Some cryptic crosswords purists consider "indirect" anagrams as unfair to the solver. However, in Malaysia, in the sport of treasure hunting, "indirect" anagrams are widely used in clues. Perhaps they are considered fair to the solver because the required answers are already found on the signboards, instead of requiring the solver to come up with the entire word (s) on his own as in the case of solving the cryptic crosswords.
But how far can we allow the idea of "indirect" anagrams in treasure hunt clues?
Q26) Local metal prices are fixed for this individual.
A clue that defeated the entire hunting fraternity last Saturday. Let's look at the keywords first. The word "Local" is a translation indicator. It means that the solver is required to translate a word (s) from English into Malay. The word "fixed" is most probably an anagram indicator. And finally "individual" is the definition.
Working from the definition, i.e. individual, the solver should start scanning the sector for a person—any person—and then hope to figure things out by working backwards. But there were many, many words within that sector which could fit "individual".
Now let's try to figure out "metal" first. We start with translating "metal" into Malay, i.e. Logam. Then try to anagram that with "prices" on account of the anagram indicator "fixed". See if you can come up with anything that can agree with the "individual". No? OK, how about translating the word "prices" into Malay. Yes, that translation indicator may be referring to both "metal" and "prices". What do you get? Now try to anagram those words and see if you can come up with something that can equate to "individual"...
Still nothing? Hmmm... not very easy, huh?
Oh! the theme of the Kiwanis!... golden... silver... Yeah, that could be it! How about translating "gold" or "silver" into Malay, and then anagram either one with "prices". Maybe that will bring us home? OK, fine. Let's translate "gold" or "silver" and "prices" into Malay and then try those combinations. Surely that will bring us home!?
God dammit! Still nothing!
But wait!! It doesn't make much sense to translate "prices" into Malay. That word is in plural form. Translating it into Malay will lose its grammatical significance. So it must remain in English. But then, remaining in English doesn't mean it can't be substituted with other words of similar meanings? What words could that be?
Oops! time's up! We are not going to waste our time on something which is obviously not solvable, folks, so let's move on...
And so, we remained baffled by this clue until about 9:30pm the next day.
The official solution:
Local metal = EMAS
Prices = RATES
Fixed = anagram indicator
EMAS + RATES -> anagram -> SEAMASTER = Individual
I am so pleased with my team for dropping this clue. I would rather concentrate on the regular route questions which were worth 5 points each as opposed to 2 points only for this clue!
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