Crossword Help Forum
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I don't like answers being given for prize crosswords. I never send in entries myself, but I worry that unscrupulous characters might submit answers that they were "given".

No problem with non-prize crosswords - you can always decide whether or not to look for help. The crossword I do (Guardian) has an online "cheat" facility, after all.

Ffanie, I think you are over-reacting.

I don't think any actual answers have been given here. Sudokulover said 'lead to surnames of famous...' The ???? could be poets, stars, girls, dames...

I had never heard of the Guardian Genius till I saw threads here - the banter, the moans about the puzzle, the moans about the Guardian website, the shared pleasure in a good puzzle etc were what prompted me to start doing the Genius.

Answers were NOT given , just hints.
I come on the forum sometimes to ask for help, sometimes to give help. Mostly people on here are friendly, supportive and willing to help at whatever level.
It's a matter of conscience whether a person who has got hints/answers from here, actually enters a prize puzzle.

I must say I prefer hints to answers (and I think what we have here today were hints).

It is a bit annoying when you unavoidably read an answer that has been given, though, and I would prefer it if people preceded those with a spoiler alert.

As to whether you should morally submit a crossword if you've had help, well, what constitutes help? Asking a friend, consulting a dictionary, Google? Prize crosswords are basically a lottery, and wouldn't work if you had to swear an affidavit that your solution was your own unaided work (like kids comps in the comics I used to read.

Thank you all for your reasonable responses. I guess I was rather hasty and acted rather like a stranger coming into a bar and telling the regulars what to do.

I do like discussions around the clues without revealing the solution and theme and look forward to enjoying this site.

Belatedly, welcome, ffanie.

hi all,
noted inputs of ffannie. spent a lot of time trying this one and have not progressed very far at all. cannot locate themed clues ( or theme detail ). a little help would help :-(.

Perhaps threads like these should be headed 'Genius Club' or 'RT Club' so that those of us without the paper will be warned to avoid - whatever happened to POSTING TIPS?

dizoz:

I refer to three themed clues which have 4, 5 and 6 letters to write in. There is no definition and the wordplay is straightforward - respectively an anagram, anagram of a word plus an extra letter, and two words joined.

I hope this is helpful.

I managed to almost finish-only one left. 14d. German emperor visiting good hotel in the French Province (5). I have y-t-m. any help much appreciated.