Clever Clue Nominees

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

One getting rid of possessions? .......EXORCIST
They develop less of a head cold ......BEERS
Options for those who are anti-Russia
and anti-French? ......................RANCH
Heads for the woods? ..................OUTHOUSES
Buy for a bender ......................YOGAPANTS
Spit food? ............................KABOB

Dinner Impossible Crossword Puzzle Crisis

Clever Clue of the Month

March 2014

Clue: One controlling drones ........................BEEKEEPER
Constructor: Ed Sessa; Editor: Will Shortz
NY Times, 3/15/14

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

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.

The 2014 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament Finals

Clever Clue of the Month

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