Codenames 40

[Azoth]

Point to ENGLAND

[El Grillo]

ENGLAND is red.

[Azoth]

At its most basic, Brexit is the decision and the process for ENGLAND (with the rest of the UK) to DROP out of the European Union.

Depending on your politics, you might say England MARCHes out, DUCKs out, SPRINGs free or high-TAILs it outta there.

But the headline for Brexit is ENGLAND DROPs out. I'd be more confident about this if there wasn't a link between DROP and Shopping, but then again that clue was Shopping, not Shop (till you DROP).

[Tarkeel]

I'd prefer HOSPITAL over DROP, but I can see the case for either of those two. I don't think it's any of the others you listed though.

[JR4]

If it's down to DROP or HOSPITAL, I clearly favour the former.

[Azoth]

All right, let's do it.

Point to DROP

(I very much doubt it's HOSPITAL. With 2-word clues, we're talking definitions, not associations.)

[Amicalola]

DROP is red.

[Azoth]

Nice.

So I still lean SPRING for our Polytheistic +1. DRESS is no longer an option. MARCH is possible, but when I put the trio of MARCH/PYRAMID/SATURN together, I think March as the month is more likely to stand out, which would suggest a clue related to astrology, observatories or horoscopes, rather than Polytheistic.

Passing is also a valid choice at this point. If we get a 2-word clue next round, then we can be assured that El Grillo meant for us to guess SPRING as our final, 8th word (if that is what we are leaning towards). If we get a 3-word clue, then that suggests SPRING is wrong.

I am heading out on a business trip soon, so will be offline for the next 48 hours or so. Happy for you to decide and play on without me.

[DaveV]

I think TRUNK is automatic, after IVORY was blue. After that, I'm at a loss, although I agree that discussion is a very good idea.

[Tarkeel]

I think I'd prefer STRING as the last polytheistic clue as well.