	CLUE WRITING COMPETITION NUMBER 74:  FULL RESULTS


The winning clues for CWC 74 are:

	Police surrounding prisoner around O'Hare airport (6)

Submitted by Wei-Hwa Hwang, and

	Bond uses Italian money to acquire gun and uranium (8)

Submitted by Susan Meyers.

Neither of the winning entrants is able to moderate the next competition, 
so that honor is given to the runner-up, Matthew Merzbacher, for his clue

	Wild condor on knight's ribbon (6)

This was a stressful contest due to news server failures and lost copies 
of the announcement post.  I owe special thanks to James Lundon whose 
mailing list distributed the repost announcement to many who might not 
have gotten it otherwise.  I regret my inconsideration in the abbreviated 
repost for assuming that the "general rules" of CWC's were common 
knowledge.  I fielded many questions to new participants via e-mail, and 
I am happy that the body of competition entrants is growing and that the 
newcomers this round were undeterred by my goof-ups.  Clues and 
commentary follow after several blank lines.


















]Clues for CORDON...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
]Charade clues...
Protection ring run by cartel chief or family head? (6)

Explanation:

Definition here is Protection Ring. It plays on the other dubious protection
ring activities of cartels and the mafia.The question mark serves to
indicate the answer is not what it seems to be.
"Run by" can be construed as indicator for a charade clue.

cartel leader =C + OR + DON (mafia family head) = CORDON

]I like the clever definition, and the construction is sound.  Perhaps, 
]it would have been more helpful to represent DON with "mafia family head" 
]instead of just "family head," since this would tie the surface into the 
]"protection ring" theme more clearly.  In any event, and honorable 
]mention to Kamal A. Shah.

Heraldic symbol for an ecclesiastical dignitary, head of college, or
tutor (6)

      Heraldic symbol for an ecclesiastical dignitary = CORDON

      head of college = C
      tutor = DON (in the Oxbridge sense of both words)
      C + OR + DON = CORDON

]While the definition blends into the surface well, it's a bit 
]long-winded and hyper-specific.  I prefer the clues which find 
]clever ways of defining the more familiar senses of CORDON.

Ribbon is put on after company ranks first. (6)

Ribbon = cordon (def.)
put on = DON
company = CO
ranks first = R

]Satisfactory construction and surface.  I especially like how "put on" 
]serves as both past and present tense, making it a perfectly legitimate 
]pointer for DON.  Honorable mention to Martin Bright.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
]The police line-up...

Police line to blockade derailed Canadian National
locomotive with damaged door (6)

	Police line to blockade = definition
	derailed 		= (letters separated) C + N
	Canadian National 	= is a Canadian railway (generally known as CN)
	locomotive 		= indicates initial letters (at head of train)
	with 			= container clue
	damaged door		= DOOR -> ORDO

]The surface is rather strange--a train derails, there are fires and 
]explosions, people killed and injured, and, oh yes, A DOOR IS DAMAGED!!  
]I'll assume that "Canadian National = CN" is a fair pointer for a 
]Canadian solver.  What puzzles me is "derailed = (letters separated)."  I 
]can't see how it suggests containment.

Police tape broken door installed in Toronto's famous tower.               
                                                                               
    Police tape = Cordon /  "CN" (tower) holds "ORDO" (broken "door")          

]A good clue.  I like the double usage of "tape" as noun and verb, 
]although it took me a few readings to get it.  Same remarks about 
]"Toronto's famous tower" as the CN comments in the previous clue.  
]Honorable mention to Jim McLean.


Police surround Chicago airport held by criminal. (6)

Police surround = definition [verb, to cordon (off), usually done by police]
Chicago airport = ORD        [call letters for Chicago O'Hare Int'l Airport]
held by         = containment indicator
criminal        = CON        [convict]
----------------> C(ORD)ON

Police surrounding prisoner around O'Hare airport (6)

Police surrounding = CORDON
prisoner = CON
around = container marker
O'Hare airport = ORD

]Two nearly identical clues.  The first was submitted by Simon Morton and 
]receives an honorable mention.  The second is the winning clue for 
]CORDON, submitted by Wei-Hwa Hwang.  Hwang's clue impressed me more 
]because I like "prisoner" better than "criminal" as a definition for CON, 
]and "police surrounding" (noun) scans better than "police surround" 
](verb).  Obtrivia:  Why is ORD the airport abbreviation for O'Hare

The police line is to record only when undercover (6)

police line = Def. 
to reCORD ONly -> CORDON
when undercover = Hidden word indicator
So `CORDON' is `TO RECORD ONLY' when undercover!

]I like "when undercover" as a hidden word indicator.  The surface isn't 
]bad, and, save the extraneous "to", the hidden word is in working order.

Get line of police around star in panic or don't allow show (6)

"Get"
"line of police around star" = definition
"in" = hidden clue indicator
"panic or don't allow show" = hides clued word

]The extraneous "allow show" is inelegant--I'm picky with unnecessary words
]in hidden word clues, which tend to be one of the easier approaches to 
]cyptic constructions.  Also, I don't understand how "star" is essential 
]to the definition.
   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
]Those crazy condors...

Wild condor on knight's ribbon (6)
	wild		=	anagram indicator
	condor		=	anagram of CORDON	
	knight's ribbon	= 	defn.
According to my dictionary, CORDON is "a ribbon worn across the breast by
knights."  I never knew that - just another something that one can pick up
from clue-writing.

Condor flies around in circle  (6)

            Condor = anagram
      flies around = anagram indicator
            circle = CORDON (defn)

]Two perfectly fine anagram clues with similar construction.  I'm giving 
]both honorable mentions.  The first was submitted by Matthew Merzbacher 
]and the second by Evan Whitney.  I had to rank these clues in order to 
]determine a moderator.  I opted for Matthew's clue because the falconer 
]imagery of the "knight's ribbon" was slightly more evocative.

----------------------------------------------------------------------     
]Braids, barricades, Spanish leather, and ring-tailed animals...

Investment working to acquire gold braid (6)
---------- ------- ~~~~~~~~~~ ---- =====
    CD       ON                OR

]The construction is sound, but the surface seems a little stale.  I 
]don't think "Investment" is specific enough to point to CD.
 
Facing a human barricade, some panic or do nothing (6)
       =================  ~~~~     ---------
                                     CORDON

]The surface is above average.  If the superfluous "Facing" could be 
]removed with damaging the surface, it would be a good hiiden word clue.

Premier valises from Spanish leather line (6)

     premier valises = VA
                from = removed from
     Spanish leather = CORDOVAN yields
                line = CORDON     

]An interesting approach.  It would have worked better if the clue was 
]more specific about which letters from "valises" constitute the "premier."

Sentries, surrounding thoroughfare stradled by ring-tailed animal (6)
===================== ------------ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------
                           RD                        COON

]I have problems with "ring-tailed animal."  It's a bit of an obvious 
]pointer to COON, and it trips up the flow of the surface.  Also, I'm not 
]sure how a racoon could stradle a thoroughfare unless it was a Jurassic 
]Park mutant coon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------      
]Double definitions, puns, and other unconventional or non-cryptic clues.

]Because I flubbed by in my announcement repost by leaving out the 
]"general rules" of CWC's, I have decided to devote a special section to 
]entries which don't fit in the "traditional" cryptic clue format.  I 
]don't want to condemn them merely by that fact.  These entries could be 
]clues in a "Puns and Anagrams" crossword or some other type of puzzle 
]which uses allusive clues.
 
Remove sad colour from Parisian cookery (6)

cordon bleu - blue

]Maybe the bleu-blue relationship is obvious, but I still think this clue 
]could use some indication to remove the French word for "sad colour."

When I'm blue, I need a good cook: otherwise I hang around scenes of 
crime

  Explanation:  Two cryptic allusions

]To me, this clue does not qualify as an effective "doble definition" 
]clue in the "traditional" cryptic sense, because CORDON as "police line" 
]and "cordon bleu" are too closely related etymologically.  But the cluer 
]does not claim this to be a double def., and I love the second 
]definition.  Honorable mention to "Dirk" (WSKDPL@puknet.puk.ac.za).

Let's band together and take a ribbon at the fe^te.

          Explanation: Band and ribbon are both synonyms of
          cordon.  The use of the French 'fe^te' is a clue that
          the word is of French origin.

]Well, "fe^te" may be successful at indicating that the target word has a 
]French origin, but I'm from Missouri (literally.)  What the clue really 
]needs is to be phrased in a way to suggest more strongly stronger that the 
]answer is a noun meaning "band" or "ribbon"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
]Clues for LIGATURE...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
]Paging Doctor Gail...

True, Gail messed up the surgical thread (8)

True, Gail = anagram fodder
messed up = anagram indicator
the surgical thread = LIGATURE

It's true Gail untangled the bandage (8)

Anagram of 'true' and 'Gail'
Anagram prompter is "untangled"
"Bandage" is the definition

]These two "true Gail" anagrams would work in a pinch, but the proper name 
]Gail over-advertises the anagram phrase.  As clues, they're not bad, but 
]they faced stiff competition.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
]More news and advice fron the medical front...

Bandage regulation: fold on removal. (8)

Bandage                 = definition
regulation:             = anagram fodder REGULATI(ON)
fold                    = anagram indicator
on removal              = remove ON
[Surface: perhaps a sign posted in a hospital]

]The main problem I have with this clue is the construction (as opposed 
]to surface) syntax.  "Fold" is a rather weak anagram indicator, and when 
]it follows the anagram fodder it makes more sense as "folded."  Also, "on 
]removal" doesn't scan well as a indicator to "remove ON."

Bandage middle of alligator and injure tail (8)
	Bandage			=	defn.
	middle of alligator 	=	LIGAT
	and			=	+
	injure tail		=	URE

]Interesting surface, though it makes me wonder whose tail was 
]injured--the alligator's or the bandager's.  I don't like "injure tail = 
]URE" since I'm more used to "tail" indicating the last letter rather than 
]the last half of the word.  

Lower the head, tie a rug around and staunch blood (8)

Lower -> L
the head = Initail letter indicator
TIE A RUG -> IGATURE
around = Anag indicator
staunch blood = LIGATURE (used as a verb)

]Here's a first aid tip for a rather specialized set of circumstances!  I 
]don't think "staunch blood" is an ideal definition for LIGATURE, but 
]nevertheless I award an honorable mention to Chris Rimmer.

Surgical thread derived from ariel gut. (8)

	Surgical thread		= definition
	derived from		= anagram indicator
	ariel gut		= ARIEL is mountain gazelle of Arabia, now
				  almost extinct (due to overuse of intestinal
				  material to supply surgical GUT?!)

]The construction of this clue is adequate (although "derived from" is not 
]a strong anagram indicator) and I suppose the surface works, if the 
]solver happens to be familiar with nearly extinct Arabian gazelles.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
]New Spring lines in neckwear...

One wearing real gut-churning tie (8)

      tie = LIGATURE (in the musical sense of both words)

      One = I
      churning = anagram indicator
      real gut, anagrammed = LGATURE
      I "wearing" LGATURE = LIGATURE 

]Boy, that must be some tie--actually moving someone to dyspepsia!  I 
]don't mind the slightly inelegant hyphen, but "real" (technically poor 
]grammar) makes the surface awkward and seems to call attention to the 
]anaram phrase.
 
Torn rag useful in Italy for tie (8)

useful in Italy - utile
torn = anag. indicator
anag. = ragutile 
tie = defn.

]Well, the clue uses an indirect anagram.  But even putting that aside, 
]I'm confused by the unnecessary "in Italy" modifier for "useful."  I 
]doesn't particularly enhance the surface, and the difficulty it affords 
]the clue (knowing that "utile" in Italian is "utile") seems misleading 
]rather than challenging.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
]It's not whether you win or lose....

Goal is in, rule it a lousy tie (8)

	 goal            G
         is in           container signal
         rule it a       anagram fodder
         lousy           anagram signal
         tie             definition
         LI(G)ATURE

]What, no sudden death overtime?  The construction is average, but the 
]surface is just too clunky.

Struggle with art and guile, only to result in a tie (8)
 
    "struggle with" = anag. indicator
    "art" and "guile" anag'd = "ligature"
    "a tie" = def.

]The surface is stilted and I'm turned off by the abundance of extraneous 
]words, especially the "and" inelegantly placed amid the anagram fodder.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
]007, license to clue...

Bond uses Italian money to acquire gun and uranium (8)

"Bond" = definition; surface sense is "Bond, James Bond"
"uses" = filler
"Italian money" = LIRE
"to acquire" = container indicator
"gun and uranium" = GAT and U
LI-GATU-RE

]Great clue, and one of the few in this competition to have such flawless 
]construction without using an anagram.  Further, I can easily see the 
]surface as a plot element in a typical James Bond film.  The winning clue 
]for LIGATURE, submitted by Susan Meyers.

Bond questions regulation that released No. (8)

Bond          -- definition of LIGATURE
questions     -- anagram pointer
regulation    -- anagram of LIGATURENO
that released -- subtraction indicator
No            -- NO

]I like the surface, although I can't remember if the character of Dr. No 
]was ever impisoned and released.  I'm not fond of the "anagram of 
]REGULATION - NO" construction, especially with the questionable 
]"questions" as the anagram indicator.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
]Knots, slurs, brief letters, and "Mad About You"...

Supposedly knotted up, yet shortly one real tug unravelled it! (8)

The definition here is "knotted up.....it" for ligature
'Shortly' is indicator for one = I
Unravelled is the anagrammatic indicator for I and REAL TUG [ not a
half-hearted pull,of course! ;-) ]
Initially thought of doing away with 'shortly' as the 7-letter count of REAL
TUG would point to an I or A for ONE, anyway to make up 8. But decided it
would be fairer to leave it.
The exclamation mark is there  because of the filler'supposedly'
Unravelled, I feel,(IMHO), is an apt anagram indicator as it relates well to
ligature and also in the sense of solving the clue!

]This clue is too complex for my tastes.  I don't buy it as an &lit. 
]since not all words perform double duty.  In fact, it appears that there 
]are superfluous words which do not even perform single duty.  I suppose 
]one could argue whether or not "shortly" is necessary for "one = I," but 
]either way, it contributes indirectness to the anagram.

Tie with primitive knot! (8)

           tie = LIGATE
          with = contains
     primitive = UR   
          knot = LIGATURE
             ! = seems to work as an &lit when "tie" is taken as a noun

]LIGATE and LIGATURE are etymological realtives, so I don't like one being 
]used to construct the other.  "primitve = UR" is a bit of a stretch.  I 
]don't see how the &lit. works, since "knot" defines LIGATURE all by itself.

Abnormal guilt about one extremely rude slur. (8)

Abnormal (indicating anagram of GUILT)
one = A
extremely rude = RE
slur = ligature (def.)

]There are a lot of steps in the construction process, but they 
]eventually produce the target word fairly enough.  I like the double 
]sense of "slur" in the surface and definition.  Honorable mention to 
]Martin Bright.

Letters in brief are guilt-dispelling  (8)

     Letters in brief = LIGATURE (defn, i.e., a special type font of two
				  letters with reduced space between them)
            are guilt = anagram
           dispelling = anagram indicator

     Surface suggests Johnny Cochran has written proof of OJ's innocence.

]The surface is adequate, although I don't implicitly read in the Cochran 
]reference.  I don't feel the definition is accurate since I see a 
]LIGATURE as "combined letters" rather than "letters in brief."  

Fifty-one great "Mad About You" threads.                                    
                                                                               
     LI + GATRE (GREAT "mad") surrounding ("about") U / Threads = LIGATURE     

]I'm not sure "threads" is a satisfactory definition for LIGATURE since it 
]points to a pluralized target word.  "You = U" is iffy.  The surface is 
]sharp, and no words are wasted.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
]Double definitions, puns and other unconventional or non-cryptic clues...

]cf. comments for CORDON

Note-for-note, this is the tie that binds.

          Explanation: In music, the curved line that ties notes
          together (in, e.g., a trill or slur) is a ligature.
          The use of'tie' and 'binds' is an additional clue.

]Maybe knowledge of the letter count would help establish the answer as 
]LIGATURE as opposed to a synonym like "trill" or "slur."  I don't think 
]"binds" is an insightful additional clue.

Impotence caused by spell could be binding
-------------------------          -------

  Explanation:  Two definitions

]I admire the fact that one entrant went for the "impotence spell" sense 
]of LIGATURE, but it probably is too obscure.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
]Bonus clues for LIGATURE...

Mixed glue Rita used to attach letters. (8)

Mixed                  = anagram indicator
glue Rita              = anagram fodder
used to attach letters = definition [as in diphthong]


Unhealthy girl ate fruit centre to reduce blood pressure. (8)

Unhealthy                = anagram indicator
fruit centre             = U
girl ate U               = anagram fodder
to reduce blood pressure = definition [as in tourniquet]


Filament and lure caught tuna at first -- a grunt is thrown back (8)

         filament        definition
         caught          container signal
         tuna at first   T
         a               A
         grunt           (US Army slang) infantryman = GI
         is thrown back  reversal signal
         L(IGAT)URE  [ T A GI reversed ]
         In the surface, a grunt is a salt-water fish.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Todd McClary
toddm@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
---------------------------------------------------------------------
