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themadwomanintheattic

3rd July 2017, 10:57
Apologies if these queries have already been answered elsewhere, but I haven't found any mention of them on here.

I've completed Times Jumbo 1273, but there are two answers which I don't fully understand.

29 across: Made them to go either side of a jewelled crown.
The answer appears to be DIADEM. MADE = DID, round A - but where does the "EM" come from? It is a contraction of "them" - and if so, what in the clue indicates that the first two letters of THEM are missing?

40 down: Person to blame, that is, to mimic and attack?
The answer is clearly SCAPEGOAT. MIMIC = APE, ATTACK = GO AT. But how does SC come to mean THAT IS?

I'm baffled! Can anyone help please?
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cerasus

3rd July 2017, 11:05
40 sc = the same meaning as i,e. or viz = that is to say
from the Latin scillicet
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themadwomanintheattic

3rd July 2017, 11:07
Thanks - I never knew that! We have had some pretty archaic definitions of late, haven't we?
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cerasus

3rd July 2017, 11:08
Yes...sc has appeared twice in the last few weeks (maybe the same compiler)
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cerasus

3rd July 2017, 11:19
I am also baffled by the parsing of diadem :(
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themadwomanintheattic

3rd July 2017, 11:23
I'm reassured to find that it isn't just me!
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brendan

3rd July 2017, 11:24
I know I've said it before, but yours has to to be my most favourite moniker on this site.

As regards 29a, I'm as baffled as you and Cesarus.
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themadwomanintheattic

3rd July 2017, 11:33
Thanks Brendan! I aim to please...
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brendan

3rd July 2017, 11:39
I think you may have been right all along- I found this in the online dictionary:-

'em

pron. informal.
them.
(1350 - 1400; Middle English Hem. Old English heom, dat. and acc. pl of he)
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brendan

3rd July 2017, 11:42
RE:- Thanks Brendan! I aim to please... Which is such a pity they keep in the attic!!

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