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 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!

OK: next one:

Top Can-Can?(7) one "e"

Cap-able (cap = top??????)

Go dance the Can-Can wearing this: ===[**WCF**]===

On cap=top: like snow cap on mountain top; no?
Bottle cap/top ?

verb (used with object)
24. follow up with something as good or better; surpass; outdo

here, cap=top=surpass

25. to serve as a cap, covering, or top to; overlie.

here, cap=top=cover

Thanks, Denis

Will has to return vegetable (7) - 2 vowels

shallot

shall + ot (to returned)

You certainly know your onions, Cheryl! ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Rog!

One confused about chem final, but not totally (6)

Almost = not totally - a (one) + lost (confused) containing (about) m (chem final)

Not confused about giving you this, Lex! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you ma'am!

Author and journalist, a clear law-breaker after golf (5,7) - two es

First day hint: direct is on the left and the answer is the name of an author.

Second day hint: not still alive and e at each end.

Grace Wallace?

G = G(olf) (after = position indicator)
racewall = clear law (breaker = indicator)

Can't see how "ace" is clued

or:
racewalla = a clear law
still leaves "ce"

What about the journalist?

Ok ok...ace journalist/reporter...

G(race wall)ACE

But don't you need to position "ace" at end?
Something like:
Author is a clear law-breaking journalist after golf (5,7)

Not sure where ace comes from.


Next hint: journalist = ed.

Edgar Wallace
ed+g+(anag of 'a clear law')

Here you go with the Belt snatched from Denis's fingers:
===[**WCF**]===

Thanks Lex. Couldn't have got it without the big assist from the fellow Canuck

Well, I never would have solved it:

"Second day hint: not still alive and e at each end."

Thought that meant ----e ------e

You owe me a few Tylenols, Lex!!

Our French friend? I wouldn't say so (3,6)

NOT REally

Very nice, Mxm!

Glad to have presented a bit of a challenge!

I remember enjoying his books some years ago, especially the Sanders of the River series (not quite the Africa in which I grew up, but echoes of what my father did for a living a generation or so later).


And I also liked MxM's clue.

Just as I expected CD....===[**WCF**]===

Gracias, Seegnor!

Power off after 1:50 (5) no "e"

Power off after 1:50 (5)

Power = Clout (direct)
off = out
after = pos. ind.
1:50 = 150 = CL (RN)

Look POWERful wearing this: ===[**WCF**]===

Merci muchly.

Time limits for those queuing for burial? (9)

deadlines

You're dead right Sherlock.

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

Thanks, Koala!

Someone protesting in one's place has nothing to put away (6)

Time for a clue?

Direct is on the right.

Hey Cheryl: what 'bout ye olde "e" clue

1 "e"

I'm new here - although my husband used to participate and I kibutzed. I think I know this one:

Pocket

Someone protesting = picket
in one's place = where the "i" is
has nothing = replace with "o"
to put away = pocket

...to GameBoomers, Elise! And welcome especially to the Puzzle Garden. Who was your husband?

Thanks for the welcome. My husband was - still is :+) - Twisgy.

Welcome to Gameboomers, Elise!

And here's your reward for the correct answer: ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, Sherlock. Here's my clue:

Areas include fifty-one churches (9)

Twizgy? Yes, a smart guy who gave you credit for solves at times. Give him my best, please, and again, welcome to you.

Yup, he's pretty bright - and always willing to share the credit. I passed along your best wishes and he says "Hi".

religions
re(li)gions

Congratulations, manxman. Wow - only 2 hours from post to prize:

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

Thank you Elise

Write name on figure (8)

Write name on figure (8)

Write = Pen
name = tag
on = on
figure = Pentagon (Dir)

Right on Koala....===[**WCF**]===

Thanks MxM.

Shows appreciation when losing hot water containers (5)

t(h)anks ; h=hot

And Tank you.

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

Merci, Sir K!

Diarrhea of the mouth: fifty-two minute plus ten to wrap up! (6)

Day#1 clue: no e, ten = x

2nd clue: two is a position indicator

3rd clue:
"Diarrhea of the mouth" means long-winded and is the direct

The only appropriate word I can think of is prolix, but while I can justify lix I have no idea why pro gets in there!

Darn it, my bad; simply forgot to include "for":
Diarrhea of the mouth: for fifty-two minute plus ten to wrap up! (6)

You deserve an extra 2 diamonds: ===[***WCF***]===

You could have pretended it was one of those extra hard clues with part deliberately omitted!

Metaphor is maybe conveying proverb (8)

First day hint: direct is on the right.

aphorism (hidden word)

No hiding from you! Cloak yourself in this:
===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, Lex!

Back behind nag that won't start (7)

ENDORSE = back
END = behind
ORSE = (H)ORSE = nag (that won't start)

Was surprised to find out horse = nag

Well, you don't have to nag me about sending you this! ===[**WCF**]===

Tanks Dahlin!

A frog leaping around a barber (6)

no "e" ... we're expected to provide the "e" clue right away ...AHEM!!

Fiiii gaaa rooo... Fiiii gaaaa roooo... Figaro Figaro Figaro Fiiii gaaaa roooooo......

a frog + i (a) anagrammed (leaping)

Fi ga ro fi gu re out how to wear this:===[**WCF**]===

Don't forget the "e" clue !!

Thanks!

Slowly leaking eggs with pepper (6) no e's

oozing

eggs = oo
pepper = zing

There's no egg on your face, Cheryl!

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

Thanks, Sue!

Host almost has lady's undie in a bear hug (7) 2 e's

EM bra CE(E)

Embrace this, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

(Sorry I didn't see this sooner. Getting ready for a very big meal.)

Well then, twas time to get rid of the belt!!

Bed post (5) 1 "e"

I'm in a generous mood today, so 2 more clues:
1: no "z"
2: double definition

berth

Hang this around one of your bed posts: ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you CD

I am working to interrupt irritable witness' words (9) one 'e'

MxM..."e" ??!!

Testimony (Don't need any "e" clue.)

"I'm on" contained in "testy".

You're right on Sherlock. ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you, manxman!

Movie machine runs without heat at first (6) 1 e

cinema; anagram of mac(h)ine

emmig my belt!

Here's your belt back! ===[**FCW**]===

sknaht Cheryl!

She loves tickling head of old fool! (6) no "e"

Day1 clue: tickling head = t

She loves tickling head of old fool! (6)

She = Gal
loves = oo
tickling head = t
old fool = Galoot (Direct)

Here ya go, ya ole galoot: ===[**WCF**]===

Thanks....I think.

Professional, with rifle, butchered criminal expert (8)

profiler
pro+anag. of rifle

Twas a joke, K; using it as in the Western Movies:
Galoot’s another nickname for an Old West crammed with nicknames, such as--Wild Bill,
Buffalo Bill, Crooked Nose George, Three Finger Charlie, Galena Smith, Sawtooth Ed Mason...

You're a 'Pro' at these MxM.

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

Thanks Koala

"What's left of us?" I read excitedly (7)

residua (anag. of us i read)

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

Merci.

A bit like a mood swing by an Italian poet (9) no e's

A bit like a mood swing by an Italian poet (9)

A bit like = Quasi
mood swing (anag)= modo
Italian poet = Quasimodo (dir)

Great solve; swing this round yer belly: ===[**WCF**]===

Merci muchly Big D.

Picture the confession of a grifter (4)

Picture the confession of a grifter (4)

picture = icon (dir)
confession of a grifter = I con

There is no conning you Bob.

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

My first solve in this thread!

And here is my first attempt at creating one. I hope it is okay.

City name that was up-to-date in the past. (7, no "e")

Chic/ago

Well done Sherlock! Just down the road a bit from you. Here's your belt.

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

Thank you, Bob!

Flagged a vehicle headed west around bypass (5)2 e's

First day hint: direct is on right.

evade
hidden word read backwards

Can't evade this belt manxman! ===[**WCF**]===

Thank you Sherlock

"Bug!" is name on open-ended news article (7) 2 'e's

clue: direct is on the left

termite

name = term
news article = item - m (open ended)

All yours Sherlock
===[**WCF**]===

Thanks, manxman!

Manage to keep right course (5) 1 "e"

T r(ight) END

Check out this trendy belt, Denis! ===[**WCF**]===

Merci Mamzelle...to bout#75 for next headache!