Well, I've managed to complete the scoring on CWC #86.  I've eighty-sixed 
it, I guess.  There will be two separate postings with the results for each
word.  In my estimation, the winning clues were:

  #1 45 (6)  
  
by Robert Galejs, and

  Conform to standard hearing, average sight (9) 
  
by Jack Downing.  

The overall winner is the first clue.  Robert will be posting the words for
CWC #87 soon.  

Sorry for the delay, but I had a stupendous Thanksgiving at Yosemite National 
Park.  I figure that G*d wanted me to go on vacation by letting the President, 
the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader come to an agreement 
to reopen the government right before the holiday.
Here are the clues to Word #1 of the CWC #86.  I'll follow with my general
comments and then the clues with explanations & my judging comments.

The winner for this word was the shortest clue listed below, submitted 
by Robert Galejs.

The Clues (editted, with bonus clues mixed-in, sorted by length just for fun):

#1 45 (6)
Single file (6)
Note-quipu!? (6)
Set down platter (6)
Note about string (6)
Documentary about wood (6)
Minute the fastest time (6)
CLUE: Longest tape measure (6)
Groovy disc is hard to beat (6)
Put it down - it might get broken (6)
Enter, some are cordially invited! (6)
Register to obtain vinyl flatware? (6)
Account has mythical bird back in red (6)
Italian novelist boarded train near dead log (6)
Clue: Use some VCR controls that are cordless! (6)
It's groovy pressing button that saves activity (6)
Reported destruction at O'Hare was worst ever... (6)
Scribe organization's leader put in credit, in the red (6)
Note shopkeeper loses $1000, but got five hundred back (6)
It may be of variable length: maybe the longest is required (6)
Upheaval at center dividing heads of Research & Development, according to 
  Guinness (6)

=====

General Comments:

A couple of entrants didn't take care to adhere to the standard format.
For those who need reminding or are new, that means:
  a. In general, no punctuation at the end of the clue, unless the clue
     is an &lit (!) or punny definition (?).
  b. The length of the word should be in parens after the clue.

I knew this word would lead to many double-definitions, and I'm glad to
see that most of the DDers avoided the trap of choosing two definitions
that really mean the same thing.  It's a bit tricky with this word, since
the "world record" and the "make a record of this conversation" are clearly
related, the latter leading to "music recording" and the "vinyl record".
Thus, the "world's best vinyl" would be only quasi-legitimate.

I only got one anagram, and for that I am grateful.  I really tire of them,
I must say.

Some of the things I looked for were cleverness, brevity, and no 
extraneous words.

=====

The "graded" clues, with expanation, in order of their arrival to me.
My comments prefaced by ">"


Groovy disc is hard to beat.

  groovy disc  = record
  hard to beat = record (i.e. Guiness Book of)

> One of many double definitions, I like the first definition, but the
> second isn't quite proper.  The surface is nice, but I wonder if 
> something along the lines of having a "beat" would have worked even 
> better?  Please follow the standard cluing form (no period, number of 
> letters in parens) in the future.

------------------------------------------------------

Note about string (6)

  Note = RECORD

  about = RE
  string = CORD
  RE + CORD = RECORD

> Nice 'n brief.  For some reason, this clue leaves me a little cold.  I
> think the definitions are just a little too hard.  The surface makes
> little sense, but that's expected in short clues.  I do like charades,
> so bonus marks for hitting my soft spot.

------------------------------------------------------

Documentary about wood (6)
         
documentary = definition of RECORD
      About = RE:
       wood = CORD

> While a documentary is a type of record, it is not exactly a definition.
> Some sort of "example" indicator would be nice.  "Wood" is also not a
> great definition of "cord", though it's a nice direction to be working in.

------------------------------------------------------

Put it down - it might get broken (6)

   Put it down (on paper) -----> defn
   it might get broken --------> (athletics) defn

> Here we are tramping dangerously close to using two definitions that are
> related.  I absolutely love the surface, though, so I'll mostly overlook 
> this shortcoming.

---------------------------------------------------------

Use some VCR controls that are cordless! (6)

Definition: Whole clue
Hidden word indicator: "some"
Hidden word:  "...that aRE CORDless."

> A pretty good hidden word (I like those too), but I'm not overly fond 
> of the &lit here (what does "cordless" have to do with it?).  Rather, 
> I think this is better as a normal clue, more like: "Use VCR controls, 
> some of which are cordless (6)," only better, of course.

---------------------------------------------------------

Account has mythical bird back in red (6)

An account = a record = definition
mythical bird = ROC , back = COR
in red = RE(cor)D

> Great surface!  I thought the land boom in Phoenix had gone bust.  A
> very solid, up-the-middle clue, and that has appeal to me.

---------------------------------------------------------

Minute the fastest time (6)

Double definition.  Minute as in record in the minutes, record as in 
the fastest time for a race.

> A nice attempt at disguising the double definition for "minute".
> See my general concern about double definitions.  I'm not sure what the
> overall surface means.  This clue also makes me wonder if "minute" could
> have been disguised as "small" somehow, though "minute" alone isn't
> really a complete definition (is there such a thing as a "minute"?).

---------------------------------------------------------

Longest tape measure (6)

	Longest = holds the record for length
	tape = make a recording on magnetic tape
	measure = calibrate etc.

	Maybe the Guinness book should included this category.
	I did read in the paper yesterday that King Hussein of Jordan
	was the longest 'ruler' alive. :) 

> Well, now we have the complete problem.  A triple-definition where all
> three definitions aren't fully distinct.  Still, bonus points for a very
> nice surface and for the world's shortest triple definition (perhaps your
> clue is therefore an &lit example!?)

---------------------------------------------------------

It may be of variable length: maybe the longest is required (6)

Explanation:
  A record (in data structures) may be of variable length,
  and a record (in human achievements etc.) is something
  that is longest, highest, biggest etc.

> Now this definition of "RECORD" is the one I was thinking of.  To be
> sure, I don't know the etymology of this meaning, so it doesn't violate
> my general guideline.  I love the overall surface of this clue - really 
> nice flow.

--------------------------------------------------------------

#1 45 (6)

a wordless double definition (from Casey Kasem (sp?) perhaps?)
#1 = number one = best = record
45 = 45 RPM record (Yes, I still have some of these)
I could have made it quite obscure with 78 instead of 45.

> Well, this is the top clue, but you incur the wrath of the judge by
> suggesting that his old Yogi Yorgesson 78's are somehow out-of-date.
> Still, it's brief and a nice overall clue.  I could whine about how 
> "45" isn't a complete definition, merely an example, but I won't.
> The winner, by a nose, is Robert Galejs.

---------------------------------------------------------

Upheaval at center dividing heads of Research & Development, according to
Guinness. (6)

Upheaval                        =anagram indicator
at center                       =CORE -> ECOR
dividing                        =placement indicator
heads of Research & Development =   R & D 
according to Guinness           =definition

> Oops - the only anagram in the bunch, and it's indirect.  You're supposed
> to have the anagram fodder ("core", in this case) directly in the text.
> I don't really like the definition, though it's clear enough to be fair.
> Lastly, lose the final period.

---------------------------------------------------------

Reported destruction at O'Hare was worst ever... (6)

    "Reported" = homophone indicator
 "destruction" = "wreck" (homophone of "REC")
      "O'Hare" = "ORD" (airport code, as in SFO for San Francisco Intl)
  REC "at" ORD = RECORD
  "worst ever" = definition of RECORD

> O'Hare -> ORD isn't too fair to a large portion of the population, though
> I got it (if you can't please everyone, please the judge).  I'm not sure
> anybody really pronounces it "ord", though (I lived in LA, and only a
> non-native would call it "lax" - it's "el ay ex" [or really "el lay ex"]).A
> I do like homophones, though, and this is half of a nice joint clue with
> a strong surface.

---------------------------------------------------------

Scribe organization's leader put in credit, in the red.

Scribe = definition. (Both as verbs.)

Organization's leader = O
Put in                = container
credit                = CR
in the                = and all of that contained in...
Red                   = RED

So, RE(C(O)R)D.

> Credit -> CR?  Where does that come from?  A good definition though, but
> the surface is shaky at the end.  What was the leader thinking, putting
> a credit in (the) red instead of black?  Or did I misread that?  I guess
> I did...

---------------------------------------------------------

It's groovy pressing button that saves activity. (6)

	Dual definition
	groovy pressing -- good old LP vinyl record
	button that saves activity -- RECORD button on a video camera.

> This is clearly two (very nice) versions of the same definition.  Also, 
> lose the final stop.  I think you should have a ? for the punny definition.

---------------------------------------------------------

Register to obtain vinyl flatware? (6)

     "register" = straight def. 
     "vinyl flatware" = punny def. 

> Excellent job, and a candidate for top, if not for the unneeded "to obtain".
> Why not just use the three key words "Register vinyl flatware?"?  I'm not
> sure this punny definition needs a ?, but it's close enough to give the
> benefit of the doubt.

---------------------------------------------------------

Set down platter. (6)

    Double definition:
    "Set down" = RECORD
    "platter" = RECORD

> Another nice DD, though the final period must go.  A smooth surface for
> such a short clue, too.

---------------------------------------------------------

Enter, some are cordially invited! (6)

         Record = enter
         Concealed: ....some aRE CORDially....

> A very silky hidden-word.  Almost too silky, as I look and think "gee, I
> could have written that clue."  But that's the sign of a good clue.  The
> final ! shouldn't be there, though, as that has special meaning.
> Honorable Mention to newcomer David Hamer

---------------------------------------------------------

Note shopkeeper loses $1000, but got five hundred back (6)

Note			= Definition RECORD
shopkeeper		= GROCER
loses $1000		= - G (for GRAND)
but got 500		= + D => DROCER
back			= DROCER => RECORD

> Ah, the long-winded charade.  I really enjoy seeing the construction of
> these, though I can't award them first prize in any competition.  So, if
> making me happy was your goal... you succeeded.

---------------------------------------------------------

Single file (6)

Double definition:
Single = Record as in a gramaphone record in the pop charts.

File = Record as in a permanent account.

Surface. Single file means one after the other, in a queue.

> Super Double Definition.  No more can be said.
> Honorable Mention to Lee McGinty.

---------------------------------------------------------

Italian novelist boarded train near dead log (6)

         Italian novelist    ECO (Umberto Eco, probably today's
                             most distinguished Italian novelist,
                             wrote _The Name of the Rose_ and
                             _Foucault's Pendulum_)
        train               RR (railroad)
        near                connective
        dead                D
        log                 definition
            R(ECO)R + D  ( ECO "aboard" RR )

> Yowza!  What was he thinking?  I don't like "D" for "Dead", but otherwise
> this is a very creative charade and quite appealing.
> Honorable Mention to Jake Bergmann.

------------------------------------------------------

Bonus clue:

  Note-quipu!? (6)

     A "quipu" was a cord used for record-keeping by the Incas. Thus:

     Note-quipu = RECORD

     Note = RE
     quipu = CORD
     RE + CORD = RECORD

> Bonus comment: The things I learn as moderator.

------------------------------------------------------
Here are the clues to Word #2 of the CWC #86.  I'll follow with my general
comments and then the clues with explanations & my judging comments.

The winner for this word was 
  Conform to standard hearing, average sight (9)
submitted by Jack Downing.

The Clues (editted, with bonus clue mixed-in, sorted by length just for fun):

20/20 vision? (9)
Temper! Neither relative mum, told fibs (9)
Make regular the irregular Royal Mail zone (9)
Conform to standard hearing, average sight (9)
Transform to zero, mainly, when y is eliminated! (9)
Girl left behind is even dizzier - put it right! (9)
Cause to have no irregularities left in, nor grain (9)
To make standard (Half-pica or Pica) confuses Eliza (9)
Two women finally are to make the best of mean curves (9) 
This diva sounds less than truthful...make her conform?  (9)
Make regular reports that "Sunset" Desmond is untruthful (9)
Exchange ambassadors, and not bad French, and I half-doze (9)
...but quiet North African country was center of ground zero (9)
Outspoken myopics wish they had these to conform with standards (9)
Boy wrote about Corn Law - Head intervened to get the marks straight (9)
"Eliminating random trouble", Norman moralized, "will make things uniform" (9)
Mr. Peters, Mr. Bundy, cast votes of agreement, I hear, on conformity issue (9)
The people of Scandinavia surround African nation to induce conformity to 
  a standard (9)

=====

General Comments:

I must make a confession.  I'm an ugly American.  I chose an ugly American
spelling instead of a Silky Smooth britiSh spelling.  thatZ what weZ
AmericunZ doeZ.

Yes, it was a tougher word.  Some rose to the challenge.

I'm intrigued by the two different sets of homophones, though "normal eyes" 
seems to work better than "Norma lies".

I'll be briefer in my comments for this word.

=====

The "graded" clues, with expanation, in order of their arrival to me.
My (brief) comments prefaced by ">"

---------------------------------------------------------

Cause to have no irregularities left in, nor grain (9)

     Cause to have no irregularities = NORMALIZE

     left = L
     grain = MAIZE
     L in NORMAIZE = NORMALIZE

> Rough surface, though I like the theme.  The charade has some problems
> with "nor" being literal, but "grain -> maize".

---------------------------------------------------------

20/20 vision? (9)

Single punny definition of "normal eyes"

> It's too bad you didn't complete the clue, because I do like homophones.

---------------------------------------------------------

Girl left behind is even dizzier - put it right! (9)

         Girl ---> NORMA
         left behind -----> (follow with) L
              ------        -------------
         even dizzier ----> (d) I (z) Z (i) E (r)
         put it right -------> defn

> Girl -> Norma is tough, but the rest is pretty good.

---------------------------------------------------------

Two women finally are to make the best of mean curves. (9) 

Definition: "To make the best of mean curves." 
i.e. adjust data into average curves (normal distribution curves).
Charade: "Two women" = NORMA and LIZ
         "finally are" = last letter in word `are' = E

> Now we have to get both "NORMA" and "LIZ".  Too tough, I think.
> I do love the overall surface and the straight definition.

---------------------------------------------------------

The people of Scandinavia surround African nation to induce conformity
to a standard (9)

The people of Scandinavia = NORSE
African nation = MALI
NOR(MALI)SE
To induce conformity = def.

I have clued in the English, rather than the American spelling, as this is 
my native tongue. If this is unacceptable please feel free to disqualify it. 
You won't hurt my feelings at all! :-)

> OK, you're disqualified.  Makes my judging life easier and is fair to
> the poor sots who had to struggle with the 'Z' (that's a ZEE, not a ZED :-))

---------------------------------------------------------

Make regular the irregular Royal Mail zone (9)

Make regular = definition
the irregular = indicator
Royal = R
R MAIL ZONE = anagram
(Royal Mail is the name of the British postal system)

> This is an indirect anagram.  If you're unfamiliar with that term,
> please post or mail to me, and it'll be explained.

---------------------------------------------------------

Temper! Neither relative mum, told fibs (9)

	Temper = definition
	neither relative = NOR
	mum = MA
	told = homophone indicator
	fibs = homophone fodder = lies = LIZE
	NOR MA LIZE

*note - I'm aware that in the metallurgical sense, the common
definitions of temper and normalize aren't 'quite' the same, however
there are many other definitions where they are true synonyms.

> "True synonyms"?  Not quite for me, but I'll give it too you anyhow.
> I *LOVE* "neither relative" for "NOR", though I'd put a comma between
> that and "mum".

---------------------------------------------------------

Transform to zero, mainly, when y is eliminated (9)

  Transform to: anagram indicator
  ZEROMAINL(Y) : anagram fodder
  definition: &lit (you do something of the kind when normalizing 
     observed data)

> This is an anagram-charade, and I don't like those.  Also, the surface
> doesn't quite work (well, what did I expect for an &lit).  Lastly, please
> put an ! on &lit clues.

---------------------------------------------------------

Mr. Peters, Mr. Bundy, cast votes of agreement, I hear, on conformity issue.

 (Mr. Peters=Norm (Cheers), Mr. Bundy=Al (Married with children), votes cast in
agreement I hear = ize (sounds like ayes)

> That's "Peterson", not "Peters".  Otherwise an OK clue, though it needs
> to be normalized to the standard (no period, with (9)).

---------------------------------------------------------

Outspoken myopics wish they had these to conform with standards (9)

to conform with standards = normalize (definition)
outspoken = homophone indicator
myopics wish they had these = normal eyes
normal eyes sounds like normalize

> Very good.  This one just tickles me.  The image of the righteous
> four-eyes marching for congressional protection is stirring.
> Honorable mention to Robert Galejs.

---------------------------------------------------------

"Eliminating random trouble", Norman moralized, "will make things uniform." (9)  
Eliminating                     =removal indicator
RANDOM                          =anagram fodder -> NMORAD
trouble                         =anagram indicator
NormaN MORAlizeD - NMORAD      ->normalize
will                            =connector
make things uniform             =definition 

> Whoa!  We anagram one ord and remove it from another.  It's the dread
> anagram-charade, which is not a favorite of mine.  I do like the surface,
> though.  Lastly, "Norman moralized" just screams something - don't know
> what, but it's very loud.

---------------------------------------------------------

...but quiet North African country was center of ground zero (9)

           "quiet" = definition of NORMALIZE (in the political sense)
           "North" = N
 "African country" = MALI
      "was center" = positional indicator
          "ground" = anagram indicator
            "zero" = anagram fodder, anagrammed to ORZE
  N + OR [MALI] ZE = NORMALIZE

> The other half of a nifty pair.  "Quiet" isn't quite the right definition,
> though it's close.  More anagram-charade action (see above).

---------------------------------------------------------

To make standard (Half-pica or Pica) confuses Eliza.

To make standard = definition
Half-pica or Pica = charade for "N or M" (two printer measures)
confuses         = anagram ind.
Eliza            = anagram fodder

> OK - it's another anagram-charade.  This one, however, I like, because
> the anagram is attached to the end, rather than massaged into the charade.
> In fact, t's worth an honorable mention, just for the "N or M", though I'd
> rather have seen reference to Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence.
> Honorable Mention to somebody whose name got lost when I saved the mail.

---------------------------------------------------------

Make regular reports that "Sunset" Desmond is untruthful (9)

     "make regular" = def.
     "reports that" = homophone indicator
     "'Sunset' Desmond" = Norma (ref. Norma Desmond, character from
                                "Sunset Boulevard")
     "is untruthful" = "lies"
     thus "normalize" sounds like "Norma lies"

> Good.  Very pleasing homophone, and the best of the Normas (does that
> make it a "Norma conquest"?.
 
---------------------------------------------------------

Conform to standard hearing, average sight. (9)

    "Conform to standard" = definition
    "hearing" = homophone indicator
    "average sight" => "normal eyes" = NORMALIZE

> Wow - great clue.  Smoooooth surface, and a good cryptic to boot.
> Lose the final period.
> Top score to Jack Downing

---------------------------------------------------------

This diva sounds less than truthful...make her conform?  (9)

         Normalize = cause to conform  [OED definition]
         diva = Norma [in Bellini's opera]
         lies = lize [sounds like]

> Maybe "Bellini's Diva"?  Very nice surface overall.

---------------------------------------------------------

Boy wrote about Corn Law - Head intervened to get the marks straight (9)

Boy 			= RON
wrote about		= RON => NOR
Corn			= MAIZE
Law head		= L
intervened		= MA(L)IZE
to get ... straight	= Definition alluding to normalising marks

NB The surface reading relies on the following Briticisms:
The Corn laws were a set of protective trade legislation in 19th Century
Britain that were alternatively enacted and repealed by successive
Tory and Whig governments and were a central part of History lessons.
A Head is the school principal.

> Make "Boy" be "Ron" to be a little easier and less indirect.  Otherwise
> a good clue with a nice surface.

---------------------------------------------------------

Bonus Clue for NORMALIZE:

Exchange ambassadors, and not bad French, and I half-doze (9)

     "exchange ambassadors" = def. (diplomatic sense)
     "and not" = "nor"
     "bad French" = "mal"
     "I" = "i"
     "half-doze" = "ze"

> Finally, the proper diplomatic definition!  Of course the surface is
> gibberish, but hey, it's a bonus clue.

Matthew Merzbacher                              matthew@mills.edu
Director, Graduate Program in Interdisciplinary Computer Science
Assistant Professor of Computer Science         (510) 430-2201
Mills College, Oakland CA  94613                 Yo Ho Ho!
