NERF HERDER (anagram of HER RED FERN)
Many things can be taken from a wide river. (6)
DERIVE
In Denver I taste this - especially in the wine. (7)
VERITAS (denVER I TASte)
Fringe that rejiggered the slates. (6)
TASSEL (anagram of SLATES)
+++++
How often does Rocketeer produce screwed-up models? Not very often. (6)
SELDOM (models anagram)
Take control. Suggest candidate that switched from Democrat to Neutral. (8)
DOMINATE (Nominate becomes dominate, or vice versa)
I never pitied them for the lukewarm response. (5)
Tepid (anagram PITIED - I)
++++++
Tides turn men off (5,5)
Hint: Double def
Tides | turn men off (5,5)
[quote=“Oly, post:1029, topic:944983”]
Tides | turn men off (5,5
[/]
How about
Tide and cheer turn men off (5,5)
DETERGENTS (DETER, GENTS)
The clue probably should have read (10) instead of (5,5)
Anastasia’s dad was riddled with rats (4)
My understanding of cryptic rules is the second part of a double def is the solution, hence ‘deter gents (5,5)’ is proper.
Nevertheless, carry on.
Tsar (anagram RATS)
+++++
Gun maker forks over grim metric ton (9)
Not always the case. Sometimes the first part can be the solution. “Deter, gents” was the clue and DETERGENTS was the solution, so it should have been 10.
REMINGTON (grim + tonne)
Salad utensil gets a Pacific Island. (5)
Leaving aside whether the solution should be the first part or the second, if it can be either, then why should the solution be DETERGENTS (10) and not DETER GENTS (5,5)?
Tonga (TONG gets A)
++++++
Sea salt ruins map collections (7)
ATLASES (anagram of SEA SALT)
Claims that he was a greater playwright than Shakespeare just won’t wash (4)
Is “Deter, gents” more common in our language than “detergents?” I really don’t want to debate how cryptic crosswords work, but I think “detergents” is more recognizable as a solution.
You shouldn’t base your expertise on just this thread game alone. Check out cryptic puzzles online and work on them. You’ll get a better understanding of the working parts.
I also don’t want to debate how cryptics work, but isn’t misdirection and avoiding the more recognizable solution part of what makes them challenging, fun and rewarding?
Shaw (anagram WASH)
++++++
He was key player on Midwest team (8)
HAWKEYES (anagram for “he was key”)
+++++
Forty-eight hours before tomorrow was going to be scrambled eggs. (9)
Nope. Just like regular crosswords, the solution should be a commonly understandable word or phrase, barring certain pun themes and gimmicks and such. But when gimmicks enter into a crossword, there are plenty of clues that follow the gimmick so that the gimmick is solvable.
No one would drop “DETER GENTS” in casual conversation, or really, any conversation. It’s awkward. I can’t see it ever working as a cryptic answer. And would need a special clue to be in a standard crossword.