RTE Guide Xmas Xword 2011

[Haymoon]

Just one to go to finish

56a - I think its STEEP but don't know why! Any ideas?

[Touchstone]

What's the clue please Haymoon and welcome to the site - enjoy

[cathfromsaron]

clue and any gaps please?

cath x

[Haymoon]

Sorry about that. Clue is a bit difficult to render in text but here goes

56a S
p 5 letters -t-e-

[Mamyalynne]

Have seen suggestions it could be -Sweep

(large) S...(small/wee) p

[Haymoon]

That did not come out quite as I meant it to. S after the clue number (56a) and the p beneath it but some spaces to the right. Hope this is meaningful

[longacres]

I put Steep. (S + p lower down at an angle.)

[Haymoon]

Thanks to longacres and others for replying. I think I'll go with Steep

[factor-fiction]

Mmm. I haven't seen the clue so I'm not sure of the extent and significance of the sloping 'p', but I prefer the logic of s wee p= sweep. I can't see the wordplay for steep other than maybe the s and p form a slope but I think that's a bit tenuous

[Haymoon]

There was another clue in the same xword which was in the form of L with s directly under it. I put lovers.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, LOVERS seems right ( L over S)

[werbone]

I agree, SWEEP makes more sense but it must be the tenuous STEEP cos 36D is DESERT and T is second letter. It's a poor crossword IMO, but hope I win the €200!