Cryptic Stuff

[not_for_sale2025]

While it was done some years ago I see, I thought I would try a cryptic crossword-like thread for fun and to try and boost a little more interest here. I made up the below question for anyone interested in such a challenge. I thought the first person to get it correct might come up with the next question. A clue though - if you copy one from a newspaper or magazine etc., the answer can often be found on the internet. I can explain the answer for anyone who asks. 🙂

The prisoner at the cave would not stand for the electrically charged droplets of water.

(12 letters)

[wide-world-of-stamps]

Oh well .... back to domino's line of thought  -   The ......

[domino-710]

Well - we know it isn't this - unadventerous - hello.

[countessalmirena]

Pot boiler.

[janeababe]

Pre cooked. 

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[the_great_she_elephant]

Well done, Countess

pot boiler:  is a novel, play, film  or other creative work of dubious literary or artistic merit, whose main purpose was to pay for the creator's daily expenses (Wikipedia)

[countessalmirena]

Collected Chinese instrument before particular day (1 word, 6 letters)

[domino-710]

Abacus????

[countessalmirena]

Lovely suggestion, but it’s not the answer.

[janeababe]

Sorry She_El,

....but can you please explain to me how the answer matches the clue, because I can’t make the connection. 

clue: a cookery book for unadventurous chefs.

Answer: pot boiler

Explanation: is a novel , play, film or other creative work of dubious literary or artistic merit, whose main purpose was to pay for the creators daily expenses.  

novel = book.... that’s all I can match 😭😭😭😭

I just can’t work it out.  So sorry.

[the_great_she_elephant]

Not a problem Jane.

A pot boiler is a book of no great merit.

A cookery book for unadventurous chefs would presumably contain recipes of no great  merit.

Boiling stuff in a pot would be unadventurous cooking.

Therefore a cookery book for unadventurous chefs could be classed as a pot boiler. 

(cryptic clues are  all about lateral thinking.)