===[**CDM**]===

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:

Hound intrinsically adorable (9)

Persecute (per se+cute)

Smart work (it occurred to me that one might appeal to you)! ===[**CDM**[===

Thanks, Lex! I guess I'll continue the theme, but completely by accident:

Fruit peels cute caraway seeds (4)

Direct on the right, one vowel.

cvcc

Two deletions: for this particular clue, I believe it is much easier to find the direct and work your way backwards from there.

Sounds like this must be a fruit without its outer letters (peels), also losing the letters c a r (caraway), or perhaps fruit peels without e (cut e) and c a r (caraway), leaving 4 letters to mean seeds, but I am stuck for ideas for the direct apart from ears or corn which I cannot yet justify...

... and Many Happy Commiserations!

Happy birthday Demosthenes!

I've been trying to use nuts or buds but can't explain either. Peeling "cute" does give us "ut".

Happy birthday, Mr D - still working on it...

Yes, that one.

"Fruit peels" is a slightly loose definition, but it reads better than "outer layer of a fruit"...

Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!!!

Pips = seeds - epicarps (peels, and a new word for me) less ecar

A well-deserved win!

===[**CDM**]===

Thank you: I got there in the end!

Scene of disturbance in bar with enraged drunk (4,6)

Definition on the left

Two es and two other vowels which are both the same, and six consonants (surprise!) of which two are the same.

Bear Garden (anag.) Hi Lex

Good morning Ed: the Belt is yours (for now)
===[**CDM**]===

(Thought of you when listening to this recently on Best of Kokua album, remembering that you are/were a Willie Nelson Fan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YLlJby4cyo)

Classic Willie. Thanks for the clip Lex.
Wondered why he was wearing different style of outfit then realized he was in Hawaii. I still listen to Willie's music a lot and especially on his record albums.

thank you for the belt

Yours truly has alien encounter (4)

me-ET

Well met UW ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manxman!

Sort out a French composer (7)

un(a French)ravel(composer)

Perfectly unravelled, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog!

Roll of film from 1982 (7)

Direct on right. Four vowels, one used twice.

Tootsie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs7f3ssuEjA

Nice moves, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, dance partner!

Two for the price of one as I could not decide which of these to pinch from a recent crossword:

1. Unexpected events in play - these dupe actor, surprisingly (5,2,7)

2. Contemplate having Italian over? I'll oblige immediately (8,2,4)

1. Definition on the left cvvcc cv ccvvccv - three es

2. Definition on the right cvccvcvc vc cvcv - two es

1. The clue contains one indicator and the answer is a French expression

2. Wordplay 8 + 2 + 4

C is the first letter of both answers

1 is an anagram

2 is a synonym of contemplate + an abbreviation for Italian + a synonym for over

If you're really struggling, I will accept either answer for the Belt.

2. consider it done

1. coups de theatre??

Both spot on, but manxman gets the Belt as I had gone soft and said I would accept only one answer: Remi, you will have to settle for an Honourable Mention as consolation prize! ===[**CDM***}===

I am honoured kind Sir.

Thank you Lex

This bizarre, mythical set of nine necks (9)

isth(this bizarre)muses(mythical set of nine)

Good one Sherlock Your reward is in the mail ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, manxy!!
Sorry for the delay. I've been on gramma duty.

Shaq switching sizes at early-morning hour (3,2)

Direct on the right, 3 vowels. The two-letter word isn't really a word, more of an abbreviation.

One AM (O'Neal with L switched to M)

One medium sized belt coming your way, Demosthenes! ===[**CDM**]===
I can switch it back to L if you'd prefer....

Thanks, Sherlock! Thank goodness for adjustable belts...

I'll go with something seasonal:

Emphatically dead war film franchise brought back through Bird having called periodically. (5,6)

Direct on left, and slightly unfair: you're looking for a proper noun.

... so I can stop vaguely wondering about how to justify something like a Stone Curlew...!

cvcvc cvccvc

...and I think I should mention that the direct, "Emphatically dead," describes the person in question...

Jacob Marley

Rambo reversed contained in Jay with cle (called periodically)

There is no doubt whatever about that! ===[**CDM**]===

Another rather devilish clue from Demosthenes and an excellent solve from Sherlock, if I may say so!

Many thanks to the both of you!

Secret is able to be hidden in a note (6)

a+r(can)e

It's no secret you got this one, Sue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Cheryl!

PS I think Demosthenes is British

Stoop over and adjust stocking (7)

Direct on left

Indicator on right

Veranda = stoop - hidden word (I was rather slow on the uptake)

You're stocking a sharp mind, Lex. Here's your belt: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you kindly, Pandora!

Misbehaving Mack did not harass anybody (3,4,3,5)

Tom, Dick, and Harry: anag. of Mack did not + harry (harass)

Neatly unravelled, and here is your reward ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex! Guess I'll pretend to be British for this one:

Retreat flipping scared us out of pants! (6)

Direct on the left.

cvcvcc

One subtraction and one reversal.

resort (trousers - us, then reversed)

Here's something that might have proven useful: ===[**CDM**]===

Many thanks to you!

Heading back inside, felt it busting (8)

Direct on left, three vowels.

subtitle (hidden reversed)

No hiding this from you, Sue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks much, Cheryl!

Brushed back top of the benches in church (5)

Swept = brushed - reversal (back) of t (top of the) + pews (benches in church)

And Lex swoops in and solves it! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sue!

A clutch of related clues for you to mull over as the festivities get going:

**1. Sun named adventuring explorer (8) - Amundsen

**2. Explorer's bed in the way (5) - Scott

**3. Where 1 and 2 were headed, only carrying unfashionable sauce (5,4) - South Pole

4. Old instrument backing after 1100 makes the sound of 2's landing (7) - m......

5. Tree belonging to Henry in country where 1 landed (3,2,6) - b.. o. w.....

The intention is for one person to solve all five, but if you prefer to just take one or two the Belt will go to whoever completes the solution.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas or whatever else you may celebrate at this time of year

2. S(cot)t

1. Amundsen

So far so good!

3. Must be South Pole but no sure I get all of it.

Only = sole
Unfashionable = out
What's left is hp. Is that a sauce?

Sherlock,
My favorite sauce....HP sauce (house of parliament)
I put it on most everything

Some good teamwork! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HP_Sauce

Thanks for the help, manxy! And Lex, thank you for the link. Hp sauce sounds similar to A1.

... and where did they each land?

First letter hints added

4. Mc (1100) Murd (instrument backing) o (old)
5. Bay (tree) of (belonging to) W(h)ales

Thank you Cheryl for rounding that off: herewith the Belt for you to carry into the New Year ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex! And Happy New Year to you!

Touched, was concerned about lisper's problem (8)

Direct on the left.

3 vowels, two of which are the same.

car(ess)ed

That's it, Sue! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Cheryl!

Crime ring keeps operating in city (7)

Direct on the right

cvc(vc)c+v

A helpful addition:

Crime ring keeps operating in Canadian city (7)

Tor(on)tO

You're the boss, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Sue!

I'm with the media, and I have remarkable . . . (10)

Im/press/ive = remarkable

Very impressive, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you m'lady!

Plump babe shoots drunk in gripping adaptation (9,6)

Definition on the right

Opposable thumbs (anag.)

Now you can grip this: ===[**CDM**]===

Phew...Here I was trying to pick it up with my pinkies!

Garrison blockades English castles, inspiring a dog run, or regatta? (4,4)

Direct on the right, and yes, the question mark is there for good reason.

cvcc cvcv

"blockades" is a standard indicator.

"castles" is also an indicator, but much less conventional.

I was wondering about "castles" being an indicator based on the chess manoeuvre, thinking "inspiring" to be a container indicator, also that the second word of the answer is likely to be race, but I am struggling to come up with a justifiable first word...

All good so far1 - except that "inspiring" is there mostly for readability, conjoining the clue and the definition.

Lex, I was thinking on the same lines. I think brace might be a word for garrison and it also gives us the second word, race. That would mean the first word begins with a B. I was hoping it would be boat race but that doesn't fit the pattern.

I think that the answer is bark race, a new term to me = dog run, but sounds like barque race (hence "or regatta?") - barrack (garrison) + e (English) with King and Rook castled, although I am not entirely sure what blockades signifies beyond something like followed by, or perhaps pushes/corners.

Big D appears to have gone AWOL (hope he is okay), so I will press on regardless with another clue:

Fungal problem - mate is scheduled for treatment (5,3,7)

Aha - one I can understand!

Dutch elm disease (anagram "mate is scheduled")

Thank you Rog: correct answer.

Here is a cheap (but perhaps indistinguishable) copy of the Belt to be going on with until the priceless original is surrendered...
===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex - I'll give it a bit of a polish and no-one will be able to tell the difference!

Expect a load in report (5)

Direct on the left, wordplay 1+4, one indicator

Hmm - vcvvc, 12134

As everyone else seems to be ignoring us, await = expect - sounds like a weight

Winging its way back to you, Lex! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you UW

Furious patron - what he condemned (2,3,7)

on the warpath (anagram)

All yours: ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Lex!

Swerve right past geese in flight (4)

Direct on left

veer
geese in flight = vee + r (right past)

You went directly to that one, Manxie! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Pandie

Equality is capital (5)

cvcvc

model

Sorry Sherlock. That's not the word I was looking for

"Par is" - like it!

UW ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks manxman!

Add a dash of hype, then a diversion (9)

Direct on the left...

hyphenate (anag. of hype then a)

You'll cut a dash in this, Cheryl! ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Rog!

Stock penned in, except a longhorn (5)

Direct on left. 2 vowels, no e's.

cvcvc

Look a little closer.....

talon (hidden word)
as in a deck of cards

You found it, manxman! ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Sherlock

Clever to hide a murder (4)

Could the answer be three letters?

SLY = slay (hide 'a')

Helmer - great to see you again!

I second that! Great solve!

Well done Helmer

Thanks, all. Let's kill again:

Tram wreck takes out tables (8)

One 'e'

Hint: Wordplay involves North American slang

Matrices = tables - anagram (wreck) of tram + ices (takes out/kills)

All those Mickey Spillane book which I read many years ago coming in handy...

...and welcome back to the thread Helmer!

Ya got it, Lex! I haven't read Spillane, but I've seen 'The Wizard of Oz'. It's a story about a young woman who travels to an unfamiliar place, where she kills a resident. She then teams up with three other locals, and they all go on to kill again.

Is Isle of Man near Unionville? That is, would you mind getting the belt from manxman?

Thank you Helmer: I am sure manxman can help organise a carrier pigeon.

I am wondering whether perhaps you watched an adaptation of the Wizard of Oz by Elmore Leonard or Quentin Tarantino...

On the basis that "the Belt is in the post," the next clue has to be

Death dealer's merriment on island (12)

Definition on the left, 4 vowels of which 2 are the same

ccvvcccvccvc wordplay 1 + 8 + 3

With the hints, guess it ends in "man"...

UW, you de man!

Authors Karin and Kurt might help you get the whole answer...

TYVM!!

S laughter man (Although the "s" eludes me )

Ah - got it. It's the superfluous s on the end of "dealers"

Happy to oblige, and here is the Belt or a facsimile: I have lost track of who may be hoarding it...
===[**CDM**]===

Thanks Lex! I think it's snuck through a wormhole in space to join all the odd socks and Biro tops that mysteriously vanish...

Waterproofing upper surface say (7)

In the previous crypt, we have "on island" =MAN. Is that 'man' as in 'to occupy'?

(I'd really wanted to make PATHOLOGISTS work. I kinda died trying.)

Think Lex was slipping in a sneaky reference to his homeland, Helmer. Dictionary.com: "Man" - Isle of, an island of the British Isles, in the Irish Sea. 227 sq. mi. (588 sq. km). Capital: Douglas.

Hints for mine:
Direct on the left, one indicator, cvvcvcc

O-kay...
Expanding the clue a smidgen:

Waterproofing room's upper surface say (7)

sealing (sounds like ceiling)

Nice one, Cheryl!

I've polished this up so it's almost indistinguishable from the original... ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you, Rog! Looks very nice.

Roman in chariot, holding back waters (6)

Hope I'm not steppin' on toes: CAESAR

C/aes/AR {chariot=car, waters=sea}

No need to tiptoe here, Helmer: anyone is welcome to jump in any time!

Hail to thee, Helmer! This should help keep your toga in place. ===[**CDM**]===

Thanks, Sherlock. Brings a tear to me eye.

The awkward tear shows concern? (7)

Hints: 2 'e', 1 'a'

? = pun indicator

I was wondering about theatre/theater - the + anagram (awkward) of tear, but could not link that to concern or shows concern as a definition, and now you are talking about a pun I am even more confused...

Lex, maybe it's show's concern?

You got the answer, Lex. The crypt is mine, but I'd seen the punny clue for 'theater' in a conventional crossword puzzle.

Concern (verb): to be about

A theater is "about" shows (yeah, that's the ticket).




Uh oh -- are those Pandora's footsteps I hear, coming down the hall...

No footsteps coming your way, Helmer. That was a fair cryptic.

Whew!

It's official, Lex. Wear this to the show: ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you Helmer: got it!

Newly tailored for worshipper (8)

If anyone fancies a slightly more than usually challenging but not too impenetrable crossword, I can recommend this one from the Financial Times: I had considered trying to use it as a group project on GB but could not devise an appropriate approach https://d1e00ek4ebabms.cloudfront.n...d6b34e46-76e5-467b-b5b0-44378d8a0c11.pdf

idolater (anag)

All yours young man ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you kind sir

So monster is upset (4)

direct on the left

Ergo = so - reverse of ogre (monster is upset)

Ergo, this belongs to you Lex ===[**CDM**]===

Thank you!

Next clue to follow on new thread shortly.