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Constructing => General Discussion => Topic started by: cranberry44 on June 12, 2018, 08:55:45 AM

Title: Quote part OK?
Post by: cranberry44 on June 12, 2018, 08:55:45 AM

I would like to use as an entry "fara" (for "far a"). The clue is a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: "A man in debt is
so ____ slave." My question is: Is this OK or does the answer from a quote need to be a more sensible partial,
such as "up to" or "nor be"?   

Title: Re: Quote part OK?
Post by: mmcbs on June 12, 2018, 09:08:41 AM

Iffy. On the positive side, RWE is a venerable source for quotes. On the negative side: 1) appears never to have been approved as an entry, and 2) the phrase is not inferable to anyone not already familiar with it (put yourself in the position of the solver faced with that clue - what would you guess?), 3) the usage of the term so far I assume it with the meaning of up to now(?). I honestly think the term is clumsy.

Title: Re: Quote part OK?
Post by: cranberry44 on June 12, 2018, 10:03:59 AM

I'm not that happy with it either. Thought I'd get a second opinion. Back to the blackboard. Thanks for answering so quickly!

Title: Re: Quote part OK?
Post by: mmcbs on June 12, 2018, 01:23:34 PM

Constructors' Maxims:

If you don't like it, everyone else will hate it.

When in doubt, out.

Rule of thumb I just made after reflecting again on your question: If you're contemplating using a partial that has never appeared in crosswords, it needs to be something from a very well known phrase or quote.

Title: Re: Quote part OK?
Post by: jonrenner on August 06, 2018, 04:27:45 AM

When in doubt, out.

Title: Re: Quote part OK?
Post by: cranberry44 on August 07, 2018, 02:45:25 PM

Yep, it's out. Thanks!