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Hello, Elle!
I may go back to 84, but not just yet.
The "Shorter"?
This is a guess. Around £90 if I remember correctly?
Another guess. I think the OED is 26 volumes?
I'll have a wild guess at £800+ for it?
1a is a plane (not tree) too.
My last one in was 14a.
Another Londony one, which I could not see for a while, but expect you to get swiftly!
My late Pa-in-law was the only person I have ever heard use the phrase "go redwood", meaning "get very angry".
I notice Anne Bradford has it under "mad".
Have you came across it before?
Wondering at it's origin?

Good afternoon, Rusty!
My goodness, I had no idea that dictionaries could be so expensive!
My COD was always a good one in "its day", but it is outdated now.......so is my Collins......hence my buying a relatively recent (tho' ill-fated) Chambers.
I am still only three -quarters way through my xword - although I have to admit to three telephone conversations; two very lengthy ones with daughters, and one much shorter with New World about the delivery of my new cooker hood.
Plus another chapter or so of my book....
Multi-tasking......
I have never heard the term "go redwood"?
Nor had I heard "go postal" for 15a, although I got the answer from the clue.
Yes, I saw 14a virtually straightaway!!
Still the bottom left ( what is it about that corner...it always "gets" me?) to do, but I shall try again on my return.......
We are now about to take out the dog ( in the drizzle!)

Hello, Elle!
Apologies, OED was 20 volumes, as you said!
I see new Shorters on Amazon for just over £60.
I thought they used to be quite a bit more than that.
I was watching the cycling World Championships from Doha.
What an awful looking place!
Plain flat desert. Temperature 40C.
Tony Martin won.
Most of the riders were carrying ice in all their pockets trying to alleviate the heat.
Well done, the UCI!
Wonder why they chose Doha!!!!
No great problems in bottom left, though I thought 19d was a wee bit iffy.
No rain here, but a bit chilly!

Hello Rusty and Elle,

Reading your various exchanges on origins of words/expressions prompted me look at Amazon for books on etymology/origins of said words.

I have just ordered four second hand (good/very good condition) books on the subject, 2 from World of Books Fr. and 2 from Country House Library; none of them cost more than 0.75 euros, but of course I have to pay a little extra for Postage to France. More room on the shelves needed!

Weather beautiful again, rather fresh (!), but I think some rain is on the way and may stay with us on and of for a few days.

How are you both?

PS - typo ; on and oFF

Hello, Pigale!
Hope you enjoy your books, (and share some of the info with us!)
I use World of Books a lot. They are good.
It is a bit chilly and gloomy here.
A bit of sunshine would not go amiss!

Hi, Rusty!
We had a good walk - the rain held off and the sun came out .......until we got back to the car and then it 'drizzled' again.
Not bad timing though, was it?
I was only guessing at the 20 volumes........no need for any apology!
I'm glad you enjoyed the cycle racing - the poor souls, I doubt that ice in pockets as a coolant lasted for very long!!!
I all but finished the Times puzzle........
mmmm......re 19d, "rubber" of the lamp (ie Aladdin) was, as you say , somewhat stretching it a bit!
I liked "gendarme" in that corner!
The one remaining, that I didn't do, was
6d : Philosopher on what is coming up (5)
H?G?L
Cannot do it?
Oops! I'm missing Eggheads........
Not to worry, it is recording!
I can watch it later.



Hello, Pigale!
Your books sound interesting!
I have had several just come from W of B - a very reliable company - the books are packaged well.
You mentioned postage?
"Used" books sent to a UK address, always cost £2-80, regardless from whence they come.... my book coming from the States was the same postage as one from Worthing!

Hello, Elle!
Yes, 6d, can certainly be considered tricky, especially to a "learner", shall we say?
"Philosopher on what is coming up" (5)
The answer is Hegel, Elle.
"On" is a cricket reference and is also known as "leg".
"What" is "eh?"
Coming up gives "Hegel".
Is that OK?

Hi, Rusty!
Oh, how I hate cricket references!
I know nothing about the game and always miss them!
Yes, thank you, Rusty, that is well explained - I would never have 'got it' by myself in a month of Sundays!
(Why a "month of Sundays"?)
And to add insult to injury, there was a cricket question in tonight's Eggheads, too!
To make me feel even worse, I do not know of " Hegel".
Funnily enough, do you remember explaining a clue/ answer to me the other day....... I cannot reproduce it now, but it was to do with "borers"?"
"Borer" was the answer to a clue in today's QC!
(This time I could do it!)

Hello, Elle!
I am the same regarding cricket, but lots of crossword abbreviations come from there!
Do not worry, they will sink in over time.
Brewers do not say "why" is it a month of Sundays.
Just a very long indefinite time.
I worked out Hegel, and Anne Bradford knows him, and he sounds very philosophical to me! So he'll do!
I vaguely remember borer, the clue was "wave for bore" partly.
This is the anniversary of Edith Cavell's execution in 1915.
She was a fine looking lady.