◀  No. 7922 Aug 1987 Clue list No. 801  ▶

AZED CROSSWORD 796

UPHOLSTERY

1.  J. F. Grimshaw: Roy plus the gang adrift? This could be curtains! (anag.; ref. current state of SDP; gang vb.).

2.  G. P. Conway: Marshal shot purely to show what West was famous for? (anag.; ref. Mae W.).

3.  Mrs D. M. Colley: Wherein on railway you find slashed holes put? (anag. + ry, & lit.).

VHC

D. Ashcroft: Hopes truly dashed that could be curtains (anag.).

Dr J. Burscough: Polyurethanes, possibly? Not in an antique (anag., less ane, & lit.).

C. J. & M. P. Butler: Hopes truly dashed – could be curtains (anag.).

D. A. Campbell: With extra vim vac 50% Terylene covers, etc. (up hols Tery(lene)).

C. A. Clarke: Polyurethane giving off a nitrogen compound? (anag., less a, N, & lit. (?); ref. emission of cyanide gas from burning p. furnishings).

Dr V. G. I. Deshmukh: Thoroughly vac 50% Terylene carpets, etc. (up hols Tery(lene)).

M. Goodyear: This might cover getting high on very small change in pub (up + hostelry with I misplaced).

P. F. Henderson: ——’s so nice – see the embroidered polyester cushions? (comp. anag. & lit.).

T. M. Hoggart: Revolting covers sporting holes; try ——? (up + anag., & lit.).

J. C. Leyland: This must be well cut to give truly posh finish to settee (anag. incl. e, & lit.).

D. J. Mackay: It’s implausibly plusher to rear of gallery (anag. + y, & lit.).

L. K. Maltby: Strain about rope’s end on climbing vacation? Could be curtains (up hols + e in try).

T. J. Moorey: Our spy let loose without bit of honour material normally sat on (h in anag.; without = outside).

C. J. Morse: Covering trade winds southerly and soft (anag. incl. p).

T. W. Mortimer: It’s truly posh if, when relaxing, one’s rear end sinks in (e in anag., & lit.).

F. R. Palmer: What may get spoilt as your pet starts to shed loose hairs? (anag. incl. s l h, & lit.).

S. L. Paton: Working theory plus the art of making good appointments (anag.).

B. Roe: Could be curtains if the pylorus is blocked (anag.).

L. G. D. Sanders: Shot, purely accidental, may mean curtains for someone (anag.).

T. E. Sanders: It’s from properly springing the —— a healthy posture results (comp. anag. & lit.).

W. J. M. Scotland: What needs your help, when tatty? Covers to seats, trim stuffing (s, t in anag., & lit.).

A. D. Scott: What may be plush or yet more ritzy? (anag. & lit.).

W. K. M. Slimmings: London bound on boys’ vacation, tyre bursting may mean curtains for some (up + hols + anag.).

A. Thomas: New polyurethanes (not the old one) make furnishings (anag. less ane).

D. Williamson: House partly refurnished could show a variety of this (comp. anag. & lit.).

HC

R. Abrey, M. Barley, P. J. Barlow, Dr R. C. Barnes, E. A. Beaulah, J. D. D. Blaikie, Mrs A. R. Bradford, Rev Canon C. M. Broun, E. J. Burge, E. Chalkley, J. H. Chinner, B. Cozens, Mrs M. P. Craine, L. J. Davenport, R. Dean, R. V. Dearden, J. R. du Parcq, P. S. Elliott, C. Erskine, G. & J. Ferris, S. Gaskell, R. Gibb, H. J. Godwin, S. Goldie, E. Gomersall, J. Good, R. R. Greenfield, P. W. Grimsey, D. V. Harry, S. Holgate, J. I. & B. C. James, C. I. Jones, J. H. Jones, R. E. Kimmons, F. P. N. Lake, A. Lawrie, D. Lester, J. P. Lester, J. F. Levey, A. Logan, I. G. Lowe, D. F. Manley, S. M. Mansell, H. W. Massingham, Dr E. J. Miller, C. G. Millin, J. D. Moore, J. J. Moore, K. Moult, D. S. Nagle, R. F. Naish, S. J. O’Boyle, R. J. Palmer, W. H. Pegram, J. T. Price, H. L. Rhodes, E. W. Richart, A. Rivlin, D. R. Robinson, M. G. Rupp, A. G. Shields, N. G. Shippobotham, S. B. Sidney, Dr N. Smith, M. C. Souster, S. Southam, Mrs B. K. Stephenson, F. B. Stubbs, R. C. Teuton, T. R. Theakston, D. H. Tompsett, Mrs J. Waldren, M. H. E. Watson, Mrs M. P. Webber, V. J. White, B. K. Workman.
 

COMMENTS
539 entries, no mistakes. An excellent summer (?) entry for what many described as the easiest competition puzzle for some time. No real problems arose, though I was ticked off for my clue to CALID, which was based on the difficulty Oriental people have over pronouncing l’s and r’s. I learn that it is the Chinese who tend to pronounce r as l (‘flied lice,’ etc.) and the Japanese who have the opposite tendency, pronouncing l as r. I apologise to all parties and nations concerned and shall know better next time.
 
Plenty of presentable clues this month, many involving poultry and stuffing. Anagrams predictably well to the fore. One feature of many clues which might otherwise have made the lists was the use of an example of upholstery as a definition of it (eg curtains, carpets, stuffing, etc). The word is clearly broadly generic for all manner of soft fabrics and furnishings or the work of one who makes or deals in them. So whereas covers, cushions, etc are upholstery, upholstery is not (only or necessarily) covers and cushions. Hence the need to word clues with phrases like ‘could be’ or ‘possibly’ or with question marks to indicate the non-exclusive nature of the definition. I hope no one is puzzled or offended by Mr Conway’s figurative use of the clue-word. Though not explicitly indicated in Chambers it is common enough and readily understandable in the sense of generous body-padding – it also makes a lovely clue.
 
No time for more – just off on holiday – Brittany again.
 

 

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