Phoenix Magazine

[fuzzy-brain]

14d: The clue shows only a capital 'C' with a cedilla. 6 letters. _ O _ D _ M. Is it 'condom'? Can't figure why it might be. Any ideas?

[Calibax]

Are you sure all your letters are right?
Not many words fit. I can't see why it would be condom

[fuzzy-brain]

Thanks for replying. The 'o' comes from 'shoddy' (clue: Not even coy about being poor quality); the 'd' is from 'rodeos' (clue: Went on horseback so returned cowboy's spectacles); the 'm' is from 'pumice' (clue: Get back up with little creatures on stone). I feel sure that they're correct.

[Calibax]

Yes, they all look OK to me.
The only other word that I can think of to fit is Goddam and that doesn't make sense either

[fuzzy-brain]

I thought 'condom' because the 'C' cedilla is a 'C' on top of the cedilla - hence 'C on ...'. the only word that could fit was 'condom'.

[Calibax]

Looks like that's all that fits - still can't see why
Anyway getting late - sorry I couldn't help

[fuzzy-brain]

Many thanks for your time, Calibax.

[mike11111]

I think condom is correct. Ç is a "French letter" which is an old euphemism for a condom.

[fuzzy-brain]

Very many thanks for that, mike11111.

[mike11111]

You're welcome. I only twigged because the phrase was very common in my youth. Younger people may well never have come across it.