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sorry L??? in BL and E???? in BR - that's how upset I am, I can't even left from right!! 😂

Can I just check with you about the shape of your C??F highlighting, Brendan? Does it go -

..... F
...C...*
...*

where the *s are the two central letters? Because that's a jumble of the letters and is unlike the literal L-R, top to bottom order of the other three symbols.

This is all very odd, Brendan - the L is in the top right quadrant (a square block of 4 cells). The E is below it in the bottom right quadrant (2,2, + 1 cells in line top to bottom). The B is in a (4 cell) square opposite, bottom left, and the M is in a straight line top to bottom (3 cells) top left quadrant.

The preamble clearly states that there is one symbol in each quadrant, and there are no shortage of references (check his Wikipedia entry) that refer to the L-man's symbol as a B**L (name redacted, although at this point does anyone doubt what's being discussed?) The "one in each quadrant" instruction rules out C**F.

You're right, it's not a pretty shape like the others but, what it is, is the exact word as written in the text - one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, seriously, it's stunning.

Are we just ignoring the fact that neither one appears under the other in Chambers? No amount of verbal gymnastics will ever convince me a bull is a calf - a bull can be a calf but that is not the same thing, a whale can also be a calf, so would it be ok if Vagans used whale instead of bull? - the rational seems the same.

Like I say, we are never going to agree on this and tomorrow I'll be looking back at my rantings and laughing but, for now, allow me my ire 😀

Thanks as always Drxx and, as I said, I always appreciate you help when I need parsings explained

Buddy, no it doesn't rule out one in each quarter - not if you accept contiguous cells which so many Listener, IQ's and EV's have done in the past.

Look it the TL you'll see M??, in the BL you'll see L???, in the TR C??? and in the BR E???? all in contiguous cells.

You've moved the L and the C(B) into opposite corners, brendan - the page has them the other way around (as I've correctly shown them below).

Brendan, I don't know about Chambers, but I have just read several articles online that discussed the Four E....... and mentioned that one was represented by an O? or a B??? It;s not as if Vagans has just slotted in a random panda or mongoose!

?? Luke's symbol must be in the lower left quadrant (why would Vagans move the locations of the 4 panels?), and the letters you insist upon do not appear in the lower left quadrant (in my grid, anyway).

Brendan, I forgot to say that I would have been delighted if the usual or first choice symbol had been fitted in, but given the space restraints, I was happy enough with the pretty viable alternative.