Thursday, 25th of September, 2003

Sometimes the Sydney Morning Herald’s Quick Crossword makes me cranky. Especially, it seems, when “NS” writes it.
Look at today’s, for instance:

12 Across: A large, leather military boot (8)
The answer? JACKBOOT!
25 Across: A band or strip of a different colour (6)
Answer? STRIPE!

I mean, am I asking too much to expect that the answer isn’t part of the clue? Let’s take a look back a week ago:

2 Down: The Greek letter with the sound of “th” (5)
Answer is of course THETA but can I point out that if the “th” is voiced, it would be DELTA? (Pronouned “THELTA”, with the first sound like “th” in “this”) - so perhaps “A Greek letter…” would be a little more accurate.
7 Down: Inherited family name (7)
It’s a SURNAME, yeah.
And dare I object to:
13 Down:Woman who sells goods in a store (9)
the answer to which I was horrifed to discover was SALESGIRL. “Woman” becomes salesGIRL? What decade are we living in? Dear “NS”, may I point you to the Macquarie Dictionary? Look up SALESGIRL and we’re told:

a woman employed to sell goods, in a shop, store, etc. [commerce]
Usage: See note at girl.

So we head over to GIRL, where we are told:

Usage: Many women do not like to be referred to as ‘girls’. However this is a form of reference which has been common in the past and which survives still particularly amongst people of an older generation. Moreover it has been entrenched in such combinations as switchgirl, salesgirl, etc., terms which are gradually being abandoned or replaced.

I would’ve hoped, I guess, that the SMH was actively engaged in this abandonment and replacement. Oh well.
One more:
10 Across: Errors in printing (6)
It’s ERRATA. How hard would it be to put “Mistakes in printing (6)” or something?

Annnnyway, all gripes aside, I do think that having the Quick and the Cryptic Crosswords available on the net is pretty cool, and the interface is really nice. Bravo!

One Response to “Crosswords”

1. Pete says:
   October 2nd, 2003 at 9:25 pm

   If you get this twice do not be alarmed…
   Something went terribly wrong when I tried to reply to this just a moment ago…
   Interesting …
   Firstly: I find it postitively amazing that someone has taken the time and has the inclination to do crosswords, an admirable occupation, and this is not a personal dig … Secondly: that one does not only comment on the questions and the answers required but also investigates the political correct answer and brings it to someone elses attention via the web. Bless you.
   Then again, I am bothering to comment on this…
   You have enlightened me on the fact that there is one sure good point to every crossword, and that illuminating fact is; every answer is debatable and dependant upon a point of view.
   I am a novice at crosswords and find the fact that someone actually does do them, takes them seriously and is still under the age of 50 quite a formidable phenomenon.
   Bravo!