Alphabet associations - I

[rubbernecker]

Apologies if I have not been clear enough. The answer is not Polignac. However, I suppose there can be no objection against setting the same answer twice although personally I take pains to avoid it.

[Nick Armstrong]

But surely there is no rule against setting a question which will lead to a 'previous answer' - provided the clues are sufficiently devious and baffling. and unconnected with the previous route to the answer?

I remain, however, baffled as to where we are in the pea-stakes...

I tend to agree, vinteuil.... but I remember I set Neilsen a second time (unwittingly) which was greeted with a whiff of rubbery disapproval...

I think the mighty task of pulling together all answers to date was prompted in part by a desire to help avoid duplication...

[rubbernecker]

I remember I set Neilsen a second time (unwittingly) which was greeted with a whiff of rubbery disapproval...

...and you still haven't learnt how to spell him. Whiff ! Whiff !

[mercia]

are there any viola players playing this game?

whilst walking down Hollywood Boulevard?

[rubbernecker]

whilst walking down Hollywood Boulevard?

Are you actually going to answer, Hercule, or are you just helping me set more clues?

[mercia]

I was trying to help my colleagues, but I shall henceforth desist

[Anna]

Are you actually going to answer, Hercule, or are you just helping me set more clues?

It seems hercule is a little backwards in coming forwards on this lovely Spring like morning!

[rubbernecker]

It seems hercule is a little backwards in coming forwards on this lovely Spring like morning!

Indeed. Why so coy, Hercule? I'm sure we'd allow you to Q jump...

[Anna]

Indeed. Why so coy, Hercule? I'm sure we'd allow you to Q jump...

The problem is, as I see it, if you know the answer almost instantly do you jump in and risk looking like a show-off and therefore deprive others of the fun of trying to solve it or do you wait until others have an inkling and then say something?

[rubbernecker]

... or do you wait until others have an inkling and then say something?

Then you'll always look like a Jonny-come-lately. Better to look like a show-off, I would say.

...or refrain from participating at all, secure in the knowledge of your own brilliance

[mercia]

I have taken that on board. Apologies.

[Nick Armstrong]

The problem is, as I see it, if you know the answer almost instantly do you jump in and risk looking like a show-off and therefore deprive others of the fun of trying to solve it or do you wait until others have an inkling and then say something?

It is a tricky decision - for example, when I read Anna's "L" my first thought was Liverpool and McCartney's Oratorio of that name... But I had no 'inkling' of the rest so didn't want to spoil it by jumping in with my hunch (as Quasimodo said to Esmerelda). I nearly said something like "Are we on Merseyside?"...

SO what's the verdict - do we prefer people to pitch in asap with a partial, guessed at answer?

[rubbernecker]

for example, when I read Anna's "L" my first thought was Liverpool and McCartney's Oratorio

Ofca's L, surely? What's the matter with you today, Caliban?

[Nick Armstrong]

...and you still haven't learnt how to spell him. Whiff ! Whiff !

The rubbery whiff of censoriousness is rather strong this morning. How do you spell the bugger's name, then, Nielsen? Ah yes that looks right. Bums.

[rubbernecker]

Oh dear. Please don't fall-out chaps. I agree with what rubbers said in #2920 totally. (Wish I hadn't got out of bed this morning)

It's all right, Hercule. We're all friends here - especially Caliban and me