Every Friday, Tally-Ho Corner’s cleverest clogs come together to solve a ‘foxer’ handcrafted by my sadistic chum and colleague, Roman. A complete ‘defoxing’ sometimes takes several days and usually involves the little grey cells of many readers. All are welcome to participate.
Below is a list of ‘33 Things Wot Happen or Happened in December’. Entries have been stripped of vowels and, where possible, have had any inter-word spaces repositioned*. For example, if Číhošť miracle was present it might appear as CHSTMR CL.
* Apostrophes are ignored and hyphens are treated as spaces
In an attempt to ensure as many people as possible get a chance to participate, Roman requests individual defoxers offer no more than six answers on Day 1. (After 24 hours have elapsed, fill your boots!). If your initial six answers are correct and consecutive, give yourself a pat on the back.
1. WR NDY
2. STRNL
3. SN KNGFT HSCHRNHR ST
4. SNTRKLSVND
5. PR MRFCLC KW R KRNG
6. SVTNNN VD SFG HNSTN
7. SRTX TRR DNRDN VDD
8. NT RNTNLN TCRR PTNDY
9. DNG ZHFSTVL
10. PRT NJSTC SBGN S
11. RTNVY GRCRC MNVGTST HRT HWTHTR FL LNG
12. SSH R
13. LSNFR NTS
14. P TRPNC P
15. CLPLYTC HNQMS SCR
16. FTDLS C LD
17. KNYG NSNDP NDNC
18. LQMD LD BL
19. RMN NRVLT NBGNS
20. FR STHM NHRTTR NSPLNTPRF RMD
21. FVGR MMNV NG RSDSP PRV RTHBR MDTRN GL
22. DL KSP P RNTLV SNFRT HFR STT M
23. PRDSPR G
24. XNNCD NT
25. SP RMCDS
26. CHR STMSTRC
27. CP TNMR CDBTS
28. DCMB RSTRVLT
29. BST NTPR TY
30. BR CPLYT HRFR STMT CH
31. SSS SNTNFJ HNLN NN
32. SN GN GFT HNT PHNS
33. RP LNL NC HDFR MNRS HPF RT HFR STTM
* * *
SOLUTIONS
last week’s clusters:
things that begin with ‘inf’ (defoxed by Aergistal)
a1. infanta (copperbottom)
a2. infantry fighting vehicle (Colonel_K)
a3. inflatable habitat (Nutfield)
b1. infinity (Mrs Nutfield)
c1. infrared thermometer (Colonel_K)
badgers (defoxed by Aergistal and Nutfield)
b2. prince caspian (Nutfield)
c2. tu-16 (Aergistal)
d1. br class 89 (Colonel_K)
d2. shelter (Aergistal)
e1. brock (Colonel_K, Mrs Nutfield)
mary queen of scots (defoxed by Nutfield)
b3. darnley (Aergistal)
c3. bothwell (Nutfield)
d3. sea rhino (Nutfield)
e2. vanessa redgrave (Aergistal)
e3. peterborough cathedral (Froggster)
notable channel crossers (defoxed by Colonel_K)
b4. louis bleriot (Colonel_K)
c4. sr.n4 princess anne (Colonel_K)
d4. radio queen (Nutfield)
e4. rinspeed splash (Aergistal)
e5. mercedes gleitze (Colonel_K)
masters (defoxed by Colonel_K and Nutfield)
a4. master flea (Mrs Nutfield)
a5. masters of the air (Colonel_K)
b5. stairmaster (Colonel_K)
c5. mastermind (Colonel_K)
d5. beastmaster (Nutfield)
11 RUTAN VOYAGER CIRCUMNAVIGATES THE EARTH WITHOUT REFUELLING
2 – SATURNALIA
26 – CHRISTMAS TRUCE
9 – DONGZHI FESTIVAL
19 – Looks like ARMENIAN REVOLUTION BEGINS but a very lazy asking of Jeeves hasn’t come up with a December revolution in Armenia.
27. CAPTAIN AMERICA DEBUTS – Captain America Comics #1, published Dec 20th, 1940
28. DECEMBRIST REVOLT – 1825 attempted Russian coup
29. BOSTON TEA PARTY – 1773 outrage against tea (Dec 16th)
31. ASSASSINATION OF JOHN LENNON – Dec 8th
32. SiNGiNG oF THe aNTiPHoNS ?? – slightly odd phraseology and should be 5 words
Almost right
32. SINGING OF THE O ANTIPHONS – aka the Greater Advent antiphons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhK_SjfMDX4
30. BR C {1 word} PLaY THeiR FiRST MaTCH – Barça?
ETA: Seems right – December 8th 1899
“Two years later, in 1901 and on the exact same date, FC Barcelona played their first game with nets in the goals”
Double eggnog!
14. PETER PAN CUP
20. FIRST HUMAN HEART TRANSPLANT PERFORMED
21. FIVE GRUMMAN AVENGERS DISAPPEAR OVER THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE
22. DALEKS APPEAR ON TELEVISION FOR THE FIRST TIME
3. SINKING OF THE SCHARNHORST (Ah, takes me back to Hunt the Bismarck on my BBC B)
33. AIRPLANE LAUNCHED FROM AN AIRSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME
And i’m done…