After deciding on the word for this week's contest it struck me that there are few straight definitions but plenty of definition by examples (DBEs). I do feel that in the interest of fairness a DBE should be indicated to the solver, usually with a "perhaps" or "maybe". The problem is that this can lead to clunky surface readings - which are unpopular.
I would accept a ! or ? , but then I'm not Mr McNutt.
That said there still remain many worthy contenders for this week's crown.
I'd like to pick out a few for special mention.
rocketman @2 got us off to a fine start a nice succinct simple anagram, the best of this type edging out chris@ 2/19
rosalind gave us some hidden word clues - do they betray a penchant for short hemlines and wacky- backy? Other hidden words cleverly supplied by gk, fiery and best of all mattrom@8 somehow referencing our national dirge. However they're just not my favourite type of clue.
A neat charade from thea @16, but then a mortal sin with the ghostly anagram @21.
Later entries from fieryjack and mattrom used devices turning numbers into letters, I suppose it all depends on the font the puzzle is set in, but I would avoid using it myself.
That leaves the stumbling blocks I had towards the end from Les, ab, the rogue and busby. No doubt the muggy weather affects one's thought process, but because I had to struggle so much these, with the answer in front of me, the only way one of these could win would be by giving a massive penny-drop moment but that didn't really happen.
The two clues in the frame this week are therogue@12 and paul @4.
On balance the winner is
paul @4
Carol's good news overshadowed by cough (6)
just love the
ahem! clever device
your prize illustrates just how powerful an anthem can be, it's the response of some French politicians to the murder of some its citizens for drawing pictures of an old camel herder -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlGLwRVNY0E
thanks to everybody for taking part and see you all next week .
Marty