Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 26190
Hints and tips by Big Dave
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
The biggest hint I can give is to check today’s date before starting this one. Another entertaining puzzle from Jay, with a topical theme.
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Across
1a Deception by Spain at being reformed by such a good man (5,7)
{SAINT PATRICK} – a deception follows an anagram (being reformed) of SPAIN AT gives a good man who is celebrated today
9a Issue denial about the sweet I consumed (9)
{REPUDIATE} – a word meaning to issue a denial is a charade of RE (about) a colloquial term for a sweet, as a meal course, I and finally a word meaning consumed
10a Evidence of liquidity between banks (5)
{RIVER} – a cryptic definition of what flows between two banks – nothing to do with finance!
11a Upset, sadly, about first of exam hold-ups (6)
{DELAYS} – an anagram (upset) of SADLY is placed around E (first of Exam) to get these hold-ups
12a Out of control, dad loses heart in winter sport (8)
{SKIDDING} – this action which happens to a vehicle which is out of control is created by putting D(A)D without the A (loses heart) inside a winter sport
13a Weaves traps, exchanging one king for another (6)
{SNAKES} – a word meaning weaves, as in follows a winding course, is derived by changing the R (Rex) for a K (King) (exchanging one king for another) in a word meaning traps
15a One may joke about the press being taken in by hoax (8)
{COMEDIAN} – someone who tells jokes is a general name for the press, and other forms of communication, inside a hoax
18a Surprise surrounding a gentleman in clover (8)
{SHAMROCK} – put a surprise around A MR (a gentleman) to get the kind of clover that will be worn by many today
19a Wanders around in chains (6)
{RANGES} – a double definition, the second of which refers to hills and mountains
21a The type of income that might endure an upset (8)
{UNEARNED} – this type of income is highly desirable – it’s an anagram (upset, again!) of ENDURE AN
23a A 10, for example, left sounding dubious (6)
{LIFFEY} – the answer to 10a is the definition – L(eft) followed by a homophone of a synonym for dubious gives this Irish example
26a Information about soldiers lacking experience (5)
{GREEN} – put a short word for information around these soldiers to get a word meaning inexperience (which is also the colour of the day)
27a Came across one eating a sailor’s bones (9)
{METATARSI} – start with a word meaning came across and I (one), and then insert A and some of Crosswordland’s sailors to get these bones
28a Boy, ten, learns about a special place in Ireland (7,5)
{BLARNEY STONE} – BOY TEN LEARNS is an anagram (about) of a special place in Ireland
Down
1d Walks when street is up (7)
{STRIDES} – a synonym for walks is a charade of ST(reet) and up (on a horse)
2d Urge to start pushing in exciting mile (5)
{IMPEL} – a word meaning to urge is generated by putting P (start pushing) inside an anagram (exciting) of MILE
3d Toy train initially getting whirlwind support (5,4)
{TEDDY BEAR} – to get this toy, string together T (Train, initially) with a whirlwind and a word meaning to support
4d Nearly open for a drink (4)
{AJAR} – today it could be a glass of Guinness
5d How to tie up on rocks at sea? (4,4)
{REEF KNOT} – a cryptic definition of this means of tying two pieces of rope
6d Preserved cheese, ultimately, in its original form (5)
{CURED} – a word meaning preserved is constructed from E (cheesE, ultimately) inside the part of milk from which cheese is made (its original form)
7d Victor gets sick after a helping (8)
{AVAILING} – V(ictor) in the NATO phonetic alphabet is followed by a word meaning sick and preceded by A to get a word meaning helping, as in taking advantage
8d State’s gone bust supporting gold (6)
{OREGON} – this US state is an anagram (bust) of GONE after (supporting, as this is a down clue) the heraldic term for gold
14d Became conscious of a trail, half-ruined (8)
{AWAKENED} – became conscious is the definition – to derive it you need a charade a trail (like the one behind a ship) and the latter half of rui(NED)
16d Grows thin, as mice eat in a frenzy (9)
{EMACIATES} – a word meaning grows very thin is an anagram (in a frenzy) of AS MICE EAT
17d One yells, starting to see powdered milk (8)
{SCREAMER} – this person who yells comes from S (starting to See) followed by powdered milk
18d Mused worriedly about origin of greasy spot (6)
{SMUDGE} – put an anagram (worriedly) of MUSED around G (origin of Greasy) to get a spot, possibly a greasy one!
20d Broadcaster (cable) getting Horizon (7)
{SKYLINE} – someone should find it easy to work out this broadcaster of satellite TV! – add a cable and you get the horizon
22d Right way up (of the kidney) (5)
{RENAL} – R(ight) is followed by a country way reversed (up) to get a word meaning of the kidney
24d In favour of travel, but give it a miss (5)
{FORGO} – a charade of words meaning in favour of and to travel gives a synonym for to give it a miss
25d A bit of a nasty ear infection (4)
{STYE} – hidden inside (a bit of) naSTY Ear is an eye infection
A gently themed puzzle, especially for today’s celebration.
Can’t believe there were four answers all to do with 17th March, on St Davids day there was nothing! come on crossword editor, surely Wales shouldn’t be only one missing out
?
Liked todays crossword very much, thank you setter, only one I thought belonged in toughie was 13a, my most unfavourite type of clue, where you have to find a word for another word, so to speak, anyway nice one for CC today I think?? finished nice and early but the weather in West Wales is not nice today!
or is it 5 clues about 17th March if you count 26a?
I knew you were outgrowing the CC, todays was a right b….h! Managed about a quarter even after I realised it was all to do with St Patricks Day. Far too difficult for me I’m afraid.
Me too
After a few days Brain Dead really enjoyed this one & back on track
Liked 1a,&18a.
Me too. I’d had an awful week so far, and breezed through this one. Maybe it’s that’s spring is well and truly here in Spain so the brain is coming back to life after a long cold winter!
Sure and Begorrah, it’s a lovely puzzle for St Patrick’s Day! I’m wearing my green and would put a shamrock for a smiley if I could
Sorry, Mary, but I did think of all my Welsh friends and got my daffs out on St David’s Day. I wonder what they’ll do for St George? I hope the spring comes for you soon.
it’s been spring for the last 3 weeks here Franny, just disappeared today :), as children we always celebrated St Patricks more than St Davids having Irish grandparents !!
How about a shamrock smiley Dave? to be sure you could do it?
The available smileys are, I’m afraid, controlled by WordPress
This is the nearest you are going to get –
thanks for looking
We’ve been having a spell of icey winter here in Geneva with freezing winds, but today spring seems finally to have sprung and I hope it stays. When I was a child in New York they painted the stripe along Fifth Avenue green for St Patrick — don’t know if they still do.
I’ve painted the top of the blog green – will that do?
Funy BD, it’s very nice & thoughtful
my keyboard is on a bad spelling day!
Mary
The good news is that I have done a special format for St David’s Day.
The bad news is that you won’t see it for 11½ months.
Hee, hee, thank you Dave, how about a preview?
Top Man!!
I have just got back from PJ Reilly’s Irish Pub in Canberra after celebrating St Patrick’s Day here is Australia.
I have just finished this puzzle and really enjoyed it – loved the St Patrick’s Day theme – although I was born in Wales, my mother hails from the Kingdom County – Kerry.
Love Kerry Nathan, was there last year, beautiful
Yes – I’ve only been there once in my life – back in 1973 when I was only seven years old. I turn 44 in April and have never been back to Ireland. Mind you, I have never been back to my birthplace of Newport, Wales since leaving with my parents in 1967 when I was only a 1-year-old. Lived in Canada 1967-75, New Zealand 1975-77 and Australia since 1977 – have spent three-quarters of my life in Oz.
And it’s the big 19 day Fallas fiesta in Valencia – the city was full of Guinness hats in honour of St Patrick
A nice straightforward themed puzzle today. The only clue that caused me any problem was 19a. Thanks to Jay and BD.
Good Wednesday puzzle with lots of shamrocky things going on.
4d must be a clue Big Dave remembers from the fifties as weel as Anna
have you seen Barrie, Nubian?
As others seem to have, so far, I quite enjoyed this. But, I feel the need to be pedantic coming on. The press is a “medium”. The “media” being the radio, TV and, I suppose, the internet, as well as the press.
Along with the themed clues, I also enjoyed 9a & 13a.
Many thanks to Jay for an enteraining puzzle for St Patrick’s day and thanks for the notes BD. Favourite clues included 9a, 3d, 13a and the themed ones.
6d favourite for me today – lovely simply presented clue.
Thanks to Jay for the puzzle and BD for the review
Only needed Big Dave’s help on 13a, otherwise completed without puting the paper down. It normally takes two or three sessions, so some sign of improvement. Theme helped sort out anagrams quickly. Thanks BD.
An enjoyable puzzle. I too struggled to see what 13a could be, but looking at BD’s explanation it seems clear and fair. Thanks.
re 24d, always thought it was spelt with an ‘e ‘ i.e. forego?
Enjoyable and not too difficult. I liked 14d and 13a.
Finished today’s in my lunch break with no help apart from looking to see it there was such a river for 23a :). Starting to complete about 1 a week now having been at it about 3 months. Thanks for the site; it’s a great learning aid.
well done Wingnut, I am still waiting to complete without any help, i do complete without the blog 75% of the time but not without help from books etc. until then I remian in the CC
Me too!!!
I also struggled on 13a, entering snares (having gone through the king exchange in reverse). I’m not yet sure which way round these go as the first word is not always the overall meaning!
Mary, I see at least 7 across clues that could have Irish connotations, if you include river and Liffey as 2 clues.
Very satisfying puzzle today but I’m not sure of the second half of 1d
Up is used in crosswords to indicate at University or, as here, on a horse. Hence RIDES a horse is up on a horse
It is a long time since I solved a cryptic as quickly as I did for this one!
1a was a bit spoiled by the Aer Lingus ad on the RHS!
I liked 10a plus 23a as well as 13a & 27a. 6d, 20d & 22d.
Laughed at the delusion in 25d.
A lovely puzzel completed without the blog and in spite of some moments of blinding stupidity!!!! Liked 3d, 6d and 27a which made me laugh… It’s great to have something achievable for the CC.
well done Chablis
Only needed hints for a couple of answers but other than that all done. Spent ages looking for a word for “walks” by taking a word for street, adding IS and then putting the whole thing “up”, I.e SI-TEERTS. hate it when you’re just not along the right lines at all!
i’m often down that road myself Matt
And me!
Glad it’s just not me, though you are both nearer the top of the class!
I think “not just me” was what I meant.
I thought today’s would be quite easy after I solved three while the porridge was in the microwave! It was quite straightforward too, although, as ever, there were several I couldn’t get. Think I’ll be in the CC for ever! Right back to the keyboard … notes to learn.
some lovely people in thhe CC
Enjoyed todays and overall fairly straightforward and not too much to angst.
what is angst little Dave? Mary asks showing her ignorance!
off to watch Eggheads
Thanks Dave
Only half done – still learning! Some standards but appreciated the themed clues. Again, many thanks for the excellent hints.
Sorry – could someone explain the hint for 13 across please – I don’t follow it. I don’t understand the “traps for a king” bit. Many thanks in anticipation.
shrike1313
Start with SNARES (traps), then change the R to a K to get a verb meaning weaves (as in traffic) (and are also reptiles associated with St. Patrick!).
No wonder I couldn’t get it. I know about the snakes and St Patrick, but the wordplay is well above my game. Many thanks, Gazza.
It’s a lot easier to explain when you can use the words themselves! I will try to make the hint a bit clearer.
No sign of Helen tonight – hope she is feeling OK.
Hi Mary – angst = sense of anxiety. What I usually experience following West Bromwich Albion.
nice one today. Happy Pats day to our Irish colleagues!
Anywho, nice puzzle today but have to admit to cribbing at 13a
Fave clue today? 23a. Great one.
Gotta be 4* for fun today as my footy team docked 9 points today
play up Pompey!
Enjoyed it – all except for 7d as had to get a hint for that – even with the cross letters. Luckily clued up tells you when you are wrong as put the wrong ending letter for 27a and therefore took time to get 20d. Kicked myself when I changed it. I likedf 28a.
sorry for late posts. I attack the crosswords over a few jars
I would go as far as to recommend a swift half to activate the lateral thinking.