Comments on: Independent 6908 by Phi

By: C.G. Rishikesh

C.G. Rishikesh — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:49:58 +0000

Thanks.

After I read your note I traced out the clue that I had seen before. It was in Everyman.

The local paper that reproduces the crossword (after a timelag) makes mistakes regularly and it is possible that it did not capitalise the initial letter of ‘it’ in the clue.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:01:55 +0000

It needs the capital I in It though, which is why Phi put that word first in the clue, I guess. I had seen the idea used before. Had I not, I doubt if I’d have solved that clue straightaway as I did.

By: C.G. Rishikesh

C.G. Rishikesh — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:49:28 +0000

1 ITALIAN VERMOUTH as in ‘Gin and It’

Thanks for the note.

Recently in some crossword there was this clue “This is it” for which the solution was ITALIAN VERMOUTH.

Not I understand how!

As far as drinks are concerned, I am afraid I am barred!

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:42:47 +0000

Had a look in Collins – it defines masterful (1) has having or showing mastery, which is itself defined as (2) outstanding skill. expertise and (3) power of command; control. I think ‘leading’ would be pretty close to that.

It also says (3) masterful = masterly which is defined as ‘of the skill befitting a master’ which is defined as the man in authority so I think it works that way too.

By: C.G. Rishikesh

C.G. Rishikesh — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:21:34 +0000

I think ‘masterful’ may be used to mean ‘lordly’ or ’skilful’ but ‘masterly’ is used only to mean ‘expert’.

By: Testy

Testy — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:58:18 +0000

My only problem with this one was “leading” as the definition for MASTERFUL. I had only ever thought of it as meaning “accomplished” or “skilled” but I guess it must also mean “acting like a master”/”being domineering”.