Mail on Sunday

[Feline6875]

Can you help?
36a Plant of South America cultivated for its red, fleshy edible fruits (6) T _ M _ T _
Thanks!

[Hapus]

tomato

[Quizmonkey]

Was that a joke question? This is getting ridiculous...

[Hapus]

QM : What can you do - perhaps this site is a victim of its own success, and rather than use all the other fantastic sites for definition, reference etc, they simply post here.
Perhaps, and I may be putting my neck on the line here, someone could log on early each morning, and post the answers to all the crosswords....
Ooh slap my hand.

[Quizmonkey]

You're right of course. It's fine answering people's cryptic queries as I'm sure we've all been there, and everyone has to learn somehow. I enjoy doing that, especially now that I only solve the top few advanced puzzles so never see the others. But people who need help with the simplest quick crossword clues, even with the internet at their disposal, need a different hobby. What is the point of 'solving' a crossword when you're not actually solving it?? I'm sure we can both expect a barrage of abuse, Hapus...

[kettledrum]

I agree with you both that the question looked ridiculous, & as QM says, we've all been there and we have to learn somehow. I know I often have lapses when the most obvious things - with hindsight - elude me.

I think it's a pity that this exchange is taking place on feline's post. He / she has managed to get t - m - t - . And he / she is always meticulously polite in thanking people for their help.

There are numerous people who post several clues with no letters to show that they've made any real effort, and then don't have the coutesy to thank all those who have contributed answers.

[Quizmonkey]

I said that we've all been there with regard to CRYPTIC clues - that's where the learning process has to come in. NOT for a 6-letter red fleshy fruit where every other letter is present.

[kettledrum]

I still think you're being a little harsh; of course it's obvious to you & me, but, all the same, I think you ought to give feline credit for having already solved the 3 clues that intersect with tomato.

There are plenty of people out there who dash into AB and give the impression of not having even tried to solve the clues... ( In a totally different league of xwords I am thinking of someone who has recently had the temerity to question your wisdom! )

I'm sorry, feline, to be talking about you like this. None of us knows your particular circumstances, nor how hard you've tried etc. But in general I do get very fed up with people who don't bother to look through previous posts and resubmit clues that have been asked before. Should we take a firm line with these people and just write "This has already been answered" or something similar?

[fozzies123]

how sad the choice to answer is yours so if you think someone has not made the effort dont answer or is that to simple for you eggheads

[achad]

i only get round to the crosswords late Sunday or Monday.
Have been reading ehe 'tomato' saga.
Now let's not be meanies - if you won't want to share then stay off the site or do you just want to impart your superior knowledge to us lesser mortals.
Is this supposed to be a friendly beart site or what ??

[achad]

i only get round to the crosswords late Sunday or Monday.
Have been reading the 'tomato' saga.
Now let's not be meanies - if you won't want to share then stay off the site or do you just want to impart your superior knowledge to us lesser mortals.
Is this supposed to be a friendly beart site or what ??

[achad]

sori - friendly bear I meant