Spectator 2493

[Emmceeyell]

All done but cannot parse 35d - any hints appreciated

[Neveracrossword]

I've not got my copy to hand, but it involves changing a usual 'nurses', noun, for a philosopher...

[aelmpvw]

what is the clue?

[Emmceeyell]

Nurse begins to work for workers' champion (6)

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Emmceeyell. Did my nudge help?

[Emmceeyell]

Yes thanks - got there!

[ProfessorMaisie]

Isn't it EN + 'begins to work'?

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, PM, that works. I didn't have the clue, the wording, when I answered at 11.05.

[ProfessorMaisie]

I still don't have a clue as to why the 'special' clues are special (or for two of their definitions, come to that!). Any ideas, Neveracrossword?

[roslyn251254]

ProfessorMaisie .....no idea why "special" ...some very nice clues today and some very bad .....can't parse some of them but hey-ho!

[ProfessorMaisie]

Yes, I agree, roslyn - although the bad ones bother me most.
I think I might have an idea why they're special - but I'm still going through the letters, so not yet sure.

[Emmceeyell]

No "special" clues in my preamble...?

[roslyn251254]

Emmceeyell....last but one sentence in the preamble ...Fifteen SPECIAL clues include......

[Emmceeyell]

Apologies - a senior moment....
Didn't like the totally spurious words in some of the special clues.. e.g. hat in 9a

[ProfessorMaisie]

I thought the 'special' answers might comprise all of the letters in the unclued quotes + the two place names but I miscounted (55 for one, 56 for the other).
As for the eleven (apparently) random words in those clues - I've got no idea, but I can see all fifteen definitions now, so I'll leave it there.