Message Board

Crosswords and other puzzles

For discussion of all forms of mental gymnastics, especially that baffling final clue

Message board > Crosswords and other puzzles	19 to 38 of 153


by Really stretching the numbers to fit the answer - Wed 14th Mar 2007, 7:23pm
Simon said: As this is crosswords and other puzzles, here's one from ITVPlay, currently subject to inevstigation by Ofcom: A graphic asked viewers to "Add the pence" from "Two pounds, 25p, £1.47, 16p, Fifty pence". More than three hours later, the host announced the answer was 506 and that no-one had won. No method was given. ITV has denied the problem was particularly complex but has not commented further. A convoluted way of looking at it £2 25p £1.47 16p 50p write them in pence: 200p, 25p, 147p, 16p, 50p (total 438p) then write down further figures with the leading digits removed: 0p, 5p, 47p, 6p, 0p (total 58p) then again write down further figures with another leading digit removed: 0p, 0p, 7p, 0p, 0p (total 7p) The sum of these three subtotals = 503p Now look back at the question. Add the pence: Two pounds, 25p, £1.47, 16p. 50pence There are 3 p or pence listed. Add this to the toal that we already had. 506p - simple.

by Does this make me a genius? - Mon 12th Mar 2007, 9:26pm
The Times Online said: ..a puzzle intended for an early-hours viewing audience of drunks and poor sleepers... ... A reader of The Times said [about the show] ... Good to see the Times has so much respect for its readership! As for how you get to 506.. Add two pounds worth of old money (2 * 20 shillings/pounds * 12 pence/shilling) to the other numbers in pence = 718 Subtract the 75p you spent calling in your answer = 643 This leaves you £1.37, which is taken into account by the 40.77 minutes you spent complaining to ITVPlay, or the 19.57 minutes complaining to OFCOM = 506p. Obvious.

by Simon - Mon 12th Mar 2007, 4:09pm
As this is crosswords and other puzzles, here's one from ITVPlay, currently subject to inevstigation by Ofcom: A graphic asked viewers to "Add the pence" from "Two pounds, 25p, £1.47, 16p, Fifty pence". More than three hours later, the host announced the answer was 506 and that no-one had won. No method was given. ITV has denied the problem was particularly complex but has not commented further.

by Highest common factor - Fri 9th Mar 2007, 9:46am
Nice. I can't come up with anything to follow that though.

by Neil T - Fri 9th Mar 2007, 8:55am
Fabulous Ming's hot coach of term: number one for two thousand and seven? (7, 6, 6) I'll take the stony silence as a request for hints, so here you go: 1) No specialist knowledge is required; anyone at the club (or not at the club) could solve this. 2) Unlike the clue, the answer has nothing to do with rowing. 3) If I'm honest, 'Fabulous' wasn't a great choice of word. It enhances the surface reading but is a bit dubious in the cryptic reading. Better would have been "Staggering Ming's...".

by Neil T - Thu 8th Mar 2007, 12:53am
RTT said: ...(not that I can see a great deal of use for it here). I think the 1st Men might disagree with that. So here's one for them: Fabulous Ming's hot coach of term: number one for two thousand and seven? (7, 6, 6)

by RTT - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 10:21pm
Olly Olly said: Oh that's just silly. Apologies to the 99% of people reading this who are confused. I did say it was not for everyone. In fact, I guess it was really just aimed at you (although clearly there are plenty of others who would be able to get it). Having said that, I like the new chant (not that I can see a great deal of use for it here).

by Olly Olly - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 10:16pm
RTT said: Sorry, no. I was originally going to use the word "masters" instead of "leaders", but decided the latter sounded better in relation to the bumps. Oh that's just silly. Apologies to the 99% of people reading this who are confused. I prefer 'King Ming' as an answer anyway, and may chant it a few times now to reinforce that view.

by RTT - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 10:06pm
Neil T said: Is it 'King Ming'? (As in Ming Campbell, leader of the Lib Dems.) If it isn't, it should be. Sorry, no. I was originally going to use the word "masters" instead of "leaders", but decided the latter sounded better in relation to the bumps.

by Neil T - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 10:03pm
RTT said: A further hint to the previous one: Two years ago the clue would not have worked. Is it 'King Ming'? (As in Ming Campbell, leader of the Lib Dems.) If it isn't, it should be.

by RTT - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 9:39pm
Neil T said: Now how about you post one that some of us can solve, instead of one that most (indeed all) of us can't?! A further hint to the previous one: Two years ago the clue would not have worked.

by Neil T - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 9:33pm
RTT said: 1) Valkyrie 2) Black Prince That was quick! Now how about you post one that some of us can solve, instead of one that most (indeed all) of us can't?! (Valkyrie: V (= 5* in Roman numerals) + A + L (= learner = novice) + KYRIE (Kylie with 'R[ight]' for 'L[eft]', i.e. 'having changed sides'). Black Prince: see here for the 'other', non-boat-burning, reference.)

by RTT - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 9:25pm
Neil T said: Two more meta-clues, as noone seems to be able to get Tom's: She carried heroes to glory, including '5' (a novice) and a stunner who'd changed sides (8) Who had burning desire for Fair Maid of Kent? (5, 6) (Wikipedia might be helpful in understanding the second.) 1) Valkyrie 2) Black Prince

by Neil T - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 9:15pm
Two more meta-clues, as noone seems to be able to get Tom's: She carried heroes to glory, including '5' (a novice) and a stunner who'd changed sides (8) Who had burning desire for Fair Maid of Kent? (5, 6) (Wikipedia might be helpful in understanding the second.)

by RTT - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 7:11pm
Neil T said: 1) The definition is 'A rallying cry', and the answer is formed from two shorter words (total 8 letters) meaning 'leader', e.g. 'king', 'CO', etc. This is the correct interpretation. I'd refer you back to the qualifier stated before the clue - not everyone reading this site will be able to get it.

by gf - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 2:03pm
Bit of a guess said: clutter? Indeed.

by Bit of a guess - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 1:24pm
gf said: How about a "meta-clue" in the meantime... RTT clue could create chaos. (7) clutter?

by gf - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 11:49am
How about a "meta-clue" in the meantime... RTT clue could create chaos. (7)

by Neil T - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 11:25am
gf said: Hmm... within rally co-drivers' pacenotes, there are various four-letter words which might somehow be applicable ("bump", "fast", "easy"...) but I can't find a combination which sits well with the rest of the clue. I'm baffled by this. The only two interpretations I can come up with are: 1) The definition is 'A rallying cry', and the answer is formed from two shorter words (total 8 letters) meaning 'leader', e.g. 'king', 'CO', etc. 2) The whole clue is a cryptic definition, possibly punning on 'rally' meaning 'to drive a car in a rally race' or 'to get better' or 'to demonstrate/protest', and with 'the two leaders' possibly referring to the double headship.

by gf - Wed 7th Mar 2007, 11:12am
RTT said: One for the venatoris: A rallying cry for the two leaders (4,4). Are we over-complicating this one? Could it just be "Hold fast" ???

Show 5, 10, 20, 50, 100