XIMENES CROSSWORD No. 933

COTTABUS

1.  D. J. Thorpe: Success in this brought Aphrodite’s blessing to cubs at sport (anag. & lit.).

2.  Mrs B. Lewis: Greek play with vintage cast appearing in terra-cotta buskins (hidden).

3.  E. Gomersall: Out in small boats, tossing in the drink—not a sport for the youth of today (tabu in cots; out = forbidden).

V.H.C.

C. Allen Baker: It was a trial of skill proving the Grecian bend to act with only half a bustle (anag. incl. bus(tle)).

P. M. Coombs: Rare old game in company; chucking wine with a small vessel around (Co. TT a + sub (rev.), & lit.).

R. M. S. Cork: Ancient amusement consisting in throwing the contents of a but into vessels (anag. in cots, & lit.; cot³; but² = butt).

Flt Sgt J. Dromey: Play with the contents of a butt in Grecian isle? (anag. in Cos, & lit.).

L. Johnson: Frivolity in Greek period: crib put to almost improper use (cott (= cot¹) + abus(e)).

E. G. Jones: This gave fun to cubs at play (anag. & lit.).

Sir S. Kaye: It, to be brief, could be seen in the equivalent of a bar in Greek territory. (’t in tabu in Cos, & lit.).

J. D. H. Mackintosh: This old habit of delivering wine to vessels by launch is prohibited in small boats (tabu in cots; cot³).

Mrs E. McFee: In an Aegean island mockery of a butt was a pastime of Greek youths (anag. in Cos).

C. J. Morse: What kept young Athenians amused? First cutting off tyrants’ heads, then ostracisms (c, o, t, + tabus: ref. Gk. hist.).

R. S. G. Naylor: Getting liquid into vessels—small boats—Prohibition in—that was a game! (tabu in cots; cot³).

F. E. Newlove: Attic party game—using parts of cellar too—insufferable in cottages (tabu in cots; cot²).

R. Postill: This wine game is nothing new; otherwise cost is just about prohibitive. (tabu in anag.; topical).

T. E. Sanders: Ancient pastime involving wine being roughly cast but in which a sign of love may be seen (O in anag., & lit.).

Mrs E. M. Simmonds: Tots were cast in this Greek play, but act so atrociously (anag.).

F. B. Stubbs: Programme of flings which made a splash long ago—but a Scot must have shuddered (anag.).

P. H. Taylor: Having fun with a butt’s contents in Greek island? (anag. in Cos).

D. Warren: A small bed and an unfinished kiss? Adepts at this game hoped for more! (cott (= cot¹) + a bus(s)).

G. R. Webb: Vintage casting in terra-cotta bust, by one seeking to marry beauty with his skill (hidden).

Rev D. J. C. Weber: Old boat, a small two-master with shortened poop, showed the kind of smack you could expect (cot³ a bus(s); buss²; i.e. fortune in love).

H.C.

D. B. J. Ambler, W. G. Arnott, F. D. H. Atkinson, M. K. Barford, Lt Col R. L. Bell, C. I. Bullock, E. W. Burton, C. O. Butcher, E. Chalkley, A. R. Chandler, P. R. Clemow, A. L. Clift, J. F. Coldwell, W. H. Coleman, V. A. R. Cooper, A. J. Crow, Dr J. Crowther, J. McI. Cruickshank, G. Cuthbert, T. Davies, G. A. Dickson, L. A. Diehl, L. L. Dixon, T. Dolan, A. S. Everest, M. Fairy, J. A. Fincken, A. J. Fisher, F. Foxcroft, K. Gibson, G. P. Goddard, Mrs J. Gordon, Mrs K. N. Graham, P. R. L. Heath, G. T. Hewitt, A. J. Hughes, A. J. Hynd, E. G. Illingworth, H. W. Jenkins, L. W. Jenkinson, G. Johnstone, A. H. Jones, D. P. Kleinman, G. A. Langdon, Capt G. Langham, G. G. Lawrance, A. Lawrence, J. H. C. Leach, L. F. Leason, J. P. Lester, Mrs J. Mackie, Dr T. J. R. Maguire, S. M. Mansell, G. D. Meddings, D. P. M. Michael, Dr R. G. Monk, P. H. Morgan, M. Newman, W. H. Pegram, G. Perry, E. G. Phillips, T. Proctor, E. J. Rackham, J. Reville, B. Russell, D. F. Sampson, Mrs R. S. Scott, N. E. Sharp, S. Sondheim, Brig R. F. E. Stoney, J. G. Stubbs, J. W. Taylor, P. W. Thacker, M. J. Tomkinson, F. T. Walton, W. Watts, J. F. N. Wedge, B. C. Westall, G. Williams, A. C. Withall.
 

COMMENTS:—Just over 500 entries, and over 50 incorrect —far more than usual lately, thanks to “amber” for UMBER; the colour might pass, but it’s the wrong sort of fish, nor does C. give “amber” alone as meaning a fish. Once again there was a far too common treatment of the word—”forbidden in beds”; hence the immense secondary list above. The general standard was high, but there were some things I didn’t like, e.g. punning references to “caught a bus”, which to me doesn’t sound right, the omission of the capital in “Attic”, clues like those of Flt.-Sgt. Dromey and Mr. Taylor but without the query, which is vital to show that only an example is meant, and a good many very long clues—I think it should be taken as a rough guide that over twenty words makes for excess.
 
Two or three people noticed “fircones” as a red herring at 32 ac.; one said he knew I didn’t set these on purpose but wouldn’t mind if I did. The truth is that I don’t bother to, because I know they so often set themselves; I’m much more concerned to guard against legitimate alternatives. I was surprised to get at least half a dozen enquiries about Fink Nottle; I’ve used him before and received none. Those who are not Wodehouse fans have my sympathy, but I suppose it’s a matter of taste. F.-N. occurs in many of the Jeeves-Wooster stories and kept newts.
 
I am asked to state how many entries there are in the weeks when there is a draw for three prizes. This is hard to answer because it varies so much; there have been as few as 250 and as many as 850; the numbers, as in the “proper” competitions, have certainly been rising in the last six months.
 
Many thanks for Christmas greetings. Do post early for the Christmas competition, to avoid disappointment and also to save me from a frightful rush to get the result out. And a happy Christmas to you all.