Comments on Crossword Unclued: Letter Exchange

Best part of the post is the pictorial clue on top...

2009-12-31T19:37:56.946+05:30

Best part of the post is the pictorial clue on top!!

LAST -> SALT

CVasi Sir, I think it's all right for two word...

2009-12-17T21:50:50.940+05:30

CVasi Sir, I think it's all right for two words to become one - that's how charade clues work after all - the only addition here is combining it with letter exchange.

Whatever happens, queen's gown must exchange hands! (10)

On the surface I was interpreting "exchange hands" to mean handing over to another. Suppose the gown is being made by tailorA who has, of late, lost favour with the queen (maybe the last gown he made got booed by the fashion press). So, the queen's PR people say - come what may, this gown must be given to tailorB for completion.

Now that you point it out, it seems too much reading between the lines (and "change hands" would convey it better than "exchange hands"), but when I saw the clue I read it this way quite naturally.

Whatever happens, queen's gown must exchang...

2009-12-16T17:11:29.692+05:30
Whatever happens, queen's gown must exchange hands! (10)

REGARDLESS from REGAL DRESS

Okay, maddy! REGAL DRESS becomes REGAR DLESS. Now how do we give the push for the two words to merge into one? By merely putting it in the slot?

How would the gown exchange its hands without the intervention of a tailor?

Suppose it were "Whatever happens, hands of queen's gown must be interchanged" I can understand that the queen's tailors will come in later for the alteration.

Maybe we should not read too much into the clues? What do you think?

I had almost posted a hint for the REGARDLESS clue...

2009-12-16T10:51:23.621+05:30
I had almost posted a hint for the REGARDLESS clue when your comment came in, maddy. Bingo!

Whatever happens, queen's gown must exchange h...

2009-12-16T10:49:52.180+05:30
Whatever happens, queen's gown must exchange hands! (10)

REGARDLESS from REGAL DRESS

Yes raghunath. I like how "reasons for" ...

2009-12-14T14:07:25.828+05:30
Yes raghunath. I like how "reasons for" is used in the clue.

The setter Taupi died in July this year. This clue is from one of his puzzles published posthumously.

Hi Shuchi, Guardian 24797 (Taupi): Dull reasons fo...

2009-12-14T13:47:20.762+05:30
Hi Shuchi,
Guardian 24797 (Taupi): Dull reasons for spies switching sides (7)
PROS,CIA = {PROS}{AIC}