Sunday Jumble Spoiler – 08/27/17

Visual Description:  The gifted grease-monkey!

CLIFEK  =  FICKLE,  OILERO  =  ORIOLE,  MYSSET  =  SYSTEM,  NUMMIE  =  IMMUNE,  RUUPES  =  PURSUE,  ALXEEH  =  EXHALE   —   Giving us:  FIKOOLSTIMNRSLE

Clue/Question:  To be an expert mechanic requires – – –

Pre-Answer:  Three Words  (4-letters)  (5-letters)  (6-letters)

Answer:  FINE MOTOR SKILLS

(Definitely not a gimme!  I got all the words immediately, and wrote down the answer letter layout.  CBS Sunday Morning was on the tube, and the kitchen was very active, and all I was seeing was TOOLS.  I gave it to my daughter, and she immediately saw TOOLS, but also saw FINE.  That left KIMRSL, which I’m pretty sure can’t be made into a word.  So, following breakfast, I took the paper into the reading room.  In there I saw the alternative to “engine”, and my SKILLS kicked in!  All of the clue words are old favorites, but five of the jumbles came up as new.  It looks like they’ve used “nummie” before.  I’d say that today’s answer letter layout was amazingly cryptic!  It had me going!   Fun cartoon.  It looks like Jeff’s Jumble Jag is leaking oil.  But, it looks like the master will work his magic soon.  Be well and do good, friends.)   —   YUR