Common Phrases is a popular puzzle here in the Puzzle Garden and I frequently receive emails about it.

The most common topic is that the answers are posted so quickly that the puzzle is all done by the time many get around to it.

Another common topic is that I post the puzzle at a time that just didn’t work for some. I did try to stagger the posting times for a while but that didn’t seem to help.

There are 117 pages of CP puzzles. #117 will appear this Friday and we’ll start over from the beginning next week.

I’ve had a chat with my boys and soot has come up with a good idea: let everyone post their responses using spoiler tags. Everyone can thereby post as many answers as they like and update their own post whenever inspiration strikes.

I’ll check in on, say, Sunday nights to make sure all of the solutions have been posted by at least one person. Then I’ll post the final answer list.

The pros: everybody can post as many answers as they like and there will be plenty of time to do so

The cons: no immediate feedback or personal interaction

I’d love to hear your thoughts, opinions, other possible solutions or other comments.

Let’s keep having fun together!

Sounds good Pandora. Really enjoy this puzzle.

Good idea Sue.

Sounds good to me.

Always a fun puzzle and I thought staggered starting times seemed to work, but the spoiler tag idea sounds good: there could still be room for interaction at a later stage once you have checked results if no-one has your answer.

That's a really good idea, but suggests "everyone" knows how to use
spoiler tags.

Well, I think it's fine the way it is now.

Only 1 change I'd suggest:
post 5 of them in the morning;
post the remainder in the afternoon/evening.
(that'll take care of different time zones)

Thanks Sue...

I didn't realize there were disgruntled puzzlers, so in all fairness change seems to be appropriate.

I like the suggestion by CanukDenis.
I might recommend 2 separate common phrase puzzles: one as we do now, and the other as you suggest for those who don't like it the way we are currently playing it.

Poor Sue is going to end up spending rather a lot of time pandering to the rest of us at this rate!

Spoiler tags are easy, Redz. I'll post instructions.

Splitting the puzzles 5/4 would mean I'd have to go to my graphics program and split each page and then post the pieces separately. Sorry, but that would be a bit too much. But good idea, Denis.

Lex, I just want everyone to be happy and feel heard.

A note: when I tried moving the posting times around, the people that asked me to do it somehow weren't ever able to participate, so it just made things worse!



I'll just have to live for those moments.

michele, that would be worth trying if the spoiler tags don't work out.

Thank you for the generous response so far. More, please!

I agree with Lex.

You are good enough to go through the trouble of posting these puzzles; now having to decide how to please everyone, I don't think is fair and not even possible.

For what it's worth, I say leave well enough alone.

Thank you, Sue.

If changes are made, I'll become "disgruntled"

I know you post these puzzle when I'm not here because you don't want me to play!

I thought about the possibility of posting answers using PM's but that would be more work for vous. Agreeably, the easiest and most straight-forward method would be using spoiler tags. Personally, I won't post an answer to a puzzle if someone else has already answered it, even if it's contained in a spoiler tag but that's just me. Yes, I was one of those kids who was compelled to peek in the closet for my Christmas presents.

Momma Cue: "Son, did you look in the closet?"
Young Cue: "Why no momma."

I agree with Belle.

I'm in a completely different time zone than basically everyone, and 9 times outta 10 the puzzle is completed before I even get to see it, but not to worry, I just like to try and figure them out myself before looking at the answers given.

If I get to post an answer, all well and good, but if not, in the long run it really doesn't matter. Crikey, it's not as if we are awarded points for every correct answer we give.

That's another illusion shattered...

I do appreciate all of the input.

I have not heard here from most of the people who wrote the emails. If you're more comfortable voting in private, please PM or email me.

This week's puzzle has just been posted. Have fun!

I love Common Phrases! But, I'm always late to the party. Nothing new there. The first thing I do when I see that the puzzle has been posted is count how many answers there are to see if I have a fighting chance at one. As much as I like to participate, I get just as much enjoyment out of checking to make sure all the answers are up to my high standards. I wouldn't change a thing! Thanks to Sue for providing us with years of fun!