Many thanks to Duke for running the previous contest.

For ASCWC 264, please submit up to three cryptic clues for:

DELTA VARIANT (5,7)

The deadline is just before midnight, your time, Friday, September 24.

Luciano

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DELTA VARIANT (5,7)

Big mouth from Mississippi, maybe, changing regarding recent killer? (5, 7)

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To many ducking the jab, a death blow is dealt? (5,7)

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". . . or NOT to be" belated confusion everywhere it seems to this dreadful development (5,7)

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New problem emerging when interval data reclassified (5, 7)

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Dangerous but ignored threat attired, naval-style (5, 7)

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Sorry for the delay. Will get the clue list out soon.

Luciano

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Thanks to those who submitted clues for this.

My interpretations are below. Please comment, if necessary.

Luciano

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Duke:

Big mouth from Mississippi, maybe, changing regarding recent killer? (5, 7)
Big mouth, etc. = DELTA; changing = VARIANT; def = recent killer

New problem emerging when interval data reclassified (5, 7)
INTERVALDATA anag; def = new problem

Dangerous but ignored threat attired, naval-style (5, 7)
ATTIREDNAVAL anag; def = dangerous but ignored threat

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Mark:

To many ducking the jab, a death blow is dealt? (5,7)
DEALT = DELTA 'VARIANT'; entire clue alludes to answer

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David:

". . . or NOT to be" belated confusion everywhere it seems to this dreadful development (5,7)
BELATED anag minus BE = DELTA, with 'confusion' serving as anag indicator as well as pointer to VARIANT(?); def = this dreadful development?; not sure what 'everywhere it seems' is doing.

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On Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 11:27:39 AM UTC-4, Luciano Ward wrote:

Mark:
To many ducking the jab, a death blow is dealt? (5,7)
DEALT = DELTA 'VARIANT'; entire clue alludes to answer

The intent was a little more conventional with "to many ducking the jab, a death blow" being the definition.

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On Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 12:57:39 PM UTC-2:30, Luciano Ward wrote:

Thanks to those who submitted clues for this.

My interpretations are below. Please comment, if necessary.

Luciano

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Duke:
Big mouth from Mississippi, maybe, changing regarding recent killer? (5, 7) Big mouth, etc. = DELTA; changing = VARIANT; def = recent killer
New problem emerging when interval data reclassified (5, 7)
INTERVALDATA anag; def = new problem
Dangerous but ignored threat attired, naval-style (5, 7)
ATTIREDNAVAL anag; def = dangerous but ignored threat

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Mark:
To many ducking the jab, a death blow is dealt? (5,7)
DEALT = DELTA 'VARIANT'; entire clue alludes to answer

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David:
". . . or NOT to be" belated confusion everywhere it seems to this dreadful development (5,7)
BELATED anag minus BE = DELTA, with 'confusion' serving as anag indicator as well as pointer to VARIANT(?); def = this dreadful development?; not sure what 'everywhere it seems' is doing.

"everywhere" alludes to Hamlet's "sea of troubles" and Coleridge's "water, water everywhere" seemingly!

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Both results out tomorrow.

Regards,

Luciano

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Repeated thanks to those who submitted clues for this.

My opinions are below. The winner is revealed at the end.

Luciano

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Duke:

Big mouth from Mississippi, maybe, changing regarding recent killer? (5, 7)
Big mouth, etc. = DELTA; changing = VARIANT; def = recent killer
-- The two indicators for DELTA and VARIANT aren't that cryptic. The surface reading, I presume, alludes to vociferous doubters re the virus, its guises and its avoidance, but it isn't terribly elegant.

New problem emerging when interval data reclassified (5, 7)
INTERVALDATA anag; def = new problem
-- A very good find with 'interval data', which is/are a real thing, I find. The definition, while relevant now, is a bit vague generally.

Dangerous but ignored threat attired, naval-style (5, 7)
ATTIREDNAVAL anag; def = dangerous but ignored threat
-- Not a huge fan of the way the anagram is indicated. Not quite sure what to make of the surface reading. The definition, as with the previous clue, is a bit vague.

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Mark:

To many ducking the jab, a death blow is dealt? (5,7)
DEALT = DELTA 'VARIANT'; def = to many ducking the jab, a death blow
-- I'm not the hugest fan of using an implied anagram indicator as part of the definition, but I have seen it in many another clue. The reference to 'jab' gives the definition some specificity (cf Duke's previous two clues).

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David:

". . . or NOT to be" belated confusion everywhere it seems to this dreadful development (5,7)
BELATED anag minus BE = DELTA, with 'confusion' serving as anag indicator as well as pointer to VARIANT(?); as per David: "everywhere" alludes to Hamlet's "sea of troubles" and Coleridge's "water, water everywhere" seemingly!
-- I'm not sure how the allusions serve the clue or help the solver. -----------

My winner is Mark. Duke and his interval data is/are second.

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