Subject:      ACC 89-Full Results & SPOILERS
From:         sailorjohn@mindspring.com (John Hakemian)
Date:         1996/10/08
Message-Id:   <53eh42$ea1@camel1.mindspring.com>
Newsgroups:   rec.puzzles.crosswords

              Araucaria Clueing Competition #89
                (The Three Faces of Eve Redux)
       Full Results: Clues, Winners, Comments & SPOILERS
               Sailor John Hakemian, Moderator
          sailorjohn@mindspring.com  or  sailorjn@juno.com

SPOILER ALERT       SPOILER ALERT         SPOILER ALERT
This long version of the ACC89 results contains the clue answers
(spoilers) right up front.  If you want to try and solve the sets
of clues, look for my other "No Spoilers" posting.

Fifteen brave souls entered ACC89, wherein the contest was to
create a three-clue set, all of differing types, and with different
definitions, but all for the same clued word.

Two setters were so enthusiastic that they created a bonus clue set,
one of which is a little unusual.

Moderator Sailor John had his hands full, as the entries were
of high quality, and I wound up giving away more awards than
usual! Of course, there was the winner, Pete Mitchell, but I
couldn't decide between Gail Koontz and Ben Levine, so I gave
them BOTH runner-up awards.  I also saw fit to bestow three
Honorable Mentions.  You guys get your names identified with
your clues; the balance, although many were very good entries,
do not.

Champion Pete has agreed to moderate ACC90, and watch for his
announcement in the near future.

I was surprised by the variety in clued word selection. The
words ranged from simple (3-letters) to complex (a 12-letter,
three-word phrase)!  Clue variety was outstanding, and I got
less pure anagram clues than I expected, perhaps a holdover
from the discussions re CWC100.  I only deducted a point from
one entrant for lack of clue-type variety, and that turned out 
to be one of the runners-up; however, that deduction was not the
deciding margin of victory.

I may have challenged you a bit too much by insisting on no
duplication of definitions.  A number of the def'ns were
really words or phrases that _suggested_ the clued word, not
_defined_ it, or used words that were themselves defined by
the clued word itself. I feel that defining is not always
reversible, and some lost a few points here.

Remember that clue judging is a very personal thing, and in
the final analysis, simply represents the opinions and tastes
of one individual.

Enough of my ramblins. On to the clue sets (in no
particular order). My comments are preceded by a ">".
----------------------------------------------------

Clued Word:  OPAL

1.  Jewel has face of prominence and lustre (4)

    Jewel = definition
    face = acrostic indicator
    Of Prominence And Lustre = OPAL

>probably should be "faces"; otherwise excellent acrostic

2.  She's a gem, of course! (4)

    Pun.
    Opal = girl's name
    gem = opal
    a girl can be a gem!

>   I find this double definition &lit try has two definitions that
>   are too closely related. The clue could also be answered by Ruby,
>   Diamond, Sapphire, and probably other womens' names.

3.  No friend of mine (4)
    Charade
    No = O
    friend = PAL
    of mine = definition (opal mine)

>   I didn't like "no" = "0"--I'd expect you to use "none", except
>   of course, that would ruin the surface.  Your definition "of mine"
>   as "opal" would do just as well for "coal", and the word sense
>   is backwards. Charade clue qualifies as third type.
--------------------------------------------

Clued Word:  HEATHER

1. Hear all about the lady's name. (7)

   all about = position indicator
   HEA(THE)R = HEATHER
   straight clue = lady's name = HEATHER

>VERY nice container clue with misdirection as "Hear" makes one look for a
>homophone clue.  The clue would have been more elegant and less easy
>(and scored higher) had you used a synonym for "hear", like "listen".

2. Warm up the lady's pretty, purple flower. (7)
   Warm up = HEAT
   the lady's = HER
   HEAT+HER = HEATHER
   straight clue = pretty, purple flower = HEATHER

>solid charade clue, with my only quibble that the "pretty, purple
>flower" was the obvious straight def'n, and made it too easy.
>I still trying to figure out just how to warm up that flower;
>however, great job!

3. Hate her wilting rhododendron. (7)
   wilting = anagram indicator
   HATE HER = anagram fodder
   straight clue = rhododendron = HEATHER

>Not bad anagram clue, and liked "wilting" as an indicator in the
>context given.  "Rhododendron" is a stretch, as the two plants are
>only of the same family, i.e. Ericaceae, and not that close a
>relative to one another.

>BTW, by convention, cryptic (and other clues) are written without
>the terminal period. I didn't deduct for that, and this nice
>set from Paul Weiss wins an Honorable Mention!

-------------------------
>Paul also sent us a bonus set, as follows:

BONUS SET Clued Word:  LISLE

1. I sell woven thread. (5)

   woven = anagram indicator
   I SELL = anagram fodder
   straight clue = thread = LISLE

>Good anagram clue, with a meaningful surface. Short & sweet!

2. Millinery item in the left row, they say. (5)

   left = L
   row = AISLE
   they say = homophone indicator
   AISLE = homophone fodder = ISLE
   straight clue = millinery item = LISLE

>Can't accept this as a homophone, as I don't think you can combine
>a homophonic part with a straight initial letter as you have here.
>As a regular homophone, I get "ellile".

3. Look under the trellis ... learn what to sew with. (5)

   look under = containment indicator
   straight clue = what to sew with = LISLE
   the trel(LIS ... LE)arn

>Good hiding of word, but the surface suffered.
-----------------------------------------------

Clued Word: MERCURY

1. Queen's champion singer cooked me curry (7)

  anagram - indicator = cooked; fodder = MECURRY
  definition - Queen's champion singer = (Freddie) MERCURY lead singer
  of the rock group QUEEN.

>Adequate anagram cryptic part, but your definition is a little
>obscure for those who don't follow that music, nor would the surface
>suggest that one should research in old tape collections.

2. Wells conveyed liquid metal (7)

   Reverse charade: HG Wells => Hg, the chemical symbol for mercury,
   the liquid metal.

>I don't know quite what to do with this one. Rather than a "reverse
>charade", I'd be tempted to call it an "indirect charade". There is
>no indicator that even suggests that the letters "HG" (which certainly
>COULD be reasonably be signalled by "Wells"), should be read as an
>abbreviation for another completely different word. "Liquid metal"
>as the other def'n certainly gives away the answer easily.

3. In merry surrounds copper became the Messenger (7)
   Container: copper (CU) in MERRY
   Definition: the Messenger (of the gods) was the god Mercury.

   Note: copper is a slang term for policeman in Britain.

>...and the USA as well.  Surface is very choppy, and could have
>benefitted by a comma after "surrounds".  Liked the definition.
-----------------------------------------
From: Pete Mitchell <pwm@mv.mv.com>

Clued Word:  TACKLE

1. Secure the return of deer and lynx (6)

    Secure = TACKLE (v.t. "to attach or secure with or as if with a
tackle")
    the return of = reversal indicator
    deer   = ELK
    and    = (i.e. reverse them both)
    lynx   = CAT

>enjoyed solving this reversal charade. Surface made sense, and your
>definition for TACKLE, although a little obscure, is certainly legal.
>Nice job.

2. Story about gutless crook becoming football player (6)

    Story           = TALE
    about           = container indicator
    gutless crook   = CK (without it's "guts")
    becoming        = connector
    football player = TACKLE
    Surface note:  Or was it the other way around?  :-)

>Another nice clue, this one a modified container.  Some might quibble
>that "gutless" doesn't necessarily signal removing the ENTIRE inside
>part of the word, but it doesn't bother me that much. Surface although
>unlikely in real life, is solid.

3. Plunge into block mate? (6)

    Plunge into  = TACKLE (v.t. "to set about dealing with")
    block mate?  = TACKLE (block and tackle)
    Surface note:  Prison life can be a real pain in the ass...  :-)

>I shudder to think of what "plunge into" means in the surface of this
>double def clue.  In a American football game, a Tackle could be also
>considered a block(ing) mate of the other linemen.  However, I think
>that "block mate" = the word usually associated with "BLOCK" =
>TACKLE is a trifle unfair.  Funny, and not bad, but not quite
>up to your other two.

>This outstanding set from Pete Mitchell (pwm@mv.mv.com)
>is the winner of ACC89!
-------------------------------------------------------

The word clued is DUN

1. Badger sounds ended (3)

    Badger = def (verb)
    sounds= indicator
    ended = fodder (done)

>A short and sweet homophone with no faults. Great job.

2. Eventually had you on demand--repeatedly (3)

    demand repeatedly = definition
    Eventually = indicator to take last letter of next three words.

>Imaginative end-acrostic construction, but as usual with this type
>of clue, the surface suffers, unless you take this to be the theme
>of an R-rated movie about white slavery!

3. Endless sandhill provided soft shade  (3)

    Endless sandhill = DUNE without the final E
    soft shade =  definition of dun as a color.

>Excellent "curtailment" charade construction, but the
>"endless sandhill" makes for a strange surface, and I think
>the shadow of a dune would not be "soft".

>Nice job all-around. My only quibble is that your word is SO short!
>An Honorable Mention to Paula Tanous!
----------------------------------------

Clued Word: STRATOSPHERE.

1. High altitude air-crafts return to earth (12)

    High altitude air= definition
    crafts return= STRA  (ARTS reversed)
    to=TO
    earth=SPHERE

>Good partial-reversal charade, with an excellent definition. I liked
>your tempting the solver to read "air-crafts" as one word, and also liked
>"crafts" = ARTS, but found "earth" = SPHERE a little stretchy.

2. There's a sport played at an elevated level (12)

    There's a sport=anagram fodder
    played= indicator
    an elevated level= definition

    The surface here is meant to evoke the elevated quality of 
participation. In real life it would get an exclamation point.  
But not here.

>I congratulate you on finding an long anagram that doesn't yell "FODDER!";
>unfortunately, I cannot give full points to the definition, without
>something about air or atmosphere in there.

3. Discussed Greek physicist's phobia for extreme heights (12)

Discussed= homophone indicator
Greek physicist's=STRATO'S
phobia=FEAR (so STRATO'S FEAR)
extreme heights= definition

Strato (known as "The Physicist"), was, I think, a successor to
Aristotle.

>Subject to further research on STRATO, I really like this homophone
>clue.  The homophone is perfect, and "extreme heights" is a better
>definition than #2's "elevated level".

> Now for STRATO: I've looked in my own references, I've researched
>three web sites on ancient Greece, including the voluminous Perseus
>Project, which includes an exhaustive digital encyclopedia from Tufts
>University. The only two STRATOs I can find were (1) a man from Aegium
>who won both the pancratium and wrestling at the same Olympic festival,
>and had a collannade erected in his honor; and (2) a little-known
>sculptor of statues at Argos.  However, well-known is a STRABO, a
>geographer with many writings, who also was instrumental in the
>rediscovery of Aristotle's writing from the library of Theophrastus,
>which were lost for almost 200 years. I'm not saying that your
>reference is wrong--my knowledge is certainly not great in this genre,
>but after this much research, I'm going to have to conclude that the
>STRATO reference is, at best, obscure enough to be unfair to the
>solver.

>This erudite set really made me think.
>Nice job overall, and an Honorable Mention to Ed Coulson!
---------------------------------------------------------
>A new contest participant wrote:
Please forgive me - I'm relatively new to doing cryptics and I don't
yet know the terms for some of the parts (eg., charade) but here is my
effort anyway (this is fun!!):

>Thanks for entering. It is customary to omit ending punctuation,
>such as periods unless the punctuation has special meaning in your
>clues. It is also customary to add an "enumeration" at the end of the
>clue to tell the solver how many letters are in the answer. I've fixed
>up your entry to conform to these customs.

Clued word: ENTIRE

(1) Utter first every notion that is really everything (6)

    Utter (definition)
    first - pointer to look at the initial letters
    Every Notion That Is Really Everything (acrostic)
    (also the above line is kind of a weak definition)

>I really liked the misdirection using "utter" as your definition of
>ENTIRE when 99% of us would immediately assume we're reading a
>homophone clue. The acrostic construction is accurate, but your
>surface reading hurts the overall quality of the clue. It DOES have
>a glimmer of meaning, but would be unlikely to actually be spoken or
>written by anyone for any reason.  "...that indicates real enthusiasm"
>would be an improvement, but I'm sure you could do better, yet.

(2) Ten broken with anger makes whole (6)

    Ten - anagram of ENT
    broken - pointer to do an anagram
    with - connector
    anger - IRE
    makes - pointer to definition
    whole - definition

>Again, your partial anagram charade cannot be faulted in its construct,
>and your definition is solid, but the surface leaves me wondering just
>how someone could break a "ten" (in blackjack?) and why doing so
>angrily would make some sort of a whole...

(3) In her it never gets back complete (6)

    In  - pointer to hidden word
    hER IT NEver - hidden word
    gets back - pointer that the hidden word is reversed
    complete - definition

>Excellent reverse hidden word construction--but again I have to really
>reach to try and find a meaning for the surface. Hidden word clues are
>particularly dependent upon their surface to be of winning quality, so
>despite your solid construction, this one doesn't score high.

>I was impressed by your clue construction ability. Work on your
>surfaces, and you'll turn in some winners soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

The clued word is RING.

(1) Call the bookmakers (4)

     double def.   The folks making book on the outcome of a race
     are collectively called the ring.

>Liked this double def clue, and although your second definition is
>a little obscure, it comes easily to mind since there are only so
>many things that "bookmakers" could mean!

(2) Summons a wry grin (4)
     Anagram.  "Ring" here in the sense of "a call to attention,
     a summons".

>Excellent short and sweet anagram clue, with "wry" an indicator that
>I rarely see used.

(3)  Having no tie, sails on the sound (4)
      Charade.  "tie sails on" to be taken as RIG, hence RI(N)G.
      "the sound" is the definition, but may look like a homophone
      signal.

>Despite my prejudice for anything smacking of a nautical context, this
>Sailor still can't figure out how the solver is supposed to get this one!
>Your explanation didn't say exactly, but I guess you are getting your
>"N" from an abbreviation for "no", and "having" is the indicator to
>insert the N into RIG.  However, that was the easy part. "tie sails on"
>does not cause RIG to leap to mind, since (1) sails are seldom tied on,
>they are fitted into slots or snapped into lines, etc.; (2) the actual
>nautical word used to mean "attaching a sail" is to BEND on the sail,
>not to RIG; (3) RIGging a sailboat means much more than attaching a
>sail, it more typically means to set the mast and its supports, and/or
>to put into place all equipment necessary to sail the vessel.

>Sorry for the nautical treatise. I get carried away sometime.
>anyway, non-sailors would have an even tougher time getting this
>one, and it brings down your total after two prior very good clues.
----------------------------------------------------

The clued word was "ANGER".

(1) Tan gerbil laps tick off (5)

    Tan gerbil laps tick off
     AN GER    ---- ========
    "laps" is a hidden-word indicator.
    "Tick off" is a slangy defn. of "anger".

>Hidden word clues should have GREAT surfaces to score.
>Sorry about this one.  Liked the definition a lot.

(2) Upset park patroller lost his head (5)

     Upset park patroller lost his head
     =====      RANGER - R
     This was a deletion clue.  "Upset" was the definition.

>Solid "beheadment" clue, with a great surface. Only complaint is
>that it may be too easy.

(3) Rage against nutty guys extolling Republican leadership (5)

     Rage against nutty guys extolling Republican leadership
     ==== A       N     G    E         R

"Rage" is the definition.  "Leadership" is an acrostic indicator.

>An interesting crostic.  I liked "leadership" indicator, but
>some might find the topical surface too partisan (-; .
>But then some might have liked your clue better if "nutty"
>had been "nasty"!

Note that I have no anagram clues here!   :-)
>So noted.  But remember, I LIKE good anagrams! ;-)  (-;
-----------------------------------------------------

Clued Word:  REDISTRIBUTE

(1) Nothing odd about "Friends": its story is blunt;
    sex is broadcast again (12)

    "nothing odd about" = alternating-letter indicator (remove odd 
    letters)
    "fRiEnDsItSsToRyIsBlUnTsEx" = alternating-letter fodder
    "broadcast again" = def.

>An alternating crostic, excellent in all respects.  The topical and
>funny surface just adds icing to the cake! Best single clue in the
>contest!

(2) Bestir it, rude! (12)

    Type:  anagram (implied indicator)
    "bestir it, rude" = anagram fodder
    &lit def.  Sort of.  Requires you to buy "rude" as an adverb,
    which probably hasn't been the case past the 17th century.  
    If then.

>Hmmm...the anagram indicator is part of the fodder? And try as I might,
>I couldn't get a &lit. definition out of reading the entire clue, even
>if I accepted the adverb form (if any) of "rude".
>Nice try, but no cigar, at least from THIS moderator.

(3) Utah surrounded by Indians; "Red" is foremost group once more (12)

   Type:  Charade/inclusion
   "Utah" = UT (postal code)
   "surrounded by" = inclusion indicator
   "Indians" = "tribe"
   "red is" = "red is"
   "foremost" = positional indicator for "red is"
   thus "trib (UT) e" with "red is" before
   "group once more" = def.

>Everything about the charade/inclusion wordplay is solid, but the
>confusing surface is probably also politically incorrect, at least
>in the USA. Your definition is strained as REDISTRIBUTE seems to mean
>to "allot, scatter or spread out (again)" or to "transfer from one
>group to another", rather than to make groups a second time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Clued Word: SMELT

I realize I am taking a big gamble in using three different words of
the same spelling - possibly contrary to your instructions, but at 
least this way I'm assured three different straight definitions as per

your instructions.

> No problem--I'd say you used three different MEANINGS for the
>SAME word (at least in the crossword sense)

(1) Sensibly schooled small-fry (6)

     TYPE: &lit (officially) -  it's also a double definition clue
     Sensibly - refers to the sense of smell
     schooled - refers to sensible way smelt (the fish) travel
     small-fry = straight definition

>Thank heavens for explanations! Without crossing letters in a puzzle,
>I wouldn't have gotten this for years...I see the clue as a dbl def,
>and not a &lit, but I have a problem with mixing up the sense of smell
>with the travel habits of fish. I have heard of one theory that fish
>have a sense akin to smell that is very sharp and allows them to find
>food from far away, and that sense is one way they find their own
>kind, but have not heard that as the primary mechanism in forming
>and maintaining the school type of formation. My experience in diving
>is that once formed, the school maintains itself primarily by sight
>or motion-sensing cues rather than by any other device.
>Great second definition, but too hard/obscure for a winner.

(2) Alchemist's meltdown? (6)

     TYPE: &lit/hidden word
     Alchemist's meltdown - fodder
               ~~~~~~
     meltdown = straight definition

      The ? indicates that there is an overlap, with the "melt" 
      element being used twice; it also serves to satisfy those who 
      demand that &lits be trumpeted.

      I don't think it's necessary that a hidden word indicator be
      included, as this is inferred from the surface. An American 
      editor could add the word "extract" at the beginning to satisfy 
      that audience however.

>I like this clue, and you're right, the "?" is enough of a signal to
>indicate that something unusual, such as your overlap, has been done.
>And I think your entire clue is acceptable as the straight def'n, since
>alchemists did melt base metals to try and SMELT a precious one.
>Where I get off the bus is the lack of the indicator, and I don't
>think it's just a US/UK thing, as what is "inferred from the surface"
>is more likely an anagram rather than a hidden word. However, a
>very interesting clue that is eminently solvable.

(3) In a small way, 'The Velvet Fog' fumed (6)

     In = container indicator
     a small way = st (abbreviation of street)
     "The Velvet Fog" = Mel (Torme's nickname)
     fumed = straight definition

     Surface: Mel Torme is a very short person. He is a highly 
     regarded (by many) jazz singer/drummer/pianist very popular
     since the 40's.

>This is your best clue by far. Solid cryptic construction, a straight
>definition that is perfect for the UK version of the past participle of
>"smell", and a surface that, although a little obscure, is quite
>correct for the individual referenced.

>Interesting set of clues.
------------------------------------------------------------

Clued Word: LIGHTER

1. Inebriated English rabbi might describe garish ends
   in a more cheerful manner (7)

   Inebriated = lit
   English  = E
   rabbi = R
   might describe =  around (as in 'describe a circle')
   garish ends = GH
   Lit+e+r around "gh"
   in a more cheerful manner = definition

>I don't usually like charades with too many abbreviations, and this
>one is no exception.  Also, I found "Rabbi" = R somewhat obscure.
>However, good misdirection in "inebriated" as "lit",
>rather than as an anagram indicator.

2. Boat arsonist? (7)

   DOUBLE DEF.

>Some more nautical quibbling from the Sailor:  A "lighter" is not a
>"boat", but actually a barge which is loaded FROM a boat.  And an
>arsonist is certainly an extreme form of a "lighter", but I see your
>"?" and accept it as is.  Not bad other than my quibble.

3. Flight error can bury a pilot. (7)

    f(LIGHT ER)ror
    can bury = hidden word indicator
    a pilot = definition (as in pilot light or pilot ignitor)

>A hidden word clue with a GREAT surface, de rigueur for this kind of
>clue.  Unfortunately, I cannot buy "a pilot" as a good definition of
>"lighter".  A pilot _light_ is required for this meaning. IMHO, this
>is similar to saying that "express" defines "train" or "non-stop"
>defines flight. Many times people who can assume that the listener
>knows the context WILL use that type of verbal shorthand, but without
>that context, the definition is not complete.  However, a clue
>that is better than most regardless of my quibble.

>Nice set
------------------------------------------------------------

Clued Word: HELLO.

    Boy, did I pick a terrible word for this sort of thing.
    Impossible to anagram, and it only means one thing, so
    double definitions were out also.

(1) Greeting eternal damnation with love (5)

    A simple charade.  "Greeting" -> definition.
    "eternal damnation" = HELL, "love" = O.

>What a super clue! Simple, short and sweet, 100% fair construction, and
>a funny surface to boot. My only quibble is that it is probably a bit
>too easy to solve.

(2) Shell Oil found out what's up? (5)

    Shell Oil found out what's up? (5)
     ~~~~~~ hidden word.
    "found out" -> hidden indicator
    "what's up?" as a definition... not great, but the phrase is 
    slangly synonymous to hello.

>Que pasa...
>OK, the indicator is not right on the money, and the definition is
>a big stretch, but the clue is still pretty darn good in hiding the
>word inside of a common proper name, and probably could be SMELTED (-;
>into an outstanding clue. But this moderator doesn't give points
>for potential...

(3) Hydrogen and oxygen are about 45 inches long, or so I heard on
    the telephone (5)

    "hydrogen" = H, "oxygen" = O.
    "about 45 inches long or so" = ELL, which is either an old British
    unit of length (exactly 45 inches) or any of a number of similar 
    units.
    "I heard on the telephone" -> definition.  and I do, rather often.

>I had to look up that meaning for ELL, but it WAS there.  Somewhat
>obscure, but the clue is probably solvable from the obvious "H" & "O"
>"about" _something_ and your cute (but not solid) definition.

>Your two charades are quite similar, although technically, one is a
>simple charade, the other an inclusion charade. One point deducted
>for a small lack of clue variety.  However, the clue set is still
>good enough to earn Ben Levine the joint Runner-up Award.
------------------------------------------------------------

Word Clued:  IFFY

(1) Beneath midriff, you-know-what open (4)

     Beneath - hidden word indicator
     midriff, you-know-what  - hiding place for IFFY
     open - definition of IFFY
     For the surface reading, 'beneath' is 'below,' but
     it's 'covered by' as a hidden word indicator.

>Good disguising of the hidden word, although the indicator is a
>little off, since although "beneath" might mean "covered by", it
>never means "among" or "within" or anything close to that. Good def'n
>and surface is clear and full of meaning (if you get my drift),
>although a trifle choppy ("...what IS open" would have been smoother).
>Nice clue.

(2) Primary issue facing faltering Yeltsin is unresolved (4)

     Primary - leading letter indicator
     issue facing faltering Yeltsin - leading letters are IFFY
     is - connector
     unresolved - definition of IFFY

>Good topical acrostic with an adequate indicator, although I'm picky
>and like plural crostic indicators better. Surface is great.

(3) I following YOU initially? Doubtful (4)

     I - I
     following - FF (ff.)
     you initially? - Y
     Doubtful - definition of IFFY

>This simple charade stumped me initially since I kept hunting for
>how the double-f was worked in. Good misdirection.

>This "entry set" for IFFY was quite good, and the three definitions
>were each of different senses of the word. Nice job, good enough
>to earn Gail Koontz the other half of the joint Runner-Up Award!
----------------------------------------------------------------
>Gail attached the following comments to the beginning of her
>entry, which explains the Bonus Set to follow:

I wanted to see how many types of clues I could create using a short
word. It didn't lend itself to certain types of clueing, as will 
become clear, but I used at least six different ones - and all the 
definitions are different unless I screwed up.  Since you only wanted 
three and I'm offering six, I'll do three, space, three more 
(bonus set). This was FUN!

>I admire your persistence and hard work!

BONUS SET for IFFY:

(1) Inconclusive whether the man talked (4)

     Inconclusive - definition of IFFY
     whether the man - IF HE, homophone of IFFY
     talked - homophone indicator

>Perfect homophone for your word, and solid definition & surface.
>I liked this one better than your charade in the entry set.

(2) Granting that stirring fat free taffy is problematical... (4)

     Granting that - IF
     stirring fat free taffy - TAFFY minus "stirred" FAT (TAF) is FY
     is - connector
     problematical - definition of IFFY

>A charade with anagrammic deletion? Now there's a rare bird.
>Quirky surface still scans OK, but this one's too convoluted for me.

(3) Fifty, confused, skip first tee? Unproved (4)

     Fifty - anagram fodder for IFFY + T
     skip first tee - take away T
     Unproved - definition of IFFY

>I generally don't like anagram-minus clues like this one. And the
>surface is the worst of your six clues, although not terrible by
>any means.

>If I had judged this set, it would have ranked somewhere in the 
>middle of the pack.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Clued Phrase: Three's a crowd

(1) There's a wild mob -too many people! (6,1,5)

    Anagram "There's a"
    synonym for "mob" (crowd)
    straight clue "-too many people!"

>I guess "wild" is your anagram indicator for this partial anagram
>charade. Your definition is imaginative, but only _suggests_ the
>solution, not defines it. Some would be picky and say a "!" only
>belongs on a &lit. clue, but not me, since it fits the context
>and makes the suggest-type solution more palatable. The surface
>meaning is smooth with no extraneous elements. Nice job.

(2) Triplets equal one hundred rowdy endlessly annoying number (6,1,5)

    Triplets=threes
    one=a, hundred=c,
    rowdy endlessly (rowd)
    straight clue "annoying number"

>Pretty good straight charade, but the "equal" is extraneous to the
>wordplay, and confuses. Unlike your first clue, the surface of this
>one is almost meaningless--I can't figure out this is reporting
>hard partying at a large convention for multiple birth persons, or
>is a critique on overly long and loud music. Cute definition, but
>might have benefitted from a "?" since the "annoying number" is
>"three", not your clued phrase.                                     4

(3) Dorcas headed back East and threw in that
    the romance is gone (6,1,5)

    Dorcas backwards = sacrod
    East= "e" and "threw" inside the whole thing
    straight clue: "the romance is gone"

>An good attempt at a partial reversal charade, with a surface that
>COULD make some sense, but has too many faults to score here:
>"Dorcas" almost screams "fodder"; the "e" and the "thre" from "threw"
>don't go "inside", they go at the beginning, ahead of SACROD, and
>in reverse order of that clued; the "w" from "threw" is detached from
>the rest of the word and goes inside the fodder; there are no
>indicators telling us to do any of these things.  Your definition
>could have worked better if you had included a "why", e.g.
>"...and threw in why the romance is gone", since that would clue
>your phrase rather than defining something like "disenchantment".

>This set was entered by a relative newcomer to our contests.  His
>clues were quite imaginative, and I really liked the first one.
>Please keep entering these contests--you'll like them!
--------------------------------------------------------
Best regards,

            /|                John Hakemian, aka       
           //|\          sailorjohn@mindspring.com  OR
          ///|\\              sailorjn@juno.com         
         ////|\\\         Chesapeake Isle MD and NYC  
      __/////|\\\\__      PANACHE on the Chesapeake
     /   PANACHE  /          PANACHE2 in the BVI
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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