EV 854 Threesome

[DocHH]

Hello EV N&Cers,
Populated the grid quite quickly, but did not locate the three proverbial recommendations in such a rapid manner. Would have been quite elegant if the 3 had appeared in the form of the first word of 5d!

[novalis]

Hi DocHH!

Hope Devadolly has not DOCked ( sorry can't spell - ducked out ).
No more quiz presentation until October now but have started writing it already. Beer Break Round done plus most of a round where all the answers start with TRI-. And my trademark first round is already written. I follow the "Krypton Factor" pattern where question 2 gives or gives a massive hint to question 1 and so on. There are always one or two along the way where there's a choice and question 20 is always an absolute stinker. Most teams usually score 18 0r 19 on that round.

[DocHH]

Novalis,
I think I'd be looking at a great big zilch on your quiz! Have never done well on anything like that at all, and actually am not really a team player!! My lady is pretty good at quizes, although they have to be of the general knowledge, rather than cryptic nature.

[Christiana]

Hello again, Just to say I've reached the 'eureka' stage on all but the three to be highlighted - haven't looked for them yet, but about to do so. I managed to complete it without help but have no idea how the answer to 16a works cryptically. Perhaps someone could oblige?

[Christiana]

Am feeling pleased - I treated myself to an ODQ out of 'Terrible Twos' winnings and this is the first time I've used it - result was instant success with the three words to be highlighted. I usually have to spend ages googling for quotations.
Still need an explanation for the answer to 16a though - I have a complete blank on the cryptic part of it.

[Rollo]

16a The tip of pen is P. Add it to the beginning of the solution and you get something that is light red.

[Christiana]

Thanks Rollo, I knew it would be something simple, but completely failed to make the connection. Talking of which, I have only just 'connected with Dr. HH's original 'elegance' comment, my excuse being that I didn't really read the thread until I had finished. Now I've read it, I agree, but always end up with my mouth hanging open as to how these compilers manage to weave it all in.

[devadolly]

Hello again everyone. Had to behave after my last post and do some work. Didn't throw it ovewr my shoulder, tempted though I was! Managed to work out the previous hints during the early hours and had the 3 to be highlighted (very inconvenient that my 4th ed of ODQ doesn't have Proverbs), so, all done and dusted as the saying goes!
Having sneaked the peek so to speak, would certainly have got your last clue DocHH!
Novalis, why don't you complile a quiz for a charity we can all buy and strain our brain's on?
Regards

[DocHH]

Christiana, pleased you completed without safety net, your absence lead me to believe you had!
Devadolly, thank goodness you had another peek.
Just a few days now before we find out what EV throws at us.
I did the Speccie today, quite good, but not as much in the way of N&Cing on that thread. Good fun starting a thread, but it's neccessary to keep cleaning te in-box.
See you sunday or monday, ciao ciao.

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly!

My annual charity quiz ( 80 general knowledge questions ) was actually advertised in Q & P by our local MacMillans organiser. That closes next Friday. I've already started on next year's and will keep you posted. It should be available in January. It somehow finds its way all round the country and last year's raised �1613 thanks to the dedicated efforts of those who sell copies. My 4th ODQ has the thematic proverb ( page 595, No 44 ).

Now looking forward to Sunday and whatever the EV fates have in store for us.

[Scorpius]

I don't do EV regularly, but seeing it was by Ploy, a setter I admire, I tackled it. It was surprisingly easy. I couldn't see the "threesome" at first glance, but as soon as checked the index of ODQ under a thematic word I found them quickly and located them immediately.
As I don't intend to submit, the ambiguity of the highlighting doesn't bother me, but in response to an earlier query I should think the puzzle's title is the guide.
Did no-one else notice the erroneous definition in3 down? According to Chambers there should be a "perhaps' or "for example" in the clue.

[Rollo]

Scorpius. You have now confised me on two things.

I could not see any ambiguity in what needs to be highlighted.

Surely 3d is just a double definition clue.

[devadolly]

Oh yes please Novalis, do let us know about your next quiz! As to the ODQ - page 595 in mine is devoted to our estimable Bard and only goes as far as No 25 "Things that love night love not such nights as these" King Lear. Not a mention of a proverb anywhere! Nor could I find anything relevent under any of the thematic entries I tried.

Who will it be next Sunday?

[Rollo]

Devadolly, I have the same edition as you (4th Revised) and the relevant quote is not contained in it under its author.

[Apache4D]

Rollo, there was no ambiguity in the highlighting, it was due to my previous post stating that I was unsure whether to highlight just the "threesome" or all 7......with hindsight, and pointed out by Scorpius, this was a silly question, however it was just demonstrating my paranoia due to (E)squire in fields of action.

As for 3d, I agree with you Rollo.

[Rollo]

Apache4d, Thanks. I should have read back - but I didn't!

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly and Rollo!

Therein lies the difference. My ODQ is the simple fourth ( i.e not revised ) edition.

[Rollo]

So, they took it out of 4 when they revised it, and then, according to the preamble, they put it back into 5 and 6.

I woner if one, or more, of the three of them complained?

:-))

[novalis]

Hi Rollo!

I like it! They're the right people for complaints ( their own and others ) after al.

[Scorpius]

Rollo, 3dn is a double definition, to be sure, but the second definition is not accurate. The relevant Chambers entry for the second definition is "anything little". A drinking cup is given as a possible example out of 3 that are given, it's not given as the meaning.