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Another wee thing, Elle,
Pigale does not like the Londonisms because she is French.
Today, 7, Pay London college receiving nothing repeatedly for free (9) Foot L oo SE
Now I know LSE is London School of Economics, but should Pigale?
Many folk will not know LSE, although it is listed in Chambers, right enough.

Yes, Elle, your parse is perfect.
The answer does not fit the definition.
It only does if you delve in to the background of the song and that should not be required, surely.
Just how many solvers are going to to that? Very few.
That is what I am saying.
The wind has dropped a bit here.
Was quite wild earlier

Although the geographical inaccuracy of the 'John Peel' clue annoys me, it's the fact-checking - or the lack of it! - that bothers me more. I always assumed that any facts were confirmed. It took me mere seconds to learn that the song was a Cumbrian air, so even if the setter hadn't checked, the editor who has responsibility for publishing the crossword and offering it to thousands of people should have done so.

I didn't get incensed with the LSE clue - I just wondered if we were to have a London-centred clue every day!

Hi guys

Very successful trip, and fortunate with the weather. Miserable drive over, but we arrived at the hotel next to the site we wanted to visit on Thursday for lunch (Hayburn Wyke). Had a nice lunch, then went out and put on full waterproofs - and it stopped raining! Lovely place, with great ferns.

Then today it was just a nice day; looked at two sites where we re-located some interesting hybrids, and also visited Staithes for the first time - very pretty.

Back in time to got out for an excellent curry.

Oh my goodness! John Peel in Scotland! Not a chance!

Hi again,

No Rusty, I did not know what LSE stands for - could have been another drug for all I knew..... ! Wonder how many British people know what ENA stand for (I'm sure most of you on the forum will know), or St. Cyr, etc.

Apart from these 'londonisms' as Elle calls them, my worst enemies are French words that are used in English; because I am doing an English crossword I expect all words to be English, and am always taken by surprise when I discover a French word that I did not know was used commonly in English.

eg velocipede - though quite easy because it was an anagram

Chrise, Rusty and I were equally unimpressed with one of yesterday's clues.. The answer was 'fief' - part of the clue referred to this being how an Eastender would refer to someone who steals. Dire!

I read the exchange of posts yesterday about fief. Though again did not know the word (french origin) was used in English, but certainly would not have found it with the clue as it was.

I am not 'moaning' about French words being used in English, I just wish I knew they were !

The whole point of the crossword editor's job is to ensure the clues and answers are correct and acceptable.
I would say quite a few folk would have been annoyed with the John Peel clue.
That apart, there were some "good" words as answers today.
Burundi, aloha, Ruhr, Antwerp, tangelo, headbanger.
All is not lost with the setters!

Hi, Rusty!
No, I agree with you totally about the use of LSE in the clue - very few (especially non -British) people would have cause to know that, and, as you have said, this newspaper is read all over the world.
I raised all the relevant points in my letter to Richard Rogan. Trust me, it was a work of Art!
I am now with you on the matter of "Scottish air" in the other clue!
I had assumed that it was a well known fact (just not known by me!) that the words were put to a "Scottish" air.......I gather now that such is not the case!
So...yes, I can understand your annoyance!
I am glad that the wind has dropped somewhat - will the Road Bridge be re-opened , do you think?