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Diabolically Arcane

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Xmas Crackers (and Compilers)

11 December, 2010

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.

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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.
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