Spectator 1886 Osculation by Dumpynose

[kayakamina]

This is a link to the latest Spectator offering which seemed to me a case of 'Kiss And Make Up'!

http://www.spectator.co.uk/article_assets/arti cledir_4654/2327346/crossword.pdf

[Spaghetti]

Thanks for the link!

[Christiana]

Thanks, K.

[mad max]

many thanks for link

[Spaghetti]

Is anyone else having difficulty with 36ac and 40ac? There seems to be only one possible word in each case, but I just don't get the wordplay!

[kayakamina]

Hi spaghetti

36a Ready ...Cash =readies....Read (register) Y (close to empty)

40a Anagram - Dumpynose is already an anagram of Pseudonym

[Spaghetti]

Thanks, Kayakamina

Yes, those are the two words I had. I got into a mind-rut about 'close to empty', thinking I was looking for a word meaning 'close to' with its innards removed. After over 40 years of crosswording you'd think I'd have learned by now!

I'd spotted the dumpynose/pseudonym connection, but I'm afraid the relevance of the village gossip still eludes me!

[kayakamina]

I didn't fully explain 40a sorry.

ANA (gossip) GRAM (village) = anagram = Dumpynose

[Spaghetti]

Thanks again. I thought I knew all the meanings of 'ana' and 'gram' so i didn't think of checking with Chambers. Another howler!

[kayakamina]

Just one of those days spaghetti.

For what it's worth I've been crosswording for 65 years!

Regards K

[crofter]

Hi kayakamina, I picked up on this posting earlier today and thought that I would give it a go. This being my first attempt at this crossword, I am pleased to say that I have almost finished it, but for the following:
12a I asume is XEROX
27a looks like SCUMBAG (although the wordplay escapes me)
For 13d, I think I have OL*IEST and still cannot complete.

I must have done some wrong!?

[kayakamina]

Hi Crofter nice to see you on here again!

12a Xerox

13d (B) ooziest...most leaky....least dry with B (barrel) off

27a Scumbag - swine ...*** is special interest right to a dividend.

You picked a good one for your first attempt as some weeks they are very convoluted.

Well done.

Now get back to setting the next Dragonfly Quiz!!

Regards K

[kayakamina]

Hi Crofter again.

I've just realised I gave you the wrong explanation for 27a
Scumbag.......Scum (Mother) Bag (special interest -my bag!)

K

[crofter]

Thanks K,

I can work out what the *** was!

I had to laugh when I got to your final comment regarding the next Dragonfly Quiz!

You will appreciate that the greatest problem is to find a thematic subject (like Birds, Double Deckers & Games) which will generate 50 answers ~ without having to delve into Reference Books or Word Lists!

I might just have one more Quiz left in me! :O)

[jamesah]

Very neat from Dumpynose to find all the theme words but I am finding 41ac difficult to work out. Any assistance welcome.

[kayakamina]

Extra Axillary

[jamesah]

Thanks Kayakamina. I had put 'Protea' for the shrub which is why I couldn't get 41ac.