CCCWC Christmas Special competition voters’ comments

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A clue to XMAS Stocking Filler (2 defs. + wordplay).
118 comments were received for this competition (from 11 competitors, 1 other)
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Comments on the competition
1.
A dreadfully tough task resulting in some dreadful clues, many with illicit link words. Ugh! One clear winner, the rest sort of scraped together.
2.
Despite clear instructions, almost a third of the entries include a third definition instead of (or occasionally as well as) the wordplay that was requested. To give them any points would be unfair to the others. Many of the remainding clues are pretty feeble as well. Of the dozen or so reasonable contenders that remain, I prefer those that use no padding, or as little as possible. My top five are 10 32 37 33 and 42. Incidentally, my apologies to the author of November's clue 39 – my comment completely missed the point.
3.
This was a nicely conceived competition and there are some excellent ideas here, but there was also some fairly liberal interpretation of the instructions. I took them to mean the clue should consist of two definitions, one wordplay, and nothing else. So I couldn't look favourably at clues containing three definitions, or superfluous linking words, or both. It certainly seems wrong to indicate with 'in', 'by', etc, that the wordplay leads to or from the definitions, as it clearly doesn't. It's unfortunate having to downrate so many clues like this. Perhaps we could have more explicit instructions with the specials.
4.
I don't think a simple definition for the link word is enough. Word play was specified. Think the clue given as an example was better than most here but it was a very tough challenge to come up with anything at all.
5.
I am probably being thick but I don't understand how three definitions in a double def and wordplay clue works. Presumably one of the definitions is supposed to be the second definition of a clue where the first one isn't given which just doesn't seem right. In some cases (like MATER in 31) there is really only one definition anyway so how can it be wordplay?
6.
Even if the rubric did not specifically rule out definitions as the s.i. (eg 17), that approach is, I think, rather a cop-out in this context.

Comments on the clues

1. After five, staff lost strike for Noel (4)

1.	After five is six. Staff is the definition for mast. Where's wordplay for sit?
2.	Not meant to define XMAS. If strike is meant to define SITDOWN then the answer is not SIT
3.	I do not think you understand the special rules. How does STRIKE FOR NOEL provide wordplay for SIT? "For Noel" is superfluous here.
4.	"After five" does not mean "six". Definition of XMAS was not required. Don't understand the wordplay for SIT.
5.	I think the clue-writer has misunderstood the instructions as a def. of XMAS is not required

2. An optic unnerved by chest amulet

1.	Spoiled by including 'An' at the start
2.	The surface doesn't read well.
3.	AN is superfluous
4.	"Unnerved" is not an anagram indicator, and the surface is meaningless.

3. Bad smell about TV lawyer.

1.	"Lawyer" is too vague to indicate Perry Mason. "TV lawyer" does so adequately, but then TV is doing double duty.

4. Ball and chain defending family in style

1.	Defence can be the objective of masking but can masking itself be equated to defending?
2.	"Ball and chain" is unconvincing for tax (a burden) and the clue makes little sense.

5. Bearing cup, prostitute (wasting time) eats most of cold dessert

1.	Ice as cold dessert is not palatable
2.	An original idea, although the overall sense is a bit odd.
3.	A nice combination, but the surface reading is rather contrived

6. Best weight achieved when exercise involved (4,4)

1.	It should perhaps read exercise is involved.
2.	Good but for the superfluous 'achieved'
3.	I don't think that you can use exercise for PE.

7. Broadcasting code let MP involved be with aerial support

1.	Clue makes no sense, and MASTED is not be with aerial support?

8. Cathedral rite is filled with love; the nave is trimmed with holly

1.	Messy, and removing XMAS you seem to have ILES left as the word to define which is not a word
2.	I don't understand the wordplay (middle two letters of LOVE seem to be ignored) and there's a lot of padding.
3.	I don't think ILES can be justified as an English word

9. Church rite left high priest's arms aching (4,4)

1.	Very clever, although there must be a better anagram indicator than "aching".

10. Collected material of saucier comic so rude (4,6)

1.	Very nice use of 'saucier'.
2.	Inspired! (Although my copy of Chambers doesn't give that meaning of saucier, it's easily found elsewhere.)
3.	I really like the double meaning here of saucier.

11. Convoluted process of erecting a mast using elm, with about pint and half of grog, at sea

1.	Mast shouldn't have been used to define masting.
2.	Too wordy
3.	A bit long-winded, and the overall impression is artificial. ("A mast using elm"?)

12. Cracker lovers? Nuts!

1.	Spoiled for me by using double def .. the spirit of the thing is that you are meant to use proper wordplay. Don't like the surface anyway
2.	Wordplay for BEAUT is required, not a definition.

13. Crib food perhaps for the farmyard steer (3,4)

1.	Where's the def for COX?
2.	Wordplay for CRIB is required, not a definition.
3.	Clue and surface reading just right

14. Cricketers defence with artisan, is a blessing in disguise.

1.	Wordplay for BOON is required, not a definition. Pedantic point: CRICKETERS needs an apostrophe.

15. Dangerous ground for poet with woman of ill-repute (4,9)

1.	Explanation states: "Rubric doesn't say if wordplay can be a def". However they are not the same thing, and the instructions are clear.
2.	Some great ideas, but I think it's bending the rules
3.	did not like the 'standard liberty' of clueing by def.

16. Fixed asset levy matters

1.	Surface sense is poor
2.	This works, but without any context its significance is unclear.

17. Food for animals, my cow for example

1.	Creative but oh is not wordplay for my.
2.	Wordplay for OH is required, not a definition.
3.	Very neat – oh dear, I hadn't intended the pun – but see general comment on definition as s.i.

18. He leaves for Mexico at noon, so inveigle him to fix the pole now. (4,4)

1.	You do not have three separate parts – "HIM TO FIX" and NOW are superfluous. The word NOON is superfluous too. SAME for "HE LEAVES FOR" What
2.	A bit wordy, and no clear containment indicator. Surface reading is very artificial.
3.	what says that sub. ind. is hidden? – 'He leaves for'? Doesn't work

19. Hidden unrest raced across the country (4,6)

1.	I do not see how flux=UNREST is justified in Chambers
2.	One of the better entries, although on close examination I'm not sure it makes much sense.

20. Holy celebration? A nuisance, waste of time! What's the point?

1.	"Wasting time" would be better for the cryptic.
2.	should be 'wasting time'?

21. In a manger, he's found./With love, hearts pound.

1.	Nicely done.
2.	Very sweet, but the definition of OX (in a manger, he's found) is vague and confusing. A manger is what animals eat from.
3.	Ox is not found in a manger – it's food is

22. In disorder, armed with poles, fellow receives bruised temple

1.	Nice wordplay for COMPLETED. A fellow armed with "poles" seems unlikely.

23. It maybe nuts to reduce most of the ground cover when caught in firearm attacks.

1.	SHould not have included def for MAT (re-read the rules); "IT MAYBE" is superfluous; too wordy
2.	Wearing my pedant's hat, "maybe" should be two words, and "most of" doesn't mean maximum.
3.	too long, did not have to define MAT

24. It's a shaft whose tip's gotten inside

1.	Superflous "'s" in it's – usually 's is allowed when the construct is like <def>'s <wordplay> but that logic does not work here.
2.	Inside what? IT usually refers to sex appeal, not just sex.

25. It's surprising but true – after ignoring motorway turning road maps matter, as used to be the case.

1.	Way too wordy
2.	Rather wordy, and I for one would not be so pedantic as to insist on the last six words, but I think this deserves some points.
3.	Too long, lost interest

26. Loony copy of the document is on the front page of The Sun.(3,8)

1.	Wordplay for FATHEAD is required, not a definition.
2.	'is on the front etc' not a good definition. ' – this is on the front page etc' better but even an 8 words is too long for single word def

27. Male brags of big pole!

1.	'Male brags' is wordplay for fax. Big is definition for fat whereas wordplay should've been provided for fat.
2.	I don't a fax is a piece of mail, sorry…
3.	Fax <> mail.
4.	Wordplay for BIG needed, not definition. Cryptic needs "bragged of", but even so bragging could be written not spoken. A fax is not mail.
5.	Brags doesn't work as homophone indicator. Male heard of big pole would be ok but throws water over the (not particularly amusing) innuendo

28. Matterhorn visible in snowscapes

1.	Cute but I do not thint this complies with the rules since the defs for APEX and MASS need to be separate.
2.	Let's hope no-one quibbles over MATTER = MASS (see 25). Matterhorn is clever wordplay but dubious for defs. Hidden at end of word is weak.
3.	I'm not keen on this fusing of definitions
4.	matterhorn is not two separate words but needs to be

29. Need to repair spar when ship blown off its course.

1.	Too many extraneous words: NEED TO, WHEN SHIP BLOWN, COURSE; also where is the 'container' indicator for ofF ITs?
2.	Gets the idea OK, but first two words are unnecessary, no containment indicator for "off its", too much padding.
3.	no need for 'need to' surface fine without it. However, no obvious indicator that the word is hidden.

30. Nuts and bolts from old Indian box

1.	Excellent, although I don't think "old" is necessary. A pandit (or pundit) might be quite young.
2.	An excellent piece of wordplay
3.	Smoothly done.

31. Original gin, the way it used to be, for the old lady

1.	Wordplay for MATER is required, not a definition.

32. Partially concealed figure snaps Queen breaking rule-book (3,6)

1.	Nice.
2.	Superb! Contender for first place.

33. Public take tips from chess wizard

1.	He's just managed to pull it off!
2.	Another simple and excellent clue.
3.	Original idea and well executed. I was dubious about HES, but it's in Chambers.
4.	One of the best this month I think.

34. Queen hugged by familiar privateer – revolutionary spectacle at court! (4,6)

1.	You misunderstood the special rules. There is only supposed to be wordplay for MARQUE, not a definition too.
2.	Good effort, but definition of MARQUE was not required in addition to the wordplay.
3.	not meant to define of marque just clue it in wordplay. Marx is an example of a revolutionary, does not mean revolutionary so indicate that

35. Reject a fruit with insect egg

1.	Wordplay for NIT is required, not a definition. The conditions were clear on this.
2.	How can definition of nit be taken as subsidiary indication/wordplay? It should atleast be a cryptic definition

36. Rides half-a-dozen long upright poles (3,5)

1.	Wordplay for SITS is required, not a definition.

37. Rubbish at English, scholar's last to try to learn

1.	Excellent – should make the top five at least.
2.	'at' spoils the wordplay

38. Someone concealed photos of Her Majesty in disarray (3,6)

1.	Good clue, though I'd have preferred Queen to HM.
2.	Would have preferred simply '… queen in disarray'

39. Something for filling in to make copy of Times stimulating (5,6)

1.	Clever combination and nicely clued
2.	Worth two points as I really like the idea and admire the challenge but I am not sure 'something for filling in' is quite right for mastic.
3.	One of the very few clues to offer an excellent, topical and (quite fairly) misleading surface.

40. Sort of jar to enclose gift

1.	Very pleasant clue.
2.	Wordplay for BOON is required, not a definition.

41. Spots error in prose and initially uses rubber

1.	Very neat, plausible surface.
2.	I can hardly fault this, except that "initially" doesn't really seem necessary for the surface reading.
3.	Very good surface and misleading defs.

42. Staff upset over photos (3,4)

1.	Superbly concise, with entirely plausible surface.
2.	Nice, economical clue that adhere's strictly to the rules and has good surface reading.
3.	Simple and effective.
4.	words a little short so clue verging on the uninteresting

43. Topic’s peculiar photographs – the Spirit of Ecstasy, for one

1.	Nothing wrong with this cryptically, but it's not clear what "Topic" refers to.

44. Whipped up a cooked mixture of flour and butter and mustered! (4,6)

1.	Whipped up is direct definition of roused. It should've been the wordplay.
2.	The surface sense wants 'mustard' not 'mustered'. If this is a deliberate pun, it does not work for me.
3.	Wordplay for ROUSED required, not a definition. MUSTERED for MUSTARD is meaningless.