times 24161

[mouselchu]

This had to be one of the most annoying i have seen for a while - even though i reckon i finished it, i cant understand a lot of the word play. Any help on the following...

4D - Square, earthed switch (5-2-3-3) - it kind of has a double meaning, but why is switch akin to stick?

8D - This is not OK, run together online (8)- can only go for OVER being OK (as in radio talk) and RULE being the line, but we are missing the run.... lost on this one

22D - Taking wine during imposition of penalty shows lack of respect (6) - maybe a stupid question, but why is wine IT?

26A - Amateur press's simple fare (3,8)- unless I have missed the clever part, strikes me that the wordplay is a bit flaky.

29A - Social occasion but, contrarily, drinks not included (3-5) - I assume TE-Y is but backwards, but I cant see why "drinks not" comes to APART

[kayakamina]

4 Stick in the mud

22 Levity...Levy +it

[kayakamina]

26a Ham Sandwich....Ham = amateur

[kayakamina]

22d IT = Vermouth which has a white wine base

[kayakamina]

29a A social occasion but (Alcoholic) drinks not included

Tea Party ?

[mouselchu]

sorry for not being clear - i have the answers, just dont get the word play. Thank you on vermouth though.

[swannbaker]

Not included is apart , drinks indicates takes in .

[swannbaker]

Run together is telling you to combine the words over and rule into one . And if you've ever had a switch on your backside you'll know what it is .

[mouselchu]

Thanks for that - think i was a bit slow on the drinks not included bit - works well after i see it. I guess you mean a switch is a cane ?

still dont like the overrule one though as it makes the "on" bit of online redundant, and OK is also used twice without indication - all seems a bit wrong to me.