Comments on: Want to Make a General Comment? Any Cryptic Confusions Not Covered? (18th/19th September)

By: RB

RB — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:18:44 +0000

I agree effort and stamina are closely related but not closely enough for this pedant. As I said in another post, stamina is what you need to be able to run a marathon (or put in a marathon effort) but it is not the same thing as the effort itself. Stamina is a personal quality you have; effort is something you must do or put in.

By: AS

AS — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:46:31 +0000

RB, I’m OK with marathon effort = stamina because I think of the effort required in a marathon being stamina.

A bit dodge, but I’m happy to let it slip.

By: NC

NC — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:50:19 +0000

Thanks, RB. I wasn’t aware of the dude = “dandy” meaning, but my dictionary confirms it, along with the meaning of “any person”, and “ranch-visiting city-dweller”.

By: RB

RB — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 04:42:11 +0000

22A: alternative
8D: disquietude

By: NC

NC — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:23:13 +0000

Can someone tell me the answers to 22A and 8D please?

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:37:39 +0000

I used to do the DA crossword in The Age, but I’ve switched to doing it in the SMH for the symmetry of having DA cryptic and quick on the same grid. This week I was very pleased to see a cheeky Quick clue, one with some DA personality shining through:

15d Bombay duck, lead pencil or koala bear (8)

More of these and I’m sure even die-hard quickers can be turned onto the cryptic path.