Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Thanks once again Jazzgirl for coming to my aid, I take it that the newsreaders name is Jon, so with your help I too have now finished... Taa.

Many thanx 4 the link, Jazzy.
Yes, another walkover!

Does 2dn have a “z” or a “s” in it, as the bird can have either?
Is it a “z” because the secretion has a “z”?
Is it a “s” because it is a “sounds like” and so should not have a “z”?
Does it really matter? Really it should!

Good point, wally. I used S, but I always do when there's a choice between S and Z. The Internet seems to be massively in favour of the Z.

P.S. it is still a "sounds like" because the other word is OOZE rather than OUZE.

I used a z . Chambers shows ouzel as the first spelling and ousel as alternative. When looking for ousel in Chambers, it shows "see Ouzel". Owzat ? Zzzzzz ;0)

.......and then you get into the mire of how it is pronounced too! I have heard "OWZEL", which obviously isn't a "sounds like"!

Coming from Wiltshire and then Darzet (ha) I've heard some very strange dialect words, but never heard anyone pronounce it owzel. Ow funny.

Evening ALL,

I've no problem with 2d...! But struggling with 10a & 4d (I've got ? I ? ? ? P ? for the latter..am I correct?)
Thanks and best wishes :)

That reminds me of a story you would appreciate. A friend was staying in Shaftesbury. He went into a pub (as you do) and was chatting to the barman, who said (and you'll have to do the voice):
"I expect you can tell from my accent that I'm not from these parts .................................................................................................................................................................................... I comes from Sturminster Newton".