysterons]

Actually, although Hook's sidekick is 'a duck', his name ends with 'E', so it's Muso that is wrong, not Kayakamina.

Regarding 25, Chambers gives 8 possibilities - take your pick !!

[Quizmonster]

I think you are misinterpreting SIDEkick, Mysterons.

[Mysterons]

'Sidekick' as in partner (in crime) QM

[Christiana]

Thanks for the link Cruciverbalist. For once I've cleared the decks and ready to start

[Quizmonster]

Yes, I see that, M, but - as the question-mark at the end of the clue suggests - one might expect a bit of 'setterish' shenanigans! And that, I believe, is precisely what we got, as I tried to indicate by emboldening the SIDE element of the word. Muso's final letter here is NOT a mistake; it is - I believe - a quite deliberate messing about with the concept of 'sides'. I'll say no more. Cheers

[zita-green]

Thanks CV. Just managed to print it off.

[Rollo]

You will find a pdf version of the puzzle here

http://www.ayh875.btinternet.co.uk/1938.PDF

[AHearer]

I agree that 25d is unsatisfactory. I can think of six possibilities, but if pushed I would opt for one that retains some of the character of the common word.

[mintyman99]

here's another pdf link. very late. apologies. just back from taking boys surfing in devon. very little internet connection on beach.

http://www.spectator....5482103/crossword.pdf

[cruciverbali]

Yes, it does look as if Muso has overlooked a few possibilities. 25 aside, 10 can also be put inside the theme word, and 27 also offers a couple of arrangements.

Thanks for all your comments, and especially to mintyman for the pdf link

[tenflags]

Not quite sure I follow your logic cruciverbali, unless you ignore the brackets in the instructions around (in one case) which I guess is 'possible'. I feel it is more likely the reading is that no lights are placed 'with-in' the common word, and I can only see one solution for 27a that all sits very nicely with the complete instructions - assuming I have got it right of course.

If I have it right it's a shame there isn't a spare 'B' to give a nice finishing touch to 8 down. Maybe I'm missing something.

Anyway many thanks to Mintyman for the PDF.

[crucifernz]

I think 27ACROSS is the most likely for the 4 letter theme word to be embedded in, which does leave rather too many possibilities for 25 DOWN.

[mintyman99]

I think this is a disappointing crossword. Have we had Muso before? I can't remember. Here are my thoughts:

There are 5 clues with the answer hidden in the clue. Too many?
1 across has a lazy definition of eyeshade. is that fair?
31 across has a simple answer but it seems that the clue is slightly wrong.
4 down is a clumsy clue.
here are multiple solutions for 25 down
I have finished the puzzle but don't get the cryptic part of 19d (but that's my problem)

I agree that quizmonster is right about 14 across.
And that 27 across is most likely container.