English: Ad for James Mann, taxidermist; Theatre Alley, Boston MA (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Visual Description: Capitalism on parade.
TANVIE = NATIVE, FOCIAS = FIASCO, LEFWOL = FELLOW, TEPTIE = PETITE, OICCIN = ICONIC, OMAUFS = FAMOUS — Giving us: NTIISOFEPTTCIFMO
Clue/Question: The new taxidermist moving to town gave the old taxidermist . . .
Answer: STIFF COMPETITION
(Not as many of you do the Sunday Jumble, but I’m sure a good number of you struggled some with this one. I wouldn’t be surprised if this pun hasn’t been used in an earlier Jumble, except with undertakers! Same concept. Great clue word jumbling today! I struggled to get “fiasco”. I think I’ve struggled with other jumblings of this word in the past, as well. I really like the jumbling of “petite” and “famous” too. And, it looks like “native” is going to be a new addition to the ralis95 clue word database. I thought the answer letter layout was masterful. A great all-around Jumble.
Check out the comment that our friend Jeff Knurek posted. I thought I’d address it here, instead of replying to his comment, because only a certain number of comments show up. I think there’s a way you can see more than the ones that are displayed, but that’s for the really ambitious blog readers. Most of y’all are a li’l more casual. Anywho, Jeff is broadening his horizons, and has recorded some music. I took a listen, and it’s actually pretty good. There’s a link to a website, where you can hear three or four of his songs, within the comment. I normally don’t like to give out free plugs, but where else can a kid like this get the kind of exposure that Unclerave’s can provide?!! Nowhere, baby! Besides . . . the guy is almost family. Right??? But, Jeffy. Facebook? I barely have enough time to post these spoilers these days. I rarely have time to putz around on facebook. You should see my email’s inbox. It would take me days to clean that up. But anyway . . . Check out Jeff’s comment and the link to his music. You’ll be glad you did! Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
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Unclerave's Wordy Weblog 
I actually got through this puzzle pretty quickly. Had to use a few of the tricks, but putting the letters in a circle helped to see all but iconic pretty quickly. That one did take a few. Was a bit overwhelmed when I saw all the letters for the answer, but somehow got competition right off!
Linda puts the letters in a circle? What’s that mean? I’m curious. Anyway, I carried this puzzle with me till Friday with some very frustrating moments. *Easy=ICONIC & FAMOUS *Hard=FELLOW & PETITE *Torture=NATIVE & FIASCO I finally gave up today after riding the bike at the gym for 30 minutes and staring at NATIVE and FIASCO with no luck. So I came to you, YUR! Pretty funny cartoon. I will check out Jeff’s music. Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Makin’ up for lost time. Huh, kid? Don’t be a stranger, Les.
— YUR
Lesley, when I was struggling with a puzzle on vacation last year, another guest at the Inn told me to circle the letters in the word. I was like, HUH? Just put all the letters in a word in a circle. E.g., with iconic, put the C at the top then come down with an I then, moving in a circle add the other letters. I was pretty skeptical, but that little trick has helped me with lots of jumbled words. Of course, it doesn’t always help. Sometimes I put all of the letters in a form like the game Boggle and see what word/words I can come up with. Hope that helps.
Thanks, Linda, I will try that. I thought I knew most of the tricks! Ha!
I don’t get the Sunday, alas, but have always put the six-ers in a circle in a different order than they appear in the puzzle, assuming I don’t see the answer immediately. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll try a completely different order in a second circle. I’m envious of those who can instantly unscramble these words just by hearing the letters – not even written down. That’s a talent that completely eludes me.
Art
Hey Art. I know! Sometimes I can look at the jumbled letters and voila, see the word right away. Most of the time not. I keep a spiral notebook and pen handy at the table so I can work on my words. I’ve filled many notebooks through the years.
I would have gone for the more inappropriate “mortician” rather than taxidermist.
OT: Jeff, when you drew the family of Cyclops a few weeks ago…I didn’t notice at 1st if the were… 8^P
I’ll let Jeff handle this one. — YUR