Slam-Bhang Bingo [BB341]

I'm as halfway as can be for such an odd number of puzzles (to the better). Perhaps precisely halfway as I'm iffy about 12. I'm thinking that it refers to a particular aquatic animal and a particular activity involving ceramic materials...

I've got eleven so far, but still waiting for inspiration to strike on 7, 10, 13, and 14. Will ponder on them further...

AC: If I'm right (and I obviously think that I am), then there is an animal involved, but no activity.

Addendum: I think I have 13 now, too. It's no surprise that the question marked ones are proving more difficult.

Geoff, I'm sure I should aim to agree with you (and not the other way around or even a mutual agreement). I think I do in fact have the same as you though for 12. It was an oversight on my part that the 'activity' need not be interpreted as such, and then that same answer fits perfectly.

If I might ask, what definition for 'hot' in 4 is used; there are seemingly too many for my brain to manage at the moment?

AC and Geoff, I reckon you're both right on 12.

AC, agree, and what definition for 'bread'?

AC: If you think of the meaning least appropriate to bread, that's the one. :)

Q: Is AC 'Air Con', or is this just some broadcast hustle?

Uh oh... not necessarily RobT ;). AC are my initials. I actually entered this blog just days before the Stormathon.

From Anthony.

*decides to clarify his earlier statement with this*

Ooh... I think I have fourteen now. Somewhat indirect!

Yes, I got 10. I new the correct interpretation of the '?' from the get go, but the solution was still obscure. Perhaps you might be better served first reading it as 'spirits'.

I have a somewhat tenuous answer for 9. Anyone care to discuss? Is costing supposed to mean something related to 'balancing the budget'?

Geoff, I have 7, 10, and 13, all definite.

7. The lettering guides are the wrong way around. Correction: Way to 'whatever' (4,6).

10. Read my 05:36PM post.

13. The sport is a 'stick-and-ball' team sport which is mainly played only in the US and Canada.

AC: Looks like we were in agreement about 13 (as mentioned earlier, I had it but wasn't overly convinced by it). As far as 9 goes, I'm not sure what you are alluding to, but I'd guess you are on the wrong tack. Once you have it, you'll notice a certain similarity to the previous answer.

Damn, I do see a similarity with the previous answer, but I just cannot justify the first word (I'm thinking it's just my ignorance now). Let's try a different tack. The second word is a French word for something that is vital to the development of cures for snake bites...

@AC: Heh, I'm getting increasingly lost as to what that might be, but if you are thinking of 'evening' then that is not what I have.

Oh, of course! I should have known, given that I just recently finished watching the latest season of Breaking Bad. I'm now confident in 12 of them; missing 4, 11 and 14.

Figured out 7 while falling asleep last night; I think that it works as (6,4). Just 10 to go...

Meanwhile, here's another set of fifteen; not as polished as David's selection, but hopefully of some amusement.

16. Clear sign of minion abuse (6, 5 3)
17. Complete guarantee (6, 8)
18. Trailers for Twilight Sage movie (7, 5)
19. Most ardent of English cricket supporters (8, 6)
20. Catches up to (5, 7)
21. Miss Santa Cruz 2010 (8, 6)
22. Cheating carnivals (6, 8)
23. Where maypoles may be seen? (7, 9)
24. Inherent but unmentioned minimalism (8, 10)
25. Apocryphal cause of male homosexuality (8, 6)
26. DINKs (4'1, 7)
27. ABC showing renewed confidence (8, 6)
28. Talkative milliner (8, 6)
29. Rumours of embezzlement (10, 12)
30. Times off for God behaviour? (9, 11)

Ok, I concede that APATHY PATH works for 7. Sorry Geoff, I was reading it as two separate words providing answers in the order that they appear, but now I see that it's more cohesive as a whole this way. It always takes me quite some time to truly decipher just what exactly DA's getting at.

For 10, think of a building complex where soldiers might have a drink or two.

Ah, finally got 10 while falling asleep last night. Something about trying to sleep that seems to fuel the thoughts. Thanks, AC!

Still a few to go of DA's. Can only think of wet canteen from AC's hint for 10.

So far have 17, 19 (like it), 22, 27 and 28 of Geoff's.

31 feeble murmur (8,6)
32 see calmly (8,4)

Whoops, I hadn't seen your followup before; apologies, Criseyde. Feel free to spoiler away on my ones if you happen to see this -- I figure the next BB is about due so I'll post the answers later tonight.

And... er... that should have been "Twilight Saga" in #18, not "Twilight Sage". Oh, dear.

As for #10, the spirit may not be familiar (it wasn't to me), so perhaps focus the search on a building where soldiers might be found (for the purpose of identifying the building, ignore any suggestion of drinking).

Nice additions to the list! I make them:

31. Crippled ripple
32. Sedately date

And here are my intended answers:

16. Clear sign of minion abuse (6, 5 3) -> lackey black eye
17. Complete guarantee (6, 8) -> arrant warranty
18. Trailers for Twilight Saga movie (7, 5) -> Eclipse clips
19. Most ardent of English cricket supporters (8, 6) -> barmiest armies
20. Catches up to (5, 7) -> gains against
21. Miss Santa Cruz 2010 (8, 6) -> Bolivian Olivia
22. Cheating carnivals (6, 8) -> unfair funfairs
23. Where maypoles may be seen? (7, 9) -> estival festivals
24. Inherent but unmentioned minimalism (8, 10) -> implicit simplicity
25. Apocryphal cause of male homosexuality (8, 6) -> smothery mother
26. DINKs (4'1, 7) -> aren't parents
27. ABC showing renewed confidence (8, 6) -> jauntier Auntie
28. Talkative milliner (8, 6) -> chattery hatter
29. Rumours of embezzlement (10, 12) -> peculation speculations
30. Times off for God behaviour? (9, 11) -> abbatical sabbaticals