Mm Links Results August 2013 Week 2

[gen2]

Once again you were challenged by 'Baron Brian' (aka beejay1124) and once again many of you accurately tuned in to at least some of his thoughts. He was inspired by 'Only Fools and Horses' for his challenge words but what did he pick to go with them?
I can now reveal they were:

ALBERT MEMORIAL
COCKNEY SLANG
MARKET TRADER
GHOST BUSTER

Did you remember that our rules state that the answer would NOT be a person's name?
(More about that at the end)

In the meantime, we welcome a new player by name of Spoonboy who unfortunately failed to score this week. Better luck with the next one.

[gen2]

The gates opened bang on 9:00 and who should come tearing out of The Shrubbery like a hare? Why, Tearinghair of course.
She immediately claimed TWO of the links - COCKNEY SLANG, and MARKET TRADER earning her 4 points and the honour of being highest scorer.

***** HOTSHOT FOR *****
***** THIS WEEK IS *****
*** T E A R I N G H A I R ***
*** CONGRATULATIONS ****

Rockfordill, grannydi, roslyn251254, Brenden and Aquagility also matched one of those within the 2-minute bonus window for 2 points each.

The third link waited two and a half hours until Jobjockey came along at 11:31 with ALBERT MEMORIAL for his 2 points.

The final link proved to be much more stubborn and was not discovered until lunchtime on Sunday!
That was when Lysander did his bit for Law and Order with his 'CRIME BUSTER'

Amongst those who collected single points I'll give a special mention to the other four double-hitters: owllady, Psybbo, pixie373 & Handbaglady.

This week's scorers were therefore
4 tearinghair
2 Aquagility
2 Brenden
2 grannydi
2 Handbaglady
2 jobjockey
2 lysander
2 owllady
2 pixie373
2 Psybbo
2 rockfordill
2 roslyn251254
1 2unicorns
1 BigMac
1 CHRIS-Hewat
1 cliffyg
1 elliemay1
1 Elspeth
1 kawakiri
1 seekeerz
1 Strix
1 tonyav



Which, when added to the leaderboard, reveals a gap opening out at the front as two start to pull in front of the chasing pack.

6 pixie373
6 tearinghair
4 Brenden
4 cliffyg
4 evsajo
4 Psybbo
4 rockfordill
3 lysander
3 roslyn251254
3 Strix
10 on 2 points
8 on 1 point


With two weeks still to run, it is too early to make predictions as any player cold come up from nowhere.
It could of course be you.
Find out next weekend,
Same time (9am)
Same place (Q&P)
Happy Linking
gen2

[gen2]

Players' responses today have led me to think deeper about our rules - or one rule in particular.
We state quite clearly that the combination of two words will never be a person's name.

1) In many cases that is quite clear.
eg Albert Einstein - a person's name and no other meaning.

2) But what if it is not the person's real name, but their nickname? Should we allow it?
eg Buster Keaton (real name Joseph Frank Keaton), Crafty Cockney (Eric Bristow)

Actually, I would not allow a setter to choose two of those for a further reason - 'Einstein' and 'Keaton' are not realistic words that might be an answer in a crossword other than as the surname of the named person.

3) Another category is when the combination is a person's 'Title' rather than their name.
eg Prince Albert
I'd be more inclined to say that would be acceptable for well-known official titles.
In the case of Prince Albert, it would definitely be acceptable for the reason that it has an alternative meaning (ouch!).

4) What if it is the name of a pop group or rock band. Do you think we should accept that?
eg Cockney Rebel

Since we said the result would not be a person's name, I have avoided all the above categories when advising setters.
The fact that many of you are suggesting them as answers may mean that I am being too restrictive.

Do any of you have strong views on this?
(Don't all rush at once)

NB
Although Albert Hall is a person's name, (he was in the year above me at school), it would be acceptable as a well-known building and concert venue.

[boxtops]

Ah - I fell foul of the no-names rule with my suggestion for Buster. Forgot that bit.

[tearinghair]

Oh dear, this is going to sound dreadful... especially as I've logged on earlier than usual this Sunday so am ha(i)ring out of the starting gate again! Sorry, Gen2, but I think I had 'Ghost buster' too? or should the link really have been Crime Buster as you've suggested later in your post?

[gen2]

The scores are correct tearinghair, it is my first post that is wrong.
I was going out this afternoon and so I drafted out this evening's post before I left. 'Ghost Buster' was Baron Brian's SECOND choice and it that time CRIME BUSTER hadn't been suggested.
When I came back later I found Lysander had guessed the FIRST CHOICE of CRIME BUSTER and updated my draft accordingly. Unfortunately, that one instance slipped through unnoticed.

[lysander]

I think you will have to take my points away as I had CRIME BUSTER not Ghost Buster.Tearinghair is right Many thanks Lysander

[tearinghair]

That's fine, gen2 - thought that might be what had happened. Thanks for keeping the game going - it's a valued part of Saturday morning. Thanks too to baron Brian of Norn iron.

[beejay1124]

ok tearing hair--gen is the main man tho-he does all the work-----and it is a Saturday morning ritual,we look forward to

[Christiana]

Nothing for me the last two weeks. I obviously guess better when I am able to be part of the 9 a.m stampede.
Congratulations to Tearing Hair.
Regarding interpretations of the rules, it's obviously tricky, but I'm happy to go along with what you take into account, Gen. When I set the links I tried to stick to the overall result being a well known word or two word phrase, and the link itself being a real word which could be found in the main section of a dictionary such as Chambers

[Handbaglady]

I put Buster Keaton, even though I know games are not allowed but couldn't think of anything else. Crime Buster is so easy when you see the answers. Just thought of another one Dirt Buster (small vacuum).

[Handbaglady]

Brain not in gear. I didn't put Buster Keaton I put Block Buster. Better have a cuppa to wake brain up.