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Diabolically Arcane

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Meh 17

8 January, 2013

Seems only balanced, after picking out the best clues of last year, that I put forward some clunkers. At least, that’s how I viewed this lot, six clues that needed a little rework for reasons I outline in brackets. Take a look and see if you agree. Share your views in the forum, and by all means have a dip at drafting your new-and-improved clues for the same answers.

  1. Fine given to the old is a burden = YOKE [Crux goes a furrow too far, suggesting that ‘given to’ can act as a container signpost. I’m not sold.]

  2. Extraordinary achievement chiefly entitles one to rest in place of honour when dead = LIE IN STATE [This effort from Alberich seems to function oretty much as a quick clue, not to mention the duplicaiton of ‘in’.]

  3. Meaty bag’s false memory = MEGABYTE [Either Shed is maligning an elderly woman and/or this clue’s surface sense is a dog’s breakfast.]

  4. Computer that’s best under the work surface = DESKTOP [Classic hookworm from Orense, where work surface as desk is one & the same thing.]

  5. Screen actress a prickly one to watch = HOLLY HUNTER [Fine, Bonxie. I like your holly hint, but hunter as watcher?]

  6. Ruler making one tremble when speaking = SHEIKH [Times 8818 throws in surplus language for what should be a sleek homohone clue. Who’s one?]

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Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
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