XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 521

SOUP

1.  F. D. H. Atkinson (Claygate): Originally came from good stock, but has deteriorated since coming into a packet (cryptic def.).

2.  W. K. M. Slimmings (Worcester Park): Though I’ve had many spills, I’m all right on a horse that’s taken to fences (so up; s. = stolen plate).

3.  S. B. Green (NW10): Well, riding a horse can be good for you—but take it quietly! (so up).

H.C.

Lt Col P. S. Baines (Chatham): Augustus declined it with increasing vigour—previously very good, thereafter in revolt (so up & lit.; ref. Struwwelpeter story).

P. R. Clemow (W5): Produit anglais des viandes ou poissons (hidden & lit.).

Dr W. M. Easther (Eastbourne): If non-U, dip your bread in it (i.e. so(U)p, & lit.).

V. Jennings (Reading): Taken on a special plate, and well mounted, but is vulgar material for a photograph (so up; s. = developer).

P. W. W. Leach (Fareham): Well-mounted for this course? The fence might take me, not vice versa! (so up, 2 defs.; s. = stolen plate).

Mrs E. McFee (Rhos-on-Sea): A bob to join St. Andrews? That’s just the course for a beginner! (s. oup).

D. P. M. Michael (Whitchurch): It’s such good manners getting quietly drunk at the beginning of the meal (so U p).

C. J. Morse (SW10): Get well to windward! This meat extract is very high (so up, twice).

D. A. Nicholls (Chester): To dunk bread in this will he non-U (i.e. so(U)p, & lit.).

Mrs A. M. Osmond (Richmond): My foundation’s in stock: the difficulty lies in getting in it! (2 mngs.).

S. Plumb (S. Shields): I used to be considered second to Grace, and with the inner circle superior (o in sup.).

A. Robins (Manchester): It can bring you round, when swallowed by the small mouthful, getting you well and out of bed (o in sup, so up, & lit.).

Miss D. W. Taylor (Worthing): Non-U, it would be to dip your bread in it. (i.e. so(U)p, & lit.).

M. A. Vernon (N14): To dip your bread in it wouldn’t do: it would be non-U! (i.e. so(U)p, & lit.).

J. F. N. Wedge (Carshalton): Very best sort of people take it quietly (so U p, & lit.).

RUNNERS-UP

R. B. Allnutt, J. W. Bates, J. R. Burton, Mrs J. Chalkley, R. F. S. Chignell, R. N. Chignell, A. N. Clark, J. Coleby, T. Davies, F. E. Dixon, L. E. Eyres, C. C. M. Giffin, J. Gill, E. Gomersall, R. McD. Graham, A. E. Hamersley, W. Heaton, Mrs L. Jarman, Rev R. Jarvis, A. Lawrie, A. F. Lerrigo, R. K. Lumsdon, J. Mann, Dr J. K. Marshall, B. J. McCann, E. L. Mellersh, T. W. Melluish, P. H. Morgan, K. Neale, W. H. Pegram, E. G. Phillips, W. J. Plumb, E. J. Rackham, W. Rodgers, Mrs E. Shackleton, Mrs E. M. Simmonds, J. B. Sykes, L. E. Thomas.
 

COMMENTS:—273 entries, 204 correct, nearly all the mistakes being AREOLA for AREOLE. I saw the danger of this, with areola=aureole; but I used C.’s definition of AREOLE which is peculiar to it and is not given under AREOLA. The fact that the first definition of AREOLE is “an areola” cannot justify writing “ areola” as an answer ; to this second, special, definition. Take a simple parallel. Suppose the dictionary says “BUCK.—l. stag. 2. dollar.” “Dollar” cannot possibly be used as a clue to “stag.” In the same way “spiky spot” cannot possibly be used (according to C.) as a clue to ? areola.? This seems to me incontestable. The unfortunate thing was that, with the idea of being helpful, I added “Note the east end” to indicate that I meant” areole “ with an E at the end: I never thought of “la”, the note! This made my attempt to be helpful a positive hindrance to some solvers, which I regret; bat I’m afraid it can’t alter the unsoundness of ”areola” as an answer. I sympathise with the sufferers, but I can’t go further than that.
 
The puzzle seems to have been rather more difficult than the average “Plain”. As I have said before, I never try to make particular “Plain” puzzles easier or harder than the average, nor do I know beforehand which they will prove to be: fluctuations just happen, and I think that is probably a good thing. The clues sent showed a high level of soundness but were not, on the whole, a very exciting lot. Good hunting to you all throughout the year