Ximenes Competition No. 638 Ximenes Slip | ◀ 634 | 642 ▶ | Other competitions
| No. | Date | Clue word | Clue type | Clues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 638 | Apr 1961 | BUREAUCRAT | normal | 22 |
| Award | Clue writer | Clue | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | P. H. Morgan | A zealous official’s a snag over the water at Boulogne—the last bit comes out of the case! | bur (= sharp protrusion) + eau (Fr.) + crat(e) |
| Second | J. C. Brash | Curt bear I may be outwardly, but I have a heart of gold, finding expression in many forms! | Au in anag. |
| Third | F. D. Gardiner | Here’s a sticky case a curate reformed—he’s found his vocation in the ministry! | bur + anag. |
| HC | C. Allen Baker | I may produce for you a new form to bear—for everyone, in fact, in duplicate: black carbon coming up! | anag. of bear, U, U + tar C (rev.), & lit. |
| HC | F. D. H. Atkinson | The practice from old days, from very old days, compassed by a chit, is a guide to me | ure AUC in brat, & lit. |
| HC | Capt A. S. Birt | Rub a curate the wrong way—he will remain a strict conformist and your obedient servant! | anag. |
| HC | J. Flood | Rub a curate the wrong way, and he works himself up in a state! | anag. |
| HC | G. P. Goddard | If non-U, I may be curt, a bear, and not so civil as my Service suggests | anag. incl. U |
| HC | E. Gomersall | Take Vichy water in car, but rum is a worthy adjunct to the office tea strength! | r eau (Fr.) in anag. |
| HC | S. B. Green | Rub a curate the wrong way, and will he leave the ministry? Never! | anag. |
| HC | V. Jennings | I’m the official in charge—I bring together in conflict Caesar and Brutus—seconds out! | anag. less s,s |
| HC | Dr T. J. R. Maguire | I could be “Sir Joseph Porter,” having previous practice, from the first City production, in Pinafore | ure AUC in brat; ref. HMS Pinafore, Sir J. P.’s Song |
| HC | B. J. McCann | To rub a curate the wrong way, call him a minister’s lackey | anag. |
| HC | T. W. Melluish | A truer Cuba would upset the dictator in office | anag.; ref. Castro |
| HC | D. P. M. Michael | Thrice he demands form’s submission, then by ancient usage dating from 753 B.C. some youngster’s slashed | ure AUC in brat; see AUC in C. |
| HC | C. J. Morse | This desk-ruler should help one cope with a difficult form! | cryptic def. |
| HC | E. G. Phillips | A pest about the office; contrary, that’s what he is! | cf. rat c. bureau, & lit. |
| HC | E. J. Rackham | Petty tyrant, a brute and a cur rolled into one | anag. |
| HC | E. B. Stevens | “I like everything in its place,” as the autocrat said when he went to the desk after parking his car | bureau for auto in autocrat |
| HC | Miss D. W. Taylor | He may pass many a long minute in the office on a case that never reaches finality! | bureau crat(e), & lit. |
| HC | W. Watts | Rub a curate the wrong way, but you won’t make him forget his orders | anag. |
| HC | G. R. Webb | After the office the unfinished case bound in red tape is his occupation | bureau crat(e), & lit. |
Runners-Up in competition 638: