Last week I mentioned the ellipsis, which is the intentional omission of certain words based on assumptions made due to the context of the conversation or language. For a really good explanation of how ellipsis is used in normal English, visit here. How does this relate to cryptics? Well, the argument is that a setter can use the ellipsis device to define answers without a pronoun, thereby using a verbal phrase to define a noun. Here is the blog entry that isn’t directly about it, but mentions it. Look for Don Manley’s posts. The example given states that “eats many cakes” can equate to “he/she eats many cakes” because “eats many cakes” can be treated elliptically. I find the whole thing hard to swallow as it’s clear from the grammar explanation page that context is all important in the correct use of ellipsis. A key line for me is: “…when we use ellipsis appropriately, no one thinks we have ‘left out’ anything…”. In other words, deception or misunderstanding is contrary to how the ellipsis is intended to be used – it’s there to make conversation easier without losing any understanding. I would argue that it’s wrong to use it any other way than the original intention. Without context, ellipsis has no meaning: the word(s) left out rely on what’s gone before, and can’t be assumed without this prior understanding.
What do you think or this too technical to worry about?
| Across | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | BARMAID | |
| Tender, supporting, escort’s offering a pub job (7) | BID outside (ARM + A) | |
| 5 | A TRIFLE | |
| Act oddly in front of shooter somewhat (1,6) | (A)C(T) + RIFLE | |
| 9 | BIMETALLIC STRIP | |
| Limit cables reconfigured to set off part of thermostat (10,5) | Anagram of LIMIT CABLES + TRIP | |
| 10 | LAY BROTHER | |
| Soup served with, say, chicken skin being part of order (3,7) | BROTH inside LAYER | |
| 11 | HAIR | |
| Filament is hot when in contact with gaseous mixture (4) | H + AIR | |
| 13 | NARRATOR | |
| Nark cut short informer or storyteller (8) | (NAR)K + RAT + OR | |
| 15 | FIRE | |
| Get rid of tree close to house (4) | FIR + HOUS(E) | |
| 18 | SLOT | |
| Track opening (4) | Double Definition | |
| 19 | DEMENTIA | |
| People tucked into a diet adapted for senility (8) | MEN inside anagram of A DIET | |
| 22 | HOLD | |
| Keep space for cargo (4) | Double Definition | |
| 23 | FLEA MARKET | |
| A target captured by naval force stalls (4,6) | (A + MARK) inside FLEET | |
| 26 | SHARP-WITTEDNESS | |
| Perception changed with depressants (5-10) | Anagram of WITH DEPRESSANTS | |
| 27 | EXTINCT | |
| Former partner, back to fight in court, is wiped out (7) | EX + FIGH(T) + IN + CT | |
| 28 | DONATES | |
| A position given backing after crime boss is charitable (7) | [A + (SET reversed)] after DON | |
| Down | Answers and Clues | Explanations |
| 1 | BUBBLING | |
| Young child with showy jewellery is effervescent (8) | BUB + BLING | |
| 2 | RUMMY | |
| Card game is not very good without clubs (5) | CRUMMY minus C | |
| 3 | ALTERNATOR | |
| One supplies power to improve a military alliance right? (10) | ALTER + NATO + R | |
| 4 | DELETION | |
| Removed passage and note was first written up with one included (8) | (NOTE + LED) reversed outside I | |
| 5 | AMINES | |
| Basic chemicals as found lying around excavation (6) | AS outside MINE | |
| 6 | RUSK | |
| Child’s food stuff stored in citrus keeper (4) | citRUS Keeper | |
| 7 | FIRMAMENT | |
| Definite ending to prayer time? Heavens! (9) | FIRM + AMEN + T | |
| 8 | EXPERT | |
| Guru is sexy, uninhibited and cheeky? (6) | S(EX)Y + PERT | |
| 12 | FIRE WARDEN | |
| Emergency worker, one offered money in Chinese capital (4,6) | (I + REWARD) in FEN | |
| 14 | RESULTANT | |
| Muslim sovereign in territory upset following (9) | SULTAN inside (TER reversed) | |
| 16 | DEPARTED | |
| Property document containing deception, in retrospect, should be left (8) | DEED outside (TRAP reversed) | |
| 17 | BAPTISES | |
| Roll is used in uploading of class names (8) | BAP + [IS inside (SET reversed)] | |
| 20 | CHASTE | |
| Pure swatch of fabric has texture (6) | fabriC HAS TExture | |
| 21 | PLAINT | |
| Statement of grievance made to a court is evident over time (6) | PLAIN + T | |
| 24 | KNELT | |
| King, joining preparation for Lent, got ready to pray (5) | K + anagram of LENT | |
| 25 | SPIN | |
| Country not needing a revolution (4) | SPAIN minus A |
