Sam's Sunday Cryptic XXXIX

Comments

• Pedagogue 16:24 · 2023-10-22T14:45:32.150Z

  Thanks for another entertaining cryptic. 3D3DLow creator reorganizes paint (5, 5)[----------] A wry smile from UK solvers! 9A9AWatch out to hide original content from a nation (7)[-------] OC = original content. I couldn't find this in my lists and would like to add it if it is an acceptable abbreviation. Do you have a link? 10A10A"Drink!" crooned Ms. Hayworth, off-time (7)[-------] Masterful! 5D5DRealizes that Sue broke down and reformed (6)[------] Sneaky! 27D27DParent drops the queen, a relative of the monarch? (4)[----] Lovely! 14D14DSingle out Pip, perhaps, as a thief (4, 6)[----------] "Pip, perhaps"; allusion to "Great Expectations"? Herbert Pocket? 7D7DDiamonds, for example, are almost a dish (9)[---------] Clever! I liked this one. 6A6AFaced west without a buzz (5)[-----] Nice definition! 15A15ABegs for tales of demons (8)[--------] I liked this one. 20A Had me scratching my head for a while. Would "large reward" improve the surface? 29A29ADumpling is tart, send back the lab's assistant (7)[-------] Never heard of it! I thought "lab's assistant" was too general. 25A25AFor two odd rats, heat a city (4, 5)[---------] Another head-scratcher! I havn't use the "odd" indicator in my crosswords so find it difficult to spot it.

  • sammisamsam constructor · 2023-10-22T18:41:04.563Z

    Thanks for the feedback! OC being original content is a pretty common internet abbreviation, I'm afraid that's more of me sneaking young people slang into cryptics :) I like your suggestion for 20D20DMany a pack animal is loaded with large tip (8)[--------], makes the surface a bit cleaner!
• merlinnimue 🤓22:28 · 2023-10-22T16:57:35.966Z

  So much good stuff, its hard to touch on it all, but if I had to narrow down one favorite, I'd say 29a29ADumpling is tart, send back the lab's assistant (7)[-------]... I didn't get the parse at first, but when I did, wow

  Nits:

  • does 1d1DGrow the volume of a female battalion (4)[----] need a homophone indicator?
  • is SEA17DAn ocean view, it's said (3)[---] really the same as ocean?
  • slightly disheartening to see the same "are almost/nearly" indicator in 7d7DDiamonds, for example, are almost a dish (9)[---------] and 16d16DPapa and Abraham are nearly an icon in China? (5, 4)[---------]

  • sammisamsam constructor · 2023-10-22T18:44:29.472Z

    Thanks for the feedback! For some reason I thought that "volume" was an appropriate homophone indicator in 1D1DGrow the volume of a female battalion (4)[----], but can't find it in any lists now so not sure why I did. For 17D17DAn ocean view, it's said (3)[---], you're right I probably could have been a bit more creative there, "Reported on view of the Adriatic, for example," maybe?

    Fair critique on 7d7DDiamonds, for example, are almost a dish (9)[---------] and 16d16DPapa and Abraham are nearly an icon in China? (5, 4)[---------], no defense for that one except that it was midterms week this week and I was really tired while writing this puzzle haha

    • merlinnimue 🤓22:28 · 2023-10-22T23:01:19.646Z

      No worries, very minor things I pointed out, all in all superb puzzle. Gl on midterms... I couldn't have ever imagined writing puzzles on top of coursework... I can't even imagine writing puzzles now that I've long left school... i am in such awe of you amazing geniuses
• Jon 3s · 2023-11-05T17:37:28.213Z

  Solved on paper. Fun and gratifying solve. Smooth cluing on 25 A25AFor two odd rats, heat a city (4, 5)[---------]. Loved 22A22ACity in an avian nation, reportedly (8)[--------]. Thanks!