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naydam
05 Jul 14 12:36
Joined:
Date Joined: 31 Jul 04
| Topic/replies: 9,359 | Blogger: naydam's blog
Guardian Prize Crossword (cryptic). Can anybody explain this answer answer to me?

The clue was   Looking?     4 letters.        J_H_

The answer is  JOHN (from result published). Why is that?
I cannot see any connection between Looking? and john. Can anybody throw some light on the matter? Sad
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Report Makybe_Diva • July 5, 2014 12:41 PM BST
Hope someone can. I'm intrigued.
Report topshot • July 5, 2014 12:42 PM BST
Had a quick google and can't get close to any connection
Report Ibrahima Sonko • July 5, 2014 12:46 PM BST
a prostitute's customer ?
Report Makybe_Diva • July 5, 2014 12:46 PM BST
I googled, too, and couldn't find anything.
Report Makybe_Diva • July 5, 2014 12:47 PM BST
In the Guardian? Shocked
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 12:50 PM BST
My brain ends with John is a name...or john is a toilet...or a 'John Hancock' is a signature.

No connection anywhere to Looking?   (Please note that the question mark is part of the clue and will have some bearing). Sad
Report Makybe_Diva • July 5, 2014 12:54 PM BST
Yes, I've considered the question mark.

I did think of looking for a toilet Confused
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 12:58 PM BST
It just doesn't hold together, though. The prostitute's customer is a new thought but still can't see why. Sad
Report lindentree • July 5, 2014 1:00 PM BST
its loo king
as in loo/toilet/john
and king john
Report mange • July 5, 2014 1:02 PM BST
bog off
Report i_agree_with_nick • July 5, 2014 1:03 PM BST
great shout linden
Report Vubiant • July 5, 2014 1:03 PM BST
I must say I was throne by that clue .
Report mange • July 5, 2014 1:04 PM BST
sends yer round the bend.............
Report Makybe_Diva • July 5, 2014 2:07 PM BST
Well done, lindentree!

I'd never have worked that out.

Naydam will be thrilled Excited
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 2:41 PM BST
Naydam IS pleased! Thank you Linden, I would have been mulling over that for weeks! Cry
They're always so obvious when you finally suss out the clue. I'm always trying to remind myself not to read the clue as it seems.

Ive made a note of the crossword number and I was toying with contacting the crossword editor!! BlushBlush Laugh

Mind you, I'm STILL not happy with Cecil Rhodes...but that's another story.
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 2:47 PM BST
Thank you also to all other posters...I'm so chuffed that I forgot me manners! Blush
Report rob_dylan • July 5, 2014 3:01 PM BST
Naydam....
There is a good website, fifteensquared.com which explains the answers to cryptic crosswords in all the quality dailies.  As this is a prize crossword however you would have to wait a week before it is published, in the week they are up almost immediately.  A good site, and a great way of learning cryptics.
Report backtolay • July 5, 2014 3:05 PM BST
Overworked postman - How many letters? - feckin thousands
Report MisterBadger • July 5, 2014 3:27 PM BST
of of of of of of of of of of (10)
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 3:38 PM BST
Frequently!
Report currant bun • July 5, 2014 3:40 PM BST
excellent and interesting post
Report rob_dylan • July 5, 2014 3:47 PM BST
Must've (5,7,3,3)
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 4:02 PM BST
Any chance of a couple of letters?

I wonder if Mr Badger will give a yes or no to the other one?
Report rob_dylan • July 5, 2014 4:03 PM BST
Third word is the
Report Jack Hacksaw • July 5, 2014 4:04 PM BST
Great site that fifteen squared, rob.

I may try a few cryptic ones.  The Times not covered though on there?
Report Foinavon • July 5, 2014 5:51 PM BST
Must've (5,7,3,3)

You have stumped us there Rob.

Best I can come up with is

short version the buy   (as in "must have" is something one wants to buy)

Thought of "Quite certain" which would fit without the last two words.
Report rob_dylan • July 5, 2014 5:55 PM BST
T----/O------/THE/B--
Report Foinavon • July 5, 2014 5:58 PM BST
Think outside the box?
Report rob_dylan • July 5, 2014 5:59 PM BST
You got it.
Report Foinavon • July 5, 2014 6:00 PM BST
Thanks, you made it easy in the end.
Report Jack Hacksaw • July 5, 2014 6:42 PM BST
Someone please explain that one for a thicko.
Report rob_dylan • July 5, 2014 6:48 PM BST
Muse(think) outside TV(box)
Report FOYLESWAR • July 5, 2014 7:15 PM BST
the 2 ronnies sketch...............passengers in train compartment doing the   crosswords in newspapers  ......corbet very vocal  as the working class passenger and having difficulty calls  out a   clue for his  crossword ........... calls out! 4 letters ,last 2 letters I T .......can often be found at bottom of budgies cage .......barker as the city gent in bowler hat and suit  says its simple .......the answer is grit ......g r i t.......... grit .........cue to a nun doing same crossword hastily correcting her answer LaughLaughLaughLaughLaugh
Report Jack Hacksaw • July 5, 2014 7:32 PM BST
Thanks Rob.  I have a long way to go, I think.
Report Franzi • July 5, 2014 8:46 PM BST

Jul 5, 2014 -- 9:27AM, MisterBadger wrote:


of of of of of of of of of of (10)


OFTENTIMES ("of" ten times)

Report MisterBadger • July 5, 2014 9:08 PM BST
indeed franzi

sorry naydam, only just seen your post... you weren't a million miles away  Grin
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 10:14 PM BST
Ah! My thinking was 'often' which I was going to post until I saw (10 letters)...So I thought OK a double clue sort of thing...so it's a 10 letter word meaning 'often' therefore the answer is 'Frequently'! Sad

Too much thinking, methinks. Although I DID rule out 'Ofttimes'. Never even heard of 'oftentimes' but that's the beauty of crosswords...they teach you all sorts of things that you've never heard of.  Grin
Report Foinavon • July 5, 2014 10:47 PM BST
Oftentimes sounds like one of those made up American words that keep getting incorporated into English. I would prefer frequently being old school.
Report naydam • July 5, 2014 11:23 PM BST
Aye. But of course, the clue was 'of' ten times!
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