# Crossword Clue Game **URL:** \ **Category:** Thread Games\ **Created:** [October 25, 2020, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818 "2020-10-25T07:00:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/241 "2020-11-29T18:27:40Z")
A couple clues from yesterday’s Globe cryptic to illustrate a couple new conventions - Spoonerisms and repeating letters. Spoonerisms are “slips of the tongue” taking a phrase and switching the first (few) letters. Spooner was a real teacher who would (we are led to believe) say “You’ve tasted the worm” instead of “You’ve wasted the term”. A shoving leopard becomes a loving shepherd. If the word Spooner is in the clue, that is your clue. Repeating letters are using the same letters in a short word repeatedly to make a longer word. Again, this will be hinted at in the clue. On to three examples from the Globe puzzle. 1. Spooner’s court shuts efficient routes (9) Answer: SHORTCUTS 1. Blondes repeatedly mixed up one effect of cold dry air (10) Hint: repeat letters in BLONDES to make a medical problem caused by dry air Answer: NOSEBLEEDS 1. Reorganize duped characters from Capitol, unlikely to vote (10) Hint: Repeat letters from CAPITOL to form word describing many non-voters Answer; APOLITICAL And some other clues: 1. Came back into view, gathered around fruit (10) Answer: REAP(PEAR)ED 1. Cads yelled, startling horses (10) Hint: Anagram. Budsweiser commercials. Answer: CLYDESDALE 1. Odd enchantress of myth reflected about copper coin. (9) Hint: Copper coin is cent. Add Mythical Greek “black sorceress” Answer: EC(CENT)RIC. Circe. How odd. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2020, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/242 "2020-11-29T18:35:33Z")
Congratulations, everyone! You all have gotten so clever that it’s exceedingly difficult to pick. I’m going to call @Knowed_Out the winner, for his entire entry, but others were equally clever or right behind. I especially liked: > [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > - Single one of these is holy. Doubling them means treachery. > - **Do this with fingers to legally lie.** > - Position eyes to convey confusion. and: > [@Spoons](#): > > - **Monkey on Jesus’ back** > - Don’t make Mommy this > - Con man’s double > - What these words do and > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > - **Yacht rock god sails out** > - We won’t deal with that bridge yet Your turn again, @Knowed_Out! ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/243 "2020-11-30T03:54:54Z")
Such brilliant competition makes this a fun thread game! New word is **CAPITAL**. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/244 "2020-11-30T04:35:45Z")
1. Monaco or Singapore, for Monaco or Singapore 2. The seat of government (but not the building) 3. Male in Maldives 4. Used to finance a venture 5. An upper case of punishment ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/245 "2020-11-30T05:01:24Z")
1. Ad venture requires this 2. Paris or Quebec 3. Juneau this answer 4. Sentence start 5. Shift work? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/246 "2020-11-30T06:01:06Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > 1. Shift work? Very nice! > [@Spoons](#): > > Juneau this answer Ditto! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2020, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/247 "2020-11-30T06:12:21Z")
Thanks! I’ve been recalling **twickster** ’s advice in those long-ago threads, where she emphasized short clues and wordplay. Both are what I strive for when I play this game. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/248 "2020-12-01T02:03:39Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > - Juneau this answer > - Sentence start > - Shift work? Win, Place and Show. All yours Spoons. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/249 "2020-12-01T02:40:09Z")
Thanks, **Knowed Out**! That was a good word with a lot of possibilities. Time to reiterate the previous words, I think: cat nun ghost Bruce America coffee deposit stock tape paper shadow count chicken stand step frank middle drive stream case scratch clear finger table spirit blind escape heart dressing cross capital And the next word is: **FACE** ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/250 "2020-12-01T05:31:15Z")
1. Mnemonic of note 2. Plant this after a big fall or fail 3. Look younger by lifting this 4. Missing from a milk carton 5. Poker of Lady Gaga ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/251 "2020-12-01T14:09:20Z")
1. Can’t feel this, when with you this Weeknd 2. Off, to start a hockey game 3. Beatles saw this and “can’t forget the time or place” 4. Flat part on a clock, rock or hawk 5. Can follow “save” or precede “the facts” or “the music” ---
**Author:** ![FastDan1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fastdan1/32/427_2.png) [@FastDan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FastDan1)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/252 "2020-12-01T15:29:38Z")
1. Before Time or book 2. This launched a thousand ships 3. A digital clock lacks one 4. A horse has a long one 5. A painting at a carnival ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/253 "2020-12-01T15:51:44Z")
1. Musical staff mnemonic 2. An embarrassed person may lose it 3. Wrestling good guy 4. One in the crowd 5. You might do this to the music ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/254 "2020-12-01T16:25:12Z")
For anyone looking for introductory cryptic crosswords, the New York Times Sunday Magazine has one called “Puns and Anagrams” which, while good, is definitely on the easy side of the spectrum. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/255 "2020-12-01T20:32:29Z")
1. Area where time is seen 2. A way to confront music 3. How a panel of journalists may interact with the nation 4. Endless aspect 5. Where a liar tends to baldness ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/256 "2020-12-01T22:27:02Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > For anyone looking for introductory cryptic crosswords, the New York Times Sunday Magazine has one called “Puns and Anagrams” which, while good, is definitely on the easy side of the spectrum Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/257 "2020-12-01T23:51:51Z")
I guess we can wrap this one up, as it has been almost 24 hours. Again, many good ones, and it was difficult to decide. First, some favourites: > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Off, to start a hockey game > [@FastDan1](#): > > A digital clock lacks one > [@Wheelz](#): > > Wrestling good guy That last one, “wrestling good guy,” particularly made me smile. I’ve worked with a local pro wrestling promotion before (no, not as a wrestler); and in spite of the fact that I know the jargon, that clue never occurred to me when I selected the word. Okay, on to the winner: > [@needscoffee](#): > > Mnemonic of note I like this one, because of the wordplay. That meaning of FACE did occur to me when I selected the word, and I was looking forward to seeing if anybody would use it; and if so, how. An excellent clue, **needscoffee**. Looks like it’s your turn to post a word! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/258 "2020-12-02T00:01:18Z")
Thanks! Previous words: cat nun ghost Bruce America coffee deposit stock tape paper shadow count chicken stand step frank middle drive stream case scratch clear finger table spirit blind escape heart dressing cross capital face . New word: **TURN** ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/259 "2020-12-02T00:36:27Z")
1. Byrdssong times three? 2. Change direction 3. James’ screw action 4. Key operating instruction? 5. With “on,” activate machinery ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818/260 "2020-12-02T00:42:52Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Okay, on to the winner: > > > [@needscoffee](#): > > > > Mnemonic of note How did I miss that? I thought I was being clever, and **needscoffee** did it better _and_ three posts earlier! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossword-clue-game/923818.md?page=14)