Guardian Genius 206 - Last Two

[JJ109]

All solutions are defined normally, but the wordplay in each clue leads to a solution where two letters require an elementary (periodic table symbols of elements) substitution before entry in the grid.

24a Before, the French measure short dress (6) _ I _ _ _ E
I think this may be PINNIE (but I can't find it in my dictionary) short form of "pinafore"
This would then be OK as the parsing would be "PINTLE" (PINT before LE), with Thallium (TL) being replaced by Niobium (NI)
Therefore is PINNIE a short dress?

17d Knock from lots of punishment (7) I _ N _ _ _ S
(I think this is "INNINGS" (knock) but I can't parse
If "finings" are the punishment then the element to be substituted = FI , and there isn't an element with the symbol FI
If "linings" are punishment - then that is fine LI(thium) replaces In(dium) - but are "linings" punishment?

Oh for the want of a Chambers!

Many thanks

If Innings is correct then the 4th letter of 24a is an "N"

Many thanks

[klazomaniac]

Hi jj, check out 'scrimmage vest' and see what you think.

[JJ109]

Yes, thanks - it looks like a "Pinny" therefore presumably it is an alternative spelling. I think I like both Pinnie and Innings

By the way there is no element HA which would give hangings!

[JJ109]

^^ forget hangings I can't spell!

[klazomaniac]

Try Ca for calcium

[klazomaniac]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrimmage_vest

[JJ109]

Many thanks Klaz!
Canings! Doh!

[JJ109]

Finished - many thanks Klaz!

[klazomaniac]

Glad they work for you jj. Good luck if you are submitting:-)