I am far more accepting of a weak homophone there, it may be one I don't get or one I think isn't particularly funny but it doesn't form part of the clue to solve it. It's an extra for those who wish to enjoy it. My Dad was a T solver and I have fond memories of him explaining London derriere to me.
Hard disagree there I'm afraid. If it's clued as a homophone via indicator then it needs to be a homophone. Similar and same are actually not synonyms except in regard to shapes in geometry.
I find many spoonerisms and homophones hard because of the degree of synonymity people think is allowable once the device is signalled. I also very rarely think oh that was good once solved. Far more likely to make me disgruntled. I have abandoned puzzles in utter disgust more than once due to this.
Also a pun should make one groan enjoyably, whereas a weak homophone without any real humour like most Spoonerism clues just makes me think WTF were you thinking. Obviously that's completely subjective but still.
Sometimes puns are just annoying, perhaps the problem is the classification of the clue type. Also there's nothing wrong with being disgruntled about just how 'close' some setters think things sound.
Homophones are divisive precisely because we do all speak differently - compare the word bar in Boston and LA. I got bored of the homophone police on 225 years ago, but they do sometimes have a point.
One I really enjoyed today. Very easy but also satisfying to solve. Hard doesn't always equal good.
Minute Cryptic - 12 October, 2025 "Antique rocking chair in empty attic" (7) 🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣🟣 🏆 0 hints – 1 under the community par (78,023 solvers so far). www.minutecryptic.com?utm_source=s...
Grammar is fine but I'd question the sound of the two words. I can hear the D quite distinctly when I say them. Mind you I'm gradually getting more deaf every day.
