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Capt. Lawrence Oates, aged 20 years was a member of the Scott expedition to the Antarctic in 1910. He walked to his death from the tent during a blizzard, famously saying "I am going outside and I may be some time."

I have to correct myself - Oates was 32 at the time of his death.

I think I'm probably the only person attempting this crossword who doesn't fully understand the preamble and the example of MONAD hasn't made it any clearer.

Please could someone explain to this thickie what the preamble means, preferably with a worked example...

Thanks a lot!

Ericg #19

As the preamble states, 10 of the solutions start or end with an abbreviation (HINT: There are 7 different abbreviations) - all abbreviations are of a kind (ie are similar.)
The part of the solution that is the abbreviation (start or end) is not 'covered' by the clue - in other words the clue only 'points' to the part of the solution either following the abbreviation or preceding it.
So - MONAD has one definition in my OED as 'God';AD = Anno Domini, which is clued as 'after Christ' - so the part of this solution that is not 'covered' by the clue is 'Mon'.
Similarly 21d 'Sailor with personal problem' = BOSUN. A bosun is a sailor; BO is ...... and again the abbreviation is not 'covered' by the clue.
Looking at the 2 abbreviations in the above should give you the idea!!

Jack, #20

Many thanks for your explanation and the examples - they both help a lot!

Morning All,

This is a real stinker this week, struggling somewhat. Can someone give me a pointer (correction possibly) as to why 14a (What Tinker says about nationalists' piece of armour (7)) C _ I _ _ _ _ is leading me towards CHINESE. I can see the nationalist connection but the rest... no idea.

Thanks in advance
PB

Hi PB,

Do you want the answer or just a pointer? If it's the latter, the answer is not CHINESE - think more about "not giving a tinker's CxxS" with the nationalist bit in the middle...

Not sure if this helps or confuses!

Thanks to imon, was struggling with that one! Have most of the rest though.

I'm down to the last clue. 19a One taking his turn to make traps for germs.
b-g-i-s Nearest I can get is buggies but I'm not sure why, or even if I'm on the right track -any help please?

Hi sandbag,

I went with BUGGINS as in BUG germs and GINS traps. I have a vague memory of buggins turn but too vague to be 100% sure...