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Hello, Paul...

I think the chair/woman/man/person debate will go on until the end of time - mainly because there isn't a nice definitive solution.

I still dislike the lazy 'char, daily' clues, they seem so, so dated now. I have never once heard anyone talk about their char or their daily, just as I have never heard anyone talk about It and SA in the way setters use the words. Language evolves constantly, but crossword-setting seems quite mired in the past at times - I saw several examples last week (I should have jogged down a note rather than just tutting away to myself).

Absolutely right, malone @694.

That very day, right on cue, we had the same old 'it' in Times 28,704, 1d

Reduction in daycare raised - or suggesting it? (4)

RACY

It's not as though there are no new ideas to replace some of the outdated ones. HR for personnel was used to reach ABHOR in the same crossword.

Grunger

If you are back, I am sure you were delighted with the -ess and -ship words in the Times crossword yesterday, benefactress and chaplainship.

jigjag

Yes I was and I solved them too, although I would have preferred chaplainessship. I liked the monstrous female today, but thought the brassiere clue should be "big cups".

Paul, Malone

Thanks for the charwoman/it postings while I was away. I agree with what you said. I have been a cleaner, but would not have liked to be referred to as a char/charwoman/charlady.

Welcome back Grunger!

I see you can have chaplainship and chaplaincy, but I was surprised to find captainship alongside captaincy, though it's 'obs'. Also valid: chaplainry and captainry.

From a rather old Chambers.

My phone has put red lines of protest under the first and last two of those examples. No idea of its source dictionary. Not Collins as I think that's used by The Times.

Grunger,lovely to have you back.

I'm sorry, but 'chaplainessship' has to be the most ungainly, inelegant word I've seen for a while.

Paul, Grunger, Jigjag, anyone and everyone... I think I will take a note of all the clues, answers that arouse my displeasure - the fusty ones, the hackneyed/done-to-death ones., the less than attractive ones. My moans will be shared...

Talking of inelegant words, I didnt like "orderer" in the Times yesterday. No doubt Grunger would like "ordereress"

Tyke

Thanks, I havent seen much cricket this season. Very disappointing for Yorks.

Malone

Glad you will continue to delight us with your moans etc

Paul

Thanks for all the variations on captain and chaplain, some nice ones.

Jigjag

Yes I would like ordereress, much better than "orderress" I think

Grunger

Yes it`s been a tough season - the good news is we have some talented youngsters coming through ... Finlay Bean looks the business - remember the name!