Inquisitor 1268

[Neveracrossword]

Halfway through and I've ground to a halt. Any help appreciated.

11 D. English poet to finish whiskey with native (6) ?f?n??
1 D. American writer to draw attention in German street (9) ??e?o???s

This is themed and 10 clue answers need to be encrypted - I don't know if these two clues are involved.

[Neveracrossword]

Slaney, thanks. I have only the latest edition of Chambers, so can't check for myself but it was good to hear there's a fuller explanation.

[boreas]

Hi Slaney,

I have dug out an old 1990 Chambers but nothing in that.
Also looked in the concise OED.
What is the second definition please?

[slaney]

Sorry folk, I may well be losing the run of myself as in the cold light of day it all seems a bit tenuous, and not spot on.
The second meaning of ply is to work steadily/diligently, and the meaning of the common name in the first appendix in Chambers pre 12th edition - sounds the same, just add an "a" - is not too dissimilar.
Excellent crossword as usual from Schadenfreude.

[shellraine]

Isn't it just that you have to remove the letter 'a' from the common theme word in the play title and, therefore, from the word play as well? Thanks for the correspondence which has helped me complete it today.

[slaney]

Yes indeed as suggested by Neveracrossword earlier.

[boreas]

Hi Slaney,
I can understand your reasoning - I was also trying hard to link it that way

[x_word_fan]

Can't believe that 41a wasn't defined as a British scientist.

[Gregsdad]

Hmm, yes, was thrown at the start as assumed this referred to Margaret R

[boreas]

I think 29a is also a bit misleading. The inventor was Joseph B.
Ernest was an author - though I suppose you could call that being an inventor.