By way of reminder, the object of this game is to solve (and briefly explain) 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 too far 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!

For those unfamiliar with crossword clues who want to give it a try, there is plenty of guidance online, for instance http://www.gameboomers.com/Garden/CrypticCrosswordTypes.htm and https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/premium/xword/cryptics.html as well as a quite entertaining and instructive book (not just for beginners) available from amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-Times-Crack-Cryptic-Crosswords/dp/0007546521/ref=dp_ob_image_bk and no doubt elsewhere, and for those who like British Crosswords you may like to try these (which are free): http://www.theguardian.com/crosswords and https://www.ft.com/crossword. English setter John Halpern's website may also be of interest www.johnhalpern.co.uk.

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 18 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 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 should start dropping additional hints, and 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.

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.

The weighty trophy to be passed to whoever solves your clue is the jewel-encrusted CanukDenis Memorial Championship Belt
===[**CDM**]===

This thread is so named in honour of our late dear friend Denis Borris (aka CanukDenis) who was an ever cheerful and quick-witted presence on this forum, posting many an iffy crypt just to stir the pot, and intrigued by all things linguistic, mathematical and beyond.
RIP CD - we hold you in our hearts as we play on!

Next clue:

Dismiss bears (4-4)

I rarely know these (and never want to incure the wrath of the wet noodle) but wonder whether this one is Pooh-Pooh?

To pooh-pooh something is to rubbish or dismiss it, and two PPoohs make bears

Great clue and solve!

Spot on flotsam! The Belt comes to you: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you for participating and please don't be deterred by the wet noodle which was always a badge of honour for Denis

BTW that clue came from a puzzle we had done in a paper, so that I can only claim credit for repeating it here

Nice solve, flotsam!

Many thanks - now for the harder bit.

Five shiver imprecisely (5)

v/ague

Well done Sherlock. My belt is now yours

Thank you, flotsam!

Foolhardy cigar end (cigar end?) (4)

Direct on the left. Only one vowel.

Rash = foolhardy - r + ash (2 cigar ends) - clever!

That's it, Lex!
Shhhh..... I had to go steal the belt from flotsam so I can pass it along to you! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you: was it hidden in his tucker bag?

Mash representatives? (7) - this one is a bit sneaky

Direct on the right, only two vowels both the same and two of the consonants are the same

My apologies - I was indeed hoping to keep it
In an effort to win it back, and to maybe get better at these things, what does direct on the right mean?

Hi flotsam: absolutely no apology needed.

The direct is the definition part of the clue [giving the meaning of the answer word rather than the part(s) of the clue containing wordplay]: the direct will nearly always be at one end or the other, unless the clue is a double definition type (as pooh-pooh which you previously solved).

Thus, in this case you are looking for a word meaning "representatives" which can somehow be deduced from "mash," or if I am being more helpful, perhaps M.A.S.H

I am not sure whether you are a crossword veteran and it was just my use of the word "direct" which confused you, but if you are a novice, this may help https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/premium/xword/cryptics.html - however beware some differences in approach between American and British puzzles (and for all I know, Australian ones)!


PS I think that I may only have started using the word direct rather than definition as a result of seeing it used here...!

One other thing - I seem to remember the Noodlemeister had a neat guide to cryptics. If you speak nicely to her, I'm sure she'll post the link

Found it!!

For those of you who might need instructions for cryptic crossword clues, check out this page .

Sue & Lex ... lost those links

I have added those links to the opening post of the thread for future reference

Thnaks heaps. It certainly wasn't your use of language Lex, I have never tried to do cryptics and don't tend to do crosswords much either, so the advice is much appreciated.
And thank you too Noodlemeister!

...so now we are all waiting to see whether you can solve the clue and reclaim the Belt, flotsam...

Happy Birthday, Lex!

Have a great day!!

Happy Birthday, Kevin! Make every candle count!