Spectator 1949

[kayakamina]

Here is a link to 'Pigs might fly' by Mr Magoo. The puzzle is on page 57.

http://thespectator.n...om/epaper/viewer.aspx

Quite an straightforward grid fill made easier by a helpful crossword title.

Just as well as I want to watch Andy Murray in Australia in an hours time!

[dr b]

Well, the OED (which trumps Chambers cuz it's bigger!) only equates lever=prise (not prize or price). Of course since I don't mail these in my opinion should be discounted appropriately.

[Christiana]

Have completed this, but still have one query - 21a. I can't work out where the 'o' comes from. Any explanations please. No doubt I will kick myself.

[kayakamina]

Cloque...Clue (thread) O (round) Q (queen)

[Christiana]

Knew I'd kick myself! had the 'clue' and the "q'. completely missed the 'o' meaning of round and simply took it as 'around'. Thanks K.

[crucifernz]

Took a little while to accustom myself to Mr Magoo's clue-writing style. As to 14 AC, I've gone with a 'Z', as this is the US usage/spelling meaning leverage. In British usage the 'S' form has only one meaning i.e. leverage as far as I can see. I don't have Chambers, so I may be mistaken, and would be happy to be corrected before I post my solution.

[mintyman99]

I have gone with prise. Chambers has prise meaning leverage and then to confuse things it has "prise 2 see price, and prize1,2,4." So there must be an argument that all three variants apply.

[whatsthat]

My Shorter OED tells me that to assign a value (now with C) used to be with Z, and Z is the correct one for leverage.
So I'm going with Z.

[crucifernz]

Oh well - I changed to 'S' in the end, and it's in the post...

[Mysterons]

Unfortunately, 'prise' meaning to value, as in 'prised possession', is an obsolete spelling, and should properly be indicated as such in a clue like this. 'Prize' meaning to lever however is current usage, and is surely what Mr M intended here.

[cruciverbali]

Quite right M, 'PRIZING' is indeed given as the correct answer.