The title is indicated by a set that is represented singularly by
an unclued theme phrase of two words at 16D. The other ten unclued lights
consist of five sets of variations. Three of these variations are of two
words (a single word of which is hyphenated); one variation consists of one
word. The theme is alternatively defined both by the last variation (consisting
of three words), as well as by two other clued lights.
Chambers is recommended for the clued lights, but does not give the form
at 39A (to be found in the OED). Solvers may need to search further afield
to complete the puzzle.
| Clues Across 1. End of play in ring final (5) 11. Bargeman no good - he used to give short measure (5) 14. Grab for power with physical force leads to a final, icy course (5) 18. Struggle of Caledonian magician losing his grip (3) 19. Somebody books it in Gotham, but it's small potatoes (9) 21. Harim characters fabricated hadji's garb (5) 22. Bear in straits strengthens well (6) 23. It has a shabby little heap in Dundee (6) 25. Collar banged-up car and tank (6) 27. Backing short film with cast of zillions is rarely characteristic of a good picture (8) 32. Queen of the Belgians almost straddleback (6) 35. Speechlessness from so congenital a liar? (6) 37. Red leader tailed big name in oil (6) 38. They say I squeal, sugar-coating the result (5) 39. Pick up the pieces of every chapter in an explosive case (9) 41. Reprehensible state (3) 42. Neutral pacifist heralds defeat, split by rule infraction (10) 44. Core members of Felidae could supply the cat's whiskers (5) 45. Cushy job gives room to manoeuvre (5) 47. Cheeky Charlie in extremes of stupidity (5) |
Clues Down 3. Thus uplifted, first I called up those not in the know (7) 4. Used to be rank environmentalist for the most part (4) 6. Note about fifty in numbers not MIA? (6) 7. Particle of noise feedback (3) 8. Is nudity pointless? Chew it over! (3) 10. Former operation appropriated astatine chloride (5) 13. Random number generator represented by middle of scale (5) 14. Does adolescent have enough power to box? (7) 17. Vessel name adopted by one of the Burakumin (4) 20. New song has line relating to an inspirational passage (6) 24. Roguish warriors at centre of jihad (6) 26. A security code tucked away in records of those on their way to the top (9) 30. Comb clipped pastern (6) 31. Hammers goalless facing the Reds' fliers (7) 33. Stretch bunny's skin (4) 34. Floor doctor with hoax - "Here be dragons!" (6) 36. Exhume dead old urchins, mostly (5) 37. Abbasid or Imaum's golden state (5) 40. Wends leaderless cycles (4) 42. Fair rating for nautical career, we hear (3) 43. Pole returning from Tatra, overland (3) |
Send your solution to me at derek@crosswordcentre.fsnet.co.uk before 1st July 2002. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a copy of Ximenes on the Art of the Crossword. Hotspur would welcome your comments. Please write to him at AntonyPercy@aol.com