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There seems to be a problem with the posting of my last message so I have started a new thread.
Can someone help me with the parsing of 20ac PIERCE?
Many thanks.

Hi unclued, it's a (ii) recipe => pierce; (epic + er) reversed.

It’s a type ii clue, epic and ER. I believe the problem occurs when posts are deleted in a thread, doubtless for well-meant reasons. I think on the other thread three have been removed. But it means that x8, x9 and y0 will not appear until the thread is up to y4

Hi quisling, the first posts have disappeared from the other thread and I don't think they've been deleted as there was nothing contentious in any, gremlins no doubt.

Just looked at the other thread again and they've reappeared but now with negative numbering ! Your post is also there unclued plus a repeat of an earlier post from ethik. Definitely gremlins.

Thanks both of you. All finished now.
20dn is PASTA but is PASTY an alternative?

Hi again casanova (from the other thread in case anyone's confused).
8, 22 & 40 across.
Should that leave you 1 short in the number of letters required for the maxim perhaps it might be 17a you need to look at again. If so, remember there are no standard clues so what looks like part of the wordplay (normally) is part of the definition here.
Hope this helps.

Thank you Ginge,

I agree with the three clues, but I hadn’t read the preamble carefully enough. I was thinking that the hungover clues didn’t contribute their omitted letters to the maxim and that the imposters did do so!

Hi again casanova, I'm glad you've put it to bed. I agree the wording in the preamble is possibly misleading.
Have a good flight.

I have all the 13? letters needed for the maxim, as well as the three 'imposters' in the Ac clues. Now for the drinks, I've found only six. Is there one hidden in the answer to 1ac? I just don't see it!