Spoilers for Thursday 3rd April 2025 (Series 91, Heat 64)

[Gavin Chipper]

That first numbers was relatively straightforward if you do (50+1)×(9+6+1)=816.

[Philip A]

Is there a difference between the way Dictionary Corner checks their own words and the contestants’ words on the show? Not for the first time, they’ve suggested an invalid word: VERONALS (means BARBITONE which is an uncountable mass noun, so VERONAL would not take the S plural).

[John Garcia]

Is there a difference between the way Dictionary Corner checks their own words and the contestants’ words on the show? Not for the first time, they’ve suggested an invalid word: VERONALS (means BARBITONE which is an uncountable mass noun, so VERONAL would not take the S plural).

I think this might be a Dictionary error rather than a DC error? VERONAL is listed as a noun even though its a synonym for BARBITONE which is listed as a mass noun.

Also I note the example sentence they give "She attempted suicide early yesterday morning in her apartment by taking a mixture of veronal and bromides." Nice cheery entry from the OED!!!

[Philip A]

Is there a difference between the way Dictionary Corner checks their own words and the contestants’ words on the show? Not for the first time, they’ve suggested an invalid word: VERONALS (means BARBITONE which is an uncountable mass noun, so VERONAL would not take the S plural).

I think this might be a Dictionary error rather than a DC error? VERONAL is listed as a noun even though its a synonym for BARBITONE which is listed as a mass noun.

Also I note the example sentence they give "She attempted suicide early yesterday morning in her apartment by taking a mixture of veronal and bromides." Nice cheery entry from the OED!!!

No, I don’t think it’s a dictionary error, just the way the pages are linked and formatted are different. There are a few other examples, for example ‘ebonites’ was disallowed because it’s another term for ‘vulcanite’ which is a mass noun (i.e. ebonite is also a mass noun). That’s why Apterous disallows all these, and veronals.

And remember, it’s ODP, not OED.

DC previously suggested paralyze, goopier and costumer – all invalid. Inconsistencies every series.

[Howie Myers]

r5: HEINOUS
r8: SOLVATE