Tel/Herculis

[london_lassy]

4down...atomizer or atomiser?
20across...howdah or houdah?

[JoolsTwo]

Atomiser and I think Howdah - but I am not 100% on that one.

[JoolsTwo]

Chambers gives both spellings but Howdah is the first one given so I'm going with that.

[london_lassy]

Thanks Jim, I am going with howdah, but still not sure about the Z or S

[Aquagility]

Having lived and worked in India I'm sure it's howdah. But what about the dye? Orcein or orchil? And what on earth is 31a, transcriber (7) ?D??T?R.

This is a really sneaky puzzle - easy at first sight but with one or two stings in the tail!

[JoolsTwo]

Yes I am beging to doubt it too now - Chambers seems to spell it both ways. But I always thought the z spelling was an Americanism, so I think I will go with the s. :-) Jools

[JoolsTwo]

Hi Aq I've gone with Adapter for 31a and Orchil for 5d.

[london_lassy]

Thanks all, for 5 down I had orchil, not so sure now!

[Aquagility]

Although I can't find anything better that Adapter for 31a, I can find no connection with Transcriber. And might it not be Adaptor, anyway?

[sarumite]

Hi all .. have been away since posting links earlier, but agree there seem to be options today.

For 4d I have Atomizer (as Chambers give this, out of alphabetical order as preference over Atomiser).

For 20a I agree that Howdah is infinitely preferable.

For 5d I much prefer Orchil.

Not at all happy with 31a but prefer Adaptor to any other possibility.

Hope you don't mind me joining the discussion at this late hour!

[Aquagility]

Had hoped we might hear from you, sarumite. Can you put your finger on why you prefer Orchil to Orcein? And have you found any quoted connection for Adaptor?

[JoolsTwo]

I agree Aq, the only word I can come up with that I think means Transcriber is Copyist but that doesn't fit. Adapter is the best alternative I can come up with and you could equaly have Adaptor. I think it is a case of making your choice. I think I will stick with Adapter - unless someone comes up with a better suggestion. :-)

[JoolsTwo]

Your input is very welcome S.

[sarumite]

Hi Aq .. when entering " violet red dye lichen" into the OneLook Reverse Dictionary, Orchil appears near top of options ... no mention of Orcean.

I am particularly happy with any of the options for 31a but my Collins Dictionary indicates Adaptor or Adapter, i.e. not alphabetically.

[sarumite]

.. meant to say above .. I am NOT particularly happy with options for 31a !!

[mjd]

The complete Oxford Dictionary gives Atomizer as "he who or that which atomizes". There is no entry for atomiser

[Aquagility]

Orcean would not fit, S. But see Orcein in Chambers (under Orcinol).

Re. Adapter/or, I would have thought that the last thing a transcriber should do would be to adapt! No Thesaurus I can find even hints at a connection. Nor does the Onelook Reverse. I admit that I have run iinto the buffers on this!

[sarumite]

Sorry Aq ... just a typo .. meant Orcein of course in relation to my above comments.

[sarumite]

One definition of Transcribe in Chambers is .... " to arrange (a composition) for and instrument other than that for which it is composed" .... in this context I think Adapt (er/or) is a suitable answer.

[Aquagility]

Good, S, that settles that, then. Now sort us out on the other tabloidesque disputable solutions!