Times Jumbo 1018

[jaklyn]

Could I just say that I don't really enjoy this setter's puzzles. They are just a slog and rarely make me smile when I solve a clue - which I like to do! I finished 1018 and binned it so don't have the clue number in front of me but can someone tell me why Goodness was Gee. I assumed that to be the answer in the context of goodness, gracious. What has this to do with ginger? Guarantee next week will be easy - that seems to be the cycle.

[Lie-in King]

27a Goodness provided by substitute for ginger? (3)

As "gee up" & "ginger someone along", I saw both 'Gee' & 'Ginger' as meaning "encourage" & thought no more of it at the time - it's weak though & I'd prefer a better explanation

[jaklyn]

I sort of state my case!! It must be a horribly hard job to keep all the punters happy but some setters just set some really clever clues - which make me smile ! - and others don't. I reckon there is a cycle of 5 or 6 for Times Jumbo. Would you agree? Thanks Lie in King for helping out again.

[Mrsspagnoli57]

jaklyn: I'm glad someone else is as frustrated with this setter as I am!! I've only just started doing the jumbo cryptics again after a bit of a break and this week is the first where I have been totally stumped. I got one clue !! (40A) then went to AB to get a start with some more. I agree that it seems the setters are on a rota. This weeks is just too clever for me!

[ichkeria]

Perhaps you should stick to the Sun :-)

[Mrsspagnoli57]

Nah...Daily Star-its a reet rivettin read!! LOL

[Julest1]

I so agree with you Jaklyn. Mostly when I have to resort to the assorted genii here the answers make me smack my forehead and grin ruefully, awed at the cleverness of the setter and those who got it. This setter leaves me with a combination of a groan and Kevin the teenager petulance. There seems to be no joy here, just cruel intellectualism. Glad I'm not the only one. Spoils my Sunday!

[anaxcrosswords]

Hi Jaklyn. I understand your frustration, but I would like to offer something from the setter’s side. Solving a Jumbo puzzle is often daunting but, believe me, the setting process can be equally so. I’ve set the Sunday Times Xmas Jumbo for the past 2 years, and that 23x23 blank template can be terrifying. It’s probably worse for the Saturday Times setters because they can’t design their own grids (we can for the ST). Doesn’t matter how you try to plan things, within a short space of time you find yourself extremely limited in terms of the answers that will fit in the grid, and you are forced to devise clues for answers which you would have preferred to avoid. I really can’t explain why the standard 15x15 becomes a nightmare 23x23 for setters, but it just seems to.

[Mamyalynne]

anax , how great to hear from a setter - I do agree it must be very difficult, however the clue referred to in the OP is poor, if the reasoning as given by the first reply is so.

Overall I found it a good puzzle.

[Julest1]

Thank you anax for that perspective... Feels like one of the gods just descended from Olympus! You have reminded me to stand in gratitude and compassion at all times, rather than indulging in the national sport of being outraged and complaining about everything. Hooray for setters - without them we would have no crossword fun!

[ichkeria]

I looked at the clue again and can't see the problem tbh. It's certainly difficult but perfectly accurate

[steveran]

Isn't it just that Gee! as an exclamation is equivalent to Goodness! I've often seen "my" clued as "goodness" so why not "gee"

[Mamyalynne]

Yes but as a substitute for 'ginger' ??