The official bored-at-work cryptic crossword pass it on thread.

am sure a determined yank setter could throw a few googlies ... screwballs? to british solvers.

xp hmm can see the chop, now not sure about the first stick. i suppose 'chop stick' is a kind of definition by example.

I learned a new word usage this morning: pet = A fit of bad temper or pique.
intr.v. pet·ted, pet·ting, pets
To be sulky and peevish

Dictionary says origin unknown. I've never heard this in America. Is this used in Britain?

Not at all common nowadays. 'In a bit of a pet', I think I've read, and possibly heard in, Derby was it?

The whole clue was kind of a groaner imo: Pet perhaps in "Fudge-Nut" mart (7) = TANTRUM.

Obsolete usage of pet (and "in a bit of a pet" seems to me more sulky and not raging tantrum-y.) Plus, "fudge" is not needed for the anagram, or is it telling me to "fudge" the letters? Bleh.

Now I think the "chop stick" is playing on the two definitions of the answer. So the clue has two definitions for the answer- which are antonyms!- and then the wordplay. Maybe.

I think you're right! That's pretty nice.

Was hard for the mind to grasp it all.

This site also might be useful, run by Orlando/Cincinnus, I believe: http://bestforpuzzles.com/cryptic-crossword-dictionary/l/love.html

Aha, "fudge" IS an anagram indicator! My puzzle also used cream as an anagram indicator, which was new to me. That site looks great, thanks!

Sure, no problem.

Starting to appreciate why the rules are different in the US and the UK.

That 'U' thing featured in that same Guardian puzzle:
18d: Posh policeman defending article that's put online? (6)

Also, the debut puzzle by the two new setters at The Nation is here: http://www.thenation.com/article/161070/our-new-puzzlers-debut-puzzle-no-3197

u plo(a)d

Yup. Had no idea who PC Plod was.

This was painful today: You've arrived in London- it's a waste to get out of the tube! (4)

Starting to appreciate why the rules are different in the US and the UK.

Just wow, posh policeman = U PLOD.

You've arrived in London- it's a waste to get out of the tube! (4)

not a clue. letters?

Oh. I think I see now. Urea? (you're 'ere?)

gor blimey

fun surface, but definition is a bit too tortuous for me. Also, never keen on that cockney drop-an-aitch thing.

Of the finger shovel good for Rastas (7)

Digital. I got one!

Gunslinger carries hearing protection (8)

*thinks* dang I could've made that a bit wordier

earplugs

i'm so easy

Did you guys see this one the other day:

Golden gun author? (6)

is that right?

Is what right?

Maybe it was
Gold gun author? (6)

nm i'm not even in the game lately

Austen.

:)

I get so few I have to jump in when I get one. Reminds me of when a visit to my grandparents involved a drowsy post-lunch word game of some sort - you had to get as Manu words of a type beginning with a certain letter - and when something like 'parts of the body beginning with V' came up my hitherto somnolent little brother suddenly excitedly bawled out at the top of his voice VAGINA!

'Ooh, I suppose it is, dear, yes' said my grandmother.

To be fair to him, some little thought was required before we could come up with some non-vagina parts of the body beginning with V.

vestibule

vertebrae

vulva

vagus nerve

vitreous humour

vienna sausage

I said 'ventricle' thoughtfully and took a sip of sherry iirc.

vas deferens

Gold gun author?

Sten shows up quite frequently in American crosswords; baffled the hell out of me the first few times until I realized it's one of those "Asta"-type words that setters seem to love. (See also: Snee.)

Or Smee

Bob Marley hits foot? (6)

Or:
Marley hits foot? (6)

so you might think it has something to do with Scrooge and clumsy chain-rattling specters.

legend

mythic tale of ilx poster dropping dime and losing all (6)

speaking of, quite enjoyed this lightly themed guardian a few weeks ago.

Think there was a recent one in which that ilx poster was the answer. Maybe was Independent.