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Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: zinaphile on July 24, 2020, 12:40:17 AM
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What do you all think of cluing HOLDUPS as [Bandits' fortes]? Unacceptable? Weak? Reasonable? Solid?
I can't rely on an editor for this as changing it would break other puzzle elements.
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Seems OK to me.
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Cool. One more question: how does [Bandits' deeds] compare with [Bandits' fortes] for HOLDUPS? Better? Worse? Similar?
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You could always use something like "Traffic jams" if you are worried about the context.
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A thought on this, for what it's worth: "bandit" has the connotation of someone breaking and entering, whereas "robber" has the connotation of someone doing a one-on-one grab (holdup). Maybe change to "robbers' fortes"?
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Good suggestions, but [Bandits' fortes] or [Bandits' deeds] are what I'm looking at for thematic reasons. I just want to make sure I'm being fair to the solver (I should've made that clearer). So the question is, as a solver what would your reaction be to each of those clues? Would one or both leave you grumbling? Would they lead you to HOLDUPS (perhaps needing a couple of crosses)?
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I would be fine with either one, no grumbling here. I'm sure I'd need a couple of crosses but that's fine.
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I like "deeds" (or "acts" or other synonyms) better than "fortes." I'm nitpicking here but I think a holdup is not necessarily what a bandit is good at. It's just how he makes a living.
I don't think of a bandit as someone who breaks and enters. That, to me, is a burglar. When I hear "bandit" I think of someone sticking up a train or covered wagon. Again, just my two cents.
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Yeah, you're right, "deeds" is more on point. But "fortes" works a bit better thematically. One of those trade offs that always vex me - not experienced enough to be confident in my judgement.
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Whoops! My mistake. In my mind, I was thinking "burglar" instead of "bandit." So I agree "bandit" should be OK.
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A belated thanks to all for your input. It's been very helpful.