The date today is 28/2/02.
Some clues contain a superfluous word the initial letters of which, in the
given order, pose a question. Other clues are normal and are presented in
alphabetical order of their solutions. Answers must be slotted into the grid
'jigsaw'-style. Only 1 across and 39 across (both unclued) will help the
solver answer the question by recalling a relevant quotation (well-known
but not in ODQ) - the answer appears in the finished grid. Solvers should
then complete the title.
Four words are not in Chambers but are in OED; a further three clues yield
proper nouns (also not in Chambers!).
Superfluous word clues
Outwork in ditch - warrior notes indisposition
In spite of ancient gremlin, gold swindled in hasty departing
Saints exchange odes initially refining old verse form
Having skill namely - that's not without working on
Ogre armies go by shiftily
Read, we hear, a lousy short novel - disgraceful
Three-toed sloth with two toes! Italian one's insufferable initially
Etonian moves home missing school at once
An aberrant lemur is always and for ever twisted
Shows opaqueness on sights, we hear
Thread-like blister with weird name
Neil's eaten horrible winter pear
Writer may show hesitation after amorous pass
Founder of foreign newspaper took short holiday from work in North of England
back in March repeatedly
In this Harry batted dressed in stone
Torn skin in bag lining nail-file
Gave nine ladies dancing a leaving party
Spurious indications of honour left in Indiana
The French game over open range
Pieces of plastic left in UK tax net endlessly
Titled aristocrats state the French dimension
Stabbing pains sting with algesia - ibuprofen left heartlessly out
A clever clever rhyme
Reading, say, French article with one eye
Normal clues
Old World herb a hospital used in North Carolina, America
Inuit sorcerer in Bangkok base blowing top
Whip female over bed
Folk-dance beat with Elton regularly
'The end' perhaps of line with nothing jealously guarded
Nothing flows back into waterfall
Obsolete names of soldiers raised by Poles
To fold postman takes half of leaf
Rescue before onscreen crash?
Watch urinals, we hear - they're leaky
She heartlessly learnt a secret tramp jargon
Espionage regularly in grass
Fruit not suitable for fast, by the sounds of it
Rare path found in last year
Egyptian goddess found swimming tail-less suitable
One Italian real-life Aunt Sally, we hear
Removed spirit and obscurely carved rabbit
Exploited head of Wall Street Journal?
Desires to take part - greed, say, follows hunger (2 words)