Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27476
Hints and tips by Gazza
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
This is a fairly typical Tuesday puzzle with nothing too tricky to keep you from the business of the rest of the day. Do let us in on your solving experience.
If you want to see an answer you’ll have to select the gap between the curly brackets under the clue in order to ‘unhide’ the content. If you’re accessing the blog from a mobile device there are some tips on how to do this in the FAQ.
Across Clues
1a Follow a daughter during demonstration (6)
{SHADOW} – insert A and D(aughter) into a demonstration or exhibition.
5a Charge made by model after I married (6)
{IMPOSE} – a verb to model comes after I (from the clue) and M(arried).
10a Unsuitable home, small apartment (5)
{INAPT} – an adverb meaning at home is followed by the abbreviation (small) of apartment.
11a Mad place for colours? (2,3,4)
{UP THE POLE} – double definition – firstly an informal phrase meaning mad or crazy and secondly where colours or flags would be flown.
12a Touch of sickness developed, so got into bed (7)
{SEDUCED} – the first letter (touch) of S(ickness) is followed by a verb meaning developed or drew out.
13a Extremist spoke about onset of change (7)
{RADICAL} – something moving out from the centre in a straight line, like the spoke of a bicycle wheel, goes round the first letter of C(hange).
14a Lethargy caused by us? Details confused (9)
{LASSITUDE} – an anagram (confused) of US DETAILS.
17a Church always provides festive food and drink (5)
{CHEER} – a charade of an abbreviation for church and a poetic form of a word meaning always.
18a Spree, for example, writer recalled (5)
{BINGE} – start with the abbreviation meaning for example and add the bit of a pen that actually touches the paper. Finally reverse it all (recalled).
19a Awkward choice ahead of important game (3,6)
{ICE HOCKEY} – an anagram (awkward) of CHOICE is followed by an adjective meaning important or essential.
21a Summon worker to leave spectacular ceremony (7)
{PAGEANT} – at first sight this clue looks as though it’s the wrong way round – i.e. it seems to be telling us to take away the worker from the ceremony. In fact it’s a charade of a verb to summon and the usual working insect and the ‘to leave’ is just saying that after we’ve done that we’ll be left with the ceremony.
23a Various sources used to find wealthy king (7)
{CROESUS} – this old Greek king famed for his great wealth is an anagram (various) of SOURCES.
25a Pop art genius giving autograph (9)
{SIGNATURE} – an anagram (pop) of ART GENIUS.
26a Early invader‘s particular way of approaching a problem (5)
{ANGLE} – double definition, the first a member of the Germanic people who invaded these shores in the fifth century AD.
27a Female wearing round cap is grief-stricken (6)
{BEREFT} – F(emale) goes inside (wearing) a round cap traditionally sported by the French.
28a Rather small-minded? That’s about right (6)
{PRETTY} – the definition here is ‘rather’ (as in “she’s rather clever”). An adjective meaning small-minded or ungenerous contains R(ight).
Down Clues
2d Difficult getting round in store (5)
{HOARD} – an adjective meaning difficult with the letter that’s round getting inserted.
3d Copper‘s flawed, having little time for female (9)
{DETECTIVE} – start with an adjective meaning flawed or malfunctioning and replace the F(emale) with the abbreviation for time.
4d Hurt where one has twisted (5)
{WOUND} – double definition – twisted in the sense of coiled. The three words in the middle seem to be just padding to improve the surface reading.
5d Mediate — in tribunal, initially decree differently (9)
{INTERCEDE} – string together IN (from the clue), the initial letter of tribunal and an anagram (differently) of DECREE.
6d Quietly go ahead and appeal (5)
{PLEAD} – the musical abbreviation meaning quietly is followed by a verb to go ahead or be in the vanguard.
7d Random inspection carried out by acne sufferer? (4,5)
{SPOT CHECK} – cryptic definition evoking the picture of an anxious teenager peering into the mirror.
8d Book young woman, a learner driver (6)
{MISSAL} – this is a book used in Roman Catholic services. A polite form of address to a young woman (or an unmarried woman of any age) is followed by A and the letter denoting a driver under instruction.
9d The person to give one a hand? (6)
{DEALER} – cryptic definition of the person passing round the playing cards.
15d Pronounced wickedness, curious in religious building (9)
{SYNAGOGUE} – a double homophone (pronounced) – the first of a wickedness or transgression and the second of an adjective meaning curious or desperately keen to find out something.
16d Form of investment that may give one confidence (4,5)
{UNIT TRUST} – a charade of a word meaning one (a single thing or person) and a word meaning confidence or assurance.
17d Food available in bars? (9)
{CHOCOLATE} – cryptic definition. These bars are blocks rather than drinking places.
18d Ignore alternative route (6)
{BYPASS} – double definition – the second an alternative route for traffic or blood.
20d Poodles son brought into country (3-3)
{YES-MEN} – these poodles are what successive British Prime Ministers have been labelled in their relationship with US Presidents. Insert S(on) into a Middle East country.
22d Stagger out of a jungle (5)
{AMAZE} – this verb to stagger or astonish comes from (out of) A and a jungle or labyrinth.
23d Mean man conserving energy (5)
{CHEAP} – an informal word for a man contains E(nergy).
24d Spot spot in speech (5)
{SIGHT} – this verb to spot sounds like a spot or location.
My joint favourites today are both cryptic clues – 7d and 17d. What about you?
Today’s Quickie Pun: {SIKH} + {RITZ} = {SECRETS}
I agree with Gazza’s comments and ratings: 2*/3*.
8d was a new word for me but easily solvable, and for some reason which escapes me now 22d was my last one in. This was an enjoyable puzzle although I am struggling to come up with one clear favourite. If my arm is twisted I’ll go for 15d.
Many thanks to Mr Ron to Gazza.
Really enjoyed today so **/**** for me . Managed without hints or help .
Some lovely clues with 12a being my last .
Blood pressure measured by nurse today and ” at the level of a teenager ” , fantastic at 72 !
I thought this was really good – not quite 2* difficulty and 4* for enjoyment because a couple made me laugh.
My last two, for no obvious reason, were 26a and 24d.
I can’t spell the 23a king (had to look him up although I knew what I was looking for) and can’t spell the last bit of 5d which made 19a a bit interesting for a short time.
I liked 28a and 22 and 24d. My joint favourites (the ones that made me laugh) were 12a and 7d.
With thanks to Mr Ron and gazza.
A lovely sunny morning when I first woke up – by the time I’d had coffee, woken up properly and got dressed we had thick fog.
Good fun without stretching the little grey cells overmuch, thanks to the setter and to Gazza for the excellent review. The Warbler toughie is also very doable today and very eenjoyable.
Back from a short break in Cornwall and Devon where the interwebby thing access was a bit sketchy to say the least. Holiday was very enjoyable apart from the fact I managed to obtain a broken toe, broken watch and seriously damaged ego after missing a step into a Spar (didn’t know they still existed). Still, no real damage done – pen and writing hand still intact.
Enjoyable fare toady, not too taxing but not a write-in either. No real favourites in this puzzle I’m afraid, but if I’m allowed, I’ll go for the quickie pun.
Incidentally, finally got around to looking at yesterday’s puzzle and just wanted to say that I have actually been on the boat mentioned in 13D and visited the city.
Ooo – must also mention that while I away, I got a phone call from a local radio station to let me know that I’d won two tickets to 20th Century Boy (the Marc Bolan story) and also won the first prize of a Les Paul guitar !!!! Does Bert Weedon’s Play In A Day book still exist?
Who are you calling “toady”?
He’s talking to the toad he has in his garden (we had this conversation a couple of weeks ago!)
Maybe he’s referring to the’ toe’ he broke!!
The toad insists he is a prince that has been magically transformed into a toad by an evil witch and that a kiss will transform him back. I’m afraid that he’s staying as a toad for some time yet.
We are normal and we like Bert Weedon
We also like a Les Paul. If you don’t want it …
No difficulties. I liked 11A, 19A (because its a favorite spectator sport of mine) and 7D, but 12A is my choice for favorite. Since reading Prolixic’s excellent review in yesterday’s rookie corner, I am paying more attention to how clues are crafted, so extra thanks and respect to the setter and, of course, to Gazza for the review.
By the way, I’ve been having some problems accessing the review and comments today…Fatal Flaw came up several times before I could get in.
Really enjoyable today. We finished without help from the hints (apart from checking one or two to see why they were right), so I’d say a **/*** for us. It’s actually quite warm and pleasant here in Scarborough, much better than the last few days. Thank you to Mr. Setter and to Gazza.
8 down gave trouble had to get assistance so thanks Gazza thanks to setter for interesting puzzle
Thanks to Mr Ron and to Gazza for the review and hints. I agree with Gazza’s rating, the only problem was of my own making. I thought 18d was an anagram, so had region for a while. Once I looked at the hints and corrected it, I was able to complete the SW corner. A very enjoyable puzzle. Favourites were 12a & 20d, sorry Kath
Just seeing the Sun now and then in Central London. Squash Tournament starts tonight, so I’m going to be busy. Must find time for the puzzles and to comment.
You will note above that Kath has “joint” favourites, 12a and 7d. What do you make of THAT then!
I really don’t know what to say Kath!!!
Free for all now then 
And I’ve been so good lately too!!
Hurray! Free for all now (but I have a sneaking suspicion that Kath is right).
As it’s been so long since I’ve been right about anything I wouldn’t mind knowing what I might be right about. I have a nasty feeling that the previous sentence is rubbish grammatically but I’m sure you know what I mean.
I think you are right that, strictly speaking, you can only have one favourite. Maybe it only applies to racehorses!
Certainly not – behave yourself!!
Most enjoyable, almost but not quite a write-in which kept it interesting.The informal phrase in 11a I have only ever heard used to mean pregnant.While a certain degree of daftness in pregnancy is not unknown,being absolutely barking will not make you pregnant.18d and 21 a were favourites.
Thanks setter and Gazza.
Seeing your comment, Una, and never having heard of the pregnant meaning prompted me to resort to Google which revealed that the answer is English slang for mad and Irish slang for pregnant. It wouldn’t do to confuse the two
I’d never heard of the pregnant or mad meaning until I checked BRB and found both – I wonder if that means I’ve learnt two things today.
Mm! That sounds suspiciously like multi-tasking to me.
I would imagine tht the English meaning comes from olden Navy days (as do a lot of our slang phrases). I can envisage someone being told to climb the mast (pole) and saying that someone would have to be mad to climb that.
Up the spout is the phrase I know to mean pregnant….
…or a bun in the oven
… or up the duff
Her belly swells with the fruits of her fornication
This super puzzle with numerous delightful clues was a real joy to tackle. Thank you Mr. Ron and also Gazza for being there in case of need. ***/****. I, as Expat Chris, have had access problems producing “Fatal Error” response. Imagine BD has this under control.
Enjoyable although I made it more difficult than it needed to be. I’m also unfamiliar with 11a in the context of madness or pregnancy.
I liked 7, 9 and 20d, wasn’t particularly keen on 19a.
Thank you setter and Gazza
I found this on the easy side, a huge change as I’m usually on the tricky side, and I solved without having to consult any aids. Hmmm, now for a favourite, I liked many but perhaps 11a is the winner. Thanks to setter and Gazza for review.
Thank you setter, good fun, a bit harder than yesterday, but I could still do it ! Thanks Gazza for your review and hints.
I read in the Telegraph today that Billy Connolly has started doing lots of crosswords to help with his memory .I wonder if he’ll drop by some day .
Maybe he’s here already with a pseudonym?
I enjoyed that today although I wouldn’t say it was a write -in for me but good exercise for the old grey cells. Thanks to Mr Ron and gazza.
Finished this before my swimming lesson today, needed some help from my books and electronic friends to finish though, Hmmmmm so Kath has two favourites …that is really taking liberties! in which case I will have 3d and 27a
Thanks for hints gazza, tho didn’t need them, 12 lengths in the pool today with only about 30 stops to cling onto the side wall!!!
Gazza,
I don’t seem to be getting my daily post. What do I have to do to resurrect it
I don’t know but I suggest you try unsubscribing (if you’re currently subscribed) and resubscribing. You can do this from the bottom bit of the right-hand sidebar.
Thanks Gazza
Found this one extremely difficult, at least a 3.5 on the tricky scale. Failed almost completely on the left side, mind you didn’t help that I have never come across a Missal before! No fun at all for me I’m afraid.
De La Pole Psychiatric Hospital , Hull…….maybe for 11a
The problem with that is that the De La Pole Psychiatric Hospital in Hull only got its name in 1936 whereas the phrase ‘up the pole’ to mean crazy was in use for years before that.
For some unknown reason we just raced through this one without any hold-ups at all. Must have been on exactly the right wavelength. Gave us more time to enjoy the Warbler Toughie.
Thanks Mr Ron and Gazza.
I would be interested to know what “up the pole” means in the antipodeans, if used at all.
Una it has the ‘mad’ meaning. The Irish ‘pregnant’ meaning is totally new for us.
Thanks for answering !
I would rate this ** to *** for difficulty.
Very enjoyable, liked especially 13a, 15 d and 20d.
Many thanks Mr. Ron and Gazza for the review.
I don’t think I’m in a crossword mood today. I completed this one (albeit needing a couple of Gazza’s hints for the NW corner) but didn’t enjoy it much. Not your fault, Mr Ron – on another day your clues may well have raised a smile.
Having done yesterday’s and today’s on the trot, I liked them both. A great way to wind down after a long and stressful day/night at work. 2*/3*. On the pole and pregnancy, embarrassed in Spanish (embarazada) means pregnant.. I remember an old English girlfriend in Barcelona causing red faces all round, and all looking at me
My problem with 8d came from thinking it was ANNUAL,could,nt get that word out of my head