CCCWC August competition voters’ comments
Clue no. 41: Peer slunk off for a whizz in a chamber
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A clue to SPELUNKER.
3 comments refer to this clue (from 3 competitors, 0 others)
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| Comments on the competition |
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| 1. |
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There were lots and lots of clues with interesting ideas in. Of these, most didn't form into a satisfying clue in my view because of some:
– grammatical or linguistic strain 12 13 14 15 16 25 30 35 37 40
– loose definition 26 47
– long-windedness 6 18 19 21 32.
I gave points to the clues that were well formed and would have given satisfaction if found in a printed puzzle.
41 Neat. A bit of humour always hits the spot (even toilet humour) – top of this pile – 5.
I spread my other votes among 11, 22, 24, 39, 48 – 2 each. |
| 2. |
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This month's word seemed to provide an interesting challenge after last month's definition-heavy competition, with some interesting definitions being used. Some, I thought, were inaccurate, such as those involving "caveman" (which defines something else – and a spelunker is not necessarily a man). Also, those referring to the "underground", or to somebody moving downwards, I dit not consider for points, as caves may be above ground. That said, 28 and 37, while falling into this category, do have lovely surfaces.
Points to:
5: 41 – Very amusing and concise.
4: 17 – A wonderful surface; I very nearly disregarded this clue due to not being aware that "stupid" can also be a noun. A good reminder that we should always check what appears to be an incorrect usage, lest we do a disservice to a clue.
3: 13 – Nice pop-culture reference and a good definition.
1.5: 35 – Nicely misleading but perfectly fair.
1: 14 – A witty cruciverbalist context.
0.5: 43 – Like the use of Lascaux. |
| 3. |
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| The wonderfully phrased 14 is the clear winner for me in a set of clues that's rich in misleading definitions. I also like 46's 'incomer in a deep hole', 41's 'whizz in a chamber' and 35's 'deep-space explorer', though I think this last clue is a little flawed structurally ('Orbiting sun, Kelper…' would have been better). 49 is the best of the & lit. clues. 'Knees-up + RL' is a great anagram opportunity that I wish I'd noticed, and 47 exploits it nicely, even though I'm not sure I'd ever describe bats as hanging 'knees-up'. |
