Ev 974

[Mampara]

13a Foreign leaders'a amatuerism foolishly dropping fluctuating rates (5)

18a Once he was low but free (or clear) (5)

24a Weed parts of drainpipes (5)

[kayakamina]

13a Imaum....*amateursm less rates

[turnerjmw]

18a CEORL. Anag of "OR CLE ar". Third type of clue in preamble

24a SHOES. Wordplay gives HOE. Second type of clue in preamble

[Mampara]

Thanks to both of you.

[Mampara]

Can anyone please confirm that the 12 letter word runs diagonally from 1 and begins with A ?

[turnerjmw]

Hi Mampara, my 12-letter words both start in the top row, but not at the 1 (left hand cell). I have SURPASS for 1ac, and my 12-letter word begins at the A. And it's not diagonal, but shaped a little like what it represents (actually comprised of three 4-cell diagonals). It doesn't mean I'm right, of course . . .

[dr b]

I felt the less familiar of the 12 letter words was ambiguous at the end - it can end with one of two letters both of which are available in the grid. Symmetry suggests one over the other, but there's no requirement in the preamble for symmetry. Chambers Word Wizard gives the one that destroys the symmetry.

[turnerjmw]

I agree about the ambiguity, dr b. Both are listed in the BRB. I went with symmetry for elegance and the "double helix"

[Mampara]

Thank you turnerjmw & dr b.

I have gone with the E .

[kayakamina]

Another thread for EV 974 can be found here-

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1033542.html

[cinnabar]

It is, I suppose entirely appropriate to the theme that there should be two threads running on this one . . .
But can anyone please suggest the relevance of the title, Repent Sinning'? I can make 'serpent' out of it, but that just leaves 'inning' and doesn't make any sense!

[dr b]

Think of it as a type II clue that gives the theme (answer is plural).

[haggis58]

Have finished the grid and highlighted the two 12 letter words. However I only completed the grid when identifying one of the 12 letter words which gave me 'branes' for 25 down. Can anyone shine some light on this answer as I cannot find it in my version of Chambers.

[dr b]

http://en.wikipedia.o...mbrane_%28M-theory%29

[novalis]

Have only just managed to get round to this today and have slithered to a halt. 26 down is puzzling me as it can have two spelliings. As for the 2 12 letter words I think I have the theme but cant't see anythng to highlight despite the hints above.

[kayakamina]

Hi novalis
I took 'bruised' to be the anagram indicator of W (with) OAD (unsurfaced roads) in the double letter.

[novalis]

Many thanks for that Kayakamina. I now have one of the 12 letter words ( the one with the prefix indicating two/both ) but still can't see the other.

[DocHH]

Hello everyone,
Also late starting this weeks EV. an easier grid population than I expected, as far as i was concerned, but spent ages staring at the completed grid! Novalis, apart from the bottom row, go for mirror symmetry in each column!
Isn't there a thematic cocktail?

[dr b]

Welcome back DocHH!

[novalis]

Welcome back DocHH and many thanks for your help.