Huh 5
Entangled again in Arachne’s web. This Guardian setter is trickier-stickier than most of her colleagues, though after the GINGERSNAP fiasco – see the post marked Webster Original – my breath is less bated in the hope of having these five latest clues illuminated.
RUMBAS, the first answer, is less a Please Explain, than a question. Are solvers happy to accept “rhythmic” as a signpost to “alternate”? in other words, does the phrase RHYTHMIC BEATS point to BAS – being the odd letters only? Or is this s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the convention out of shape?
As for the other bamboozling clues, in a ghoulish light, ASHRAM can suggest cremated sheep – but is that the only mischief to be had? I hope not, for the ram’s sake. While the remaining three stumpers below see me at sea. Look forward to your guidance.
Dances with strange rhythmic beats = RUMBAS
Religious community slaughtered sheep = ASHRAM
Nutcases in London to see the Dome = CUPOLA
Rip off right leg = SWINDLER
Nurses unknown soldier = ENSIGN
June 5th, 2009 at 7:37 am
[...] Cover yourself with glory and help him out! [...]
June 10th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
re cupola: maybe “nut” = COLA (as in cola nut) encases UP = “in London” ( as in the expression “we’re going up to town” and hence CUPOLA.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:06 am
I’m liking your thinking AL – and nutcases (the device) is actually quite sly. Makes me scratch my own nut, and wonder what other nuts can do the “casing”….