Monday, March 31, 2014

Clever Clue Nominees

Please vote for the best clue from March (either by email or comments below). The Clever Clue of the Month will be announced April 4th.

What you get while walking down the aisle?...GROCERIES
Cooler idea?.................................JAILBREAK
Person with counter intelligence?............BARISTA
Playground bouncer...........................BALL
One controlling drones.......................BEEKEEPER
They'll help you break your word.............HYPHENS

Thursday, March 20, 2014

The 2013 Orca Awards

The Orcas were awarded yesterday for the best in crosswords last year. Awards were given for many categories including easy, freestyle, Sunday-sized, gimmick, contest, constructor of the year, and the best puzzle of the year. There is also an award for the Most Outstanding Clue of the year. The winner was:
   Dieter's complaint.......... ACH
That's a good clue, but is it the best?

Those in the honorable mention category were:
   One on the verge of croaking?............TADPOLE
   Render powerless?................UNPLUG
   Dee and Oh...........SANDRAS
   Overhang, in a sports bar?..............BEERGUT
   Person who pedals stolen goods?...............BIKETHIEF

I found it interesting that four of the honorable mentions were winners of our crosswordese.com Clever Clue of the Month (TADPOLE, UNPLUG, BEERGUT, and BIKETHIEF). Unfortunately, neither ACH nor SANDRAS even made it -even to our nominees lists.

So, what do you think? Is ACH the most outstanding clue of the year? Do you think one of the honorable mentions was more deserving? Perhaps one of our monthly winners (below)? Or maybe one not listed here...

   Fryer seen at a cookout? ....................BUGZAPPER
   Take inventory ....................................SHOPLIFT
   Person who pedals stolen goods? ......BIKETHIEF
   Overhang, in a sports bar? .................BEERGUT
   Essential part of Caesar dressing? .....TOGA
   Having no fear of commitment? ..........SANE
   Org. with hookers? .............................PGA
   Render powerless? ............................UNPLUG
   Try to see the present? ......................UNWRAP
   Pain in the rear? .................................BACKSEATDRIVER
   Present-day personality? ...................SANTA
   One on the verge of croaking? ...........TADPOLE

Please let me know what you think in the comments below.


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Clever Clue of the Month


February 2014
Clue: Poke fun at big hair? ...........................TEASE
Constructor/Editor: Elizabeth C Gorski
Crossword Nation, 2/4/14