December 11 2010
Xmas Crackers (and Compilers)
Last week’s Storm was gross – as we had exactly 144 comments in a blitz of clues and giftware. With my own Xmas shopping to do this weekend, I won’t go through the cornucopia in detail – it was wild and a lot of fun. Thanks to every Stormer under the tree, and congratulations on some sleek clues, and intuitive unwrapping.
Hard to pick the most acute solver, though I was astounded at dg’s get of ALASKAN MALAMUTE, and admired the loose-end tying of Mr X and Mauve.
Where I do wish to linger, however, is on three clues the swap-meet elicited, all of which I view as sublime. In fact all three employ a classy trick of concealing two points of wordplay within a single compound word – an eye-grabber at the best of times.
So, in ascending order of bedazzlement:
Magazine shortlist = MAD MEN [dg – succinct and stylish, as suits the show]
Spooner’s Chargecard? = WII FIT [SK combines new-age gadgets with new-age credit trap]
Topless, drunk on Moet = LOTTO TICKET [JT, your clue is so fine/I wish it were mine]
Givers, receivers, setters and solvers: a most festive Storm. Thank you, and joy to all.
Comments
Nib — 11 December at 03:38PM
Hi, it's the noob again.
Still don't quite get Mad Men. I assume Mad Magazine is the first part of the clue, but do not see how 'shortlist' equates to 'men'. (I would be a disgruntled responder if it is an abridged 'menu'.)
I spent forever trying to figure out how 'card' equated to 'wit'. Apparently a wit can be the individual as well as the abstract noun. Who'da thunk it.
Many fine posts, people.
GymBunnies — 11 December at 04:08PM
Yep, heaps of gold, and plenty of deft solving - congrats all round!
Nib, I believe shortlist is menu without its final letter (u), hence MEN.
dg — 11 December at 04:42PM
That it is, Gym. A menu's a list of meals, non?
You can call someone a wag/wit/card/character as in someone funny.
There were still some unanswered clues such as Mr X's 'short, thick, cut, stretch' and some of mine. DA, I emailed you my answers. Can you put 'em on here please? (I didn't save my post.)
DA — 11 December at 07:16PM
As You Like It, dg.
Below, dear DAbblers, are the outstanding solutions to many of dg's outstanding clues. So a SPOILER ALERT, if you haven't yet twigged. And also a call-out to any other compiler whose devilry went uncracked from the week's Storm.
Here we go. In smaller bundles, to bypass the spam filter, these are the answers:
A bit harder...CD:
They're revealing sample audio frequency?(8,2,5,6)
(Jean Shrimpton ....remixed?)
###### MINIS(-)TRY OF SOUND ANNUAL
Kitchenware:
Said to laugh last? (4,6)
(Aussie Aussie Aussie!)
### SLOW COOKER
Computing:
Thighs? (6)
_ _ _ _ O _
### LAPTOP
DA — 11 December at 07:17PM
The next instalment:
Toy:
Another short and curly question?(7)
(What's the catch?)
### FRISBEE
Book:
Elmer's advice to designated driver? (8)
(Wabbit season? Two understatements?)
### TWILIGHT
Boring but practical:
Misplaced grief over baby-sitter? That hurts!(4,7)
(It's not priceless)
### GIFT VOUCHER
DVD:
Keeps after awful reception (6,6)
(Pedestrian mindlessness for the man)
###...from the Minister of Silly Walks: FAWLTY TOWERS
DA — 11 December at 07:18PM
Part 3 of dg's confessional:
DVD:
Set up Crop Circle Records?(8)
(ZYXABC vs ZYXABC)
### SEINFELD
game:
Nitwit makes couple of stupid errors. (7)
Revised:
Dimwit makes couple of stupid errors. (7)
(Bowled Shane)
#### TWISTER
Book:
Hosts file (6)
(King-hit bloody ignoramus)
### CARRIE
Cephissus and Ilissus almost!(7,2,3,5)
(Top melodrama?)
### FLOW-ERS IN THE ATTIC(A)!
DA — 11 December at 07:20PM
Part 4 (always break down extended Comments into smaller parcels, otherwise your work will be blocked):
Apparently they're after bag lady (7,2,3,3)
(FJ Cup?)
### (Holden Caulfield)... CATCHER IN THE RYE
CD:
Breakthrough album without the bombast and punk intro? (9)
(Enlightening!)
### NEVERMIND (less the bollocks, here's the ...)
dg — 09 December at 01:47PM
Ruddy is honest about pollies? (3,8)
(A spoilt brat and fat slob ..... )
### D'oh!!! THE SIMPSONS
Human Nature (second) (first)(9,3,3,6)
(Dreamweavers?)
### AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE (BY R.E.M.)
DA — 11 December at 07:22PM
The final dg countdown, opening with his pet store stumper:
Fish in pristine river with Peter Pan (6,9,5)
(Or she's very fetching and novel)
### OR = golden? ... GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY
Tech gadget:
Where you can see bird in studio? (7,5)
(Almost Beavis and Butthead-ish)
### DIGITAL RADIO (give the bird = .....)
DA — 11 December at 07:24PM
Any queries about dg's wordplay wiles, then post your questions here, and I'm sure the setter himself will elucidate.
Also to any maker of our Storm's unsolved stuff, below is your chance to alleviate our pain.
Mr X — 12 December at 12:36AM
Mr X's "short, thick, cut, stretch" boardgame
SQUAT (short, thick) TER (cut ter-m (stretch))
Sam — 12 December at 10:01AM
Thanks for the answer to your pollies dg!
My Boxing Day leftovers:
Clothes:
Stole messenger's wrapping (6,5) HERMES SCARF
Food:
Cute drunk fashioned chimera (9) TURDUCKEN
Tech gadget:
Captain Athos met doom oddly (6) TOMTOM
Game:
Game second horse in check out (6) BOGGLE
Nib — 12 December at 12:30PM
Slow Cooker had me cackling merrily.