By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve the clue presented by the previous poster and then set your own clue.

Anything from the (worldwide) crossword arena is acceptable by way of clue style, but if you stray from the pure path beware the scourge of... ...Pandora's WET NOODLE!

The puzzle could be an old favourite or something of your own making. Don't be shy: this is for everyone, not just the old hands!

There is nothing to prevent (say) a couple of related clues if offering a single clue cramps your style.

If there are multiple answers involved, there is no restriction against one person solving all and the solver of the final clue/part is the one who goes next.

Obviously you need to await confirmation of a correct answer before posting your own puzzle, but please then do so reasonably promptly: if having answered correctly you are not going to be able to set a follow-up clue within about the next 24 hours, please pass your turn to someone else so that the game does not stall.

To save the poor demented solvers from excessive brain damage , you should consider revealing one letter of the answer (in any position) when the question is set, unless the answer is very short/easy so that provision of a letter hint at the outset would spoil the sport!

If no-one is biting within about 24 hours you probably need to start dropping additional hints.

To try to give everyone a fair crack of the whip, the immediately previous setter is asked not to post a solution to the current clue within the first 24 hours.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever successfully solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted World Clue Federation championship belt
===[**WCF**]===

Constructive criticism and cheerful badinage are to be expected, not to mention a certain amount of national rivalry, but above all, have a bit of fun!

Treval's next clue should appear shortly...

One day, while awaiting a phone call, I got to thinking about the "national rivalry" Lex mentions in his opening paragraphs and decided to go back thru the previous bouts and see who has received the most 'belts'.
Unfortunately, the archives only went back as far as Bout 6.
Listed below are from bouts 6 to 14 inclusive.

TEAM CANADA - 76
Denis - 61
Orchid Girl - 15

TEAM UK - 67
Treval - 36
Lex - 22
Rog - 9

TEAM USA - 42
Hawkeye - 20
Pandora - 6
JohnnyK - 6
Twizgy - 6
Sondi - 3
Jimbo - 1

TEAM DOWNUNDER - 28
Koala - 18
Shroeder - 10

Thanks for that Koala: the next step could be to work out the national individual averages and perhaps a handicap system...

As Treval appears to have gone AWOL, I will post a chair-warming clue later today if he still fails to report to barracks!

Indicate site for being redeveloped - it spells an end to trees etc. (15)

Sorry folks, I'm having awful problems with the internet connection over the last few weeks. Keeps coming and going

Desertification

it spells an end to trees etc. = direct

anag. Indicate site for

Nice one! New word for me but it seemed it had to be an anagram so i just fiddled around until I found it.

Correct Hawkeye: our approach to the clue was similar to yours!

Treval, sorry to hear of your difficulties: your turn if you can do it before the California time zone brings Hawkeye back to us...

No news from Treval so I'll go ahead.


Generally unknown proportional relationship between the speed of light and time. (6)

cOVERt

Nice solve, Shroeder! I thought I was going to have to post some hints for that one.



Over to you.===[**WCF**]===

Oh dear, I hear Denis groaning from here (at the thought of dealing with one of my crypts!)

You MUST give the length of answer

===[**WCF**]===

Scrambled eggs on toast? Make a hash of it in short order. (9)

Here's hoping...)

Clue 1

3 vowels only - 1 e and 2 a's

Well, worth a try:
breakfast = Scrambled eggs on toast
break = make a hash
fast = in short order

hash – verb (used with object)
6. to chop (break?) into small pieces; make into hash

Main Entry: fast
Synonyms: apace, chop-chop, expeditiously, flat-out, fleetly, full tilt, hastily, hurriedly, in a flash, in haste, in nothing flat, in short order

If correct, methinks "Scrambled eggs on toast" is
an example, not a definition of breakfast.

It's MY breakfast!

That's why I used the question mark. Probably should have use "Scrambled eggs on toast maybe?"

Would love to hear Sue's thoughts as I'm always surprised at legality of some I'd find dubious but illegality of some I expect to be OK!

Here tis Denis, winging its way on Air New Zealand (just awarded best airline)

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Paul.

Ed claps, jumps up with top off! (7)

Oh, by the way, on this (thanks Koala):
"TEAM CANADA - 76
Denis - 61"
...I'm being tested for illegal use of steroids!

Scalped?

Anagam of 'ed claps'?

Shucks...12 minutes

All yours Treval: ===[**WCF**]===


Wasn't this enjoyable? :

Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin’ like a fool with you pants on the ground
Gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways, pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat looking like a fool
Walking down town with yo pants on the ground
get it up!!
HEY! got your pants off the ground
lookin like a fool, walkin talking
with you pants on the ground
get it up
hey get them pants off the ground

Thanks Denis

Next one from a recent Irish newspaper (be warned!)

A drink? For what the malingerer's got; by the sound of it (9) 1 'e'

Just reading Pandora's explanation as to why the '?' is needed, so I've added it on this clue to make it 'more legal'

Scrambled eggs on toast? Make a hash of it in short order. (9)

I think the direct is fine because of the question mark, which indicates it's either an example or some kind of word play.

"Make a hash" = "break" is the iffy part for me.

Good cryptic, good solve.

clue time: The direct is more an example than a definition.
2 'a's

Champagne - sounds like - sham pain

Bravo Koala, I found that one very tricky

===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Mr. T

Sailor with solitary seafood delicacy (7)

Abalone - ab (sailor) + alone (solitary) = seafood delicacy

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks cobber!

Here'another one I've "borrowed" from a recent paper and rather liked:

Ultimately spout rubbish on origin of high fidelity (5) - no e.

troth

Fidelity=direct

Ultimately spou(T) + rubbish(ROT) + origin of (H)igh

That was quicker than I had hoped

Here you go ===[**WCF**]===

Today is my Birthday so I am feeling generous. Hopefully a nice easy one.



Villain takes share and is incarcerated. (6)

Happy Birthday !

Bandit?

'and' in 'bit'(share)

Thanks!

Wow! 12 minutes. Well done!!

Back to you.===[**WCF**]===

NICE clue for a "math-guy", Hawkeye!

Thank you!

Next one from a local paper:

Confess about wrinkle tightening belt? (9) No 'e', 1 'r'

sCRIMPing

Nice one

Hey Hawkeye, Happy Birthday!

Thanks, Sue!

I hit 58 today. Seems sort of old but at least I appreciated The Who being the Superbowl half time act. I saw them live in 1967.

Pffft, 58's nothing! Get back to me in 20 years if you want to talk about being old.

I'll bet that live concert was amazing.

Scrimping it is!

Well done.

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Treval...

Happy Birthday Hawkeye -

Now normally we try and make thes crypts as succinct as possible. Not this time! Here's a little tome for you all.



Apostle: A small person (but not short), a Doctor at heart, abandoned by his mother to become an attendant in Apollo's temple earning official approval. (11)

Phew!

Clues

1. - no e's

2. - "abandoned by his mother to become an attendant in Apollo's temple" clues a 3 letter word

Clue 3. 2 a's, 2 o's and an i

I was waiting for the 24hrs to try

approbation?

ap = apostle
ion = abandoned by his mother to become an attendant in Apollo's temple
direct = earning official approval

I'm stuck with the rest
pr = person? or is it just 'p'
ob = obstetrician (doctor)
at = at

===[**WCF**]===

All yours buddy!

A small person (but not short), a Doctor at heart,

Small person = sprat (not short removes the s) = prat (a doctor (ob) at heart (indicating contained in)

hence (s)PRobAT

Thanks

Ah, I see! I had 'sprat' but discarded it due to the 's'. I don't think I would have got the 'not short' part (very clever!)

I solved this next one a few days ago but I'd question part of the solution. Just want to see whether the rest think of you think it's legal or not.

A bad turn for one contemptuously treating clamp (10) 2 'e's

Clue time:

-i-----i-- (2 e's, 2 i's and another pair)

Clue time again:

clamp = vice

I had "disservice", but had no idea how "disser"
could be clued with "one contemptuously treating",
so didn't submit it; so I guess don't deserve The Belt!

I guess "disser" as in one who disses.

dis or diss (dĭs)
tr.v. dissed, diss·ing, diss·es Informal
To show disrespect to, often by insult or criticism: "[The network] is often dissed for going after older, less demographically desirable viewers" (Michael McWilliams).

[African American Vernacular English, short for disrespect.]

I have seen dis and diss but never disser.

HAHAHAHAHA

No wonder I had no chance --- Even with my glasses on I read it as treat DAMP!!!!

Correct Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

My problem is, are you allowed use a 'made up' word as part of the solve? 'Disser' ain't no word!
Seems very dodgy to me.

Ahhh...I get belt anyway?! Thanks, Treval.

Conferences in Nepal averted by Senate (8) one "e"

Conferences in Nepal averted by Senate (8)

Conferences = Palavers (direct)

Hidden word - NePAL AVERted + S

Geezzz...15 minutes

Here ya go, K : ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Mr. D

Mistake a contraction with no set pattern (7)

Erratic

direct = with no set pattern
err = mistake
a = a
tic = contraction

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Koala

One from a local paper (with a slight change from myself)

I will probably be 'noodled' for this, but let's try it anyway

Restrict tipsy cardinal..(7) 1'i'

very clever crypt!

CAPital

I'm afraid not Shroeder

Curious to know how you are getting 'ital'?

How about "tighten": TIGHT ten
tight = tipsy
ten = cardinal (number)

And you think you'll be noodled because "t"
is clued twice in charade portion...
or because "restrict" also acts as a shortener
of word "tight", restricting it to "tigh"...??

Shroeder's "capital" could be solution to:
Cardinal to hightail with Tam O'Shanter! (7)
(high = anagram ind)

Yet again Denis, you have the right answer!

So the belt is yours anyway ===[**WCF**]===

A clue for the remainder of the answer:

Tight = tipsy
so what have you left to solve?
Look closely at all of the clue, btw there are NO typos

en = cardinal.. = cardinal points !!

Nice; I think fully legal.

Hokay; next one:

John can, with a bar! (7) no "e"

Yep, that's it.

Original clue from newspaper just had 'cardinals' which I thought was 'stretching' it a bit.

hehehe - I was using

restrict = CAP
tilt indicating italicised letters being letters on a tilt (often shortened to ital)

That was the bit I thought you were worried about for noodling!

cardinal = capital

Oh well, I thought it was clever

Ah, I see!

That is very clever. Unfortunately, too smart for me

John can, with a bar! (7) no "e"

Day1 clue: one "i"

Clue 6 mins before the 24 hrs are up!!

Cantina

can = john
tin = can
a = a

direct = bar

Yepper Treval: ===[**WCF**]===

Yepper Treval: ===[**WCF**]===

I get this message when trying to delete:
"This post may no longer be deleted."
Wonder why...

Thanks

An easy one next:

One leaves to fondly touch vegetable ingredient (5)

Cress


Caress - a

Spot on!

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Treval!


Inane supporter away from home more often. (9)

bra in less !? Keeeute.

You got it, Denis!!

All yours again.

===[**WCF**]===

Head man takes early role (5)

Cameo

'AM'(early) in CEO (head man)

direct = role

Yepper! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Denis

Next one from local paper:

Sorcerer with bad tan going dark red (7) 1 'e'

Mage(nta)

That didn't last long

Very good Pandora ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Treval!

Greedy hawk not finished with seafood (7) 1 e

selfish

hawk not finished sel(l) + seafood (fish)

Good one, Hawkeye!

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Pandora.

Here's one for auto racing fans.


Completed a lap, then I took in the first Dieselfuel and filled up. (8)

First day clue: 2 a's, 1 e

Completed a lap, then I took in the first Dieselfuel and filled up. (8)


First day clue: 2 a's, 1 e


Second day clue: "filled up" is the direct

satiated?
i = i
ate = took in
d = d(ieselfuel)

Can't explain sat = completed a lap
(unless derived from "sit on someone's lap")

Correct, Denis!

Completed a lap = sat

If you are standing you don't have a lap. To get one you have to sit.

Yours again!

===[**WCF**]===

Hank you, hank you...

Full day, suffering a diet! (8)

Cheeky one, Denis

Satiated - Sat(urday) + anag "a diet"

Can't fool you, Rog

===[**WCF**]===

TYVM, Denis. This shouldn't cause too much grief:

Survival cry - to source of main music? (7,4).

No "e"s

An early clue - the whole thing has a nautical theme...

This one has me beaten I think.
I'll try a wild guess with 'Topmast stay'

Hey, there is:
a band on (this) ship !!

There certainly is, Denis!

Winging it's via Air Canada: ===[**WCF**]===

Would be faster using services of Tugboat Annie !

Drive a car (6) no a's

Reckon this has to be a double def.

Best I can up with: motive or motion?

No motive for motion; try again

Pickup ??

Nope shroeder

Day1 clue; I'll re-crypt :
"Little car is best" said the French (6)

Beetle

best (beat) said = beet + le (the French)

Keerect: ===[**WCF**]===

On my 1st clue:
Drive a car (6)

beetle
–verb (used with object)
3.to use a beetle on; drive, ram, beat, or crush with a beetle.

Thanks, Denis.

Drive as in "use a beetle on" is a new one for me.



Sport that is soon to take off after shaky start (12)

Sport that is soon to take off after shaky start (12)

Snowboarding
direct = sport
s = shaky start
now / boarding = soon to take off (very clever!)

Perfectly solved, Treval!

I thought the "Now Boarding" might hold you up and I see that it did for 8 minutes.



Back to you.

===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, one of my own next so take it easy on me

Wrinkle remover to be found in package?(5)

boTOx

Indeed it is, well done

===[**WCF**]===

===[**WCF**]===

An axe in bizarre secret (7)

(I hope this is legal!)

In case axe = brazier in NZ!

brazier ; anagram of bizarre, secret = indicator

Nope

1st clue: 2 a's

aRcanUM = secret

can = axe (in) RUM = bizarre

a = an ?

Absolutely correct! Well done

Here's da belt ===[**WCF**]===

Wear it well

Thanks Shroeder.

A computer game's about the bizarre gemstones (9) no i's

a-M(eth)YSTs - neat!

Way to go Urban Worrier, sending the ===[**WCF**]=== over the pond to you.

Thanks Sasha!

Acted the goose to get wife confused (7).

Just 2 vowels, both different

waddled
w = wife
addled = confused
direct = acted the goose

Didn't even have time to unpack it!

Here you go, Mr T : ===[**WCF**]===

I think it's about time to start Bout 16: Treval please post your next clue there.

This thread still seems to be keeping a number of us amused and I am happy to carry on orchestrating it, but would anyone else like to take over, and/or revamp it it in some way?