These are two clues from an old Globe and Mail cryptic. I know the answers to both, but the answers don’t make any sense to me.

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Silly things but capital savers (5)

spoiler

GEESE

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Mimi’s was frozen on watch (6 4)

spoiler

MINUTE HAND

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Any ideas for either of these?

  • clumpEnglish
    3·
    1 year ago

    The first one is a double pun.

    spoiler

    The first part “silly things” refers to the phrase “silly goose”, which pluralized makes “geese”. The second part “capital savers” is harder to understand. According to an analysis of the original Guardian puzzle solutions, it alludes to an ancient tale of how geese (supposedly) saved the roman capitol from invading gauls. That explanation, however, does not explain why the word is spelled "capital. Perhaps that difference is just a nested pun on the letter-switching (oo to ee) used to make the plural in the first part, or “capital savers” may instead (or as well) refer to the fairy tale of the goose that laid golden eggs (gold being capital, and the goose being something that should be saved and not cooked/killed).

    • cliambrownOPEnglish
      2·
      1 year ago

      Wow, that is a pretty obscure reference AND a complex pun.

      spoiler

      “minute” as in small — although I would argue that adding in “on watch” doesn’t make a ton of sense here

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      Thanks!

      • MarsEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        No problem! It was a fun little journey through Google. 😄

        spoiler

        I’m guessing that “on watch” is a double and just simply refers to being in the opera’s audience and watching the scene play out in front of you? Maybe? 😅

        • LoetEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Could it refer to the minute hand on an analogue watch ⌚ ?

          I’ve never understood the cryptic xword even when I saw the answers. The Globe’s quick crossword is hard enough for me 😂