EV 959 Hobson's Choice by Jaques

[dr b]

Our run of tough-but-fun EVs continues this week. Lots of well-concealed misprints. I was a bit leery of "not quite as rendered" but it all works out OK. I have to admit that I was so intent on finding the "closed loop" that I did not notice its shape until I was done colo(u)ring. Excellent!

Incidentally, Samuel indicates in the comments here

http://fifteensquared...3-products-by-samuel/

that the entire word "batter" was supposed to be flipped in the pancake puzzle. I know some of us would not rest until that was cleared up.

Basketball! Quadruple-header today! Hooooo!!

[dr b]

Rough = ruff, is my accent so unclear? I shall have to work on my diction.

This puts me in mind of an old joke; a man walks into a bar and says to the bartender, "I have a talking dog here that I'll sell you for $100." The bartender says, "sure, pal." The man says to the dog, "How does sandpaper feel?" The dog says "rough!" The man says "what's on top of a house?" The dog says "roof!" The man says, "who's the greatest baseball player ever?" The dog says "ruth!" The bartender says "take a hike!" As they leave the man glares at the dog; the dog says, "I suppose I could have said Joe DiMaggio?"

Thank you, thank you, I'll be here all week.

PS Ruth is Babe Ruth in case that was unclear.

[devadolly]

Good evening - if there is still somebody out there! Have finished the grid, but more by flights of fancy than logic and cannot make head nor tail of many of the letters. So, am floundering at who and what and where do I wield my coloured pastel, kind hints would be most welcome.

[kayakamina]

davadolly

If you have the quote and the originator then think of the most famous product of that
person.
That will give you the shape of the loop and there are seven entries in the grid which will brighten it up and not leave you with 'Hobson's Choice'

[devadolly]

There lies the problem K. - I am missing many of the letters so have neither the quote nor the person, as I said, definite flights of fancy that all fit in with one another and fit the definition to a T. That's the trouble with we non-scientific types, logic never enters the window!

[kayakamina]

Hi dd

You said it- it fits to a T!

Read across from the second letter in 3d (but not as far as 8d) and continue to look for the spectroscope.

[devadolly]

Thank you K. have something that suggests a reassessment but feel my 11a must be wrong - oh, and what is the relevence of a spectroscope? The dictionary definition did not help one bit - I tell you, science ended for me with 'the word algebra; oh look a test -tube and unseen elements!' Am now about to compile a (hopefully) amusing passage on grass growing!

[kayakamina]

Hi dd

I have confused you ( and myself) but I was trying to steer you in the right direction without giving away too much.
What I was trying to say was that I highlighted the individual parts of the loop in colours of the rainbow. I'm aware that others feel that the theme suggests a monochrome solution .
11a is A quantity of herrings less C (extra letter) + 3 letter word for pike.

Good luck

[devadolly]

Many thanks K, the penny dropped eventually! See what tomorrow brings.

[novalis]

Didn't start this until today. Have a completed grid and butcan see only 26 of the 36 cells which require treatment and that only if two of them are doing double duty. I can't seem too procede from the next to last row where I presume 4 of the cells are to be read backwards, Any pointers would be most welcome.

[devadolly]

Hi Novalis - go North Young Man!

[zita-green]

I started off with many colours then went to monochrome with a reprinted copy.

[novalis]

Many thanks for that Devadolly but going north gives me two Ts unless I've gone completely astray. Also can you please confirm ( or otherwise ) that some cells do double duty?

[turnerjmw]

Hi novalis, no cells do double duty. Did you ever learn the mnemonic "Richard of York gave battle in vain" at school?

[turnerjmw]

. . . and I think you need to turn one cell before the double T, if I understand you right

[novalis]

Many thanks for that Turner JMW. I'd not turned in the right place when working downwards.