From: jholden@netcom.com (Jeremy Holden)
Subject: CWC13: Clues for Word 1 [SPOILER]
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 92 00:30:58 GMT
Organization: Windward

Here is the full list of clues for the first word of CWC13, CONDIMENT.
The submitter's own explanation of the clue follows the clue, eenclosed
in square brackets.  My own personal comments about the clue may follow,
enclosed in braces.
  In general I thought the quality of the clues was excellent, and there
were several close contenders for the winner.  The winner is:

  Reorganisation of Net follows abuse of trust and silly season (9)

      [CON(fidence trick) + DIM (= silly, feeble-minded) + anag. "NET";
      condiment = season (verb)]
      { I can certainly relate to the sentiment... this reads like a
        statement of life on my net access machine, so maybe this is one
        reason I chose this clue.  I particularly liked the clever
        juxtaposition of silly and season to conceal the definition.
        The surface reading of the clue is very good, and the individual
        parts are challenging but fair. }

There were several straight anagrams:

  Don't mince rancid seasoning (9)

      [anag DON'T MINCE indicated by "rancid",  "seasoning" = defn]
      { rancid is certainly an interesting anagram indicator, adding
        a little spice to this clue }

  Grind, don't mince, to prepare relish or the like. (9)

      [Anag. DONT MINCE, defn "relish or the like"]

  Relish not minced nuts (9)

      [Relish = CONDIMENT = "not minced" anagrammed (nuts)]
      {I wasn't sure how to read this; as a statement about the ingredients
       of a relish or as an abjuration to not enjoy a snack.. }

  One mind wanders through Connecticut. Relish the result! (9)

      [ONDIMEN ("one mind" wandering) in CT (abbr) ]
      {This definition was more interesting than some alternatives}

And a number of entries cluing CON, and anagramming the remainder:

  Opposing the Force has got me in a pickle. (8)

      [Opposing = CON + "the Force" = DINT with ME inside, defn "a pickle"]
      {Another close contender.}

  Against mixed minted relish (9)

      [CON + anagram of MINTED]


There were several clues in the fun-loving princess vein:


  Norse princess has many a man in bed for spice. (9)

      [N (abbr) + (princess) DI + MEN in COT]
      { This was my favorite princess clue, and a  close runner-up.
        The clue is well phrased and the ssurface meaning is amusing. }
        
  A Northern Princess and some of her subjects get into bed to add
  some spice.(9)

      [N (Northern) + DI (princess) + MEN inside COT (bed) = spice]
      {  Also good, but I prefer the last clue's formulation.  The
         words "to add some" don't seem to fit in, the way I read it}

  Carrying on about men, princess spilt the mustard. (9)
   
      [CONT (carrying on) about MEN + DI "spilt"
       = CONDIMENT = the mustard.]
      {This also reads well and conjures up an entertaining picture.}


  Men in a tunnel, lacking only you for the added spice. (9)

      [MEN in CONDUIT (Tunnel) - U (lacking you)]

  Relish tranquility when time turns to dusk. (9)

      [defn. = relish; CONTENT (=tranquility) with DIM (=dusk) instead of T]
      { Nice use of relish as a verb to mislead.  But strictly speaking content
        = tranquil, not tranquility, and also dim (adj or verb) is a stretch
        for dusk (n) }

Only one person constructed a clue by concatenating the components
of the word - I'd expected more.

  Relish trick cash book (9)

      [CON (trick) + DIME (cash) + NT (ref Bible)]

Only one hidden clue for the first word, but it is a good one:

  In Macon, dim entryways give life some spice. (9)

      [hidden,  maCON DIM ENTryways... ]



  Seasoning that is not part of diet is twice sprinkled on mince. (9)

      [DT(DIET - I.E.) is sprinkled on conimen, anag ON MINCE. indicated
       by sprinkled]
      { The basic idea is sound, but the "twice sprinkled" seems a bit
        unnecessary to indicate what seems a straightforward anagram }


I would be happy to discuss the clues or the judging via email.
Send your comments or criticism to the address below.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Jeremy Holden                              jholden@netcom.com
The Windward Group                         (408) 358-1755
Newsgroups: rec.puzzles.crosswords