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I have seen 'ghost anagrams' referred to in several recent posts.... could some kind person explain this spirited phenomenon please? It seems to be something to be avoided!

Hi Kiwikid Thats weird I was asking about that today. May I suggest you go the post Message for Emrach and at the very end RE gave a link which explains and also has a useful link.

Basically an anagram is required to solve the clue however the words are not in the actual clue x

Sorry should have said post started by RedundantElf at 16.35 ish

Thanks for that - I will go hunt it out.

KK

Sorry I couldn't explain it better but the Mr Dwight clue is a good example I feel x

...or do a search for 'indirect anagrams' as they are also known.

I used the term here a couple of years ago because I didn't know what to call the beast, and was informed that the correct term is indirect anagram. I still prefer ghost anagram, and I think using one is never justified. There are simple ones, like using "demented duck", say, to arrive at "late" (from teal), but one can see (I think) how unfair this really is. I for one feel that the anagram fodder should be present in the clue, no matter how short or simple the anagram is.

One appeared early this morning on a thread by tombola.

sitting in streetcar experience mounting confusion (5,4)
Answer: mare's nest (confusion)
streetcar = tram
experience = sense
mounting (in reverse)

i totally agree with Aristophanes, they are rubbish and anybody who uses them should be shot! (i think that's what he meant).

sorry Jazzgirl, but i think that clue is ok (at least in terms of shooting the setter).
surely it is just one synonym inside another backwards?