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parallelogram

30th July 2020, 12:30
Poor clues
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parallelogram

30th July 2020, 12:56
Here are a few of my complaints about the clues in this week's Jumbo.
1. 42ac The vowel sounds in haunt and aunt are completely different to my way of speaking. My Chambers agrees.
2. 24d Where does the r come from in bargee? Again, not homophonous with the Indian appetizer to my way of speaking. Again, the pronunciation guide in my Chambers agrees.
3. 47ac Aloo is not in my Chambers.
4. Three separate clues using items from Indian cookery. Lacking originality?
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malone

30th July 2020, 13:06
47 A - Aloo is in my Chambers, 13th edition.
42 A - I tend to ignore almost all homophone clues, they seldom work for me.

24 D. Without the clue, I have no idea about the R.

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nauticalnick

30th July 2020, 13:26
42ac. Relative's 'angout.

Doesn't suggest to me that is relies on how it sounds. It works well enough as written, to me.

24d Indian appetizer picked up for one doing lighter work.

And to me, Bhaji and bargee sound the same, except for the emphasis changing. But as the spelling is totally different, I can't really see why you are quibbling about the R. But maybe it's because I just can't be R'sed..... Tee hee!

To my mind, "picked up" is pretty redundant, and I'd add a question mark. But that's just me. Ho hum.
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malone

30th July 2020, 13:39
Thanks, nauticalnick. 24 D seems fine to me too!
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tango

31st July 2020, 09:11
I agree with the original post. Last week they had a decent setter but this has gone back to what in the main are obscure attempts to be clever that just occasionally hit but generally don't.

Every clue is picked up, whirled around, up, down, from the west, from the left or sent back. The meanings are always clever cryptic and often, even when you get it, you don't really.

Some people may love this style and hats off to them but I find it a complete bore. Finishing is a relief, not a pleasure.
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tango

31st July 2020, 09:29
And:

In 24 for me there is a good reason for the 'picked up for' since without it you can't tell which is the answer

bhajji or bargee

As to the pronunication I think it is clear that the setter speaks SE UK English: my aunts sound like ants whereas theirs presumably sound like ornts.
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malone

31st July 2020, 09:44
Tango, some interesting stuff!
I don't fall into the 'love this style' category, nor do I find it a 'complete bore'. Even I don't particularly enjoy a setter's style, I don't like puzzles where I'm completely on the setter's wavelength and everything gets slotted in very quickly. On the whole, I welcome a variety - even if I do end up muttering about homophones, Spoonerisms (my pet hate) and other bits and pieces.
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malone

1st August 2020, 10:29
Cowbit, I for one am quite happy to hear what others think of certain clues, certain puzzles. It can be interesting, for example, to hear that some solvers have detested puzzles I've liked, and vice versa.
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tango

1st August 2020, 13:58
Cowbit. This seems like an over-reaction to say the least.

Not sure if you were referring to any or all of us, Malone, me or the original poster but in all cases, I am not sure that ego trips have a part to play in a discussion about the relative merits of a crosswords, setting styles and clues in a forum on a crossword related site. it seems entirely appropriate.

If you just want answers only and don't like discussion then perhaps go off to one of the answer sites?
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