The Too Hard Puzzle
Solution (?)

1. When James Murray applied for the editorship of what became the Oxford English Dictionary, he did not have a PhD. Despite his evident skills, the committee of the Philological Society of London was skeptical, and required him to produce definitions of arrow, carouse, castle and persuade. Evidently, his definitions were acceptable, because he got the job. While his work was excellent, progress was slow. After ten years, the dictionary had reached the word ant!
2. Don't crush that dwarf, hand me the pliers!
3. You will have to stare into the sun with Julian Barnes to find out.
4. "Come a little closer and I'll whisper in your ear!"
5. His who is gone.
6. We'll never know.
7. No! Semi-carnally!
8. C. F. K.
9. Walter
10. Fitzwilliam
11. Endeavour
12. About .4.
13. Not Sam!
14. Punch in the presence of the Passenjare!
15. In the pale zemblance of the fire in the appel of your eye, Alfred!
16. Squeamish Ossifrage

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