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Chrise, this has always existed I think - the best team being the one which does not get caught doing it ! but pulling down, twisting nose or fingers in eyes have always gone on, if I believe what my husband has told me. However, even though it is not strictly fair play, it is not drug !

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, there is an awful lot about Maria et all in The Times today!
An extensive well written article, I think.
I'm still struggling with the Times 15x 15 today! - doing it in dribs and drabs!
It is about half completed so far!
I don't have a problem with the pronunciation of "earn " and "urn" - to me, they sound exactly the same!
Try this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggMEH2aGAbk
You can type in both words and compare the pronunciation - unless it's my ears (!) they sound alike?
I am puzzled about 3D though? I worked out the answer to the clue as " Mission Creep" - had to look it up to find out what it meant - never heard of it before!
I did like clues 7D and 12A!
Well, will press on.......I expect you finished it in record time!

Hello, Elle!
I tried your youtube link and the lady is pronouncing "urn" as "ern"!
As I mentioned the other day, we need John Snagge and Alvar Liddell for the pronunciation, or for me, the late Bill McLaren.
Alvar Liddell announced the Royal abdication and the attack on Pearl Harbour. Try those speakers on Youtube?
I liked today's puzzle.
I had vaguely heard of " mission creep".
I think it is up there with "blue sky thinking" and "at this moment in time", as annoying phrases which have stolen into the language.
I never time myself doing the puzzle.
I prefer to savour it.

Hi, Rusty!
But you DO pronounce "urn" as "ern" - don't you?
At least, I do!
This is fascinating - if only we could all hear each other speak......
I shall conduct a survey whilst out dog-walking tomorrow..........
Watch this space.........!
I like the idea of "savouring" the crossword! Now, I shall tell myself that is what I am doing instead of worrying that it is taking me longer than usual!
I am only looking at it from time to time, as I have been busy doing other things.......
Daughter rang - new grandson is doing fine.......and BB has decided that life back at Pre-school has its attractions, too, besides "helping" with baby brother!
Must away now to get dinner.
Have you had yours?

Hello, Elle!
I do NOT pronounce "urn" as "ern".
Why ever would I?
One has " u" and the other has "e".
But...!
Chambers has the pronunciations identical!
Mind you, Elle, Chambers appear to have been on a slippery slope ever since they abandoned Edinburgh!
I take my time with the crossword.
It is a highlight of the day for me.
That is pleasing that the young ones are doing fine.
I had roasted beef on a roll for tea, and very glad of it, too.

Rusty, thanks for the Chamber information - very interesting, but I can't see my mother's bowling club referring to 'tea erns' any time soon! If I remember, and if I have time tomorrow, I'll look to see if we get the same result for the dreaded 'sauce'/'source'.

Good morning, Rusty!
Yet another damp day here albeit a little warmer. Personally, I would prefer cold and dry!
That was interesting about the Chambers pronunciation of the two words, "earn " and "urn" being the same - as they were in the audio link.
I hadn't thought of looking them up in the dictionary........
Well done!
I've just looked up sauce / source , though, in Chambers and find that they give virtually the same pronunciation for those, but with the addition of the letter "r" in "source".
sauce - sos (with an umlaut over the "o")
source - sors (again with an umlaut over the "o", or as an alternative a line over the "o")
It's difficult to explain - so better if you look it up for yourself?
However, I cannot agree that the vowels are pronounced the same in those two words!
If you listen to them said on the audio link, they sound very different!
I wonder what today's crosswords will bring.......?

P.S. Well, would you believe it, today's Times QC brought yet another homophone!
4A: Report of district that's more breezy (6)

Good afternoon, Elle!
No, the vowels are different.
Chambers is wrong.
But there may be other arbiters of proper pronunciation?
Your one today, I am guessing is "airier/area"?
Another rubbishy clue!
I did not know what an umlaut was.
It sounds like an Eskimo canoe to me, or is that an umiak?
Lovely weather here.
I was at the skips again. Should be my final run.
I am heading out for a dander, then I have my paper to read and crossword to savour!

Hi, Rusty!
I hope you enjoyed your walk?
You are lucky in your weather!
Still damp here.........walking not the greatest of pleasures today!
Have you had a chance yet to look at your crossword?
You will not be best pleased to find yet another homophone in the15 x15!
At this stage, I shall say no more........
And yes, you are quite right - an "umiak" is an Eskimo canoe! (although I did not know that - I had to consult Chambers!)
My new word for today!
Apart from walking , I have been at home today.
" Ladies who Lunch" was postponed until tomorrow! So I shall combine my present buying for new baby and BB with a visit to Croydon (yes, on the tram!)