AZED CROSSWORD 866

NECTAREOUS

1.  C. G. Millin: Like a drop of elixir? With that inside, do not use car (e in anag.).

2.  C. J. Brougham: Area of land insulated by agitated econuts from plant’s oozing effluence (are in anag.).

3.  R. A. Mostyn: Mellifluous burlesque raconteuse (anag.).

VHC

H. J. Bradbury: So ‘E’ No.’s are cut out? (anag. & lit.).

Dr J. Burscough: Parts of one curate’s free-range perhaps delicious? (anag.; ref. classic ‘Punch’ joke).

P. Cargill: As something to quench almighty thirst found tea’s no cure! (anag.; found = mould).

T. Clement: Product of Sauterne co. might be this (anag. & lit.).

Mrs J. M. Critchley: Funny raconteuse is pleasing to one’s taste (anag.).

D. A. Crossland: Product of Sauterne Co. is (anag. & lit.).

E. Dawid: What course eaten with topping might be? (anag. incl. (e)aten, & lit.).

A. L. Dennis: Econuts are conditioned to like natural production of flowers (anag.).

N. C. Dexter: Ares etc on U fluid like this? (anag. & lit.; Greek god of war).

D. M. Duckworth: What Golden Delicious may be said to be – producing a ‘Euro-scent’ when cut up? (anag.; ref. imported apple and honey).

C. S. Ellis: Measure in fluid ounces – like runny honey, perhaps? (tare in anag.).

S. C. Ford: Sauternes A.O.C. – as —— as could be! (comp. anag. & lit.).

R. R. Greenfield: Luscious courtesan, bursting with energy (anag. incl. E).

R. S. Haddock: Sweet rambling raconteuse (anag.).

P. F. Henderson: Introduction of ‘Christmas Reause’ not out of place, advertising the purest drink? (anag. incl. C; ref. Perrier ads).

J. A. Holt: Nice sour taste? Oddly, it’s ——! (comp. anag.).

D. F. Manley: Would you find such epic jars in Epicurean Tesco? (comp. anag. & lit.).

C. J. Morse: Un-acetose, right? That’s another way to put it (anag. incl. r, & lit.).

T. W. Mortimer: Supply us one crate of Foster’s? (anag.; ref. ‘amber nectar’ of ad; supply adv.).

F. R. Palmer: Sweet course laced with neat rum (anag.).

Mrs M. Pepin: Honeyed tones: a cure for excitation (anag.).

W. K. M. Slimmings: Bond? Drop Unknown for actor with bit of experience, versatile, delighting the gods (nexus with anag. incl. e for x).

Mrs M. P. Webber: Honeyed tones a cure for agitation (anag.).

R. J. Whale: Sauterne & co. might appear so (anag. & lit.).

B. A. Wright: Pie of course eaten without starter or sweet (anag. incl. (e)aten; pie²).

HC

R. Abrey, S. Armstrong, D. Ashcroft, M. Barley, Mrs F. A. Blanchard, A. Brash, B. W. Brook, E. J. Burge, B. Burton, D. Buxton, Mrs M. J. Cansfield, E. Chalkley, C. A. Clarke, M. Clarke, M. Coates, M. D. Cockram, Ms S. Cunliffe, R. Dean, J. D. Doggett, C. E. Faulkner-King, C. J. Feetenby, Dr I. S. Fletcher, S. Gaskell, J. Gill, N. C. Goddard, S. Goldie, D. R. Gregory, J. F. Grimshaw, D. V. Harry, Miss M. E. R. Henderson, V. G. Henderson, R. Jacks, G. Johnstone, C. L. Jones, J. R. H. Jones, C. W. Laxton, J. C. Leyland, H. R. Lockhart, C. J. Lowe, R. K. Lumsdon, H. W. Massingham, J. R. C. Michie, T. J. Moorey, H. B. Morton, F. E. Newlove, P. G. O’Gorman, D. F. Paling, S. L. Paton, W. H. Pegram, P. J. Peters, B. Pike, D. Price Jones, A. J. Redstone, E. R. Riddle, D. R. Robinson, L. G. D. Sanders, T. E. Sanders, A. D. Scott, Mrs E. J. Shields, J. G. Stubbs, J. B. Sweeting, R. C. Teuton, A. Thompson, D. H. Tompsett, M. J. E. Wareham, R. A. Wells, G. T. Wilson, Dr E. Young.
 

COMMENTS
486 entries, almost no mistakes. There were a few puzzled queries concerning the clue to AMORTISE, which contained a reference to a meaning of MORTISE appearing for the first time in the new edition of Chambers (‘a recess cut into a printing-plate …’). As most of you will now have realized I am now using and recommending Chambers English Dictionary (as it is now called) in its 1988 edition, and from now on will not draw special attention to words I use which have been added to this edition. I’m sorry if this seems unfair to those who cannot afford it but I really feel I have no other choice. I have incidentally no word from the publishers on their plans for the various ancillary volumes relating to the dictionary (Chambers Words, etc).
 
There can be few more friendly words for concocters of anagrams than NECTAREOUS, and sure enough they appeared in most abundant variety. Some (e.g. ‘a ten-course spread, etc’) proved just too popular for special distinction, hut very few of you used the especially satisfying RACONTEUSE. Mr. Grimshaw took the multiple anagram to hitherto undiscovered lengths in his mini-saga containing five consecutive anagrams: ‘With appeal to the gods repeated on the rocks as ‘O turn, cease’ sea, counter, rose – Canute (once sure at ocean) rues ‘t?’ – a brilliantly eccentric juggernaut of a clue. Generally, there was very little unsound clueing this month and fewer errors than usually occur when clueing an adjective, all of which made the process of judging more difficult, but my task was rendered more enjoyable by the sheer fecundity of wit and ideas. Many thanks for a truly excellent entry and for the many accompanying cards and seasonal greetings.
 
A small revolution has occurred in the Observer offices recently. Over the last couple of months the setting of the so-called Games page has been transferred in-house and is now achieved using micro-computer technology. The visible differences are I think minimal but I would be interested (as always) in your comments on the readability, etc of the AZ crossword.