Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27168
Hints and tips by Gazza
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ***
I thought that this was just about the easiest Giovanni puzzle that I’ve blogged so I don’t imagine that the hints will be required very much today. Let us know how you got on.
If you do need to reveal an answer just highlight the gap between the brackets under the clue. Those accessing the blog from a mobile device can find some help on how to do this in the FAQ.
Across Clues
6a One in affair with members of the Government? Documentation is kept here (6,7)
{FILING CABINET} – insert I (one in Roman numerals) into a brief sexual affair and follow this with the collective term for the most senior government ministers.
8a Exaggerate having left party (6)
{OVERDO} – a charade of an adverb meaning left remaining or surplus and a festive party.
9a Old writer and editor at university talked freely (6,2)
{OPENED UP} – string together O(ld), a writing implement, the abbreviation for editor and an adverb meaning at university.
10a Call a boffin — his place of work is in here (3)
{LAB} – his place of work is hidden in the clue.
11a A feature of some churches bringing hope (6)
{ASPIRE} – A (from the clue) and a tall feature of some churches.
12a A dull truism, the French lacking ability! (8)
{APTITUDE} – A (from the clue) followed by a dull truism or overworked saying with the feminine singular French definite article taken out.
14a Proud Henry’s No. 1 — wicked too, wanting decapitation! (7)
{HAUGHTY} – the first letter of H(enry) then an adjective meaning wicked or badly behaved with its first letter removed (wanting decapitation).
16a Terrible grief with peacemakers needed to stop this? (7)
{GUNFIRE} – an anagram (terrible) of GRIEF with the abbreviation for the world’s peacemakers contained inside (to stop, i.e. to plug).
20a Chinese location is quiet — excellent! — be in suspense entering it (8)
{SHANGHAI} – a request to keep the noise down (quiet!) and the two-character abbreviation for excellent with a verb meaning to be in suspense or dangle inside.
23a Coal not prime requirement for fire (6)
{IGNITE} – a soft brownish type of coal loses its first letter (not prime requirement).
24a Sentimentality from nameless fool (3)
{GOO} – drop the N (nameless) from the end of a fool.
25a Offer nasty pie to man — it may well be poisonous (8)
{PTOMAINE} – an anagram (nasty) of PIE TO MAN.
26a Silly person drinking too freely, surviving on the field (3,3)
{NOT OUT} – the field here is the cricket field. An informal term for a silly or eccentric person contains (drinking) an anagram (freely) of TOO.
27a No luck with this gag — terrible joke (8,5)
{LAUGHING STOCK} – an anagram (terrible) of NO LUCK and THIS GAG.
Down Clues
1d A weapon found hidden in heather is causing panic (8)
{ALARMING} – start with A (from the clue) then insert another word for weapon into the usual Crosswordland heather (it’s not erica so it must be the other one).
2d 13 receiving hand out over time, being work-shy (8)
{INDOLENT} – the answer to 13d has a handout from the State inserted in it (receiving) then all that precedes (over, in a down clue) T(ime).
3d Man clawed by a tiger? One of the circus performers (7)
{ACROBAT} – insert a man’s abbreviated name (that of the Welsh comedian and actor Mr Brydon, for instance) into A (from the clue) and what a tiger is an example of.
4d A bishop ecstatic out of his diocese? (6)
{ABSENT} – string together A (from the clue), the abbreviation for bishop in chess notation and an adjective meaning transported into a state of ecstasy.
5d End under canvas? (6)
{INTENT} – old chestnut. If you’re under canvas you may be … (2,4).
6d Festive harlot cavorting in high-class accommodation (4-4,5)
{FIVE-STAR HOTEL} – an anagram (cavorting) of FESTIVE HARLOT.
7d So vehicle is broken into by crazy nerd? It makes one speechless (13)
{THUNDERSTRUCK} – an adverb meaning so or consequently is followed by a vehicle used for transporting goods, then we have to insert (broken into) an anagram (crazy) of NERD.
13d What sounds like trendy watering-hole (3)
{INN} – this sounds like trendy or fashionable.
15d Animal house on front of garden (3)
{HOG} – the abbreviation for house precedes (on, in a down clue) the first letter (front) of garden.
17d Perceived worry in industry — for the nobs wanting awkward minions kept under? (8)
{UNIONISM} – the letter used to mean characteristic of the upper classes (for the nobs) has an anagram (awkward) of MINIONS following it (kept under).
18d Party enjoyment? Fighting not the first requirement! (8)
{FUNCTION} – a word for enjoyment or amusement is followed by a synonym for fighting or combat with its first letter not required. I think that you can also make an alternative case here for requirement, in the sense of purpose, being the definition so this is a clue that can be interpreted in two different ways.
19d Birds — 15 flying ones (7)
{PIGEONS} – a synonym for 15d followed by an anagram (flying) of ONES.
21d Cloud and rain — ultimately I am taking vehicle (6)
{NIMBUS} – string together the ultimate letter of (rai)N, the contracted form of ‘I am’ and a vehicle.
22d Hospital crew achieving eminence (6)
{HEIGHT} – H(ospital) followed by a rowing crew.
The clues I liked best were 12a, 27a and 6d (because trying to imagine what a festive harlot would look like made me laugh). Which ones appealed to you?
Today’s Quickie Pun: {HIGHER} + {QUEUES} = {I ACCUSE}
It was easier than usual but no less enjoyable, nice clues, no gimmicks just good.
Thanks to the 2 Gs for splendid entertainment.
The four long clues that form a box inside the border went in fairly easily which gave lots of checking letters for the rest of the puzzle. All fell into place smoothly from there. Good clues throughout. A pleasant but rather short solve.
Thanks Giovanni and Gazza.
Apart from a brief pause at 25a to work out the anagram fodder, the rest of this went in very nicely.
Thanks to Giovanni, and to Gazza.
With the ISO 9001 audit going on today, dare I make time to look at the toughie?
CS has put a warning in the comments for 972. I have spent several hours on it this afternoon and have exactly 7 answers in. BEWARE!
IMHO It is most definately Elgar at his best ( worst ).
sorry, I have forgotten my manners.
Thanks to the setter and Gazza.
Nice way to wrap up the working week (wel, OK, the watching the snooker week). Ha to check 25A and was glad to see I’d got it right.
Apparently I’m having a picnic lunch today, wife decided to have a half day, I’d have thought she’d work even harder to try to keep me in the lifestyle to which I want to be accustomed.
I found this easy fare today, particularly so for a Friday, but nevertheless enjoyable */***. It was pretty much “read the clue and write the answer” – apart from 25a, which, despite being an obvious anagram, was my last one in and a new word for me.
Thanks very much to the setter and to Gazza for the review.
Many thanks to Giovanni for a very entertaining puzzle, I agree that it is on the more gentle side but hugely enjoyable. ( As was the Elgar today ) Many thanks also to Gazza for the review.
Not any real problems today got held up by 18D but managed to solve after a nice relaxing cup of tea.Thanks for the review gazza and wishing all a nice bank holiday weekend.
I agree – fairly straightforward – 2*/3* from me.
Got off to a good start with the first few across answers going straight in then slowed up (or down – never sure which) for a little while.
Apart from needing something to start the clue with I didn’t see what ‘offer’ contributed to 25a.
My last two were 24a which I didn’t get very quickly even though I had the first letter, and 18d.
I liked the four long answers round the outside and 12a and 15d.
With thanks to Giovanni and gazza.
Lovely sunny day again. Peacocks marching round the garden.
Anyway I didn’t mean peacocks – meant pheasants! :roll:
Are folks bad shots in your area?
I think they must be – have never seen as many as there are this year.
They’re not in season …………………… yet
I think that was our point Skempie. Normally at this time of year they are sparse as previous year’s have all been done for by the winter shooting and currently new season’s are in egg form or tiny and hidden.
I’ve seen a few about.
After struggling somewhat with yeasterday’s I was somewhat chuffed with only needing electronic help with 25a, I had the anagram fodder just never heard of the word!
Many thanks to both Giovanni for a lovely end to the working week and to gazza for his un-needed hits (though I did want to check I’d got a couple right)
Can see the sun out the office window, so I’d best get back to work so I can get out and enjoy the sunshine before it goes away :-)
Have a great weekend everyone
Perfect example of a puzzle not having to be difficult to be enjoyable .Lovely return from my wi-fi oblivion .
4 * for enjoyment .
Thanks very much .
Absolutely correct!:-)
You are so right
Slow start for me but reasonably quick once under way. 6d & 7d were my favourites. Thanks for the hints which I only needed to verify answers after completion.
Nasty cold wet day here in Perthshire. Indoor tasks today then.
Yes it was a *, but a gentle romp on a friday can be enjoyable just the same, seemed to be an unusually large number of clues where letters had to be omitted from the wordplay for the answer. Thanks for the pics Gazza, liked the goons in 24a, was that the cup of tea from the teahouse of the august moon? i remember the episode when seagoon had to knock on the door 325 times before anyone would answer it, this he dutifully did on the radio ,which lasted a couple of minutes, at the end of which a door creaking opening sound was heard, and when seagoon asked if this was the teahouse of the august moon eccles replied_No try next door! bliss.
As the title of one of their records “Goon But Not Forgotten”. As I said below just dusted off my collection for friend to relive his youth and its amazing how timeless a lot of their humour was/is, just make sure not to fall in the water.
But at least I know the time – I’ve got it written on a piece of paper :-) !
I agree – very enjoyable and over too soon! Last one in was 18d for no obvious reason. Don’t know why I knew 25a but suspect avid reading of Agatha Christe’s work in my younger years may be responsible.
Yes, it’s not often you hear that term these days. It’s been superseded by the simple term ‘bacterial’ to describe GI infections, the answer being a byproduct of the breakdown of bug proteins …….you probably didn’t want to know that…………..
On the contrary, I thought that was interesting
Another virgin crossword. untouched and pure ready to come on holiday with me in June. along with Mr Ray Ts from yesterday. Its The long Itchington Beer festival. One Village Six Pubs Four Days. Aklcoholic poisoning beckons. My sweetheart Sarah Hughes dark Ruby is calling me. I cannot resist.
Really enjoyed today’s puzzle. I bet even Brian will like it! Thank you to setter and hinter.
As always a thoroughly enjoyable puzzle from the Don.
Thx Gazza for explaining 12a, it had to be aptitude but could not see the truism!
Many Thx to Giovanni.
Thanks to the two G’s. Managed to complete this, getting the last clue, 18d at the Reading Beer Festival. Was 2*/3*for me. Favourites were 20a & 19d. Very enjoyable, sun’s out, beer flowing!
A mostly Meerkat puzzle with not too may pitfalls. As commented above once the long words were in the rest sort of fell into place. Glad to see my hero’s contributing to 24a especially as I’ve just looked out my old LP’s & tapes & books for a friend to relive his youth. By the way Meerkat=shimples. Thanks to all for a gentle end to an enjoyable weeks solving.
A very enjoyable crossword,though I haven’t heard of 25a before.Thanks to Giovanni and Gazza.
Re the quicky
8 across is sort of cryptic isn’t it? I don’t recall this in a quicky before, although I seldom do them.
Is this normal , anybody ?
My favourite clue ever in a quickie came a few weeks ago. Bested was the clue. Worsted the answer. Sublime.
I don’t think it’s cryptic. Lines of waiters = lines of people waiting.
Yes so that clue would not be out of place in a cryptic crossword . Or am I an eejit ?
I made it cryptic by envisaging a line of Waiters in a restaurant!
Service! I must stop watching Masterchef!
(Congratulations to Natalie!)
Lovely! Thanks to Giovanni & gazza .
I made heavy weather of this one but managed all but 12a and 25a before lunch. Fell off to sleep watching the most boring snooker I’ve ever witnessed, but awoke to catch the crossword unawares… 12a went in straight away but it wasn’t until I realised that 25a might not be consonant-vowel-consonant that the word fell into place… Thanks to Gazza & Giovanni
Thank you Giovanni – glad it wasn’t too taxing today. Enjoyed a nice meal with friends in Fressingfield yesterday evening and wasn’t feeling too bright this morning. Thank you Gazza for your review. I agree that it was on the easier side. Clear skies again in Suffolk and the cold wind has eased.
Found this relaxing & fun to do fairly easily (for a change). Thank you to the setter and to Gazza for hints which, although not needed for once, made entertaining reading…
Started this late in the day and still have time to cut the lawns- dammit! Nice xword. **/*** many thanks to G&G
Very enjoyable and zipped through without too much angst.
I solved this puzzle earlier on but have been very busy trying to track a communication sent out of NL which does not yet seem to have arrived.
I don’t really have any favourites this time .
Greetings.
Well, I am girded with a couple of libations against the howls of outrage, but I didn’t enjoy this at all. Over too quickly and not one clue that raised a smile on my fun-o-meter. I thought it was pedestrian and not up to the setter’s usual standard.
I think just about everyone disagrees with you.
I know. And I could have just gone with the flow, or not commented at all, and that would have been less than honest. This puzzle just did not do it for me. I think we all probably have days like that from time to time. Mostly, I enjoy the challenge, whether I solve everything or not. Keeps the grey cells churning and at my age that’s a good thing!