XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 467

A humorous definition

1.  V. Jennings: DYE—Stain, as used to preserve the colour of the hair, and the illusions cherished beneath it.

2.  Brig W. E. Duncan: STAY—A visit, or a visitation, depending on existing relations.

3.  R. Postill: STAY—(In pl., now largely obs.) constraining belt worn by women, and others, on the doubtful assumption that truth is stranger than fiction.

H.C. (extra prizes)

C. O. Butcher: CHEST—The thorax; by extension (usu., in women, the utmost possible), its measurement.

R. N. Chignell: BUS—(Coll.), owner’s description (used with pride, affection, or apology, according to make and age) of private car.

A. H. Clough: DYE—Artificial colouring used as make-up by women to enhance (as they suppose) their charm, and by savages to inspire terror.

J. McI. Cruickshank: SALTIRE—The St. Andrew’s Cross, esp. in heraldry and in usage of those who seek to establish the existence of a Scottish culture as a distinct entity.

L. W. Darby: STAY—Means of support, esp. when used to keep up a ship’s mast or a woman’s appearances.

J. H. Dingwall: BUS—Vehicle in which many are transported though few with delight.

Maj A. J. Douch: DYE—A preparation used to restore hair to its natural colour (unnatural in the case of other women).

T. Dwyer: RANK—An empty space for the use of taxi-cabs.

A. J. Entwistle: OGRE—Fairy-tale giant: fig. applied to woman-eater by women who like being eaten.

J. Green: CHEST—Large box for articles collected over a considerable time (by brides, buccaneers and bluebeards).

S. B. Green: BUS—A road vehicle, to carry passengers, limited in large towns to those who have time not to walk.

F. G. Illingworth: DYE—To change the colour of a garment so that it may not be recognised by other women.

L. H. L. Jackson: TROCHE—A round medicinal tablet, which some people prefer to take with a pinch of salt.

M. Tyrrell Lewis: SAVOUR—Taste, odour, flavour, relish, obs. in British inns, restaurants, etc.

Grp Capt G. Struan Marshall: RANK—Title of social degree gained by the possession of virtues, ancestors, long service, or guineas.

H. Rainger: BUS—Omnibus, for all except purists.

E. Taylor: CATER—To provide food or entertainment, perhaps both.

P. H. Taylor: DYE—When applied to ladies’ hair, the colour above the roots.

J. Thompson: BUS—Conveyance run for the general public—or vice versa.

RUNNERS-UP

G. C. Ager, D. Ashcroft, H. M. Barclay, H. Bernard, Mrs G. Bonsall, P. R. Bowring, R. Brain, V. E. Brooke, J. E. Brown, R. S. Caffyn, P. M. Coombs, Cdr H. H. L. Dickson, R. Entwistle, L. E. Eyres, J. B. Filburn, C. E. Gates, J. H. Gawler, S. Goldie, Rev R. M. Grace, R. R. Greenfield, E. J. Griew, J. H. Grummitt, D. Henderson, Dr D. S. M. Imrie, A. L. Jeffery, T. E. S. Jobson, A. H. Jones, E. A. Jones, Capt G. Langham, H. Lewis, C. J. Morse, A. P. O’Leary, J. W. Parr, H. C. S. Perry, E. G. Phillips, W. J. Plumb, T. D. Powell-Davies, E. J. Rackham, G. H. Ravenor, D. J. Ridley, Mrs E. Shackleton, J. M. Sharman, K. C. Slater, J. F. Smith, J. H. Snape, J. G. Stubbs, H. G. Tattersall, Miss D. W. Taylor, H. S. Tribe, K. Urwin, M. Wood, C. P. Wroth.
 

COMMENTS:—301 entries, 281 correct. I expected a bigger entry, but no doubt there are many diversions at Christmas. I am glad the idea proved an amusing, as comments indicate. I thought the entries very good, and it was difficult to choose: I’m sure no two judges would have produced anything like the same result, but I can but follow my own preferences. Some statistics may be of interest. The only words not attempted were norite, seisura, nacarat, Boito, geum, Fdessa. The words attempted, in order of popularity, were:—chest 37, bus 27, stay 26, rabid 24, rank 22, dye 19, desist 16, Ascots, cater 12, savour 9, ogres, Arab 8, Ido, lease 7, obsess 5, sachet, tressed, Hera 4, cloy 3, saltire, troche, Hermae, alnager, Lucan 2, Rakshas, erg, rang 1 (E. & O.E.). Alas, about 30 competitors misunderstood the instructions (though I really cannot understand how!) and sent in ordinary clues: one copied out a Chambers definition of one of the words whose clues were italicised, and one wrote a new “pawky” definition of a word whose clue was italicised. And again there were some solutions spoilt by obvious slips through not checking—these disasters are a great pity. END-READER was the cause of most of the genuine errors in solutions.
 
Many thanks for several additions so Mr. Woolf’s list, all of which I had not, of course, used: so there are enough, I think, for another such puzzle in due course—the indications being that it would be welcome. And many thanks, too, for ail the Christmas cards and kind messages, which are much appreciated. A happy New Year to all.