Listener 4073: Quartet by MynoT

[midazolam]

I think we have turned a corner in terms of difficulty.

Another outstanding grid construction. The lack of unches made the task easier once the quotation was got, but the way it all tied in together was very pleasing. Some straightforward and some tough clues made this my favourite of the year so far.

Thanks MynoT

[Ruthrobin]

Aputt - try looking in Chambers in the place where you might expect to find the squirt in question - and you might spot the phosphorescence.

[aputt]

by a remarkable coincidence, when i went to amazon to order a copy of bradford's, there was a sample pdf which just happened to list the definition in question!!! the crossword gods are taking pity on me...

have ordered a copy anyway of course- thanks very much for your help.

[Patch49]

My Bradfords didn't give all the alternatives so maybe I need a new edition (mine is 2001) Got totally stalled for days with only one sector done then sussed out 3rd clue of set 3 and with only a minor hiccup for a missed S I've finished. Brilliant (that me and the puzzle!)

[catstail]

Thanks RuthRobin. I too was having difficulty with sea squirts and hydroids. Had read more about the phosphorescence of hydroids than was good for me! Interestingly the Amazon pdf (thanks for the tip Aputt) had a word for phosphoresence which chambers xword didn't. The 2 lists seemed quite different.

Does anyone have both - is it worth getting both? Have been quite happy with Chambers Xword dictionary but am now wondering if both are required. I see that the latest Bradfords is now from Sept 2009.

[Ruthrobin]

Sorry if I always sound like an advert for Bradford on this site but, honestly, for me it is the way into many of these obscure definitions and I very often find that the Chambers Xword dictionary simply doesn't have the width of definitions - all the different nuances of a word. I would invest in Bradford if I were you.

[easylistener]

Hello everyone, easylistener here. Well I have had a flurry of activity but am stuck again. Just ordered Bradfords too! Got the thematic elements and just over half the clues but have a long way to go. Can't get sea squirts despite your help.Any help with drum, hookers or pony?

[Mysterons]

Think triangles for the 'function' easylistener.

[Philoctetes]

I usually use Chambers almost entirely, brick followed by online. Because i couldn't be bothered (and the rugby was on) I did this one mainly with Bradfords. I think that one can probably do 90% of the Listeners with one or the other (with Quinaplus) but they are complementary and useful for the other 10%

[TerenceSpud]

Hi all,

Yes, totally off-topic, I'm sorry! But I reckon the die-hards will be done with this thread, so it's not such a crime. Firstly, to echo the sentiments - a brilliant puzzle. For some people it's the PDMs. For me, it's the process of moving from feeling absolutely convinced that I'm beaten, to a glimmer of hope, to the arrogant belief that given enough time I could complete any Listener! Well - we'll see, it'll be a few years yet before I achieve all-correct!

The main reason for my post is that I've now constructed (can you only say 'set' once you've had one published?) my first puzzle. I'm looking for someone to have a go at solving it, before I begin the formal submission process. Since I've already milked for all they're worth the couple of other Listenerphiles I know, I really need to find someone who could come to this fresh. If anyone would like to have a go, please do PM me! It'll give you something to be getting on with in those sad times between completion and the next one! By my reckoning, the next puzzle is mathematical, so someone who hates the numbers might like to try mine.

Thanks in advance,

Spud

[catstail]

Have now ordered Bradfords too. Someone should be getting commission!
I wont have the excuse of not being able to finish the Listener now as I don't have Bradfords. Will have to blame my brain or lack of it.
Am also stuck on (amongst others) pony, hookers and drums. Will think triangles for the first of these - thanks Mysterons. Am assuming that the first word of each is the definition.

[catstail]

Easylistener - re sea squirts - try the wiki article. You will find it helpful.

[Coalminers]

I often read what you have to say (ideally after I have finished) but have not contributed before. I find it fascinating. One issue I wasn't quite sure of this week was whether we should complete the "relevant quotation" or complete the "relevant quotation (minus one word)". If the former, where should we put the missing word. Sorry if I am being dim or pedantic.

[midazolam]

coalminers - the latter

terencespud - [email protected]

[Ruthrobin]

Catstail, yes it is. For your pony, use the weapon you would think of first and think mathematical (and use Bradford :) - no. I promise I get no commission) For your drum use the usual mother word and Bradford! The hookers - don't be misled by the last word in the clue - not in B!

[jacinth]

I returned to this today, and I'm glad to say it's done, but I did find it very hard work. Set 2 was my last - my Chambers was missing two rather than one of the words, but fortunately they were in Bradfords (one with a different spelling I'd already annotated). I think I'm happy with the thematics/highlighting, but after such an effort I'm always apprehensive!

[midazolam]

jacinth - one of those 2 words is in the newer chambers 2008 and not in the 2003 version. I think it came up in the listener last year (but it might have been another thematic crossword).

[jacinth]

Midazolam - thanks for the clarification. I've just checked and the same word popped up in 'Phoney' by Wasp last year which explains my Bradfords annotation.

[Apache4D]

Catstail, I thought that the hookers clue was nicely misleading but ultimately one of the easier clues don't over think it....In my opinion the wordplay is not misleading in the slightest as you simply have to apply exactly what it says for a simple answer that will be in every dictionary...just my thoughts :-)

[catstail]

RuthRobin and Apache4D. many thanks. Pony clue was not in chambers xword, but I got it by using Midazolams hint, and then looking through Chambers. Have tried obeying the instructions in hookers clue last word, but will try again. The drum has several listed in chambers Xword that might work, but the only convincing one has 8 letters. Will search on the internet and hope that my Bradfords arrives soon.

[Ruthrobin]

Five, Catstail!