ACROSS
7 - Rustling sound out of our fur is disturbing (4,4) - FROU FROU*
9 - Blue gas in space is not rare (6) - COARSE ?
11 - Find out through the Chief Engineer travelling in train (9) - {AS}{CE}{RTAIN*}
12 - Karnataka bulletin shows this city (5) - KABUL [T]
13 - Antelope gets caught in the turning wheel (6) - {LE{C}HWE*}
17 - Attack is evident in the neighbourhood (9) - {BROAD}{SIDE}
25 - Suppose a goblin is in front of the fairy finally (5) - {IMP}L{Y} Where is the L from ?
27 - High class old citizens initially live outside America (9) - {EX}{C}{L{US}IVE}
28 - Numbers that may not be counted (6) - UNTIED [CD] ?
29 - Second-guess that an accountant is trapped in the backwoods (8) - {FORE{CA}ST}
DOWN
1 - Cordial army chief is the fellow in the legend (7) - {A}{F{F}ABLE}
2 - Fabricate statements to tell lies (7) - CONCOCT [CD]
3 - Opposite to the Antarctic (5) - POLAR [CD]
4 - Kind of an art for the tribal people (4) - ROCK [CD]
6 - Shut off Henry not present in the other schedule (7) - SECLUDE
8 - Explosives can cause disturbances ultimately (9) - FIREWORKS
10 - Investigate a gangster entering New York Stock Exchange (7) - {A}{N{AL}YSE}
15 - Oh, do we purposely cash in on the writer? (9) - {WODEHO*}{USE}
16 - One stuck in a legal battle with an old astronomer (7) - {GAL{I}LE*}{O}
18 - Clear-cut jealous of an old boy in place of the English leaders (7) - {OB}{
19 - Rebels usually take on this route (7) - WARPATH [CD]
20 - Gaudier appearance of the cranes (7) - GRUIDAE*
24 - Latest inside story (5) - SCOOP [CD]
26 - Finalists may tell the Nizam about the original matter (4) - {Y}{L}{E}{M}
Good morning
ReplyDeleteDeepak, it's amazing. I could crack only about a half of them and then gave up.
Looks like a sweet revenge for all the comments flowing here.
ReplyDeleteSlowly recovering from a severe bout of URTI. Thanks for all the inquiries.
ReplyDeleteA crossword may be easy. It may be hard. But it must be fair. If many clues in a crossword have defects in them, it is pointless to be pursuing it. It must be treated with the contempt that it deserves.
Take just one instance:
Old boy will kick-out the headless devices (7)
As far as I am concerned, this clue DOES NOT and CANNOT LEAD TO the solution OBJECTS. It is written by someone who has no grip over grammar.
Should we learn bad grammar from such poor crosswords? I am really sorry for the solvers.
Hats off to you Col !
ReplyDeleteIf the compiler thinks that the fact that a solver has got the intended solution, whatever be the inherent defect, whatever be the grammatical mistake in it, whatever be any abusage of the language means that the compiler has written a good clue, I am really sorry for the compiler.
ReplyDeleteCV,
ReplyDeleteAll the feedback on this forum, assuming it has reached the concerned setter, only seems to have worsened the situation.
@C - Can we do something about this?? I force a hiatus for myself for the duration - otherwise, my teeth would hurt from gritting & grinding!
ReplyDelete9A - source? sparse? scarce? As always, it's a guessing game! Do I want rare, or medium or cooked, or is it an outer space thing?
28A - should be UMPTEEN?
I meant UMTEEN
ReplyDelete4 - Kind of an art for the tribal people (4) - ROCK [CD] could be FOLK
ReplyDeleteI got a few and then preferred to go back to my math puzzles (they are more predictable and precise). I knew Xylem (and Phloem) but Ylem was new.Frou Frou had come a few days back in CGB's community, so was easy. Looks like the missing R(ight) from 22a had a Polar turn and landed up as L(eft) in 25a. Tranmutation of stuff is the stuff of science fiction (especially since people seem to be course(~coarse)ing through space in 9a.
ReplyDeleteFIFA clue: Ten after mixed up Indian state, not West, may stop goals for chocolate makers (8)
I will doff my hat to anyone who has the time and patience to analyse this crossword and say which clues are tolerable and which clues are so bad that they do not lead to the intended solutions.
ReplyDelete@Michael - FOLK is definitely a better guess ;-) than ROCK, POLK, MOCK
ReplyDelete@Chaturvasi - I'd try, but I am in serious danger of losing some teeth ..
ReplyDeleteGita
ReplyDeletePreserve your teeth!
@ Col: Kudos for excellent batting on a bad pitch ! I gave up after about 10 words and decided to save my brains (whatever little remain) for another day.
ReplyDeleteGita
ReplyDeleteYou're right. 28a - not a really great clue - must be UMTEEN, a variant of the more familiar UMPTEEN.
@CV: Good to have you back 'keeping company' and 'going steady' on 'racy issues'.
ReplyDeleteKishore
ReplyDeleteIf you saved your brains ("whatever little remain") for another day, I hope you will be wise for the rest of today.
@C - Of course, it's not a great clue - May Not Count? The word 'may' may make one believe it's a taboo action. Setter may think (or, may not think, sigh!) that May substitutes for Can't, or Not Possible.
ReplyDelete@ C - you've been ill? My forced hiatus has kept me from all XWord sites, so I wasn't aware. Glad you sent off the infection ..
ReplyDelete@CVasi Sir: Glad you are feeling better..On the brighter side, if the powers that be gave me a choice of times to be out sick, I would likely pick NJ's time on the throne..Welcome back, been missing your straight shooting the past few days.
ReplyDeleteI know it is futile, but just venting a little.
ReplyDeleteSecond guess = forecast?
Welcome back CV
ReplyDelete@Giridhar - my thoughts exactly, as I filled it in! NJ - #$%^%^& - what's the first guess? Forecast = predict, foretell, estimate. In American parlance, though, 'second-guess' IS used to mean predict ;-(. NJ's language is a confused blend of American & Upper Voltan.
ReplyDeleteThis clue reminds me of my son's question to us on our trip to Las Vegas (he was 3 years old, though, not nearly old enough to be a setter) - Have we been to First Vegas yet?
Kishore,
ReplyDeleteBENAGLIO
Cut this lady some slack, people. Sooner or later, she's gonna improve.
ReplyDeleteNice to have you back, Chaturvasi
ReplyDelete@VJ,
ReplyDeleteNJ is never going to improve, you've got hopes? That's the understatement of the year. She gets no time to do that. You should see the JUNK she conjures up for the DNA newspaper and to think that they publish it, it's pathetic.
I know crossword setting is not easy and it is easy for all of us to crticise, but I don't think it is that difficult also to avoid the kind of gaffes that she commits, sheer negligence and carelessness at times with some clues leading to nowhere.
Hi CV,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that the URTI is wearing off.
I struggled a lot today and just about finished without 26D and 28A.
ReplyDelete28A must be Umteen
All of us are struggling while one person is Laughing on her way to the bank!
ReplyDeleteHi Chaturvasi, trust you have received my personal email message wishing you speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteURTI reminded me of Rusi Surti, the great cricketer. No offence pls.:)
Richard,
ReplyDeleteYou made a suggestion late yesterday. May be you can start with some contribution to bring down the temperature.
In Chennai, Jul 26th to August 22nd. What are my chances of meeting folks from this community?
ReplyDeleteCV: It was really hurting not to have you here for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI hope I am not courting trouble by reminding you of what troubled you. :)
Giridhar @ 09:57 - Thanks. But having worked on today's crossword, my grey cells are on low voltage. Will try in the afternoon.
Gita,
ReplyDeleteI'm game to come down to Chennai for a get-together of sorts if someone there can organise it, location can be decided based on the numbers willing to attend, preferably on a Sunday though.
Richard@10:06,
ReplyDeleteWhat was hurting !?!
Gita @ 10:00
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea for the solvers in Chennai to meet up. Sadly, my relatives who lived in Annanagar for over three decades have now moved over to Bangalore. Otherwise, I would have had a pretext to visit the city and gatecrash at your bash.
Deepak, it was the heart, giving company to the head which was aching while solving puzzles.
ReplyDeleteI will arrange it, then. Either my Chennai home, or a hotel?
ReplyDeleteI might come to Bangalore (to feed my Mysore chiffon addiction) if I can find some time in-between helping my sister with her son's upanayanam..
I propose Sun, Aug 8 or Sun, Aug 15 for a meeting in Chennai.
ReplyDeleteIt will be called Sloggers and Bloggers: Chennai
The assembly point can be my home and the venue for an evening meal can be a hotel in the vicinity (Palmgrove, Mylapore New Woodlands, Savera, Taj Connemara, Hotel Chola Sheraton - take your pick! - all within 2km from my home).
I am really happy to know that Deepak is ready to come from Bangalore.
As for Richard, he is most welcome to stay with me for a couple of days.
My email ID: chaturvasi{AT}yahoo{DOT}com
Deepak, Well I still believe it can happen. All skills evolve over time and this is no exception. It seems to me like she's grown up solving bad crosswords and this perhaps is having an influence on her work.
ReplyDeleteI was happy that my worst fears didn't come true. While skimming through the puzzle, 3D was the first clue that caught my eye and was kinda worried that the answer's gonna be "ARTIC" i.e. ARCTIC misspelled. Thank god, it didn't happen. Huge relief there.
Richard can stay with me too ...gita@theiyerfamily.org. Does, the Col. need a place to stay? I'd like to know how many can make it, so I can get some appropriate mementos from CA.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Slogger.
Are hoggers welcome?
ReplyDeleteSeriously, can a request be made to The Hindu to remove NJ from their list of setters? It is atrocious! It is unfair we should be insulted in this reckless manner for being addicted to a harmless, happy and interesting hobby!
ReplyDeleteVJ @10:50
ReplyDeleteARTIC is as bad or as good as POLAR for that clue. POLAR can probably describe Antarctic, but opposite?
VJ
ReplyDelete"All skills evolve over time".
Agreed.
A paper of The Hindu's standing must publish crosswords only from those whose skills are evolved to a certain extent.
A setter who submits puzzles to a paper of The Hindu's standing must be sure that his/her skills are somewhat evolved.
Giridhar, I think polar is all right. It could also mean "opposite."
ReplyDeleteChaturvasi,
ReplyDeleteWhile I can appreciate your sentiments, I think, as a consumer, it's basically our decision. The question is, are we gonna persist with whatever this paper throws at us or are we gonna look for other alternatives?
Well more than TH's standing, it's our time that's important to us. As we cannot change things over at TH, we can only see what changes we can do at our end.
CV@10:37,
ReplyDeleteAug 8th seems OK, but not Aug 15th as many people including self will have commitments on that day owing to the significance of the day, in my case it is the annual ritual of attending cocktails, hosted by the Junior Commissioned Officers at their mess.
Gita@10:51,
I don't need a place to stay, I have plenty of friends and relatives there who can bear with me for a few days.
During the 'Sloggers and Bloggers', we could prepare a memorandum for the removal of NJ from the panel of The Hindu and submit the same to the Editor.
Just to illustrate how incompetent the use of English...
ReplyDeleteRebels usually take on this route (7) WARPATH
You take on an enemy.
You take a route, path.
"Rebels usually tread this route", "Rebels usually take this route" would have been OK.
"Rebels usually take on this route" is abusage of the English language.
And abusage of the language in a crossword is intolerable.
@CV: FLOGGERS would also be apt :-) BTW the NATO name for MIG-23 aircraft is FLOGGER.
ReplyDeleteWow, am I humbled? Thanks Gita and CV for the generous offer of hospitality. (You both almost looked like competing with each other in making that offer!)
ReplyDeleteThe day is far. My schedules are erratic. Until a week before the C-Day (Convergence Day) I may not be able to confirm my showing up. I will be there in spirit. (Deepak, hint, hint!)
And what a wonderful creation of a name! Sloggers and Bloggers. As VJ said, if hoggers are included, I am tempted to be counted in. Yet, in reality, doubtful.
@ CV: As would Floggees (is that word valid, I think it is, in a NJ universe), because I am not sure who is getting whipped.
ReplyDeleteDear All, Aug is too far away in my time horizon and I myself am not sure where I will be at that time. Time and the setter in the sky permitting, maybe !
ReplyDelete@ Richard: Can I get the Ouija board ?
ReplyDelete@VJ @ 11:24
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected. Considering polar could also mean opposite, I guess the clue is fine, leaving aside other considerations.
Kishore @ 14:29
ReplyDeleteMy interest is in the media, not 'medium'. I keep myself in good spirits. Don't want to communicate with any other spirits. :)
C'mon all you fence sitters, Aug is more than a month away and I am sure you'll can plan to schedule your other appointments away from that date.
ReplyDeleteCGB will be back from his US visit and he should be able to attend the Aug 8 meeting in Chennai.
ReplyDeleteAs of now I think we have
ReplyDeleteGita Iyer (Granite Bay, CA)
Myself
Yourself (Bangalore)
CGB
@ Col: Rem acu tetigisti: That is precisely the problem, I might be shunted around by the office plenipotentiaries.
ReplyDeleteMy FIFA clues for the day
ReplyDeleteA rep freaks out and organizes a riot in the city (8)
If he takes the left (instead of the right), he'd become crazy (6)
He's huge and incredible (4)
I would love to meet y'all. Any day, any month, I'm all right.
ReplyDeleteVJ,
ReplyDeletePRETORIA
ROONEY
HULK
Nice Giridhar.
ReplyDeleteYou seem like a true soccer fan.
As I mentioned here earlier, I am not much of a soccer fan.
ReplyDeleteBut, years ago, I had a T-shirt with 'I hate tennis. But I am a Gabriela Sabatini fan' printed on it.
I used to proudly flaunt it with my wife's permission (and also implicit appreciation of my taste.)
Jaggi-ji has helped launch 68 comments today? Awesome.
ReplyDeleteGita-ji inspiring a get together in Chennai and COL Saab going up there to cry on her shoulder on account of all the zulm by Jaggi-ji. These are all great developments.
na koyee baat ka dar na koyee ghotaalaa?
Bechare Karnal saab haath mein liye hain Patiala
jab Jaggi-ji ke paas ho crossword ka taala
Kaun mai ke lal hai unko samajhnewala?
(along the lines of the Harrison Locks' AIR commercial from the 70's)
LNS: You wax lyrical !
ReplyDeleteToday's developments inspire me to post another two FIFA (3 in all today from me):
ReplyDeleteSounds like he is too under-aged to know which goal is which(3-5)
He got the first headgear swindle, mixing up hello you profit, you hear! (7)
CHU YOUNG (chu and too?) lol
ReplyDeleteHIGUAIN
Cheers, VJ, Cho Chweet ! Observed that both of us have had a headgear swindle too.
ReplyDeleteLNS @ 20:42
ReplyDeleteWah! Wah! LNS-miyan! Aap ne toh kamaal kar diya!