CCCWC October competition voters’ comments

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A clue to MOCKTAIL (New Chambers Word).
71 comments were received for this competition (from 8 competitors, 3 others)
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Here is the text

Comments on the competition
1.
I loved clues 29, 30 and 40 and gave them 5 points each.
2.
Clues 13, 16, 18, 35 & 40 all refer to cocktails NOT in Chambers: it may be OK for this competition but surely would be unfair on a solver in a normal crossword
3.
For the most part, not a very inspired entry this time, though 23 is first rate and 20 pretty good too. When the name of a particular cocktail is used as (part of ) the definition, it is necessary to include (as most such entries do) some indication – at least a question-mark – that it is an example. Thus 37 will not do. I can't quite put my finger on why I feel that 23 is different in this respect, but my gut feeling is that it is. There is also an issue over capitalization. Chambers (like the OUP) is inconsistent and, to my mind, often perverse on this subject. I can see that there is some sense in distinguishing, as Chambers does, between Martini (a brand of vermouth) and martini (a cocktail made with (presumably, any brand of) vermouth). But where no brand-name is involved? The drink is surely a Bloody Mary, not a bloody Mary? Yet Chambers gives the latter. On the other hand, Chambers has Between the Sheets, not “between the sheets”, which, surely, makes 5 unsound (as the author’s explanation, referring to Between the Sheets, already seems to concede). Although there is no entry in Chambers for it, the cocktail is, surely, Screaming Orgasm, not screaming orgasm, which invalidates 13.

Comments on the clues

1. A nephalist might swallow this story told by slag earlier

1.	Neat and skilful construction and a new word for me.
2.	A better homophone indicator would be 'we're told'. Why not use 'kid' since slag adds no humour & is more likely to cause offence
3.	The surface is rather let down by the "slag", but otherwise quite neatly done.

2. A new addition! Arrange a cot and milk drink for goodness' sake!

1.	Nice idea but 'new addition' doesn't work well as a definition. I don't get how the last three words add to the definition either.

3. Ales unwanted, local makes it with a shake?

1.	The best &lit. from the bunch

4. Atomic Kitten's No. 1 hit may have hint of love that is soft and wet

1.	Nice surface. I don't like 'hit' as an anag. indicator. The definition doesn't quite work – 'soft and wet' are only adjectives
2.	Nice anagram, but surface & definition a bit weak.

8. Compound but dry instruction to Mum rather than Dad to cut dog

1.	Strange surface. The definition doesn't feel right to me I'm afraid.
2.	Surface doesn't make much sense to me

9. Drink close in spec to a milk shake

1.	'Milkshake' is usually one word, which is a bit of a weakness in the definition/surface
2.	Without "Drink" this would have been a full &lit, I think.
3.	Not all that "close in spec"!

10. Drunk after mixing with non-alcoholics? – ridicule to follow!

1.	Nice surface but definition a little clumsy; shouldn't it be 'by' and not 'with'? And maybe teetotallers instead of non-alcoholics
2.	"non-alcoholic" is an adjective and can't be pluralised
3.	Like the misleading use of "drunk" although strict Ximeneans may not like this to define a noun

11. Drunk? OK calm it! This one has no alcohol!

1.	Clever use of drunk in surface and as anagrind.
2.	I think 'drunk' works better as an anagrind after the anagram fodder. The punctuation interrupts the wordplay here too.

12. Dry martini?

1.	Nice idea, but I'm not sure this meaning of 'dry' quite works here to describe a drink

13. Fake screaming orgasm?

1.	Nice idea, but I'm not sure about "fake" referring to its lack of alocohol.

15. Grilled taco and milk – a suitable order for a child

1.	The definition doesn't feel right to me, sorry

16. Gunner shot Mick a lot

1.	Gunner is an example of a mocktail, not a definition, so this needs to be indicated.
2.	Don't see what "Gunner" refers to.

17. Headmistress was fine about first class thanks to 'The Italian Drink'

1.	'Headmistress' doesn't mean 'head of mistress'
2.	I don't agree with the initial letter indications. Should be "first in class" or "classes' first". Same with headmistress.

18. Heads to motorway on consuming kombucha. Tasty, and it's legal.

1.	The definition isn't clear.

19. I talk crazily after some combo carbonated drink (8)

1.	'Some combo' is a weak way to clue COM. I don't see 'carbonated' as an anag. indicator – more like an unusual instruction to insert C

20. If you're hoping for a swizzle, this is one

1.	I quite like this, but only after resorting to Chambers to understand it!
2.	A pleasing play on the two meanings of "swizzle".

21. I'm for Coke — that I'll regularly drink (having no alcohol)

1.	Very nice clue. Surface reading is remarkably natural. Drink as verb in surface and noun in definition creates nice deception.
2.	Works well

22. I'm to lack rum?

1.	Perfect &lit, if there is a downside it is that it would be a simple solve. Still worth most points.
2.	Very neat & lit. clue
3.	Very good.
4.	Unlike 28, this is &lit, but, from the point of view of the surface, "I'm to lack" for "I lack" is a bit clumsy.

23. It's certainly not included in this copy of Collins!

1.	Clever reference to the dictionary entry, though I doubt 'It' is in any sort of Collins!
2.	Head and shoulders above the competition. Double meanings beautifully sustained throughout.
3.	Good misdirection

24. Just a sham, can't get high with a milk coat!

1.	Strange surface. The definition isn't clear and I can't work out where the anagram indictor is.

26. Mixed drink with my Tab Cola – not brandy(8)

1.	Looks like anag. minus anag. rather than a composite anagram structure. Therefore needs second anag. indicator. Nice try at an &Lit though

27. No real punch? Unlikely to claim Klitschko's crown

1.	Good misleading def.
2.	Nice idea but I'd say a punch is still real despite lacking alcohol.
3.	Is a punch really the same as a cocktail? Otherwise, a neat anagram & original surface.

28. Omit/lack rum in this?

1.	Very nice. I too noticed omit/lack anagram but couldn't do anything with it. Use of rum is perfect and obvious once you see it. 5 points!
2.	Good, though the idea was better handled by 22 in my opinion
3.	"Lack" as a verb doesn't seem to quite make sense here, but nice idea.
4.	Not strictly &lit, since "in this" is not part of the s.i.
5.	Definition is a little woolly even for an &lit. But neat idea.

29. Perhaps I lack tequila or malt, for starters

1.	I'm with the old school – 'perhaps' isn't a valid anagram indicator though 'possibly' is. Bon idee but Nul points
2.	Nice try at an & lit. I think a better anagram indicator could have been found, and 'for starters' rather spoils the surface.
3.	Putting "malt" in a cocktail? Sacrilege!

30. Post includes circular about Katie supplying mixed soft drinks

1.	I can't find where Katie = KT. If it's simply because they sound the same I think this should be indicated somehow. Otherwise very good.

31. Rally track preparation appropriate for the TT

1.	A good idea, but "mock" and "rally" are not really synonymous
2.	Wonderfully misleading surface reading and accurate wordplay; best clue by miles

32. Ridiculed beer, hearing beverage is non-alcoholic.

1.	I'd have preferred 'on hearing' to indicate the homophone
2.	I don't feel the homophone indicator works well here.

33. See reformed alkie come to, scratching hindquarters, making for this?

1.	I like the idea, but think 'hindquarters' is an iffy indicator for final letters
2.	I don't think that "make for" really means "lead to"

34. Shake a milk to see, say?

1.	The surface reads a bit strangely. I'm not sure I agree that a milkshake is a type of mocktail.
2.	This anagram appears to be indirect for me.

37. Shirley Temple poked fun at porter during speech.

1.	Shirley Temple is an example not a definition, so needs to show this; T and D are not homophones

38. Skimmed goats' milk – cold, refreshing – but not special drink for kids?

1.	I disagree with the definition here. I'm not sure 'skimmed' is a clear indication that the first letter should be removed.

39. This Saint Clement's is one that has nothing to do with that Bell's!

1.	I'm confused by the 'this' and 'that'
2.	Nice idea but does not quite work

40. Virgin Mary possibly in care of mounted knight in armour

1.	Clever wordplay
2.	Sound enough, but a slightly improbable surface.
3.	Best of the "by example" clues

41. What a Playboy Bunny always wears and occasionally serves!

1.	Might this clue better suit "mocktails" rather than the singular?
2.	Good idea, but "but seldom serves" would have been nearer to the mark, I feel