Listener 4174: The Dentures of Sherlock Holmes by Salamanca

[Zabadak]

Unless I've gone seriously wrong, this easier than it first appears, though I'm still not sure of 15d. The definition seems to be a bit stretched and it's a bit of an exception to one of the rules. Otherwise the "quotation" forms early enough to make filling the rest of the pretty straightforward, and the thematic words, bar one for me, are familiar enough. Such PDM as there was came when I was struggling over the last few clues which didn't seem to translate into words and re-read the prologue. That's rule one, isn't it?
As ever, thanks to Salamanca and best wishes to all.

[Zabadak]

teuchter2: Slightly disappointingly, the Russian for the Philippines is Филиппины, pronounced (approximately) Philippeen. I checked it with my live in Russophone, and she says it's ok, but Google translate is a most excellent tool. Incidentally, I'm not particularly erudite (that's epoxy resin, right?) but I've found out lots of good places to look.

[Ruthrobin]

Delighted, Tilbee - we really want the Magpie to continue. I have never yet completed an E grade puzzle but get immense pleasure from the lively variety of the puzzles I do manage to solve. The solutions and comments on the D, E and number ones make inspiring reading - a further dimension to gaze at in awe! Yes, as CJ says, there are 6 a month - great value for money.

[mathsman]

May I beg for help from the quick solvers? I have 29a as ??r?r, 19d as agi?tie, and 27d as t?ert. I have read and re-read the 'prologue' but am still no wiser. Any hints, please?

[perseverer]

mathsman Don't want to put any more on here - some will already feel you have posted too much, but if you want, you can email me at [email protected] and I will give you a hint.

[IainGrace]

Easterfool, no more to the variations than that, it would appear. Just designed to show that you understand how the title of the puzzle is constructed - given that the title in a Listener is always the hidden further clue.

[rabet]

I thought this was amusing, but I have been a Listener solver (on and off) for forty years and I can't remember an easier puzzle. But no need for the dreaded highlighters!

[iamamoose]

6d: re the use of (derog sl) words in the crossword - its easy to think of other examples that would certainly be beyond the pale- I think this one actually is too. The 'it's in the dictionary' argument (the Suarez defence) is surely unacceptable? Alhough, as with all 'reclaimed words' , it's not offensive when used by a member of the group in question. .....

[contendo]

I agree that there are some words that one wouldn't include in a crossword, but this is about a million miles away from them. It's an abstract noun, about as offensive as "skinniness". Let's keep a sense of proportion.

[JackDeCrow]

Have to say I didn't find it all that easy! And are 9a and 18a in the new version of the BRB, as I can't find them in my version?

[JackDeCrow]

Ah - I see it all now, at least for 9a. Wish I'd made that post earlier!

[Cruncher]

Think I'm being daft here. Is there a significance to the amendments made to the grid entries that correspond to the title, beyond the fact that they follow a similar pattern - i.e. is the amendment itself somehow thematic or is it just a natty title. I suspect the latter. If so, a rather limp puzzle for all its chuckle quotient - but perhaps I am missing something here

[freiheid]

Imagine going to the dentist and saying "I have a problem with my 22ac"...

[Mysterons]

The latter I think, Cruncher. I seem to remember only one of the altered answers followed exactly the same pattern as the title, the others were all variants.

[trux]

Zany clues, almost laugh-a-minute stuff, and most satisfactory (and surprising) way to finish the whole thing off ... Terrific fun, and the best of 2012 so far by a country mile. Many thanks for much amusement, Ozzie