Listener 4219 - What's My Line By Mr E

[starwalker]

As is frequently the case with Mr E, I find myself with a full grid, I think that I have my "dodgy" letters and I need a break. The sherry decanter is beckoning and at the moment, the rest of the puzzle remains a mystery.

[emcee]

All done. What an endgame!

Theme certainly not new to the Listener, nevertheless, an interesting puzzle.

Thanks Mr. E.

[jim360]

Well. That was seriously worth it. A terrific thanks to Robin2ruth et al for not giving the game away on the final PDM that turns my opinion of this puzzle around entirely!

"Oh yeah..." Sly dog, Mr E. Thanks for a wonderful final PDM!

[jockie]

Like many others I have the grid filled in, and the co-ordinates discovered. The number of letters passed through is inferrable (and seems correct), but ... brick wall time. I envy those who saw quickly how these letters anagrammed to find a word (or words - that would be useful to know) which make any sense whatever. Is there a programme into which one can insert a jumble of X letters which will produce all anagrams (of as many words as needed) of them? If so I'd be mighty glad to learn of it. The PDMs - yet to be enjoyed - seem well worth the agony, but so far ... not a lot. Ah well.

[Alan7777]

I have a complete grid and the 12 instances of incorrect letters but not sure what to do next. As always I will persevere and from previous comments it's going to be worth it.

[Alan7777]

Jackie, I use www.quinapalus.com

[TheBear69]

Jockie, I use TEA which is fantastic.

[jockie]

Funny how when I post on here the PDM appears within a few minutes - before (in this case) the helpful websites were pointed out. Thanks guys. And thanks Mr E.

[teuchter2]

I'm still not there, and wasn't bothering too much, but it sounds as if it might be worth continuing. I still only have eleven of the faux pas, which makes me unsure of the coordinates and therefore the line. There are a couple of clues I really can't work out, but I do have one possible answer to the question. However, I'm not convinced.

[Staurologist]

It wasn't clear to me, from the preamble, whether the co-ordinates should be treated in proper mathematical fashion (as I see Ruthrobin has suggested), using the grid lines, or in crossword style, using the cells; nor, if the latter, whether to number the vertical cells from top to bottom or bottom to top. However, my first try surprisingly yielded the solution. Furthermore, I wasn't sure that the word "congruent" was entirely appropriate and would have preferred a more precise alternative; what do the mathematicians think? And how about "line segment", which to me suggests part of a longer line, rather than just a line plain and simple?

Incidentally, when I was taught about the invention of this variety of co-ordinates I was told not to put the cart before the horse. Or em I wrong?

[Ruthrobin]

Staurologist, we too wondered whether 'congruent' was the right word but Chambers would seem to justify it. I can't see any ambiguity about cart andhorse here. I think it is up to solvers to put the horse in front.

[Charpy]

Everything done except the answer to the second question in the across entry. I've several possibilities for this, but none amount to the epiphany that other posters seem to suggest.

If solving this part of the puzzle leads to any change in the grid to be submitted, then I'd rather carry on working on it on my own.

If not, I'd appreciate a quick reveal at [email protected]

Thanks

[Ruthrobin]

A few people have mentioned the Magpie to me. Another plug - it is time to renew subscriptions. You can find the Magpie on the web at www.piemag.com or just subscribe directly to [email protected] You get six puzzles a month and an imaginative editorial plus lots of crossword input, all in a monthly downloadable pdf file for £35 (the production is a work of art!). Five puzzles are graded for difficulty from A to E and the sixth is a numerical. The As are considerably easier than the average Listener and the Es quite a bit harder than the average Listener but the A to E range just about encompasses the extremes of Listener puzzles.

[freiheid]

I've figured out where two lines go (approximately six squares apart), but I think I am falling into a huge trap as I can't see how the misprinted name is also entered across.

[Ruthrobin]

Don't worry Freiheid. I am quite confident that you are in no trap. Just mail it and wait to thoroughly enjoy your pdm when the solution appears.

[contendo]

Had another go after a gap and finally finished it (with a little help). Not entirely happy with a crossword which suggests you do something which is then not required in the solution.
It took me some time to get the second line. I found it by blacking out those letters not required and then looking for a path avoiding them.

[borealis]

Wonderful! About 4 pdm’s, some really good clues. A two day pause while I got the same point as both Charpy and Freiheid, above, and then one of those “oh for goodness sake” moments. A great puzzle - thank youMr E!

Although I don’t tend to look here until mine is in an envelope, and I’m only a “mostly correct” sort of solver, it saddened me to see a direct route to a pdm posted outside Answerbank today when I searched for this forum. I do like the general “unrevealing except by email” ethos of the community here.

[Cruncher]

Rear gunner reporting here. Found the last part very slow to unravel but particularly enjoyed the across entry. Many thanks

[iamamoose]

yes, Borealis, i saw that too, and must admit I felt a momentary surge of moral indignation- until I remembered that's no doubt exactly how the Listener 'purists' probably feel about these threads...

[Alekhine]

I filled the grid quite quickly last weekend, but foolishly left completion until today.

Hmm ... quite a challenge. But really enjoyable.