Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Hello Elle

I am male and I assume everyone else is - unless it is obvious!

Funnily enough, Malone referred to me as a "she" in a post the other week and when I advised her, she said she assumes everyone is female like her. That was a surprise as I had assumed she was male, although there is no logic to that. Maybe we all think the same way.

Hello Rusty

Mark G's opinion should certainly carry some weight - he is just amazing. The first time I went to the Times final, he walked out after 22 mins - I assumed he had had enough, not realising that he could finish 3 in that time. I struggled on for the hour. Quite a few solvers did them in half an hour

Where does the Editor come from? I find quite a few clues are unfair but that could be because I dont understand them or the solutions.

Hello, Jigjag!
Mark is astonishing, true!
I think he has won the last eleven titles!
The crossword editor is Richard Rogan, who comes from Northern Ireland.
Hope this link works!

https://www.news.co.uk/who-we-are/toptalent/richard-rogan/


He uses around 15 or 16 setters, if I remember correctly.
Mr Rogan also sets, too, but I don't know which paper/s he sets for.

Update, Jigjag!
A bit more detail about Mr Rogan here.
http://www.harperreach.com/author/richard-rogan/

Hi, Rusty!
We have been out walking, too!
Very cold.......and it rained again!
I had thought that it was only going to be Miss L-B whom you were meeting today- assuming that Miss O would be at school - which is why I commented that maybe Saturday would bring forth more granddaughters!
I don't think I have read Bryson's "Down Under"........but I have "The Road to Little Dribbling" in my pile of "still to read".
Daughter has just phoned on her way home.....
BB has enjoyed his week going on a football course over the half term!
So I may learn some new footie skills over the weekend!



Hello, Jigjag!
I am impressed that you took part in the Times Final!
Are you allowed any reference aids when competing?
I should be lost without Chambers and Bradford's!
I struggle as it is!!

Hello, Elle!
The temperature is dropping here, too.
We have a weather warning.
Possible ice overnight.
I had already arranged to go with Miss O on Saturday.
Now it will be her and La Bamba.
I think you have read "Down Under", Elle, it was about Australia?
Talking about football skills, a team mate of Usain Bolt's said his first touch is like "a trampoline", and he will never make a player!
Good puzzle today, though I have not heard of 2d before.
11a was my favourite!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, mystery solved about the number of granddaughters!
Yes, you are right - I have read "Down Under".......I had forgotten!
It was in my "Walkabout " book, following on from "A Walk in the Woods".
( Oh dear! sometimes I worry about myself!)
Yes, it was a good puzzle today!
There were a few that I especially liked......12a: oviporous; 13a: Nobel laureate; 17a; West Side Story; and 22d: radii.
"Pendennis" is the main character - Arthur Pendennis - in a Thackeray novel. entitled (I think?) "The History of Pendennis."
I don't know what CGI means?
And I cannot do 8d: I'm not sure about feminist opponent (8)
I have R?S?S?E?
What am I missing here ?
I had pancakes for dinner! Very good they were, too!

Good evening, Elle!
I had "Pendragon" on my head, but could not get the parse.
"CGI", I think is "computer generated something".
Now, 8d is "resister" for "opponent".
"I'm not sure" is the "word" "er..." said in a hesitating manner.
You say "er..." and pause slightly before continuing.
(See Chambers)
So! Reverse/"about" "er" and you get "re".
A "feminist" in modern parlance is sometimes referred to as a "sister".
Just wondering if your modern Chambers will have that meaning of "sister" in it?
Sorry, it's a bit of a carry-on of an explanation, Elle!

Hi, Rusty!
Ah, thank you, I would never have got that in a month of Sundays!
No, I have looked up both "sister " and "feminist" in Chambers and in Bradfords, but neither gives a connection between the two words.
I am sure you have it right, though, and that is what the setter means.
Thank you for explaining it to me.
My brain - and the rest of me - is becoming tired!
I think I need a (strong) coffee......

Hello, Elle!
It is maybe more of an American term.
Feminists being the sisterhood?
I can't find anything else to explain it better.
That is, if my interpretation is correct, and it may not be!
A wee bit late for a strong coffee!