ev 850

[devadolly]

Good Morning everyone - Yes I know it is the crack of dawn, and No, I am not usually so sad as to be clattering away without the day being aired, but something has to be changed PDQ! However, am away until Wednesday conferencing so my first glance at this week's EV will be on the train and I will be helpless, not a ref book, dictionary or EV nutcase in sight - so will no doubt be pleading for help mid-week!

Regards

[Rollo]

It looks as if it is going to be a bit easier than last week's offering - at least from a quick first look.

[ulysses100]

Much much easier than last week's offering --- although it did take a little while to find the names in the grid.
I have only one clue to clear up :
29d Hill animal is exquisite (6). The answer is "tootoo" with "r" as the extra letter. To(r) is the hill, but I cannot explain "otoo"

[slaney]

Ulysses .. I took hill as Toot, and animal as (r)oo.

[ulysses100]

Thank you slaney for the explication. I hadn't come across that meaning of hill before.

[DocHH]

Thankfully this week EV was far more sociable than last week. Fortunately thanks to the hints from Novalis and Rollo the penny on last week dropped and I finalised EV 849 this afternoon.

[devadolly]

It must be really easy this week - I have no doubt you have all finished it and got it in the post! Because, although I haven't quite managed that, I have done all but 22d,23d,26a &39a, mostly whilst trying to concentrate on Politicians trying to convince me they were on my side (yeah, right!!) and without any ref sources or help!!!

The thematic breakthrough came on the train home, Himself dozing gently only to be awakened by my triumphant yell of " Of course you Twit!" It caused a few palpitations throughout the carriage I can tell you.

A little nudge in the right direction re the above mentioned would be great as I think there is a flaw somewhere in one of the answers and I've got a block about them.

Regards

[Rollo]

22d If you are for something then you are..........

What might an American call a shop?

39a What is red? What is an old word for the?

[Christiana]

26a) Five letter word for characteristic, minus the last letter (for the quotation) and a word for fish container which is more commonly used for soldiers' equipment. I'd never heard of the word before, nor the intersecting 22d) but you should get that one once you have the second letter and access to a Chambers.

[novalis]

Hi Devadoly!

23d - first, second and last letters are a three letter word ( verb not noun ) for supplement.

[Christiana]

Correction: Meant the intersecting 23d

[devadolly]

Thank you all - reference to the trusty Chamber's had sorted 22d (I really am going to have to take it everywhere with me) but, as you say Christina, there are some interesting words this week. Was taking bread in entirely the wrong contect and had never associated the 26a container with fish although it is still commonly used around here re milk!

Assume I have 39a right but can't quite work out where the spare letter comes from.

Regards

[Rollo]

The extra letter comes from the word used for "force".

[devadolly]

Thank you Rollo!

[DocHH]

Hello Devadolly
Have been busy with Talking Newspaper today and yesterday, but our other friends have resolved your enigmas. Quite impressed you did so much without Chambers, but think you should be subject to a fine for the "outcry" especially if you were in a quiet carriage! How did "Himself" feel about your sudden outburst rousing him from delicate slumbers!!
Ciao

[devadolly]

Have to defend myself - I wasn't in a quiet carriage! The Brum run from us doesn't have a quiet carriage. I had to really try to get my shout heard above the clatter of saddo computers and mobile shouters so didn't feel the need to apologise.

Himself shot to attention and asked "Are we there yet?" He is quite used to crossword provoked outbursts at odd times!!

[DocHH]

Suitably chastised!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!