| Comments on the competition |
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| 1. |
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The object of a skillful PD clue is to achieve wording that reads convincingly in both devilled and undevilled forms. If either is less convincing, it must always be the devilled form.
The best PD clues employ word breaks occurring within words both before and after excision – of the 51 clues submitted 35 managed this successfully. The other 16 failed to close the gap after removal of the clue word (4, 6, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20, 25, 27, 29, 37, 42, 45, 46 and 48)
PD clue setters also need to avoid forcing the wording of the undevilled version to accommodate that of the devilled version, something which stood out particularly in clues 2, 13, 16, 20, 31, 34, 36 and 49.
A significant number of clues contained key words or phrases in the undevilled version which were not adequately referenced after they disappeared in the devilled version, thereby giving the solver very little realistic chance of guessing the main subject matter of the original statement (eg 'serial killer' in clue 22, 'sermon' in clue 24 and 'sonatas' in clue 38).
A couple of clues exhibited 'devilry run riot', with few of the words in the full version remaining the same – not really fair on the solver (37 and 44).
The most popular undevilled word by far was 'service(man)', with 11 showings, 5 of which successfully closed the gap to form novice (9, 12, 26, 30 and 47*). 'Sermon' was delivered 5 times (24, 25, 27, 34 and 51), and 'ermine' 4 times, though none of these managed to close the gap (14, 19, 45 and 48). There were also four 'serious' clues amongst them a couple of contenders (1, 5*, 21 and {41]*). Three clues featured 'serial' (10, 22 and 39) and there was also a trio of 'erection(s)' (2, 13 and 32*), though one did stand out above the others. Other less popular undevilled words included 'serf' (7* and 36), 'serpent' (6 and 49), 'Serbian' (35), 'series' (18), 'serve' (28), 'server' (3) and 'servile' (15). |
| 2. |
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| Quite a lot of clues failed for me by either having similar meanings for both readings or by not giving a hint to what the correct reading should be, which is essential if the clue is to be solved. |
| 3. |
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| Many of the clues compromised the sense of the undevilled version for the devilled: X will be turning in his grave! |
| 4. |
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| As I see it, a PD clue should not only make good (and idiomatic) sense in both versions (and particularly in the undevilled one), but the devilled version should significantly change the meaning of the undevilled version. In the very best PD clues – of which 42 is an excellent example, much better than the rather lacklustre one routinely given in preambles to PD competitions – the undevilled version will be an unremarkable statement of the ordinary, while the devilling creates something not only contrasting, but also funny or outrageous. The other way around (eg, 2, 8) strikes me as much less satisfactory; after all, the notional context of PD is that a printer is mischievously omitting letters from an author’s text in order to produce an embarrassing or amusing alternative. Unfortunately, only one of the clues offered ticked all these boxes, and, in too many, one or other version or both made little sense or it was hard to imagine a context in which the wording might credibly be encountered. |
| 5. |
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| Most contributors seem to have ignored the instruction: 'NB Many "judges" will normally give preference to PD clues in which the breaks before and after the word omitted (before and after omission) do not occur at the ends or beginnings of words in the clue.' |
| Comments on the clues |
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| 1. A mendacious number of criminals caught |
| 1. | Surely it's the criminals that are mendacious, not the number ? |
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| 2. A politician's defections always attract media attention. |
| 1. | Summarises current Tory woes very neatly! | | 2. | The undevilled version seems forced and much less convincing. | | 3. | The devilled version seems to make more sense here | | 4. | Good insertion but the undevilled version is not as taut as the devilled one. |
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| 3. An awful lover, passed out, is not terribly delectable! |
| 1. | In the undevilled version, 'lot' seems rather too vague to paint a convincing scene. | | 2. | The devilled version seems to make more sense here |
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| 4. At church, come nigh, vice awaits on Christmas Eve |
| 1. | Undevilled version is the stronger, but the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and the devilled version is unconvincing. | | 2. | Nice idea, the break coming between words is a weakness though |
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| 5. Bank of England auditors in specious fraud claim |
| 1. | Nice shift of meaning with both readings plausible | | 2. | Not a significant shift in meaning between the two versions | | 3. | Good contrast between the versions. | | 4. | Clearly the best and one of very few viable clues, in my opinion. |
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| 6. Blackadder's viewed a penthouse! |
| 1. | Undevilled version is the stronger, but the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and the devilled version is unconvincing. | | 2. | I like the bizarre devilled version, the break coming between words is a weakness though |
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| 7. Bogofs fill the shelves in Colombian supermarkets |
| 1. | Original idea, undevilled solution makes sense. |
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| 8. Brazilian photo is exotic art |
| 1. | Nice use of new language, but 'sext' seems unrelated to the rest of the undevilled version. | | 2. | I think only slang dictionaries will include 'sext' in this context, so best avoided in the undevilled version |
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| 9. Can novice cater for all who are worshipping vicar? |
| 1. | Nice idea, the wording seems slightly forced in the undevilled version though | | 2. | It's not clear why a vicar would doubt that. |
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| 10. Casanova: from one a special adulterer, from another a famous lover (5) |
| 1. | Devilry works fine but not really a significant shift in meaning |
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| 11. Donating sperm is no vice |
| 1. | Bizarre statement to have as an undevilled version! The break coming between words is a weakness | | 2. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and surely donating sperm is a service ? |
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| 12. Don't shoot me, I'm a civilian novice, man! |
| 1. | The meaning of both version remains same despite the devilry |
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| 13. Emergency resection feels uncomfortable |
| 1. | The undevilled version seems forced and much less convincing. |
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| 14. Fading tin mine is no longer fashionable |
| 1. | The break coming between words is a weakness here | | 2. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and the undevilled version seems rather forced. |
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| 15. Fashion is vile – covered up designer tears |
| 1. | 'Fashionista servile' sounds a little unnatural, the break coming between words is a weakness | | 2. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed, perhaps 'covers' would read better ? |
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| 16. Frank doctor's "Guten Abend!" is regarded as just a polite way to say "Lights out" |
| 1. | Nice idea but who is Ben?! Not a very smooth undevilled version so difficult for the solver | | 2. | Unfortunately the undevilled version is rather forced (who is Ben ?) |
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| 17. Free school meals are now available, a very good idea |
| 1. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and the undevilled version seems less convincing. |
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| 18. Gangs take pies off rightful folk and pop! |
| 1. | Neither version seems to paint a particularly convincing image. |
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| 19. Gets to a mine to supply winter warmth perhaps |
| 1. | Like most of the 'ermine' clues, the break coming between words is a weakness | | 2. | Undevilled version is the stronger, but the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed. |
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| 20. He dominated Incas, a tough in drag |
| 1. | The punctuation in the undevilled version stops it from reading smoothly. The break coming between words is a weakness too | | 2. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and the undevilled version is rather forced. |
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| 21. However it appears from this, a specious argument may ensue. |
| 1. | I would like to see more of a change in meaning between the versions |
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| 22. In facial, killer looks assured when blemishes are impossible to detect |
| 1. | 'serial killer' seems unrelated to the rest of the undevilled version. |
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| 23. Is huge ant in the latrine with another soldier? |
| 1. | Entertaining clue and solution | | 2. | One of my top 5, nice shift in meaning, I just find it improbable that the undevilled scenario would ever happen! |
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| 24. Is it a record to Beamon? So long! |
| 1. | Nice devilry & both versions read smoothly; I would have liked to see a hint to help the solver know 'be at a sermon' was correct | | 2. | 'sermon' seems isolated in the undevilled version. |
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| 25. It was no monkey note paper for the zoo visitors. |
| 1. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and neither version seems convincing. |
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| 26. Let is the novice you desire when at match point. |
| 1. | technically incorrect | | 2. | Devilled version should read 'let is novice,' which doesn't make a lot of sense | | 3. | Where has "the" in the devilled version come from? | | 4. | The devilled version has a rogue 'the' but still seems nonsensical. |
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| 27. Lu's monkey to try Sting's "Sacred Love" |
| 1. | Amusing & bizarre devilled version! The Undevilled version seems a bit forced though. The break coming between words is also a weakness | | 2. | Well devilled. | | 3. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and neither version seems convincing. |
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| 28. Murray, shove past Federer |
| 1. | Best of the tennis clues | | 2. | The devilled version is perhaps a bit too short reads rather awkwardly. |
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| 29. No! Vice encouraged by the Bishop? |
| 1. | The gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed – 'service' seems isolated. |
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| 30. Novice was held in church, stunning thing |
| 1. | The undevilled version seems a little unnatural here | | 2. | Perhaps the reason for the lack of service could be included, rather than 'stunning thing' ? |
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| 31. Oil-based Texas able, on paper, to dominate market |
| 1. | Nice shift in meaning. Unfortunately I'd never heard of textas so didn't feel able to award points, sorry | | 2. | The undevilled version seems forced and much less convincing. |
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| 32. Penis' blue section approaches maximum size. |
| 1. | Somewhat crude? | | 2. | Bit cheeky! Do you need to see a urologist?! | | 3. | Suggest you make an appointment asap |
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| 33. Plumber gave bi device to allow cleansing of unmentionables |
| 1. | The break point in the devilled version is perhaps a little too obvious ? |
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| 34. Pressed vicar's lemons, tart ahead of schedule |
| 1. | Clever and funny. A winning combination. | | 2. | The undevilled version seems a tad forced grammatically. |
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| 35. Scotch amphibian in his face |
| 1. | Devilry works ok here but difficult for the solver to be sure they've got the correct solution I feel | | 2. | The devilled version seems nonsensical. |
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| 36. Shell left oil in an extremely rugged field. |
| 1. | Nice shift in meaning. Who is 'she' though? For the undevilled solution to make better sense I'd prefer 'unkind lord' or similar | | 2. | Perhaps 'gangmaster' (eg) would be a better pointer to 'serf' than 'Shell' ? |
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| 37. Shocking thing seen in Rio: dog and ram are turns to enthral onlookers. |
| 1. | This verges on devilry run riot and the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed. |
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| 38. Ta – ping of sonar – supper part spatchy. |
| 1. | Neither version seems to read particularly smoothly to me, sorry | | 2. | 'sonatas' seems unrelated to the rest of the undevilled version. |
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| 39. Taste the added sugar in muesli and in Special K. Iller, now? |
| 1. | The undevilled passage is a bit of a bizarre statement, the pun doesn't really work for me | | 2. | Unfortunately the undevilled version seems even less convincing than the devilled. |
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| 40. Thanks to Brenda, a shocking piece of roving (5) |
| 1. | Surely only Private Eye can call her Brenda?! The undevilled version makes little sense to me I'm afraid | | 2. | Wordplay to the answer isn't required, and sadly here makes neither version more convincing. |
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| 41. The court was right to con vicious criminal |
| 1. | Nice idea but the devilled reading doesn't make quite enough sense | | 2. | Both meanings read very smoothly, couple of some points from me |
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| 42. There is no vice on Sundays since the vicar died. |
| 1. | The break coming between words is a weakness, otherwise both versions read quite well. | | 2. | Undevilled version is the stronger, but the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and the devilled version is unconvincing. | | 3. | Far and away the best clue. If it doesn't win, it will reflect badly on the judging! |
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| 43. Those on the United side consider breakaway sco/ring badly |
| 1. | Like the topical reference |
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| 44. Tonight, Miss, our idiotic aim? Pure pleasure at its best |
| 1. | This seems to verge on devilry run riot – in particular, why Missouri ? |
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| 45. Top fashion is mine; expensive fur! |
| 1. | Possibly the best ermine clue, but the break coming between words is a weakness | | 2. | As with the other 'ermine' clues, the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed. |
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| 46. Using dodgy racket in hovel of vice, backhander wide boy is out of court – it’s a shocker! |
| 1. | Quite a long clue – challenging for the solver! | | 2. | Rather long-winded – the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed and neither version seems convincing (why Hove ?) |
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| 47. Vespers at the nunnery – normally novice monks can attend |
| 1. | Best of the religious novices | | 2. | One of the better clues, both versions read smoothly and make good sense |
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| 48. Weasel trading for the fur industry out of season, sells to a mine |
| 1. | As with the other 'ermine' clues, the gap hasn't been closed after the clue word is removed. |
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| 49. Week night can be spent having this |
| 1. | Having what? The sentence should make sense by itself, eg – dragon-proof shield | | 2. | The undevilled version seems rather forced; perhaps 'this' could be expanded on ? | | 3. | This clue deserves credit for making the undevilled version a just about acceptable clue to TASER, but the devilled version is rather flat. | | 4. | Could this be an &lit PD? |
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| 50. Were nasal lies awfully long? |
| 1. | Neither version seems to paint a particularly convincing image (what are nasal lies ?) |
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| 51. Wham on smiting unbelievers! |
| 1. | The devilled version is rather short and nonsensical. |
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