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# 24

Quick question,

The crossword clue reads:

Sex serving man going around Mediterranean city (3,4)

I know that the answer is Tel Aviv, however, how do you get the answer? I wondered if it was a misprint and the clue should have started with “six” instead of “sex”.

Serving man is “valet” and six would have been “IV”

Your input is appreciated

I think your misprint idea is right, Thinker21, unless the compiler thinks that "Mediterranean" allows him to use a different language for VI.

I think “sex” is okay, because it’s the Latin word for six, and VI is Roman numerals

Agreed, looks like a misprint of "six" VI follwed by VALET both reversed/"going around".

I'm sure you're right Chris and Quisling, I overlooked the possible translation - this is what you get fror dropping Latin at the end of the third year! 😥

Thanks for all your help

In the tens of thousands of cryptic clues I’ve read and solved, I have never seen this reference for six and/or VI.

Thanks again for all the responses.

I agree it’s very unusual, but I have seen such a thing once or twice before. A while back Anax (Dean Mayer) in the Independent gave us:

“Sex with a spiteful person (5)” giving VIPER.

And former Times crossword editor Brian Greer clued:
“In which three couples get together for sex (5)” with the answer LATIN

brendan @5
I got 99% in my first year Latin exam and 98% in my second year. I saw the trend, and dropped it in order to study chemistry!