The Oldie Genius Crossword 397

[TioMateo]

1) Dark character-forming vehicle officers cut by half (4) ?E?E. It is very possible that the first word of this clue (DARK) is superfluous to the clue, (because it is 4 letters long). It is also possible that the clue lacks a definition.

2) Answer found by nameless hunk, drunk in pub (7) B?K?A?A. It is also possible that the word HUNK is superfluous to the clue (because it is 4 letters long). It is also possible that the clue lacks a definition. In any event, the answer would seem to have to be BAKLAVA, but I cannot fathom the parsing.

[Mamyalynne]

2 Bukhara ?

Hu(n)k Bar + a(nswer) anag

[Mamyalynne]

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bukhara

[ProfessorMaisie]

Gene? it's a 'characer forming vehicle' (GENErals?).

[Mamyalynne]

That's clever.

[ProfessorMaisie]

...sorry - 'character-forming...' (and 'Dark' would be superfluous).

[ProfessorMaisie]

Can't see what the pattern/theme might be, mamyalynne - Bukhara works well but why gene?

[TioMateo]

Thank you both so much. If I could, I would mark you both as Best Answer. The theme, as such, is six clues without a definition. The answers to these six clues are the names of six cities in Middle Eastern countries. Bukhara is one of those cities.

The clue (which I agree with Mamyalinne is clever) with GENE as its answer is a normal clue and not part of the theme itself, except that it contains a superfluous word (Dark) which is part of an anagram linked to the theme.

[ProfessorMaisie]

Thanks, TioMateo, I'd been wondering what it might mean - it's very kind of you to explain how it all worked out.

[Echobongo]

Dark is superfluous as is Soil in 1 down and the anagram is Silk Road

[alanogden]

I have SAMARKAND for 27a (sandpaper +a book MARK) and ALEXANDRIA for 6d (translation of the clue). Am I being too fanciful?

[TioMateo]

Hi Alanogden. Yes, they are both correct.

[alanogden]

Thanks TioMateo, additionally I now have BAKU for 26d and ISTANBUL for 4a which is linked to 26.
Also TASHKENT for 18d which makes up the six. I haven't got 28a which might be ABIDE - is this correct then I can send it in!

[TioMateo]

Hi again, Alanogden. Yes, ABIDE is correct. BID (Attempt) inside A&E (Hospital Dept). Definition = Stand (i.e. Put up with, Abide)

[alanogden]

Thanks for the assistance! Best wishes, Alan