January Xword

[lasteffort]

Mike 11111 and mamyalynne here's the plot. I got the "s" from "frosty" for which the clue was
- Snowman - cold by name (6) ?r???y. I got the "r" from "aver". It's clue was - Rave over the fact as true (4) ?v??. Thanks for your interest

[mike11111]

A solution has been suggested here (easier to keep the one thread running than start another each time, you can reply to your own questions). However the word is not in Chambers, so don't want to say yea or nay.
http://www.theanswerb...s/Question978027.html

[dr b]

squir: "To throw with a jerk; to throw edge foremost."

[mike11111]

Which dictionary? I normally consider Chambers to be my bible.

[Mamyalynne]

Well I have the latest Chambers and that word is not listed.

[dr b]

http://www.wordnik.com/words/squir

[Mamyalynne]

We live and learn yet again, well done Cupid and drb

[dr b]

I find that the wordnik dictionary is an excellent help; it references both the 1913 edition of Webster's and the Century Dictionary, both of which are very useful for the cryptics (archaic usages and whatnot).

[mike11111]

Have just checked dr b's link. At first I thought that Chambers had feet of clay, but the word is clearly limited to American usage and has no place in an English crossword, so its omission is understandable.

[dr b]

squir is also in the OED, which is one of yours, I think.

[dr b]

(first OED reference is to Addison in the 1710 Tatler.)

[mike11111]

<Note to self: Buy latest edition of OED and go and stand in the naughty corner>.

[dr b]

Or, find that 1710 Tatler in an old book shop....

[Mamyalynne]

you wish LOL whatever you do you will almost never have all the reference books, believe me am trying and running out of house room.

[mike11111]

You're right there, Mamy. As I type I find myself surrounded by Chambers, Collins-Robert French dictionary, the Oxford Russian dictionary, Smith's smaller Latin dictionary, Liddell and Scott's smaller Greek lexicon, Y Geiriadur Mawr, A Pocket Welsh dictionary and Collin's Gem Welsh dictionary. Hardly any room for the gin and the ash tray.

[Mamyalynne]

Allers make room fer the wine glass and ashtray hun, it is law

[mike11111]

I forgot to mention Harrap's Dictionary of French slang, but i only use that when I've got my naughty hat on.

[Mamyalynne]

Dirty boy!!

[lasteffort]

mike11111, dr b, mamyalynne thank you all so much