Cryptic

[Toronto]

Eel mixed then caught short (5) E?e?t (can you explain the answer

Thank you

 

[shaneystar]

I can only think it must be ..Elect.Anagram of eel and then CT
(C)augh(t )_(CT) short.

[Quizmonster]

I'm sure you're right, S, but there seems to be something missing...namely, something for 'elect' to mean. The clue should surely have read something like: "Choose mixed eel caught short."
Or am I missing something?

[crofter]

I was thinking along the same lines - with perhaps "short" being the "meaning". The word "caught" on its own is suficient to give the letters "ct" ( without using the word "short").

The "meaning" I was thinking about was as in "president elect" - that is "standing by" or "shortly to become"!

[Quizmonster]

I thought along similar lines, C, but could not come up with any way in which 'elect' might mean 'short'. Sorry, but I'm far from convinced by your 'President elect' theory!

[shaneystar]

I'm not convinced by my own answer either!!
Perhaps Toronto will get back to us.

[d0gsb0dy]

I'd say it was an oversight on the part of the compiler.

[Toronto]

Hi Guys

God my brain hurts after reading your replies.  I'll go with elect as I am sick of looking at it.  I'm not sure when the answer becomes available but will let you know if I catch it.  OK.

Thanks again