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Diabolically Arcane

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Salon 3 - Hangman Hangup

24 February, 2014

You may have read my tweet: is there a more humane version of Hangman? A mate of mine teaches English to Iraqi refugees, where junior crosswords are going down a treat, along with primary readers. But he’s a little reluctant to introduce Hangman due to the grisly artwork. Even the name suggests a sorry end which could well evoke painful memories within the class.

So what’s a kinder alternative? Do your own kids, or cousins, or friends, observe a different end-game? Have you met a more PC label for the pastime? Could be the seed of a Wordplay column. Would love to hear your field reports – or brainwaves.

Also in the news, Barack Obama is due to meet the Dalai Lama. Can’t remember when world headlines obsessed over two rhyming VIPs sharing a teapot. Inspires a fun idea: who else could we match-make, making an equivalent splash? Kate Moss and Hugo Boss would hardly raise eyebrows, compared to Tim Winton and Hilary Clinton (who’s after a warmer speechwriter). Or Christopher Pyne and Miranda Devine: in hope of spinning the right media message…. Who else?

Crossword clues get their views here too, with the best of the Times, the Guardian and the Financial Times up for a gander, as well as any other cryptic-cum-verbal titbits you encounter in your travels. Have a wordy week.

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Focus & memory, lateral leaps & logic - every aspect of cognitive health is lit in Rewording The Brain, a book revelling in how puzzles boost your brain. Part 2 equips your brain to conquer any twisty clue, plus the wild crossword finale. Pop science meets neural gameplay, Rewording is rewarding, and out now.

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Rewording The Brain

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Gargantuan Book of Words

Sneeze words. Fake pasta. Viking slang. Gargantuan is a jumbo jumble of puzzles & games, mazes & quizzes, tailor-made for that wordy wonderkid in your life. Or anyone in love with letters, secret codes, puns, rhymes, emoji & all things languagey. More here 

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Riddledom Rave

If you missed my riddle chat with Richard Fidler, then feel free to slurp the podcast at http://ab.co/1I9t1x5

Text-speak is creeping into Scrabble. Where do you sit?
OBVS I'm fine with it
Entrenched stuff - like LOL and OMG - but no more.
Words With Friends, maybe. Scrabble, no
Let the 'real' dictionaries decide first
Just the handy stuff, like FAQ and EUW
I mean, WTF?! No way
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