Listener Crossword 4055 fiDlEDE by Waterloo

[starwalker]

A fairly typical Waterloo offering with a mix of simple, difficult and amusing clues. The problem is not so much in solving them, but getting the grid entry correct. Another one I think that would be of interest to newcomers, though less easy than some recently.

As a footnote, I see that the editors have allowed several options for the answer in 4052 "Question" by Aedites. Do I detect a slip-up in the proof-reading ?

[Philoctetes]

Straightforward (though I shall have to take care in transcription). One gripe is the number of two-letter lights with unchecked spaces, but that was merely a mild irritant.

[Scorpius]

What a disappointing conclusion. I was hoping that either the capitals or lower case letters would reveal something interesting. Perhaps I've missed something. And why the note about ignoring accents? Accents are always ignored in crosswords.

[midazolam]

i am pretty sure you haven't missed anything scorpius. One did not really need to have upper and lower case letters (and therefore colouring) as this had no extra significance to the finale. In fact the only thing it might do is make checking the solution harder for JEG.

[emcee]

Yes, I think checking will have been made tougher for JEG. As to the puzzle: I liked it, fun to do, but did lack that certain something at the end; a message made from the capitals would have been good.

[kwyjibo]

I think the title suggested that there would be no final message. I would suggest the reason for mentioning accents was because of the use of lower case letters.

[shelouse]

I would agree with kwyjibo. In fact the definition of the title suggests exactly what you end up with in the grid.

[Warden]

I have sent it in, in the hope of beating the postal strike, but I was unhappy with the definition in 41 across, because if Robinruth think all the definitions are straight out of Chambers, I think I must have gone wrong!

[Mysterons]

I think your answer will be correct Warden, even though Chambers doesn't impart that adjective with a sense of scorn. However, the first 5 letters are clearly defined as 'material'. Good luck with the post everyone !

[robinruth]

Yes, indeed, Warden, if you are still reading the thread - without thinking too deeply, I made the jump from the first slang (hyphenated) meaning of the solution, which perfectly fitted the definition (the first word of the clue) - if you look that up, you get approximate synonyms. Sorry to have misled you by my sweeping statement. I am sure you right - hope you win!

[bobbycollins]

I\\\'m with the consensus here - quite enjoyable without being too exciting.

So the only point of the colouring is to differentiate between UPPER and lower case?

And why the asymmetry? Can any of our setter pals shed some light?

[jacinth]

Quite a struggle, but finally completed. I failed to finish last week's so very happy to finish this. Not very exciting, but quite a learning experience! For relative newcomers (like me) it was a useful exercise for getting to know single-letter and two-letter abbreviations - "Burundi" and "general intelligence" spring to mind. It also showed the importance of checking the appendix. I couldn't see the relevance of several words in 7d until I did so. I can't see anything else going on.

[Clamzy]

This is the second Listener setter this year to use the abbreviation RU for Burundi.
In June I wrote to Chambers/Harrap to point out that on gaining independence in 1962 Burundi changed their IVR to BU. A Mary O'Neill replied admitting that RU was no longer in use, so I think it will be replaced in future editions.

[cluelessJoe]

"quite enjoyable without being too exciting"

Hmmm bobbycollins, maybe reminiscent of the new Dylan album ... or there again, does 'grossly quirky' equal enjoyable?
Meanwhile Clamzy, I hope those schoolboys halfway up the M1 are enjoying their game of bugger!

[Clamzy]

Perleeeze cJ - I'm sure the locals would prefer bugby.