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malone

10th February 2019, 21:35
Rusty, the Azed puzzle in the Observer always cites Chambers and I expect that's the 'Bible' for the Everyman too. (It's slightly odd that 'rail' /banter isn't in other dictionaries, but not significant.)
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rusty

10th February 2019, 21:43
Hello, Elle!
Seems to be only Chambers that has the disputed meaning, Elle.
Wonder why that is?
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elle

10th February 2019, 21:45
Hi, Rusty!
Our posts crossed!
Yes, it is very odd that Chambers is the only one to give that definition of "rail".
It make me doubt its credibility.
I still think that the setter was inaccurate, to say the least .....
I have just said to Cerasus, on another thread, that I wonder on occasions whether some possible mistakes are just allowed to get by without comment, because the solver "knows" what the compiler "means", even if it isn't strictly accurate.
Do you think this a possibility?
The Everyman comes from The Guardian, but I have no idea about the choice of dictionary usage?
I have just watched your video clip....
My word, what dreadful weather conditions!
No wonder play was stopped!
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elle

10th February 2019, 21:47
Sorry, Malone …...but I disagree.
Of course it is significant.
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rusty

10th February 2019, 21:49
Hello, Malone!
I wonder how unusual it is for only one dictionary having a meaning that others of a similar stature, don't?
And if no other dictionary has it, how do we know the meaning is correct?
How do we double check?
And it's the setter sitting at home who compiles the puzzle.
Does he/she have to only use a dictionary the newspaper uses?
Surely not!
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malone

10th February 2019, 21:53
Rusty, Elle, I think Chambers is widely regarded as the dictionary used by most solvers and setters. I've done puzzles where that is the norm, and there will be the odd time we get '16 A is in the OED'. I just feel that if the Guardian use Chambers and the particular word is in there, then the clue is fair. I agree that it's unusual for a word to be in only one dictionary - but I've seen that before (there used to be some weird and wonderful words in the Independent On Sunday crossword).
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malone

10th February 2019, 21:55
PS I forgot to say that I thought the clue - like others in the puzzle - was pretty poor! I think the standard in Everyman, under the previous setter, was very high. The recent offerings have been disappointing, for various reasons.
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elle

10th February 2019, 22:01
Malone, you might like to read - that is, if you have not already done so - the link that Cerasus gave on the other thread.
The comments made about the latest Everyman crosswords, and the compiler(s) are interesting.
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pigale

10th February 2019, 22:04
Malone, this at least is on point on which you agree with Elle...!!!
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pigale

10th February 2019, 22:06
Sorry, should read 'one point' of course!
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