Listener 4085: If I've Told You Once... by Ploy

[midazolam]

Ploy gave us a relatively straightforward but interesting grid with "Signal Boxes" and it is the same this week. In fact there is more in the grid than needs to be highlighted. A very impressive grid construction once again, but the cluing is rather easy for listener standards. For those struggling with the extra letters (as I did) they are not actually necessary (although act as confirmation) as all the clashes can be resolved unambiguously.

Thanks Ploy

[dr b]

pushmi (if I may be so familiar), the karate costume is usually spelled with two letters but here uses a 3-letter variant. The wordplay is standard, the island Scottish.

[AndrewG-S]

Finished the grid, finally got 10d and felt a bit silly for not getting it earlier. The resolutions for the 4 clashes look pretty obvious, but since have not got all of the six letter pairs not totally sure. Probably time to sleep on it.

[midazolam]

easylistener, quinapalus gives not only one word but several word answers and phrases. I assure you that this phrase comes up as an anagram which is found in chambers as a 2 word entry or phrase

if you use the "union" dictionary as I have done on the link then it gives more words that the initial "ukacd" dictionary that does not give the required phrase

[pushmi-pullyu]

dr b, thank you! Now I will be able to sleep.

[easylistener]

Thank you Midazolam, I now realise Quin can list phrases. Next question... do the pairs stay as pairs when "arranged"? Can you give a hint about the size of the two words in the 12 letters? Thanks.

[silversolver]

Easylistener - yes, the pairs stay as pairs. Once I had them all my classical education helped them to fall into place.

[cluelessJoe]

Hangover time .. on our way at last bobbycollins!
Well, like many others I found this an easy and quick grid fill, but abandoned the letter pair phrase. Thought I'd check here to see how the regulars had fared - I'll have to revisit the puzzle at some stage as I don't like leaving loose threads - 'classical' eh silversolver, maybe I need to think a bit more laterally.

[Clamzy]

Wondered where you'd been lately cJ - thought maybe you were still having trouble with moss on your drive:-)
Yes quinapalus gives two word phrases but displays answers without the space. I think that those of the calibre on here can sort out an anagram without much trouble. It's finding the pairs which has been the difficult bit.

[qwerty99]

I agree, finding the letter pairs was difficult; they were cleverly hidden. Can't claim a classical education, but once I had three of the pairs my Latin O Level nudged me in the right direction.

By the way, had a shock yesterday when checking my solution to "Pangrams". Thought I'd made a mistake, but it seems there is an error in the published solution. A cruel trick to play!

[AndrewG-S]

is the two word phrase anything to do with the next line in the title, or am i heading off down a blind alley?

[Zabadak]

Andrew: yes to your second question: I spent much pleasant time chasing down the famous list of "how to be a writer" aphorisms (one version here http://csallen.myweb.uga.edu/writingpols.htm) trying to link it to the author. I just ain't that quote!

[Zabadak]

Sorry, IT just ain't that quote!

[AndrewG-S]

If anyone who hasn't got it wants to compare notes (particularly on which clues contain the letter pairs) please email me on [email protected]

[bobbycollins]

cluelessJoe, yes indeed a good day for Mighty Leeds. After Everton, I also follow the progress of Tranmere Rovers and Blackpool, so not a bad Saturday tracking the footy on t’internet.

I wonder how many of us of a certain age fully appreciate having been taught Latin at school?

[kwyjibo]

Now got the phrase and the sixth pair, which is a bit hard to find because the clue still works without removing the letter-pair.

[kwyjibo]

... and no hangovers here (yet), as a Charlton fan I dared to dream the impossible dream for a few moments until Bristol Rovers slef-destructed.

[catstail]

Have started this late. (Have been busy with the allotment the past few weeks). Have got a few clues and hope to get more!
Did Latin O-level. It was very useful in teaching me English grammar - the headmistress of my school did not want formal grammar to be taught in English lessons. Was told I needed Latin O-level to do medicine. It was not used in that, but I appreciate the insight I have been given into the origins of English and translating the occasional motto or inscription.
Is Latin still taught at school?

[qwerty99]

One of my abiding memories is struggling withBook 1 of The Aeneid during the sweltering summer of 1975, O-levels looming. And still smarting from Leeds United being robbed of the European Cup in May. It seemed like gratuitous cruelty at the time (the revision, not the referee, although...), but I think it has been of use on countless occasions since, especially with crossword solving. I don't think there is much Latin taught in the state sector any more. O tempora, o mores!

[AndrewG-S]

I gave up Latin as soon as I could, which is clearly not helping me today.

[Philoctetes]

Where Latin (and Greek) is taught, though, it is increasingly popular. Sadly, I too am at the puzzling about the phrase phase so have not had the chance to exercise my skills.