Inquisitor 83

[RossR]

I'm wrestling with 35D: "Take top off? Mostly paunch that's not in a fit state." (5)
The clue gives me UNCAP, but I need it to end with L. Can anybody see where I have gone wrong?

[novalis]

Uncap is right. Anagram of paunch - H.

[pbeach]

Uncap looks good to me, whats the other clue?

[novalis]

Sorry - should have asked where the L comes from.

[Tichfield]

Novalis, the other crossing light is unclued.

Ross, you must have 45ac wrong if you have a "L" there.

[Gazco]

Have finished the grid here, but am struggling with the highlighting (one of the 10s and the 12 specifcally). There also seems to be one more 6 letter possibility than needed. Any gentle pointers would be much appreciated.

[RossR]

The L comes from the unclued 45A, which must surely begin SOCIAL. Or do you guys know a six-letter word S_CI_P ?

[Tichfield]

Gazco, the 12 is in a down column as is one of the 10s.

I too have not been able to find a second 10.

I discounted the 6 in 45a, if that's one of the ones you are referring to, because that one is part of the preamble set up to the puzzle

[Tichfield]

Ross, the third letter of 45a is an "R" not a "C".


If you have ERIC for 40d then you are not interpreting the clue in the right way.

[RossR]

Gazco,
The 12-letter word is at 1D, and one of the 10s is down the RHS. I'm still missing the 4s and the 7.

And could you let me in on 45A? I seem to have really screwed it up.

[Tichfield]

Ross

40d is EMIR

Charybdis = ME (Charybdis is the setter of the puzzle). It goes up = EM to the taxman IR

I have SHRIMP PLANTS for 45a.

[RossR]

Doh!
Thanks guys. I could have stared at that until the cows came home.

[Rapparee]

Just to add my pennyworth.

I've highlighted a few of the words given in the preamble as belonging to the second group, including the 6-letter in 45a. I reasoned that these could belong to both groups including the 10-letter going across, the 7-letter and one of the 4-letters.

If I'm wrong it's too late 'cos it's in the post!

[Tichfield]

You may well be right Rapparee, and if you are then good luck with your entry.

If you are right then I think the preamble is "very fishy" and on "a rocky foundation".

[Tichfield]

But, on second thoughts, as the preamble says there are three "6"s to be highlighted, if you include "shrimp" from 45a, which one of the three "limpet", "mussel" and "winkle" did you decide to not include, and why?

I still can't find a second 10, nor a 7, and the only 4 I have found is "LANT" in the bottom row.

[Rapparee]

I had PERIWINKLE as one of the 10-letter sas it has two entries in Chambers - an evergreen plant and a gastropod and of the fours CRAB also falls into both categories and FISH is next to MUSSEL.

[Rapparee]

And the 7-letter is ANEMONE.

[Tichfield]

Indeed, that's right of course.

But what about your 6s?

Mussel, limpet, winkle and shrimp!

Perm any 3 from 4?

LOL

[Rapparee]

WINKLE is in PERIWINKLE so the other three are my sixes.

[Tichfield]

OK. I wish you luck.

I still think it is a "bad" requirement to have to choose which ones are correct.

I am going to save the cost of the stamp - and the envelope.

[Rapparee]

I agree. It wasn't the best ever Inquisitor. But I've still asked them for a bottle of fizz!!