Yorkshire Post prize crossword no 1266 June 5

[jonty23]

Hi, I am struggling with the last one 2)down (5) in the rain a poor-spirited good-for-nothing. ??A?O I am almost certain that the first letter is N. Answer and explanation will be much appreciated. Regards, John.

[tyrepill]

in the ra(In a po)or....?

[jonty23]

Hi, that is what I thought. However 1)across(2,3,6,) in a position to give a ruling? ??/?H?/T?R??E. Can it be anything but ON THE THRONE? If so 2)down will be N?A?O. I am stumped, John.

[quinie]

good for nothing- napoo

[bookbinder]

jonty23, you asked for an explanation of napoo. According to my dictionary, napoo is obsolete army slang (it was much used in WW1) and it means vanished!, lost!, done!, finished!, no go! Its origin is a French phrase: il n'y en a plus = there is no more of it.

[jonty23]

Hi, all answers and explanations much appreciated. I had ten across incorrect, I put calculate instead of speculate and that threw me. Kind regards, John.