For the benefit of readers with too much time on their hands over the summer, we present a 26-part word quiz, whose overall theme is suggested by the picture right.
Each answer has a numbered visual and verbal clue. All but one of the answers comprise one or two words (the exception has three) and have a similarity to each other, but there is no particular order. Solve one, and the rest will follow more easily.
The quiz will remain open until noon on 1 September, after which the person with the most correct answers will be awarded an exciting prize. (In the event of a tie, the name of the winner will be drawn from a shooglie hat.)
Please email your answers to: spurtle@hotmail.co.uk or leave a letter (with your contact details in it) marked ‘Spurtle quiz’ at Narcissus, 87 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RJ.
Good luck!
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Update: For answers and winners, see Breaking news (1.9.14).
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1. Custard eater?
2. Climbing arachnid.
[Image by John Storey: Creative Commons.]
3. Chilli con carne is.
4. This portrait of Sir John Vanbrugh is, after his favourite haunt.
5. What not to do behind the Ford Transit.
6. The sound of the Scottish summer, or a child's size zeros.
7. Skimpy.
[Image ©William: Creative Commons.]
8. Not hard but mushy.
9. Secrecy, muddle, or friendly thief.
10. Like an attacking trench or Ancient Egyptian drench.
11. Unusual task.
12. Boy George, but for how long?
13. Bedwear for Captain Kirk.
14. Daft.
[Image by Wallpoopy: Creative Commons.]
15. Applause for tosh.
16. Designer underwear.
17. VIPs.
18. Not down to earth. Impractical.
19. Any old how.
20. Stand!
21. Critic.
22. Give and take, Clarice.
23. Confusion.
24. Hearty player.
25. Romantic.
(Image from New York City Diary: Creative Commons.)
26. Insipid, said Carey, Pope, Swift and Gay.
[All images are from Wikipedia, Creative Commons, unless otherwise stated.]