July 07 2011

Fond Clues

untitled Every season on this blog, as regulars will know, I run a series called Clues of Repute, being the pick of those last three months. So many good clues, so little time – and so hard to isolate your favourite ever.

So I won’t be nasty. We all have multiple favourites. But what say we whittle them down to a handful, those clues you still mentally revisit and appreciate. Martin Pooley, an occasional surfer to these pages, sent in his favourite Times clue over the wire. And I must admit, the clue is splendid:

Leader of House of Congress enraged army with regular cuts – MADAM

Reading Johnathon Crowther’s The A-to-Z of Crosswords, one pet clue that recurs among several of the setters interviewed was a clue contest winner for BRAINWASH:

Bust down reason?

(Think about it. That’s almost too good, you miss it.)

Our good mate Loroso (aka Anax) puts forward another gem, this one for CAPTURE:

Put criminal in custody

And while we’re talking &lits, I’d like to nominate Puck’s kapow for THOREAU:

Original back-to-nature author!

And another I consider exquisite is Paul’s timely container for BUCKLE UNDER:

Collapse with universal investment in US bank?

While I will always cherish Henry Hook’s delection deception for ROTTING:

First of autumn leaves turning putrid

Putrid and divine. The forum is open for your own nominees.

Comments

Anthony Douglas — 07 July at 07:56AM

Well, I was pretty impressed with

Non-stop fun = UNFALTERING

anax — 07 July at 09:49AM

I always feel nervous about offering my own stuff, but this one was from a clue-writing contest:

Covering around cobblers = SCROTUM

SK — 07 July at 10:00AM

Anax, that's rank (but beautiful). You must remember that it's morning here and people are still digesting breakfast. Not made any easier by the graphic accompanying this thread...

Peta — 07 July at 12:54PM

In today's Canberra Times was a Pasquale (probably appeared in the Guardian a week or so ago) which is just made for the above image.

3D. Clue with answer "teats" could show this! (3,5) - Bad Taste.

Nib — 07 July at 09:17PM

When I was in the waiting room at hospital with a shattered collarbone, this one brought me a smile:
Frank, the heterosexual footballer (straightforward)

Nib — 07 July at 09:23PM

Also, I can't remember the clue, but it was one of those 2-speed puzzles and was something to do with 'DESERTERS'.
I thought there had been an error when I had all of these letters:
DE_E_T_RS

(I would like to also add that the Dementors desert Azkaban prison. :P)

RM — 07 July at 11:04PM

That'll teach me to read DA's blog while I'm in the middle of compiling a puzzle. Puck's &lit for THOREAU is so much better than mine (Anarchic author includes conclusion of disobedience?!), that I'm embarassed to use it.

JPR — 08 July at 04:43AM

don't worry anax we are all exhibitionists at heart (and it's a good one)

Late lamented rag almost like one pissed: not hard to chop or offload (no heart) 4,2,3,5

RK — 08 July at 08:14AM

Here's one from yesterday's Times which I found amusing, and also goes well with the visuals:

Shy occupier, one of a lovely bunch? (7)

SK — 09 July at 10:52AM

I'd never suggest that the following are in the same category as some of the pearlers above, but (like JPR) it would be a shame to let the events of this week pass without some comment-

Tabloid whores fled town in disgrace (4,2,3,5)

Tabloid hot for lewd scandal...just following directions (4,2,3,5)