Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

Couldn't vote- had hands full with little ones 3rd birthday today followed by meltdowns all evening...
Would have gone for Marty (again)..
Thanks syzygy - great clue and LOL prizes!

Thanks Syz.
Congrats again Big bad

Congrats BBM2 and thanks syzygy.

Well done BBM2 -- thank you syzygy ----- thank you Rosalind and chrise for the votes

Would somebody be kind enough to parse the winning clue?

I'm pleased that someone asked that!

New recruits sat near officer's mess.
I read this as an abstraction anagram

New is the anagrind
recruits sat near less recis, which is icers. The off part of officers is the subtraction indicator. Mess is the def.

Thanks rosalind. "Off icers" - v. clever, BBM2.

I see --- yes, that makes sense now. Excellent clue, thanks Rosalind

Ingenious! That puts my mind at rest, too!