Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

THANK YOU!
For the answer, and the explanation.
MUMS the word!

Sorry to appear pedantic, but whilst I agree with the trail the clue "to act" seems to ask for a verb. "Mu" plus thousands = MM, would give the verb to "Mumm", no?

Xfan, I can quite see your point but I think this clue's compiler meant the wordplay for 'thousands' to be a mix-and-match pluralised Roman M obtained by putting a latter-day S suffix on it.

Good morning to you all,

My immediate reaction when I saw this clue was that it was a verb and MIME sprang to mind.

We all agree that the 'Ms' represent thousands; the letters 'I' [iota] and 'E' [epsilon] are both Greek characters. Where this argument falls down is the position of the apostrophe which is before the 's' and not after it!

Your input would be appreciated.

Regards,

Caravaggio

Hi Caravaggio!

I would also have had a first reaction of MIME and was impressed with PaulineP's suggestion of MUMS.

'Mu' is a phonetic rendition of the greek letter, whereas 'i' and 'e' are not which is why MIME wouldn't works so well as MUMS (in my opinion). Also, as C points out, the apostrophe isn't after the 's'.

Assuming that MUMS is the correct answer, then the clue seems to me to work ok in that it means a greek character (MU) is to be attached to thousands (MS).

Best wishes.
JimC

Due to corruption, reposting my last message ...

Hi Caravaggio!

I would also have had a first reaction of MIME and was impressed with PaulineP's suggestion of MUMS.

'Mu' is a phonetic rendition of the greek letter, whereas 'i' and 'e' are not which is why MIME wouldn't works so well
as MUMS (in my opinion). Also, as C points out, the apostrophe isn't after the 's'.

Assuming that MUMS is the correct answer, then the clue ... Greek character's given thousands to act in play (4) ... seems to me to work ok in that it means a greek
character (MU) is to be appended by thousands (MS).

Best wishes.
JimC

Hi Jim,

I'm glad that you've responded as I have been on the OneLook Dictionary site [which Big Dave recommended] as I was dubious about 'mums' as a verb.

However, two of the dictionaries did show 'mums' to be a verb [and in an apposite context] and I now agree that MUMS is the correction solution.

Jim, what has happened to Royston's contributions?

With kind regards,

Caravaggio

Hi all

When in doubt, refere to the Mummy of all dictionaries - the Blessed Chamber's:

mum: intransitive verb (mummˈing; mummed) (also mumm)
* to act in a mime
* to act in a mummers' play
* to masquerade

This muddies the water somewhat as mums and mumm are both allowed - the clue says "to act" so my mummy (sorry money) is on MUMM.

What do you think?

Chamber's allows "Mumm" (an alt.) as a verb "to act". I just can't see "Mums" as the correct part of speech to match the clue.

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry that I am late rejoining the forum on this subject but, after reading Big Dave's explanation and xfan's addendum, I have no doubt, in my mind, that MUMM is the correct answer.

Regards to you all,

Caravaggio