Inquisitor 84

[Rollo]

I have completed the grid, but I'm not very happy with "COOTS" as the first word in 1dn which has to mean "mad men" - but I can't think of a better word given the crossing letters "CO-TS".

Any thoughts?

[johnalex]

Presumably refers to the expression "as mad as a coot", therefore Coot = Madman ?

[chelle7272]

Coot can be ' an amusing or eccentric ol fellow ' so I would stick with it. Can't think of anything else that fits

[paulk1]

havnt seen your grid but maybe "colts"as in young horses?

[Rollo]

Thanks for the input.

I had never heard of "as mad as a coot" - only "as bald as a coot" - but I googled it and it does appear.

So COOTS it is, for me anyway.

Thanks again.

[RossR]

I have completed the grid, but could somebody please explain the reasoning for 1A - it's really bugging me!

[johnalex]

1a Hi Ross - will try to assist, please show full clue and answer. ☺ja

[Tichfield]

nonsense = ROT with CA(T) = a man, chap, around it, plus LA = Spanish for "the".

[RossR]

Thanks, Tichfield, I would never have thought of CAT.