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From: bcs@sc.harris.com (Brian Spollen)
Subject: PCWC17 final results
Message-ID: <1993Jul29.160631.4375@sc.harris.com>
Sender: bcs@sc.harris.com (Brian Spollen)
Organization: Harris Electronic Design Automation
References:  <1993Jul9.021342.973@sc.harris.com> <1993Jul17.121238.12132@sc.harris.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1993 16:06:31 GMT
Lines: 495



I've had a couple of readers mention that they have yet to receive this,
and I posted with the wrong Subject: line, so here goes (again):



                          PCWC17 FINAL RESULTS

The votes are in and have been tallied, yielding the winner, Tom Deneau,
with the clue

   Think before ordering beer at sandwich joint (10).

Tom cannot moderate the next contest, leaving this honor to the second-place
finisher, Stuart MacMartin, who will be moderator for PCWC18.  His clue
was

   Contemplate jail?  (10)

Other clues in the upper echelon were:

   Assault beetle ("Raid!") with premeditation
  
by Ray Hamel (also winner of the standard deviation contest).

   Studied the elite bread mixture (10)
  
by Alan Stewart.

   Think carefully about a rebel diet (10)
by Cristopher Boek.


Voting statistics and voter's comment follow.

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

There were 21 clues and 11 voters; maximum total 220.0

Scores:

	Clue	total	 %max	rank	  mean	 st.dev	 median
	----	-----	 ----	----	  ----	 ------	 ------
	  1	154.5	 70.2	  2	 14.05	  5.57	 16.50
	  2	 91.5	 41.6	 16	  8.32	  6.23	  5.50
	  3	135.5	 61.6	 3-4	 12.32	  6.70	 15.50
	  4	112.0	 50.9	 10	 10.18	  4.06	 10.00
	  5	119.0	 54.1	  9	 10.82	  4.75	 10.00
	  6	130.5	 59.3	  7	 11.86	  4.52	 11.00
	  7	 84.0	 38.2	 17	  7.64	  4.64	  5.50
	  8	132.0	 60.0	  5	 12.00	  3.63	 12.00
	  9	 99.0	 45.0	 14	  9.00	  4.61	 10.00
	 10	182.0	 82.7	  1	 16.55	  3.49	 17.00
	 11	 78.5	 35.7	 19	  7.14	  3.68	  9.50
	 12	108.0	 49.1	 12	  9.82	  6.21	 10.00
	 13	128.0	 58.2	  8	 11.64	  4.07	 14.00
	 14	111.0	 50.5	 11	 10.09	  4.12	 10.50
	 15	 83.0	 37.7	 18	  7.55	  3.77	  7.00
	 16	 39.5	 18.0	 21	  3.59	  2.82	  3.50
	 17	131.0	 59.5	  6	 11.91	  6.01	 11.00
	 18	135.5	 61.6	 3-4	 12.32	  4.62	 11.50
	 19	107.0	 48.6	 13	  9.73	  5.75	 10.00
	 20	 54.5	 24.8	 20	  4.95	  4.31	  3.50
	 21	 94.0	 42.7	 15	  8.55	  4.95	 10.00

Vote distribution histograms:

           3 |                                         
           2 |                                        X
           1 |       X     X    X X        X   XX X  XX
Clue #1      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |   X                              X      
           1 |   XX  X  XX        XX            X X    
Clue #2      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                                    X    
           1 |  X  X  X           X X        X  X X XX 
Clue #3      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                    X                    
           2 |               X    X                    
           1 |        X X    X    X X   X      X X     
Clue #4      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |          X         X                    
           1 |        X X    X    X     X  X  XX X     
Clue #5      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |               X    X                    
           1 |        X      X    X X X      X X X  X  
Clue #6      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |       X                                 
           1 |    X  XX XX     X  X X     X     X      
Clue #7      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                    X        X           
           1 |        X          XX  XX X XX        X  
Clue #8      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |           X                             
           1 |      XX X X        XXX      XX X        
Clue #9      |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                                  X    XX
           1 |                    X X   X     X X   XXX
Clue #10     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                    X                    
           2 |                    X                    
           1 |  X  X X XX        XXX  X                
Clue #11     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                    X                    
           1 |   XXX    X         X  XX    X        X X
Clue #12     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                             X           
           2 |                    X        X  X        
           1 |       X   X       XX       XX  X        
Clue #13     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                    X X                  
           1 |       X  X X       XXXX  X            X 
Clue #14     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |       X                                 
           1 |       XX XX  XX X  X     X    X         
Clue #15     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                                         
           1 |XXXX X XX XXX       X                    
Clue #16     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                    X                  X 
           1 |X          X    X   X XX          X   XX 
Clue #17     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                    X                    
           2 |                    X  X                 
           1 |      X            XX  X     X    X   XX 
Clue #18     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                                  X      
           1 |  X    XX X   X     X X     X     XX     
Clue #19     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |       X                                 
           1 |XXX  X XX X         X  X  X              
Clue #20     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

           3 |                                         
           2 |                    X                    
           1 |  X  X  X X  X      X XX       X  X      
Clue #21     |_________________________________________
                                  1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
              0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

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

The clues and the voters' comments:

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

   Contemplate jail?  (10)

1) *Very* nice, indeed.
1) I feel that when you solve a cryptic clue, you should *know*
1) that you've got the answer. And if it's a good clue, it should
1) leave you smiling. This clue, albeit non-standard, meets both
1) criteria. 

1) Is DE-LIBERATE a real word?  I don't care for it.  See also numbers

1) i liked the explanation

1) Very similar to 17! But a lot better double meaning clue than say 4.

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

   Deciding if its crazy to be retailed (10)

2)  Should have used "decide" instead of "deciding" and drop the "if"

2) "to" gets in the way between the anagram indicator and its target.

2) Surely "Deciding if" must be a definition for deliberat*ing*?
2) "its" is missing an apostrophe --- above all else, clues must
2) be perfect grammatically, unless the error is part of the clue.
2) The surface reading is poor, and I cringe at the use of "retailed."

2) "Deciding" should mean DELIBERATING, not DELIBERATE.
2) And people participating in letter play should not be misspelling
2) 3-letter words!  Tied for second-last.

2) explanation a bit far-fetched.

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

   Assault beetle ("Raid!") with premeditation (10)

3) The definition is poor, but the surface is reading is cute.

3) The charming picture of an assault beetle more than makes up for
3) the awkward parenthesized interjection.  Third place.

3) The beetle ("Raid!") looks ugly and too contrived.

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

   Think slow (10)

4) I don't think I fancy `slow' as synonym for deliberate. Nah.

4) short, simple, sweet, easy

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

   Think it over on purpose (10)

5) A much better pair of definitions than 4). Surface reading still
5) a touch forced.

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

   Slow to decide (10)

6) Same objections as for 4).

6) By a small margin the best of this triplet of double definitions.

6) short, simple, sweet, easy

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

   Debased feminist movement replaces diminutive ranking officer
   after thoughtful consideration (10)

7)  This would be better if much less wordy.  The rules allow you to
7)  assume that any word (like "general") might be abbreviated.  You
7)  don't need to stick in an awkward word like "diminutive".

7) Too cumbersome. Doesn't "after thoughtful consideration" define
7) "deliberation?" The definition should match the answer in number,
7) case, mood, etc. Sure, you can try to deceive the reader as to what
7) that is, but if they look at the clue the right way they should
7) match. The only excuse is exceptional cleverness.
7) Oh, and what does it *mean*?

7) The construction is rather complex, yet also not quite correct,
7) since there is no indication that the s/GEN/LIB/ is to be *applied to*
7) the intermediate word DEGENERATE.  And the surface reading is clunky.
7) Only fifth-last, because there are even worse ones.

7) dislike extremely long clues

7) This clue might work, but far too long and wordy plus the surface reading 
7) doesn't really work.

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

   Think carefully about a rebel diet (10)

8) About does not imply an anagram

8)  I can't imagine what "a rebel diet" might be.

8) Solid. "a rebel diet" is interesting concept. "about" is a poor
8) anagram indicator, but I don't think that's too important (the
8) anagram fairly jumps out at the reader).

--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   Consider to set free after short editor is back (10)

9)  Charades are better if they don't use root words that are already
9)  present in the etymology of the solution, so using "liberate" is
9)  a flaw.  I don't mean to pick on you.  Many of the other clues had
9)  the same flaw.

9) As with 7): too cumbersome. Longer clues *really* have to read well
9) to be successful. The "short" is superfluous.

9) Ungrammatical!  Fourth-last; others are even worse.

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

   Think before ordering beer at sandwich joint (10)

10)  Great surface reading and no glitches in the construction give this
10)  first place.
 
10) Nice reading, well constructed.

10) Excellent; flawless construction and a surface reading that
10) is not only clean but actually means something.  A first-place tie.

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

   Consider anti-humor in lower grade (10)

11)  Use of obscure DERATE is a turn-off

11)  A little problem with the surface reading: the sentence looked
11)  like it wanted to say "as lower grade", but you have "in lower
11)  grade"... or is this supposed to suggest "in an elementary
11)  school grade" (?)

11) "anti-humor" for ELIB is interesting, but "lower grade"
11) for DEARATE? <shudder>

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

   The editor backed up the freedom to ponder over the issues (10)

12)  "freedom" doesn't mean "liberate", "free" does.  Wordy, too.

12) Similar 9), and reads better. But surely "the freedom" suggests
12) `liberty' rather than `liberate', or did freedom become a verb
12) when I wasn't looking?

12) Nice surface reading, but LIBERATE means "free", not "freedom".

12) i liked the explanation

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

    Consider belated ire out of order (10)

13) S(t)olid.

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

    Begin to decide to set someone free! (10)

14)  Another valiant attempt at &lit.  But "begin" is extraneous to
14)  the definition, and "begin to/two" and "someone" break a
14)  few rules along the way.

14) Not too bad at all.

14) Excellent; flawless construction and a surface reading that
14) is not only clean but actually means something.  A first-place tie.
14) Deja vu all over again. :-)

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

    Consider careful? (10)

15) Best of the short double definitions.

15) Yet another good double definition.

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

    Slurred speech delivery kept at slow pace (10)

16)  As a confirmed mumbler, I assure you that "delivery" could sound
16)  like a lot of things, not just "deliber-e".

16) C'mon "deliberate" != "slow", even if they *are* close to each other
16) in some thesauri. The homophone doesn't work for me, although
16) it is a nice experiment.

16) "Slurred speech delivery" for DELIBER-E seems pretty awful to me.
16) DELIBER-E is not a word!  On top of that, there is no indicator that
16) "delivery" is to be said *in* slurred speech, and the "at" does double
16) duty.  Tied for second-last.

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

    Contemplate jail, we hear (10)

17) Almost identical to 1)!! I think that the off-beat definition
17) works better in the shorter clue though. Is DE-LIBERATE
17) really a homophone that needs to be indicated?

17) Number 1 was not really to my taste, but this is far worse.
17) "We hear" is used to relate two forms that are similar in spelling
17) but *not* in sound!  Last place.

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

     Studied the elite bread mixture (10)

18)  After a batch of awful clues, this nice short clue
18)  is a light at the end of the tunnel

18) Good. What's "elite bread?"

18) A good workmanlike clue, but lacking in panache.

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

    Careful man returned free (10)

19)  Man returned=DE?  Are we supposed to recognize Ed without
19)  a hint.  Use Sullivan or McMahon and this clue would
19)  have had a fighting chance.

19)  The arbitrary proper name gets a big demerit.

19) Good. Although it's simple, it's well constructed and reads well.

19) Good construction, and yet again a good and meaningful surface meaning.
19) Downgraded a bit for the gimmick of "man" to clue "a first name, but
19) you'll have to get the rest of the clue to see which one".  Since there
19) are several other good clues, this leaves it in fourth place.

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

    Strangely, rat and bee are added to the deli. It is intentional! (10)

20) Reads like a !@#&^%

20) Strangely, I like this one even though it is long and a bit awkward
20) and uses DELI literally.  But only enough for a middling place.

20) read the answer first, but think would have got this if i tried.
20) relatively straight forward anagram.

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

    To take away freedom on purpose (10)

21) "freedom" == liberty (as the author notes) but != liberate
21) regardless of the presence of "To." Even if one accepted that
21) jump (which I don't), it can't work here when "take away" has been
21) interposed between "To" and "freedom."

21) Same idea as number 1.  I still don't like it.


-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brian C. Spollen                   |    Internet:bcs@sc.harris.com
Harris Corporation EDA Division    |    I express my opinions, not Harris's
Fishers, New York 14453            |    "Taste makes Waist"
