Crossword Clues Part 2

[SusanDoris]

Good start this morning - Quick completed before 9:30, then this afternoon I have done top right-hand corner of the Cryptic,so it looks as if it might be one of the easier ones.

Well, it's nowjust gone 6:30 and I have done three-quarters of it - obviously too easy!!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Good start this morning - Quick completed before 9:30, then this afternoon I have done top right-hand corner of the Cryptic,so it looks as if it might be one of the easier ones.

Well, it's nowjust gone 6:30 and I have done three-quarters of it - obviously too easy!!

All of a sudden I feel quite redundant Susan!

Well done so far, and good luck for the rest.

[SusanDoris]

All of a sudden I feel quite redundant Susan!

Well done so far, and good luck for the rest.

I'll see how far I get today!

In IS there is a new topic about cryptic crosswords which I think you might find interesting.

[SusanDoris]

May I have a hint, please, for:

4 down: Thief left fire-raiser, reportedly (9)
L - - - E - I - -

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

May I have a hint, please, for:

4 down: Thief left fire-raiser, reportedly (9)
L - - - E - I - -

Of course. You have the abbreviation for “left” already, so for the rest you need something that sounds like (“reportedly”) someone who sets fire to things (“fire-raiser”). Then you’ll have a word for a thief.

What’s IS by the way? 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

Of course. You have the abbreviation for “left” already, so for the rest you need something that sounds like (“reportedly”) someone who sets fire to things (“fire-raiser”). Then you’ll have a word for a thief.

Thank you. I had thought of 'arsonist', but that didn't fit of course! I don't think I've heard of a larcenist, but that must be it. Must remember for when that sort of clue comes up again!   
this crossword is definitely one of the easier ones - I have nearly finished it. Just a few more clues to go.

What’s IS by the way?

International Skeptics. evolved from JREF (James Randi Educational Foundation)
I've beena member there from when just before I joined the BBC. had looked up 'discussion forums' and a table opened with dozens of names. I clicked on and looked at the first eight or so, but the one that seemed to be the most interesting was jREF and has remained so ever since. If you look at my posting history there, you will see I avoid political, sports, oh, and many other topics, but the two I am reading and posting in a bit at the moment are the Crosswords one (in which I have mentioned your helpful hints) and the one about interesting scientific facts

If I could read visually, ;i.e. quickly, there are more topics that I would follow.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hey Susan,

Thank you. I had thought of 'arsonist', but that didn't fit of course! I don't think I've heard of a larcenist, but that must be it. Must remember for when that sort of clue comes up again!   
this crossword is definitely one of the easier ones - I have nearly finished it. Just a few more clues to go.

“Grand larceny” is quite a common term I think, and least in the US. Hope you finish the last clues too though.

International Skeptics. evolved from JREF (James Randi Educational Foundation)
I've beena member there from when just before I joined the BBC. had looked up 'discussion forums' and a table opened with dozens of names. I clicked on and looked at the first eight or so, but the one that seemed to be the most interesting was jREF and has remained so ever since. If you look at my posting history there, you will see I avoid political, sports, oh, and many other topics, but the two I am reading and posting in a bit at the moment are the Crosswords one (in which I have mentioned your helpful hints) and the one about interesting scientific facts

If I could read visually, ;i.e. quickly, there are more topics that I would follow.
 

Ah, I see – thank you. I’ll have a look.

[SusanDoris]

Hey Susan,

“Grand larceny” is quite a common term I think, and least in the US. Hope you finish the last clues too though.

Ah, I see – thank you. I’ll have a look.

As there are only four incomplete answers, two pairs of crossed clues, I wonder if I may have a hint to get it finished, please?
2 down:  About five kilometres for the union (6)
First letter L and fifth letter U so I have linkup
The third letter is the second letter of:
9 across: Influence loud performer (6)
- - - T - R

Then there are:
22down: Brother's ring seen underneath instrument (5)
H - - - O   but I'm not entirely sure about the H
and
24 across: We backed abandoning the wrong crowd (6)
T - - -N -
The third letter of each is the shared letter.

ETA got it! It's 'we' removed from 'thE Wrong' isn't it!
So the word that fits 22 down is HARPO
But what has brother got to do with it?

Your help will, as always, be much appreciated.
I expect it will be back to one of the tougher setters next week...)

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan,

As there are only four incomplete answers, two pairs of crossed clues, I wonder if I may have a hint to get it finished, please?
2 down:  About five kilometres for the union (6)
First letter L and fifth letter U so I have linkup

The answer jumped out at me but it took me a while to figure out how it works. Turns out I was overthinking it – the answer is just a synonym for the distance of “about five kilometres” and for “union”. Think football or other sports divisions for the latter perhaps.   

The third letter is the second letter of:
9 across: Influence loud performer (6)
- - - T – R

You know the first letter because the musical notation for “loud” came up just the other day! Just add a synonym for “performer” and you have a synonym for an “influence”. 

Then there are:
22down: Brother's ring seen underneath instrument (5)
H - - - O   but I'm not entirely sure about the H
and

No, it’s good. Think of a four-letter instrument beginning with “H”, then add a “ring” (which you already have) at the end and you’ll have one of the brothers in a very famous comedy family from the 30s/40s I think.   

24 across: We backed abandoning the wrong crowd (6)
T - - -N -

ETA got it! It's 'we' removed from 'thE Wrong' isn't it!
The third letter of each is the shared letter.

Your help will, as always, be much appreciated.
I expect it will be back to one of the tougher setters next week...)
 

Spot on, and it’s my pleasure as always. 

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan,

The answer jumped out at me but it took me a while to figure out how it works. Turns out I was overthinking it – the answer is just a synonym for the distance of “about five kilometres” and for “union”. Think football or other sports divisions for the latter perhaps.   

You know the first letter because the musical notation for “loud” came up just the other day! Just add a synonym for “performer” and you have a synonym for an “influence”. 

thank you  - I shall have to think about those!

No, it’s good. Think of a four-letter instrument beginning with “H”, then add a “ring” (which you already have) at the end and you’ll have one of the brothers in a very famous comedy family from the 30s/40s I think.   

Spot on, and it’s my pleasure as always.

HARPO - I was trying to work out how BRO came into it!
[/quote]

[SusanDoris]

LEAGUE and FACTOR

/Even if I'd had the A of FACTOR, I think it is very unlikely I'd have got LEAGUE, so thank you - that's it, completed.

I had the F for loud, but was trying to put it in the middle of a word. The word 'influence' just on its own made it sound like a verb in the imperative   but that is just its cryptic crossword quality I suppose.  Hmmm, I wonder if crypticism is a word?!

Pause to google it.

state or condition of being cryptic

Submitted By: DavedWachsman - 16/12/2012

Approval Status: Pending Investigation

[SusanDoris]

Quick completed by lunchtime. Cryptic: 13 answers done so far. I am finding that I read the clues with a more practised eye nowadays!

26 across is: Optimise the condition of air (4) R - N -
It is possible one of those letters is wrong, but I don't think so. The only word that appears to come anywhere near making sense is RANK. Is that right?

[Sebastian Toe]

Quick completed by lunchtime. Cryptic: 13 answers done so far. I am finding that I read the clues with a more practised eye nowadays!

26 across is: Optimise the condition of air (4) R - N -
It is possible one of those letters is wrong, but I don't think so. The only word that appears to come anywhere near making sense is RANK. Is that right?

The first letter might be wrong....

[SusanDoris]

The first letter might be wrong....

Thank you. The down clue which gives the R is, I think, CAMPAIGNER, but it could be CAMPAIGNED. Do you think a D is more useful?

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hi Susan - hope all's well.

Thank you. The down clue which gives the R is, I think, CAMPAIGNER, but it could be CAMPAIGNED. Do you think a D is more useful?

No! I don't have access to the clues, but for the previous one remember that "air" also means a piece of music.

[Sebastian Toe]

Thank you. The down clue which gives the R is, I think, CAMPAIGNER, but it could be CAMPAIGNED. Do you think a D is more useful?

No.
What is the clue for the down one?

[SusanDoris]

Hi Susan - hope all's well.

see: https://eu0.proxysite.com/process.php?d=A%2FSkqfdKtZxVtaVvxKkImQNC2Ks12KAjqnqOOElZjDwJonuvjgQ%2BHyQ3FYHTZggnflJS9zfQw3PB7Q0%3D&b=1#msg761266for latest state of health!

No! I don't have access to the clues, but for the previous one remember that "air" also meaning a piece of music.

Thank you – I hadn’t thought of ‘air] as in music – another thing to rmember!

13 down: One petitions current leader of Conservatives to block overthrow (10)
Letters: -A – P – I – N –
So CAMPAIGNER

18 down: Deflated and sad after service that’s not quite right (3,4)-
LET DOWN
 Last letter of each give the R and N 

If they are right, I will have to have a think, as the answer does not spring to mind.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Hey Susan,

see: https://eu0.proxysite.com/process.php?d=A%2FSkqfdKtZxVtaVvxKkImQNC2Ks12KAjqnqOOElZjDwJonuvjgQ%2BHyQ3FYHTZggnflJS9zfQw3PB7Q0%3D&b=1#msg761266for latest state of health!
 

The link’s not working for me for some reason but I wish you well regardless of course.

Thank you – I hadn’t thought of ‘air] as in music – another thing to rmember!

No problem.

13 down: One petitions current leader of Conservatives to block overthrow (10)
Letters: -A – P – I – N –
So CAMPAIGNER

Ah OK. The synonym is indeed for someone who makes a petition. For the rest though, I think some of your letters are out (and you’d need another one if CAMPAIGNER was to fit!). There’s a two-letter abbreviation for an electric current, and the “leader” of something can be its first letter. Put those three letters inside a word meaning “overthrow” (ie, “block” it) and you’ll have it.       

18 down: Deflated and sad after service that’s not quite right (3,4)-
LET DOWN
 Last letter of each give the R and N 

If they are right, I will have to have a think, as the answer does not spring to mind.

That second one looks pretty good to me Susan.

[SusanDoris]

Hey Susan,

The link’s not working for me for some reason but I wish you well regardless of course.

Thank you.

No problem.

Ah OK. The synonym is indeed for someone who makes a petition. For the rest though, I think some of your letters are out (and you’d need another one if CAMPAIGNER was to fit!). There’s a two-letter abbreviation for an electric current, and the “leader” of something can be its first letter. Put those three letters inside a word meaning “overthrow” (ie, “block” it) and you’ll have it.       

Hmmmmm, that is going to need a bit of thinking ...  ...

That second one looks pretty good to me Susan.

Thank you - help appreciated as usual.

ETA On taking a closer look,. I see that the only letters I am fairly sure of are P and I!

[bluehillside Retd.]

Susan,

ETA On taking a closer look,. I see that the only letters I am fairly sure of are P and I!

I think I agree!

[SusanDoris]

Susan,

I think I agree!

Oh dear!!! Well, at least I have achieved one more answer today - TOURNAMENT competition our chap set up in temporary accommodation(10)

There are several long words, with 10 or 13 letters and one with 15. I think this will take me until probably Thursday, even with helpful hints!

[SusanDoris]

Well, I was just about to post another request for a helpful hint to the following:

11 down: Not working, manipulated city's loan fund (13) D - - - U - - - I - - -
I know it must be an anagram of the last three words. Went back to hav another slightly disgruntled look and, thought of it immediately:
DYSFUNCTIONAL   

[SusanDoris]

Clue: Snake coffee's trendy, reportedly (
- O - C - S - N   
So that's  MOCASIN

[SusanDoris]

Clue: Snake coffee's trendy, reportedly (
 - O - C - S - N 
So that's moccasin. Coffee - mocca; trendy - in; but where is the snake? Is it just the S? That seems a bit dodgy to me!!

[Nearly Sane]

Moccasin is a type of snake