Tls 1056

[Zabadak]

This is a really odd TLS: very little literature, and a lot of iffy cryptic clues. It's got me stymied in the bottom left corner with 2 intersecting clues

22 down Suicidal dog star. (5) I have M?E??
The M comes from "Neither fast nor slow, but frequently melodious" which I have as MODERATO - other checkers are ok. See what I mean about iffy clues?

28 across Hacker accepted one of them (7) I have ??S?N?S, and the first letter is also the last letter of the suicidal dog.

Can't get any kind of handle on either, and would appreciate help to put me out of my misery!

[roslyn251254]

22d MOERA?

[TheFrogman]

The dog is MOERA, whose howling led Erigone to the body of her father (and Moera's master), Icarius. Acording to legend, Icarius was turned into the constellation Bootes, Erigone into the constellation Virgo, and Moera into the star Procyon.

[Zabadak]

Literally stellar solving, many thanks. I think the most likely Hacker answer is therefore ASSENTS. Anyone like to suggest why (or show why not?)

[NC4BBQ]

There's also MAERA (Canis Minor)

[algarve]

Yes, I think MAERA is correct - the dog that committed suicide and made into a star.

It hasn't helped me with 28A though. "Hacker accepted one of them (7)" and I have A?S?N?S and totally flummoxed.

[TheFrogman]

Brewer gives Moera, but the online mythological dictionary gives Maera as the principal spelling, helpfully adding 'At times, called Maira, Moera or Maera'...take your pick.

[Zabadak]

I submitted with ASSENTS for 28 across, on the basis that (Jim) Hacker received the royal assent once to form a government, but that's not very convincing. I showed one wrong, which is probably MOERA - MAERA looks a little more common in the literature, and Wiki has heard of it.

[BlackadderV]

Just wonder if 28 might have to do with computing hackers; AS SENT, singular of As sents.

[AHearer]

Zabadak, I submitted MAERA, ASSENTS and JOVE (the three that seem to be giving rise to discussion) and still had one wrong, so I'm still confused. Maybe I made a stupid typo somewhere else, but I can't spot it.

[AHearer]

I spotted that I had made up a word elsewhere in the grid, so I think MAERA, ASSENTS and JOVE are correct.