Mephisto 2788

[Neveracrossword]

Last two...
23 D. Jumbo seat that starts to dent Asian's hinder-end?(6) ho?dah
Howdah - or houdah?

15 A. Times cuts a name that's seen on envelope (4) ?ttn
(The word Times is italicised).

Thanks for any help.

[bookbinder]

15a attn

[bookbinder]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/howdah

[Neveracrossword]

Bookbinder, many thanks. I still have the ambiguity with 23 D - both are acceptable spellings.

[dr b]

wordplay suggests "that" = "how" + D A H

Chambers gives how = that.

[toalisi]

That = HOW

[bookbinder]

Glad I could help, but would it spoil your crossword if you put howdah instead of houdah?

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, everyone - I didn't know that 'how' could equal 'that'. I was just going to put 'howdah' in anyway, then noticed the variant spelling - it's always nicer to know exactly how a clue works.