Comments on: Guardian 24,706 – Shed

By: Shed

Shed — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:56:39 +0000

Eileen, Liz et al (just in case you’re still looking),

My edition of Chambers defines anaglyph as ‘anything in low relief’, which seemed so thoroughly vague I felt I ought to reflect the vagueness in my own definition – hence ‘of sorts’, which I now regret. I’d never come across the word myself before setting this. Liz credits me with more ingenuity than I was using.

By: ACP

ACP — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:24:14 +0000

Um, although I get the OBAMA clue, what does ‘Politician at 0 degrees’ actually mean ?
The idea’s good but the surface eludes me.

By: smutchin

smutchin — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:38:17 +0000

Somewhat late in the day, I know, but I just wanted to add my vote to the general chorus of approval for this one. Great stuff.

And I liked “incorporeal presence” as a definition.

By: AMB

AMB — Sat, 23 May 2009 22:14:02 +0000

My first solve ‘live’ (i.e. not from the pile my friends had so thoughtfully provided for me) upon returning from what had turned into something of a working world tour.

I like Shed a lot, very cool style, and some wonderfully cutting and insightful observations in this, as with all his puzzles.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:28:14 +0000

Hi Liz

Yes, I am still here, just, but still confused! Chambers: ‘anaglyph: an ornament in low relief’. For me, that totally explains ‘relief work’, with no need for ‘of sorts’. I know I must be being really dim but I don’t understand your reference to ‘types’, which is why I didn’t respond to it earlier.

But, as you say, such a lovely puzzle!

By: liz

liz — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:23:24 +0000

Eileen — if you’re still there — I’m beginning to think my explanation of 7dn may be far-fetched. But here it goes again. Individual pieces of type in a compositor’s tray, for example, can also be called ’sorts’. So I was wondering whether a low relief (such as a piece of type) might be defined that way. I would be interested if anyone else thought the same. Mick H? The whole puzzle was so satisfying, with barely a word out of place, I’m convinced there is some reason for ‘of sorts’. ‘Glyph’ is also means a ’sculptural mark’ and is another word often used in typography.

Yes, we have been spoiled lately!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:51:52 +0000

You’re right, Andrew and Tom, we’ve been very spoiled. [What's in store for the prize tomorrow?] And I think we’ve been doubly fortunate in these last two days in having setters who’ve added their comments. I hope those who do realise how really gratifying and encouraging this is.

So, if you’re still there, Shed – I didn’t really understand Liz’s suggestion re my query of ‘of sorts [7dn] [sorry, Liz!] …

… and I didn’t know about your UPGRADE

By: Dave Ellison

Dave Ellison — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:44:08 +0000

WEBSITE Rather than a definition, how about Miss Haversham’s parlour, ceiling, hedge in autumn etc?

By: Tom Hutton

Tom Hutton — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:01:16 +0000

The last two days have been really excellent crosswords. It is crosswords like this that keep me at it.

By: Pricklewedge

Pricklewedge — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:14:16 +0000

This one completely stumped me! I resisted Fifteensquared until getting on the train and now kicking myself in all manner of ways. To paraphrase Shaun of the Dead I must have had a brain-freeze!