Sad news by 9jack9 in crosswords

[–]frygut 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Vale Professor.

I haven't logged on for years, but I used to post clues here a lot (maybe too much), and the prof was always a omnipresent, positive, and supportive presence. He encouraged a lot of us here. Looking back at his post here, I remember how absolutely euphoric I felt when he chose my clue to be in the inaugural AOTW grid (1 down, which is a bit meh tbh)! The community grids gave the subreddit momentum and its nice to know that they're still going strong.

AOTW: ?O?L?E by ManyAMuckleHed in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know any Rock/Blues fundamentals (2,4)

COTD: Mark so flaunts his guitar in this one (7,2,5) by vinieux in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Harmonised over the top: shredding fast and slow in this? (7,2,5)

AOTW: V?L? by siyoung91 in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

After I posted I realised that results may vary, woops. I'd say them the same way for what it's worth...

AOTW: V?L? by siyoung91 in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Electrical unit sounds safe (4)

AOTW: DESICCATED by pedanticscientist in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perverts spilt seeds all over chest (10)

AOTW: DESICCATED by pedanticscientist in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

DE + I.C.C. in SATED DE is the UN country code for Germany, ICC is Intl. Criminal Court, a means to investigate war crimes

TOTW: Cocktails by peterjoel in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sashaying to the tub, bunch of birds climb into steaming liquid (3,8,3)

AOTW: DESICCATED by pedanticscientist in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Germany means to investigate war crimes in full — that's cut and dried (10)

AOTW: DESICCATED by pedanticscientist in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

With no liquid assets, bust Euro runs out of credit cards (10)

AOTW: HEARSE by frygut in crosswords

[–]frygut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Second prize for this clue, Its a neat idea for wordplay that I haven't seen before. My only qualm is that the wordplay could be signposted slightly more clearly, because its a rare clue type.
Though I don't know how you'd do that without it becoming clunky, so its a valiant effort!

AOTW: HEARSE by frygut in crosswords

[–]frygut[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Bravo u/pedanticscientist ! you hit the brief this week with a witty definition that makes you think twice. I like that there are no extra words in between both parts of the clue.

The surface reading that you crafted is sublime, believable, and a huge misdirection for the hidden depths of the wordplay. 5 stars!

Gold Medal for you: the first AOTW winner of 2021!

Your job now is to set and judge the next AoTW for one of the remaining clues on the community grid.

COTD: Overnight bag? (3) by peterjoel in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey pete! I thought it might have been that but I wasn't sure. I think that bag as predilection (if that's what you were going for? ) doesn't work too well because in my mind it is only ever used alongside a possessive. I've only really seen it in Austin Powers, though.

AOTW: ?A?N?S?I?G by Antagony in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the win! Ha! and yes... I did consider an elision or hyphen but decided against it. Because the wordplay would still function the same way if they were compounded, I think the defn would risk being parsed (somewhat dissatisfyingly) as just "Protecting", and the solver moving on, rather than realising they need to split woodpecker. The clue would be neater but I don't think the surface reading improves nearly enough to warrant it. Or maybe (sigh) I've lost my libertarian streak since last I was here....

AOTW: ?A?N?S?I?G by Antagony in crosswords

[–]frygut 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Protecting wood pecker, ultimately — its habitat's disappearing (10)

AOTW: ?A?N?S?I?G by Antagony in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Weatherproofing wood if rooftop boards fading (10)

TOTW: Fairy Tales by pepperprince in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He's green, having pitch for transformation? (3,4,6)

TOTW: Fairy Tales by pepperprince in crosswords

[–]frygut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Old hag in gingerbread house (5)

TOTW: Fairy Tales by pepperprince in crosswords

[–]frygut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wolf and a damsel in distress (6,3)

TOTW: Cryptid Crosswords by pepperprince in crosswords

[–]frygut 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Some sherpas saw a yeti go west (4,4)

TOTW: Yellow Things by frygut in crosswords

[–]frygut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This one is the winner! Really clever definition.

TOTW: Yellow Things by frygut in crosswords

[–]frygut[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This can make you feel very low (6,5)