Episode 3838

Episode 3838 was broadcast on 15 December 2004, and was the first semi-final of Series 52.

John Hunt played Paul Gallen, with Paul Gallen winning 108 – 47. The Dictionary Corner guest was Richard Digance, and the lexicographer was Susie Dent.

Rounds

Rnd	Selection	John Hunt	Score	Paul Gallen	Others	Max.
1	EAOSCGLPT	SOLACE	0 – 7	LOCATES	GELCOATS*, POLECATS	8
2	RNSEIEWTA	WINTERS	0 – 15	SWEATIER	RESINATE, TRAINEES, WEARIEST	16
3	IEOSMTHXM	tommies ☓	0 – 15	tommies ☓	HOMIEST*	23
4	SNDEOAPLI	palenoids ☓	0 – 33	PALINODES		41
5	7 5 10 1 6 9 → 383	383 ☓	0 – 40	380 (7 × 6 − 5 + 1) × 10	Best: 383 = (5 × 6 + 9) × 10 − 7	51
TTT	CHINREST				CHRISTEN
6	RMRUAEGCN	uncage ☓	0 – 46	ACUMEN	ARGUER, CARMEN, CURARE, ENGRAM, GARNER, GERMAN, GRANUM, GURNER, MANGER, MANURE, MURAGE, RAGMEN*, RANGER	57
7	AEUYRSKND	DARKENS	7 – 53	ASUNDER	DANSEUR, DASYURE, DUNKERS, UNASKED, UNREADY*	64
8	FLRIOITEP	TREFOIL	14 – 60	POLITER	FIRELIT, LOFTIER, PROFILE, TRIPOLI	71
9	IEACDSPNR	PRANCED	14 – 68	SPRAINED	PRESCIND	79
10	50 3 1 7 4 4 → 822	822 4 × 50 × 4 + 3 × 7 + 1	24 – 78	822 4 × 50 × 4 + 3 × 7 + 1		89
TTT	HISDIETS				DISHIEST
11	OAELDTNLV	TOLLED	24 – 85	TALONED	NOVATED, NOVELLA	96
12	TBDIEIZTM	TIMID	29 – 90	TIMED	BITTED	102
13	EIONSRTSG	STINGERS	37 – 98	GORINESS	GENITORS, SONGSTER, STRIGOSE, TRESSING, TRIGONES*	110
14	25 6 8 3 7 9 → 278	278 (9 + 8 − 6) × 25 + 3	47 – 108	278 (8 + 3) × 25 + 9 − 6		120
15	SHINYGITE		47 – 108		HYGIENIST	130