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Listener No. 4380: Stomach My Mynot
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I didn't even think of trying to fit the entries into the grid until I had cold-solved all but six. A couple of false starts, but as usual with this sort of puzzle once a few had slotted together the rest followed without too much trouble. Tough, though. Many thanks, MynoT.
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I chose to cold-solve all but one of the clues before deciding to take the plunge. Thank goodness they weren't more difficult, although the second part of the 'grape' clue struck me as pretty lame.
At this point the instruction could be worked out without having filled the grid. It didn't help much until the anomalies became clear, but I agree with Scorpius that it was an odd way of providing essential help: the message could easily have been rendered en clair.
I'm so glad I no longer submit. I suspect that old-fashioned resolutions will be disallowed - Wiki does specifically tell us that the modern, scientific authorities disapprove of them - but if the editors weaken it will be another nail, I'm afraid. After all, it was my exasperation with the Dante's Inferno free-for-all that made me decide not to persist in entering.
At this point the instruction could be worked out without having filled the grid. It didn't help much until the anomalies became clear, but I agree with Scorpius that it was an odd way of providing essential help: the message could easily have been rendered en clair.
I'm so glad I no longer submit. I suspect that old-fashioned resolutions will be disallowed - Wiki does specifically tell us that the modern, scientific authorities disapprove of them - but if the editors weaken it will be another nail, I'm afraid. After all, it was my exasperation with the Dante's Inferno free-for-all that made me decide not to persist in entering.
UglyUncle, I understand your decision to stop submitting. I almost did the same a couple of years ago. I gather there is already concern about the declining number of entries, so The Listener can ill-afford to lose more. I agree with you about the grape clue. I thought you might also comment on the non-Ximenean god-daughter clue, which seemed nonsensical to me.
It’s a pity that an otherwise good puzzle has been spoiled by uncertainties in the endgame. I think the option advocated by UglyUncle and maybe others is probably not the intended one. My main reason is that a very similar recent puzzle by the same setter in another publication required non-alphanumeric resolutions. That’s not a logical reason, I admit, but I’ve been caught out before submitting a solution that the setter did not intend. Even then, there are ambiguities. For instance, a consistent depiction from Wikipedia does not match that of another ‘scientific’ site in several respects.
A slightly differently worded hidden message could have made it absolutely clear which of two forms of representation was required, and a preamble assurance that some latitude would be permitted would have avoided all this angst.
It’s a pity that an otherwise good puzzle has been spoiled by uncertainties in the endgame. I think the option advocated by UglyUncle and maybe others is probably not the intended one. My main reason is that a very similar recent puzzle by the same setter in another publication required non-alphanumeric resolutions. That’s not a logical reason, I admit, but I’ve been caught out before submitting a solution that the setter did not intend. Even then, there are ambiguities. For instance, a consistent depiction from Wikipedia does not match that of another ‘scientific’ site in several respects.
A slightly differently worded hidden message could have made it absolutely clear which of two forms of representation was required, and a preamble assurance that some latitude would be permitted would have avoided all this angst.
"I gather there is already concern about the declining number of entries, so The Listener can ill-afford to lose more."
I daresay we'll have to wait a couple of months to see the 2015 entry stats, although it is true that the Listener is a niche subject and could do with new blood sooner rather than later, not to mention long-term solvers sticking with it for as long as possible!
I daresay we'll have to wait a couple of months to see the 2015 entry stats, although it is true that the Listener is a niche subject and could do with new blood sooner rather than later, not to mention long-term solvers sticking with it for as long as possible!
Sorry. That last message got garbled. Apparently this site gets confused by my putting something in angle brackets.
A friend pointed out that she googled "ABC X of Ys" where ABC is an appropriate US government agency. The appearance of the resolution on this page is at least some indication of modernity.
On the other hand, my husband studies Ys professionally. He gets grants from ABC. He says no one would ever use the resolution.
A friend pointed out that she googled "ABC X of Ys" where ABC is an appropriate US government agency. The appearance of the resolution on this page is at least some indication of modernity.
On the other hand, my husband studies Ys professionally. He gets grants from ABC. He says no one would ever use the resolution.
Blimey - that was very hard for a MynoT puzzle.
I had to cold solve all but about half a dozen clues before risking a bit of tentative grid-filling - thankfully most of my early guesses were proved to be right.
When the penny finally dropped it all speeded up considerably and the canter to the finish was a real pleasure.
I never submit these days, so arranging the requisite angels on the pinhead is fortunately not going to be a worry.
Thanks MynoT - a cracker to lighten a dark January day.
I had to cold solve all but about half a dozen clues before risking a bit of tentative grid-filling - thankfully most of my early guesses were proved to be right.
When the penny finally dropped it all speeded up considerably and the canter to the finish was a real pleasure.
I never submit these days, so arranging the requisite angels on the pinhead is fortunately not going to be a worry.
Thanks MynoT - a cracker to lighten a dark January day.
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