Comments on: Private Eye/Cyclops 362 - Naughty Capitalisations

By: PB

PB — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:47:35 +0000

Collins noun sense 4 too. But FLEX is the root word, and (even where the meaning is slightly different) I’m not a big fan …

On Beer’s or beer’s point, isn’t Cyclops sticking to the conventions?
You wouldn’t gain any Afrit Points for using ‘brown’ instead of ‘Brown’ to indicate PM: but ‘Brown’ rather than ‘brown’ for DUN is deemed fair.

By: Pogel

Pogel — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:54:57 +0000

Thanks for that Beermagnet. I like “reverse” clues as much as the next punter - I suppose I didn’t like this one because (a) the surface is pretty poor and (b) I didn’t get it!

By: beermagnet

beermagnet — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 10:04:43 +0000

Oh, I like 21A now I understand it. I’ve seen “odd letter” clues but can’t recall one like this that I would characterise as a “reverse odd letter” clue where the answer refers to the manipulation. Quite advanced clueing I reckon.

28A Ejaculation that boosted an old sailor on the pull (2-2-2)
I wrote this in from the letter count really, YO-HO-HO being the only C17 pirate/sailor “ejaculation” I could see that fits. I think the “on the pull” part refers to gangs heaving away at ropes while chanting things like this to keep in time, but maybe “Heave ho, me hearties” would be more appropriate.

Thanks for Flex Kevin.

By: Pogel

Pogel — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:09:19 +0000

Finished this one but had to guess 21ac and 28 ac. Don’t think much of the former and still don’t get the latter - any help? Thanks.

Liked 1ac though…

By: Kevin Ward

Kevin Ward — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:56:40 +0000

Chambers gives flex as to contract (a muscle).