Subject:      PCWC 53 Final Results
From:         evan@scd.hp.com (Evan Whitney)
Date:         1996/02/12
Message-Id:   <4fns8e$pb9@hpscit.sc.hp.com>
Newsgroups:   rec.puzzles.crosswords

                      PCWC 53 FINAL RESULTS

It seems like it has been forever since I started moderating this
contest. I extended the deadlines longer than usual because the
last time I moderated PCWC, my emailer went down without notifying me
and I lost several ballots right at the deadline. This time, nearly
all ballots came in a week before the deadline and I found myself
twiddling thumbs. Oh well...

The winning clue for PCWC 53 belongs to Brian C. Spollen with this
entry:

    Creature found, topsy-turvy, amongst plums in a grove (8)


and Don Monson placed a very close second with his pungent clue:

    Body has minor gas problem (8)


Brian will be hosting PCWC 54. Congratulations to Brian and thanks
to all who participated. 

Evan Whitney

(Contest results below.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL ANONYMOUS COMMENTS ABOUT PCWC 53

I personally saw the "orgasm" angle that was so popular in
this contest, but avoided it, figuring I'd do better with 
a less-used reverse-hidden work --- which, ironically, turned
out to be nearly as prevalent.  Go figure.  I found "being"
was a legal but rather lifeless definition in several clues.

I am surprised to find not minors roaming around Georgia, or organists who
cannot keep time, but far too many orgasms.  ORGASM + IN clues had to be
really sharp to get above average score.  Positive points for those who
implemented the obvious double-usage of "being" (noun def, verb surface).
A few exploited the potential for reversal hidden word (MS IN A GRO), yet
their indicators for this construction were flawed.  Overall, I felt that
the cryptic construction was sloppier than in most PCWC, especially given
the easy word to clue.

There came (oops) on the ballot, ten clues using 'orgasm'. They lost marks
for two reasons: it's the obvious wordplay and secondly the images brought to
mind are not neccessarily desirable when indulging in a favourite pastime.
I would like to think that people of all ages and backgrounds are enjoying
these contests and developing their knowledge of wordplay. Some of the clues
would have been better off posted to alt.sex.bestiality. As well, there was
one undefined clue in the batch which might indicate a novice. In that case,
keep trying and we'll see you in PCWC54! :) 

Subtlely was not a strong feature of the "orgasm" clues,
and anyway was too obvious. So points off for those.

Had to mark direct use of "Morgan" in the clue, as a flaw.
It seemed unmotivated since no particular Morgan was suggested.

When I started to look at organism there seemed to be so many
possibilities, but trying to make a good clue surface proved
surprisingly difficult, hence good surfaces are marked up.

This was a great word and a horrible one; organism
is a tough word to define, so, as usual, we get about
a million of clues that are basically the same.  Also, I
was bored and used a part-based grading system;
if anyone loves/hates it, please post to the newsgroup.

Too many NI in ORGASMs! A lot of grotesque reversals.
I've marked down any that define by 'animal' as it's
really all living creatures. Anagrams of 'orgasm' were
also discounted as moving 1 or two letters is not an
anagram!

The word ORGANISM does not lend itself to very many ways to express
the straight definition.  As a result, we saw a lot of EXAMPLES of
organisms (hyponyms) and a lot of BEINGs. I admit I gave extra
points to original, but honest definitions.  The very obvious appeal
to using ORGASM raised my surface requirements for such clues.

I appreciated you comment about reading the clues in "random" order while
judging.  There weren't as many dirty minded entrants as I thought there
would be, considering the word.  But the simpler anagram clues, for me,
tended to edge out the ORGA(NI)SM style clues.

Too many orgasms. (Oddly enough, this is something you rarely
hear anyone complain about, in most other contexts.)

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

1st place (score 76.70%) - clue 17
From bcs@sc.harris.com (Brian C. Spollen)

    Creature found, topsy-turvy, amongst plums in a grove (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 56 66 70 74 75 80 80 86 93 95 100 100 100

Nice clue.  Non-traditional reversal indicator, for a change.

best of the similar clues, if only for the wordplay indicators.  a bit
obvious, unfortunately.

I like retrospective hidden words but this clue doesn't stand out.
Full marks for construction. That creature must have been plum loco!

Device is similar to 16

I'd say the trees are in the grove, but the plums themselves,
windfalls apparently, are more like on the ground.

Clever and colorful clue!

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yes.  15 + 15 + 20 + 15 + 15 = 80
Comments:  the 'topsy-turvy' is awkward, and the
'amongst' is a bit obvious.

Would have won outright except I found "topsy-turvy" upset
the surface.

An even better reverse hidden word, with a barely believable surface.

Not a bad clue--I think it is the most successful of the reversal hidden
word clues.  

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

2nd place (score 75.51%) - clue 14
From Don Monson (dmonson@Direct.CA)

    Body has minor gas problem (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 33 43 47 72 75 92 95 100 100 100 100 100 100

Nearly-great clue; "body" seems blandly ill-suited for the 
otherwise colorful, flatulent (that *is* what we're implying
here, isn't it?) tone of the clue.

unspectacular, but the best here.  good job.

Another example of an anagram indicator which is slave to the
surface and thereby detracts from the wordplay.

The winner, by a mile.  Wish I  had thought of it.

Credits for originality

A little doubt about body being definition for organism... but 
it is clever!

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - A, Surface read - A.
Anything special? - Yes  15 + 15 + 20 + 20 + 20 = 90
Comments:  Superb!

Good anagram, again spoilt by the definition.

Hypernym definition. But I like the rest of the clue, with a great
funny surface.  And no adding or subracting from the anagram, either.

"Body" may not be the best definition, and nouns (e.g. "problem") tend to
be weak anagram indicators, but this clue is a pleasant and humorous
little gem among a lot of dross.

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

3rd place (score 66.83%) - clue 19
From joe@tozer.demon.co.uk (Joe Tozer)

    On Mars I glimpse first mutant lifeform (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 13 50 60 60 67 69 70 75 78 84 86 91 100 100

Great surface.  I'm somewhat disappointed by the semi-
indirectness of the anagram, with "first" interrupting the 
anagram indicator and its fodder.

at least it is different.

The best of the batch. Smooth surface and original in both anagram and
only 'lifeform' (no colon) definition. Some may find it too easy but
a good concise clue with a nice constuction nonetheless.

One of the better entries, but flawed anagram fodder.  

Imaginative and clever clue.

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yeah.  15 + 10 + 20 + 15 + 10 = 70
Comments:  Very simple, a bit too simple, really.

Good anagram and surface

The surface shouts "ANAGRAM! ANAGRAM!

Kind of a cute surface.  It's a shame that the initialism comes between
the anagram fodder and the indicator, making the clue indirect.

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

4th place (score 65.64%) - clue 15
From Edward Coulson <fyj@psu.edu>

    Head to toe, Morgan is an animated being. (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 20 32 56 71 75 75 78 80 88 91 93 95

Clever cryptic method.  Again, "Morgan" is a gratuitous
proper noun, but at least it's not an anagram.  The "being"
in the surface seems at odds with the flow of the rest of
the clue --- less concrete than it needs to be.

nice construction - a lazy cluer would have made this an anagram.  nice def.

Not a bad cryptic (full marks for 'head to toe' element)
but not quite a winner with the reference to 'Morgan' the pirate
which appeared so often in this contest. What about 'Morgan' the
sporty little roadster or 'Morgan' the breed of horse so popular in the US?
And what about Henry Morgan? He hasn't been dead half as long as
that scurvy ridden, rum sucking, black hearted, effeminate swashbuckler.

This one is mine, so I won't vote, but I will comment that the 
straight definition seems to me to be better than "animal" or 
"creature". 

Not bad, especially with the extra confusion of "animated".

Clever and fair.

Defn - A, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yes.  20 + 15 + 15 + 15 + 15 = 80
Comments:  Great misdirecting definition, though loses
because of Morgan.

Pity about the definition.

Good definition, good construction, and a good surface.

I don't think many cluers would figure out to move the M to the end of
"is"--the common sense interpretation is to move the M to the end of 
"Morgan."

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

5th place (score 62.04%) - clue 1
From Kevin Wald <wald@math.uchicago.edu>

    Being confused, I groan at backwards manuscript (8)

Votes (normalized): 22 35 47 50 50 56 63 67 76 79 80 82 100

Decent surface; legitimate, if bland, definition (as all the
"being" definitions seemed to me).  To my jaded eye, "backwards" 
sticks out a bit as an indicator, rather than smoothly blending 
into the surface.

better than most.

The surface is weak. Perhaps, 'dyslectic manuscript' might have scored
better.

Surface not smooth

Nice clue but shame about the 'at'

Sound, but not particularly imaginative.

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - C, Surface read - F.
Anything special? - no.  15 + 10 + 10 + 0 + 0 = 35.
Comments:  none.

A good mixing of anagram and charade.

Solid anagram charade, with a surface just above minimums.

Very standard construction.  The surface is uninteresting, but acceptable

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

6th place (score 60.46%) - clue 8
From redside@isns1.shasta.com (Carol)

    Being Morgan is difficult. (8)

Votes (normalized): 20 33 40 43 50 50 53 58 64 73 78 84 100 100

Mundane clue with a ho-hum indicator for a gratuitous proper-name 
anagram.  Who's Morgan, and why is being him difficult, and do I 
really care?  Clues 9 and 15 at least did more interesting things 
cryptically with this person.

Try being Fred for a day.

'Being Morgan is difficult' but solving it is not. 
'Difficult' is a paltry anagram indicator ('different' may have worked
better).

This was one of only a few anagrams that were in any way original.

Another short and sweet one!

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - D, Surface read - C.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 10 + 5 + 10 + 0 = 40
Comments:  I don't much like 'difficult' as an anagrammer.

Again an anagram that moves 1 letter is not an anagram.

Too easy. See #15 for a better use of this construction.

I believe Ms. Fairchild would agree :)

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

7th place (score 60.26%) - clue 13
From "B. Neelakantan" <neel@wipinfo.soft.net>

    Animal gains more confusion by losing energy (8)

Votes (normalized): 25 26 50 50 53 56 57 64 67 67 75 78 84 93

Somewhat unfocussed surface; the "losing" doesn't quite fit
for me.  The "by" seems extraneous in the cryptic.

so-so surface.  ", loses energy" would be an improvement, IMO.

The surface falters and the anagram indicator can be an
adjective or a verb but not a noun. In this case the surface
doesn't allow the anagram indicator to assume its proper form.

Surface is kind of strange, and last clause would read better isf if said
with loss of energy"  though that wouldn't improve the sense any.

Clue sense gains even more confusion

Clever and complicated.

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - B, Surface read - D.
Anything special? - Sort of.  15 + 10 + 15 + 5 + 5 = 50
Comments:  Too awkward.

Spoilt by the animal definition.

Animal is an example of an organism and should have e.g. or the like.
Nice anagram-minus clue with a so-so surface.

An amicable anagram clue.

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

7th place (score 60.26%) - clue 4
From yfyap@pop.jaring.my (YAP Yok Foo)

    Animal writhing in orgasm (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 22 27 50 50 65 75 75 76 78 91 95 100 100

Perhaps too simple, as there isn't that much anagramming to do.
Witness the plethora of container clues, in which "orgasm" is
not used literally.  Otherwise, a compact and proper clue.

yes, obvious, yet tight.

This cryptic can't be faulted technically but the idea
is to get past the obvious anagram and create something
novel. Still, I gave it fourth place (orgasm notwithstanding)

The obvious clue.  

Short and sweet!

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - C, Surface read - A.
Anything special? - Yes.  15 + 15 + 10 + 20 + 15 = 75
Comments:  Nice and simple.  A bit too easy?

To win a contest, don't take the invitation to an "obvious anagram".

This is neat, this is cool!
This is my favorite 3S clue! 
(simple, short and sweet, nothing superfluous :)

A satisfactory clue, although approaching "in organism" as anagram fodder
rather than the components in a container clue is kind of wasteful.

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

9th place (score 58.07%) - clue 3
From pvr@wg.icl.co.uk (Phil Rose)

    Immoderate excitement overwhelms Northern Ireland - that's life perhaps (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 33 33 40 40 50 53 60 75 84 92 94 100

Semi-topical surface, unmarred by any obvious cryptic 
indicators; pretty good definition.

underwhelmed, myself.

Lost marks for politizing our cryptic corner. Remember,
this is an international group and provincial references
mean nothing to most participants. Besides that,
'NI' didn't exactly leap to mind from 'Northern Ireland'.

"Immoderate excitement" is not immediately translatable into "orgasm".  But
that may be the point.

Very nice construction, could be the winner without the
milquetoastish "perhaps", which doesn't serve either the
surface or the definition well.

Very nice clue, however the inclusion indicator could have been better

Wasn't crazy about definitions.

Defn - C, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Sort of.  10 + 15 + 15 + 15 + 5 = 60
Comments:  I'm not sure I like the definition, and I'm not a
huge fan of separating the defn from the cryptic.

Decent construction and a topical sentiment in the surface.  Nice job!

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

10th place (score 56.21%) - clue 22
From msb@sq.com (Mark Brader)

    It's being nasty: smog and rain (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 43 44 50 50 56 61 63 65 67 75 84 86 100

A veritably tangible surface; I'm less fond of the definition
("it's *a* being" would work better for me, though it 
obviously doesn't suit the surface).

Nice choice for fodder, hurt by extraneous "and".  "It's being" implies
answer is a verb, no?

Almost a winning clue. I like the originality and the surface but
I couldn't give full marks for 'it's being' as a definition.
This suggests the verb no matter how you read it but I've
given you the benefit of the doubt and scored it in second place.

Smog and rain simultaneously?  That *is* bad weather.

The best surface in the bunch.  Too bad it couldn't say,
"It's a being"

Like the anag. of smog and rain - didn't spot that one!

I have a problem with "it's being" as the definition.
But a novel anagram with colorful clue.

Defn - C, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - C.
Anything special? - No.  10 + 15 + 15 + 10 + 0 = 50
Comments:  This being not a very good clue.

Spoilt marginally by the extra "AND"

I don't agree with splitting anagram fodder without a 2nd indicator.

"Smog & rain" would have been a more accurate fodder phrase.

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

11th place (score 55.60%) - clue 16

    Individual sees phantoms in a grotesque recollection (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 32 37 39 43 48 50 56 56 66 75 87 92 100

Really good clue; my only qualm is I think "sees" is a 
weak hidden-word indicator.

not bad.  IMO, the reversal ind. and hidden ind. should be adjacent to each
other.

One of the better clues on the ballot and definitely the best of
the 'grotesque' series. I like the use of 'recollection'
as a 'go back and round up' indicator.

.... and 'Individual" is an even  worse straight definition.  But
the cryptic part is nice.

The best of the Reverse Hiddens.  "Sees" is less than ideal.

Couldn't accept 'individual' as definition of organism!

Defn - C, Cryptic - A, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yeah.  10 + 20 + 20 + 15 + 10 = 75
Comments:  I don't like 'individual', and that spoils the
whole clue.

I don't "see" the hidden words.

Good reverse hidden word, and no deduction for the duplication
elsewhere in the contest; but don't like "individual" as definition.

I don't understand how "sees" tells me to look for a hidden word.

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

12th place (score 55.24%) - clue 5

    First off, regular guys are NOT idiotic swine! -- Man's a BEAST! (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 25 33 36 47 57 58 60 64 67 67 68 80 83 84

Pretty good, as initial-letter clues go; it's not as clumsy
as these efforts often are.  I wish, though, that it were
somehow made obvious in the clue itself (rather than the
accompanying explanation, which is typically absent in actual
puzzles) that there were two speakers involved.

surface has probs, bangs need to go.  save the acronyms for the words
that don't have other obvious constructions, IMO.

I gave you third place on my ballot not because it's
such a spectacular clue but your determination, effort (and guts)
merit full marks. This clue is a big improvement over the
last one. There's a keen imagination at work here. Keep them coming!

"First off" is nicely misleading, since it might indicate a word beheading.
but the surface is clunky.

schizoid comment ... and "beast" is rather more particular
than "organism"

Good, but a rather contrived surface

Clever acronym, but a little shaky on definition.

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yes.  15 + 15 + 20 + 15 + 15 = 80
Comments:  My clue.  Far from perfect, but at least
no orgasms.

Would be better with "Mine's a beast" perhaps?

Beast is an example of an organism and should have e.g. or the like.
Even for a crostic clue, the surface is very contrived.

An okay acronym clue.  One thing the cluer might think about:  "First off"
is an adverbial phrase which can be a solid indicator for an acronym--I
think it works better than "First" alone.  That means than another O-word
should be added in front of regular if this clue gets rewritten. 

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

13th place (score 52.00%) - clue 23

    Detect worms in a grotesque Northern creature (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 32 39 40 50 50 53 56 57 65 65 75 95

I'm not sure that "detect" is a proper indicator ("detect in"
is far preferable).  Adequate definition, superior surface.

interesting surface.  again, minor deduction for non-adjacency of wordplay
indicators.

Don't tell me! Lucien's already got termites?

Clever but flawed.  To read backwards requires "northerly"
or 'heading  north", not northern.

You've been watching "Trapper John, M.D. meets Northern Exposure".
Next week: Mrs. Sasquatch gets some pointers on bottle feeding.

Difficult, clever and fair clue!

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Sort of.  15 + 15 + 15 + 15 + 5 = 65
Comments:  None.

Bloody cheeky Londoner, implying us Northerners are backward!

The poorest of the four examples of the reverse hidden word.

I think the word "in" causes difficulty in composing a good indicator
for a reversal hidden word clue for ORGANISM.  "Detect" by itself does
not adequately signal the hidden word, IMHO.

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

14th place (score 51.07%) - clue 6

    Being lost in sexual ecstasy outside (8)

Votes (normalized): 14 22 35 40 45 48 50 50 50 61 67 68 74 91

Pretty good clue all-around; stylistically, I would have chosen
"adrift" over "lost" as an anagram indicator.

so-so surface.  another apt O'gasm clue.

'lost' falls short of indicating an anagram and 'sexual' is unnecessary

Nice piece of work.  Don't care for "lost" as a signal.

Didn't like "lost" as indicator for NI

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - C, Surface read - F.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 10 + 10 + 0 + 0 = 45
Comments:  I'm not a huge fan of anagramming two-letter
words; the 'outside' at the end doesn't exactly blend in...

Two letter anagrams :-(

Way too obvious.

Hmmm...an anagram of "in"...what could it be?...Thank God for Main
Sanitary Nag! :)

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

15th place (score 49.93%) - clue 12

    Life: form of musical religion, perhaps? (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 10 16 25 30 53 53 64 67 71 75 78 78 80

Pretty good pun; I'd have liked it better if you could have
slipped in a sly reference to the instrument involved (e.g.
"...religion based on music of the pipes?").  Surface is
okay but not spectacular.

Was wondering whether someone was going to try this approach. Unfortunately,
I don't think you exactly pulled it off.  "musical" is a tad general, and
IMO the split of "life" and "form" kills the def. "lifeform".

Perhaps? NOT! Splitting the def. with an extraneous colon is a no-no
and 'musical religion = organ-ism?' How about 'Tommy-ism' or 'My Fair
Lady-ism'

The surface makes no sense, and the joke definition
is just as bad as the liver bigot above.

Could have been better with fewer words: "Life: instrumental religion?"
"Form of" makes me think "anagram".

I don't see what musical religion is let alone how Life could
be one form of it.

Couldn't go with 'religion' for 'ism'.

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yes.  15 + 15 + 20 + 15 + 15 = 80
Comments:  I really like the life:  form trick, but the cryptic
is just a bit too far fetched--like liverism above.

A good punny clue.

Intereting idea for a pun definition, but I wish the cluer could have
gotten more specific to ORGAN than just "musical."

The second most creative definition of "organism" in this contest.

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

16th place (score 49.72%) - clue 10

    In the non-profit domain, a belief is a living thing (8)

Votes (normalized): 21 25 29 40 40 40 45 50 56 58 63 65 75 89

Overall a reasonable clue, except I think the cryptic
representation of "org" is too much of a stretch to be fair.

Plus points for attempting a strict charade - deductions for computerese.
Perhaps you could have used "Organization" in some form here.

Full marks for the innovative clueing of 'org'. Very 'Internetique'.
Too bad the last half is incomprehensible. Surface, however wispy, is
needed for proper construction.

Non-profit domain is good,  using 'a' to clue AN is 
a bit unfair, at least it seems so to me.

Not bad, but domain = ORG requires specific knowledge.

Non-profit domain seems a bit strained to get 'org'.

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Sort of.  15 + 10 + 20 + 15 + 5 = 65
Comments:  Reads a bit awkward, and the 'ism' thing is a
bit weak.  One of the better clues, though.

.org is a bit obscure. Besides the leading IN was a bit
naughty.

Points for originality, but not much else.

I'm not sure if "non-profit domain" is sufficient for clueing ORG (I
wouldn't have got it).  The surface isn't very evocative.

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

17th place (score 48.46%) - clue 21

    Excitement swallowed up in being (8)

Votes (normalized): 13 22 25 32 43 45 47 50 50 56 63 67 82 84

It does seem Zen-like, but I don't think that's necessarily
an asset in a cryptic clue's surface.  Defintion and 
cryptic part are okay.

I assume this is for a Down clue?  Typical construction, weak surface.

Another 'orgasm' clue immediately disqualified from the winner's circle.
As well, 'being' was used as def. 10 times on this ballot. Should've
opted for a 'stodgy lifeform'. However, top-notch in the Zen department.
Would that be the Zenith?

Humdrum

The Zen-ness doesn't leap out at you.  Well, it wouldn't, would it?

Poor Zen, but good clue!

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - C, Surface read - D.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 15 + 10 + 5 + 0 = 45
Comments:  None.

One of the better NI in ORGASM

I guess this is intended as a down clue. No excitement here.

Confusing surface.  

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

18th place (score 43.83%) - clue 7

    Dislike of liver begins moderating after soaring out of control? (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 17 32 36 40 42 47 56 57 61 71 75 80

I beg to differ:  "ism" is not synonymous with hatred; "racism" 
entails prejudicial attitudes based on race and, although 
hatred may (and often does) coexist, I reject the etymological
equation you've constructed.  Cryptically, the clue is on
very solid ground; the surface is okay, if a bit long-winded.

Great clue, except that I think the pun needs to be adjacent to the '?'.

This entry is an indication that some people don't have a clue. 

The joke definition is too obscure by a mile.

"Dislike of liver" != organism.

Couldn't go with 'dislike of' equating with 'ism'!
Too far-fetched.

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yes.  15 + 15 + 20 + 15 + 15 = 80
Comments:  This clue is almost great.  Dislike of liver is
a bit too far to go for organism, though.

Nice shot at a loopy definition, but it didn't work for
me. Besides I like liver!

I laughed at your punny definition, but didn't give you any points
for it either! I liked the "soaring out of control" anagram device.

I like the subsidiary, but I don't think the definition is very effective.
Many people would probably take issue with the notion that "-ism" means
"hatred" 

The single most creative definition of "organism" in this contest.

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

19th place (score 43.08%) - clue 25

    Creature roamings! (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 17 25 27 36 38 40 40 43 53 85 100 100

Huh?  Either you're cluing at an intellectual level far above
my plane, or you misunderstand the rules of cryptics and &lit
(! does not, in my book, signify "use the indicator as its
own fodder).  Ignorant as I am, I'm going to assume the latter.

bang indicates an ad-lib that isn't there.  one word being both the wordplay
indicator and the fodder is unconventional, and, IMO, taboo.

Next times try constructings a better surfaces. Full marks for efforts.

I thought of this one but didn't enter it.  I didn't think roamings
was a sensible word.  I still don't

Short and sweet!

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - YES!  15 + 15 + 20 + 15 + 20 = 85
Comments:  Very good.  My only complaint:
roamings = roaming roaming, which anagrams to organim.

I think ? would be better than !

Except for most liberal UK styles, I'm not sure this construction works,
either as &lit or if it was intended that ROAMINGS is acting both as
an indicator AND fodder. But solvable.

The debate over partial &lits put aside, I'm sort of fascinated with 
the idea of using a word as an anagram indicator of itself.  But 
ultimately this is an unfair clue, and "roamings" (a noun) doesn't 
succeed as an indicator.

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

20th place (score 40.75%) - clue 24

    Being reactionary informs in a grotesque exhibit (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 14 21 25 30 32 33 39 44 45 58 73 74 82

Well, "grotesque" has certainly been a popular adjective in
this contest!  Adequate definition and cryptic, but the
surface, while conveying an understandable thought, is
phrased awkwardly.

see comment for #23.  what the **** is with the surface?

Technically, this clue works but there's only a whiff of a surface
(and it doesn't smell good)

Surface is ungrammatical

Seemed awkward.

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - B, Surface read - D.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 10 + 15 + 5 + 0 = 45
Comments:  None.

Lacks the wit of the other backward grotesques

Good example of reverse hidden word, but surface kinda sucks.

The surface is pretty stale, and "reactionary...exhibit" is a fairly
weak indicator for a reversed hidden word.

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21st place (score 40.31%) - clue 2

    Animal bares fine back in the climax (8)

Votes (normalized): 14 22 23 25 25 26 47 50 50 50 53 55 55 70

Good surface imagery, but "bares fine back" doesn't scan
naturally to me, and I'm not impressed by the use of "bares"
to signify "edge removal".

nice imagery (could you lose "the"?), but what animal?  I figure maybe a
porcupine shooting its needles... anyways, best of the O'gasms.

First of 10 clues using 'orgasm' (see General Comments)
I'm not convinced that 'bares fine' = in

'the' is extraneous.  Most animals' back don't look that
fine when engaged in this sort of thing.  At least not to me.

What animal keeps its T-shirt on during foreplay?

thought "bares fine back" a little too strained.

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yeah.  15 + 15 + 15 + 15 + 10 = 70
Comments:  the ending 'in the' is very awkward.  'during'
would have been a much better choice.  Other than that, good.

Doesn't bear fine at all.

Animal is an example of an organism and should have e.g. or the like.
Surface lacking for an ORGASM clue. I liked the "bares fine = IN".

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22nd place (score 39.12%) - clue 18

    Creature turned over in romantic climax. (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 14 20 20 22 31 40 40 42 50 55 58 72 84

Not nearly as good a surface compared to other clues of this
style, and I fail to see an *explicit* containment indicator;
thus, you've clued "niorgasm".

weak surface, container ind. missing (double use of "in"?).

There is no insertion indicator. As well, 'over' is redundant
and 'romantic' is an unnecessary qualifier

No container indication.

Like many of us cluing this word, you're stuck with needing
"in in", one for the material and one to show the containment.

Colorful and fair.

Defn - B, Cryptic - F, Originality - C, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 0 + 10 + 15 + 0 = 40
Comments:  No, orgasm+ni = orgasmni.  Good idea,
though.  So good, indeed, that half the submitters had it.

"in" has a dual role

Double-duty "IN" may not be fair. Surface lacking for ORGASM clue.

The problem with this clue is that "in" performs double duty, or there
isn't a container indicator.  It may have been an accident--if so, OOPS!

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23rd place (score 36.91%) - clue 26

    Being upset, groans, "I'm finished"! (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 15 20 22 33 40 42 42 43 50 64 72 74

No, "finished" signals "I can't figure out how to end this
clue legitimately, so I'll try to bamboozle the voters".
Sorry, but it's just plain superfluous unless it applies to
some cryptic element, typically in a charade.  Otherwise, 
not a bad clue.

get rid of the bang.  extraneous word kills clue.

Signaling the end of a clue is not necessary. The number in parenthesis
at the end of each clue is usually a pretty good indication.

Common anagram, and "finished" is superfluous.

Am unsure about using "finished" in clue.

Defn - B, Cryptic - D, Originality - B, Surface read - D.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 5 + 15 + 5 + 0 = 40
Comments:  I don't like the 'finished'.

I'm finished as well

No anagram indicator. "Finished" is extraneous crutch which
takes away the points for the otherwise meaningful surface.

The implied third person subject makes the clue read awkwardly.  
FINISHED (signals end of comment).

This is the beginning of my comment on this clue. The word "finished"
is completely gratuitous, as far as the cryptic reading is concerned.
This is the middle of my comment on this clue. The idea that it
"signals end of clue", while a nice try, doesn't work -- cryptic clues
oughtn't to contain such signals, any more than ordinary English text
should. This is the end of my comment on this clue.

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24th place (score 30.34%) - clue 9

    Being eyeless, pirate is monstrous to start with (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 0 11 15 22 27 30 32 40 57 58 60 73

I don't really like cryptic beheading accomplished with 
"eyeless" (headless or topless are acceptable).   Getting from
"pirate" to "Morgan" takes more of a leap of faith than I'd
like to take.  Good surface, though.

"eyeless" = beheadment?  pirate = Morgan?  As good as it is, surface
isn't everything.

Good effort but, TMWOT, 'eyeless' does not suggest first letter removal.
On the contrary, 'eye' = core, i.e. eye of the storm,
bull's eye, etc. The 'm' extractor is too wordy.

Sorry,eyeless doesn't cut it as a beheader

A good attempt, but the wordplay results in P(i)RATE+M.  Using "headless"
might have worked out better

You should have explained EYELESS because eye didn't get it.

"eyeless pirate" IS morgan, so why the final "Monstrous"?

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - B, Surface read - F.
Anything special? - No.  15 + 10 + 15 + 0 + 0 = 40
Comments:  This clue is spoiled by the 'to start with'.

Taking away an M only to add it again put meoff a bit.

But there's no "I" in "Morgan"! Wonder what a "noseless actor" or an
"earless painter" would suggest? To me, MORGAN is an "eyeless pirate"
(his patch), not ORGAN.

An okay clue.  I don't know if "eyeless" cuts it as a beheadment indicator

Eyeless = M-less?

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25th place (score 26.57%) - clue 20

    Snake, e.g., makes Pythonesque remark amidst muscular spasm (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 0 0 5 7 10 20 27 30 61 67 70 75

The definition seems very arbitrary.  I rather liked the 
Monty Python reference --- too bad you couldn't have 
worked a shrubbery into the clue.

don't like def of "orgasm", def. is weak, surface is senseless.  on top of
that, deductions for pythonese.

My Pythonesque remark for you would be 'Put him in the silly chair!'
I couldn't make hide nor hair of the cryptic element and 'snake'
is a very specific definition for a very general term. It should
be just the opposite. Full marks for participation. Keep trying!

Snake of course is meant to echo Pythonesque, but it 
doesn't work.  There is no sense to the surface at all.

I am a fan of Monty Python, but I still don't see how "Pythonesque"
equates to "NI".

An especially weak definition hurts this one.

I don't get the explanation OR the clue!

Defn - B, Cryptic - C, Originality - A, Surface read - B.
Anything special? - Yeah.  15 + 10 + 20 + 15 + 10 = 70
Comments:  None.

A very Pythonesque clue, I didn't understand it at all.

Finally, a definition that used "e.g." when appropriate.  I'm not sure
my wife nor I would agree that an orgasm is simply a "muscular spasm"!
You must be talking about ("NI") the group of knights in "Monty Python
& the Holy Grail", but my memory (which could be wrong) says they were
"The Knights Who Say 'Neek!'" (?)

The definition, while serving the surface, is arbitrary and unfair.  
Further, the Monty Python "NI" reference is probably too obscure.  BTW
can you verify N-I as the spelling?

This one gets extra points for managing to use "Ni!", something I
myself couldn't get anywhere with. 

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26th place (score 11.28%) - clue 11

    Wild in orgasm (8)

Votes (normalized): 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 13 22 37 75

Weak indeed, as it completely lacks a definition (surely you
don't mean to imply that this is an &lit!).

...which explains your forgetting to include the definition.

Where's the beef? Basic clue creation demands a
definition (with some exceptions). Better luck next time.

No straight definition.  This wasn't supposed to 
be &lit, was it?

No definition!

Defn - F, Cryptic - B, Originality - F, Surface read - F.
Anything special? - No.  0 + 15 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 0 [I know]
Comments:  No points because it's not a full clue, and
part of the art of writing a good clue is being able to
combine the two halves.

No definition

I didn't think I'd find a clue more obvious than #6, but here it is!
But maybe the omission of a straight definition was to make it harder!

Did you intend the entire clue to be the definition?  Otherwise, where is
it?

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Bonus clue 27

    Jimmy groans, I'm to serve a life term? (8)

Votes (normalized): none

I like the punny definition and the novel use of 'jimmy'

Jimmy means to make unstuck, not so good to signal anagrams with

This was my favorite clue of all!

Defn - D, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - C.
Anything special? - No.  5 + 15 + 15 + 10 + 0 = 55 [N/A]
Comments:  First of all, I'm not sure I like the 'life term'
definition--I can forgive a mediocre pun sometimes, but not
here; also, I just can't see anyone groaning those exact
words.  (Unless, perhaps, it's Jimmy Carter.)

Best definition in the entire contest. Great anagram indicator! Surface
actually means something! It'd be my winner if it weren't a bonus clue!

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Bonus clue 28

    Roaming, roaming's the life! (8)

Votes (normalized): none

I like this clue and I agree fully with the sentiment but
'the life' is not an adequate def.

A great clue, hope your primary entry was better!

Defn - D, Cryptic - A, Originality - A, Surface read - A.
Anything special? - Yes.  5 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 15 = 80 [N/A]
Comments:  Except for the definition, I really like this clue.

Like this "roaming" clue better than #25

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Bonus clue 29

    One breathes in reverse during the climax (8)

Votes (normalized): none

Definition is a stretch but the cryptic side is passable.
Still, somewhat anticlimactic

Defn - C, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - C.
Anything special? - Sort of.  10 + 15 + 15 + 10 + 5 = 55 [N/A]
Comments:  Since most people can breathe in both direction,
what exactly is breathing in reverse?

This one and #30 have the best surfaces of all the ORGASM clues!

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Bonus clue 30

    Being sex object requires getting in back (8)

Votes (normalized): none

This clue doesn't turn me on (I can't remember that far back)

The best of the orgasm clues comes last.  Sex object=objective
of sex, I suppose.  Darned clever clue. SHould have been the
entry.

Very good, no words wasted

Defn - B, Cryptic - B, Originality - B, Surface read - D.
Anything special? - Sort of.  15 + 15 + 15 + 5 + 5 = 50 [N/A]
Comments:  Too awkward, though I think there's a good idea
in there somewhere.

This one and #29 have the best surfaces of all the ORGASM clues!

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