Comments on The Irish Times Crosaire Blog ... unofficially!: Answers to Crosaire No. 00001 - 13 Mar 1943

Barry,

Thanks a million for following throu...

2009-04-09T07:26:00.000-07:00

Barry,

Thanks a million for following through on that article written by Mr. Crozier himself. It makes for great reading, and adds a lot of color to what we know about the man. It's a great find. I'll use it to fill in detail in the mini-bio I wrote about Derek.

The most impressive part of the article to me is in the subtitle: "Crosaire has been delighting - and torturing - crossword addicts in this paper for 45 years." That was written back in 1988, over 21 years ago. Derek has been at this for over 66 years ...

Re EMITS
You are indeed right, I think. If EDITS had been the answer, I wouldn't have questioned it at all. I was lucky with EMITS, it seems.

Thanks again for all the great info, Barry, and for finding the reprint and answers to Crosaire No. 00001.

Hi Bill,

Well, I was wrong - "emits" is the...

2009-04-09T06:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Bill,

Well, I was wrong - "emits" is the right answer to 23d.

If anyone is interested, the #1 puzzle was re-printed along with a short article, and the answers in legible format (be careful, they're upside down right under the clues!) on Saturday, January 23rd, 1988 - Page 32.

The archive, still appears to be available without subscription.

This is the direct link, if anyone is interested. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1988/0123/Pg032.html

Cheers,

Barry

Bill,

I finally finished No. 1, though have...

2009-04-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

Bill,

I finally finished No. 1, though have taken a lot longer than you did and I did need to consult Google on a few things.

Anyway, I found it challenging, and got a number of answers without fully understanding the clue, so appreciate your notes now to better understand.

I differed on one answer - 23d - I dithered between "emits" and "edits", not being able to decide if it was an anagram or if he was referring to the Times as a newspaper, where edits would change it.

Also I agree that Roe Deer, should be two words. I had to google here, looking up various types of deer.

This puzzle was re-published later (I don't remember the date) along with a small article on Derek Crozier, and I think the answers were typed (upside down!) - so I will check when I'm in the office later today and confirm.

- Barry

Hi Liz,

It sounds like you got about as far...

2009-04-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Liz,

It sounds like you got about as far as I did before having to resort to "cheating" :o) Congrats!

Re OUTSPAN
Outspan Oranges! How could I have forgotten. I haven't seen one of those for yonks. Are they still produced? Out here in the land of California Oranges, the South African producers don't show up too often. Well spotted!

Re STIPPLING
I think that STIPPLING might just be a fine art techniques as well, although I prefer your image of Paddy da Vinci throwing it up on his ceiling :o)

Like you, I was somewhat dismayed when I started, and figured I had no chance of getting through this puzzle. It took me about three hours, I'd say, which meant lots of breaks. I was disappointed I had to look up NANKEEN and OUTSPAN, especially now that you have made the OUTSPAN connection for me. But in the end it was very, very satisfying to fill in the last clue. I'm happy to hear that you've given me your vote of confidence that the answers are correct. It's a pity the answer grid from 1943 is illegible.

And I thoroughly agree with you about crosswords keeping the mind active, something that is so important these days it seems. I remember visiting my Dad a couple of years ago and feeling deep regret when my mother told me he didn't do the crossword anymore. I missed the link it provided between us of course, but it was also a statement about his mental well-being, a prophetic statement as it turned out.

Of course doing the Crosaire crossword with a pint beside you, that might be a wee conflict ...

Hi Bill

Well that was a challenge and great...

2009-04-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Bill

Well that was a challenge and great fun - but needless to say I didn't finish! I just couldn't resist looking at your solutions any longer and I reckon I had spent long enough at it, don't think any more pennies were going to drop! And I certainly will have to do a 'stiff upper lip' on it and not show too much emotion about the fact that I didn't get the 'upper lip' part of that one.....the shame!
'Discretion' took ages despite having seen the 'valour' connection early on....
Got 'outspan' because it fitted and also because of my abiding memory of the Dunnes Stores staff boycott (and subsequent public support for the boycott) on handling S. African produce in the 1980's - OUTSPAN oranges were one of the main targets of the boycott so I figured maybe there was some very bizarre connection!
'Stippling' evaded me; I didn't get the 'lifting the elbow' reference to tippling at all and led myself to believe that the solution would involve some very classical fine-art painting technique - when all the time Mr. Crozier had his eye on Paddy the Painter doing the ceiling (up the ladder and supping a pint of stout?!)
'Laggard' didn't happen either - nor did 'nankeen' for that matter! I was a bit disappointed I didn't get 'nankeen' because I had heard of Nankeen cloth....same ole story! Like yourself Bill I guessed 'cider' and 'star'.

So, at the end of all my efforts (quite a few hours but not sure exactly how long it took cos I went back to it a few times)I was short solutions to four: stippling, Nankeen, laggard and 'upper lip'.

To be honest at the outset I really thought I was going to get very few so I was quite happy with the way things panned out.

By the way, I'd be inclined to agree that 'roedeer' should read 'roe deer' (two words).

Congratulations Bill and though you say your solutions aren't verified I think you have them all present...and correct!

Really enjoyed the challenge - and it certainly was a serious challenge - so thank you Barry for putting out the word....and I'm looking forward to hearing how you got on.

And of course it's all the more amazing when you think that Mr. Crozier is still putting together great crosswords sixty-six years later and into his nineties - what a man! There must be some truth in the widely held belief that solving crossword puzzles helps keep one mentally agile - writing them certainly seems to be serving Mr. Crozier very well.

Enough rambling...

Dave,

Thanks for the information about the ...

2009-04-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

Dave,

Thanks for the information about the Archive promotion.

And Happy April Fools Day ... :o)

Bill,

The digital archive is normally avail...

2009-04-01T01:42:00.000-07:00

Bill,

The digital archive is normally available only to paid subscribers. As part of the 150 year celebrations, it is being made publicly available up until April 6th, AFAIK. So, if you want to grab that special crossword, you've only until Monday!

Unfortunately, I was born on a Sunday :(

All the best,
Dave

Comments on The Irish Times Crosaire Blog ... unofficially!: Answers to Crosaire No. 00001 - 13 Mar 1943

Barry,Thanks a million for following throu...

Hi Bill,Well, I was wrong - "emits" is the...

Bill,I finally finished No. 1, though have...

Hi Liz,It sounds like you got about as far...

Hi BillWell that was a challenge and great...

Dave,Thanks for the information about the ...