Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27522 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Crossword Club
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Today is your last chance to enter for this month’s Prize Puzzle.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them.
Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct a “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Lawyer on screen is a silk (6)
A US lawyer followed by a screen gives a type of silk
4a Marmite? Greater Manchester town’s right out (8)
This traditional crockery casserole dish (not the trademarked love-it-or-hate-it yeast product) is derived by dropping (out) the R(ight) from a town in Greater Manchester – note how the setter has put the word marmite first to disguise that it doesn’t need capitalisation
10a He produces sound of note (5)
This singer sounds like a banknote
11a Nagging woman to call a great man? Not I (9)
A verb meaning to call or dub followed by the A from the clue and a person of abnormally great stature without (not) the I
13a Military group holding test’s overthrown old empire (7)
The abbreviation for a military and political alliance around the usual vehicle test, all reversed (overthrown)
23a Daily, comedian Edmondson shows example of absurd behaviour (7)
A four-letter daily cleaner followed by the first name of the late Rik Mayall’s buddy
24a Bounder in grip of writer’s block (9)
A three-letter bounder or scoundrel inside (in grip of) the surname of the writer most famous for his book variously known as Peter Pan or Peter and Wendy
25a Offal after time is strong-smelling (5)
T(ime) followed by an adjective meaning strong-smelling
27a Religious leader investigates head of Trinity (6)
A verb meaning investigates or snoops followed by the initial letter (head) of T[rinity]
Down
1d Digital audiotape put down information in electronic form (8)
The abbreviation for Digital AudioTape followed by a verb meaning to put down or humiliate
2d Tiny isle’s ballistic missile (9)
An adjective meaning tiny followed by an island in the Irish sea
3d A learner following light carriage that’s finally gone like a dream (7)
The A from the clue and L(earner) following a light carriage, like the one with a fringe on top in a famous song, without (gone) its final letter
5d Novel performance by Mr Mackay perhaps (4,2,3,5)
This novel by Henry James could possibly have been a performance by Mr Mackay in the sitcom Porridge
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7d Religious song about Saint’s pre-eminence (5)
A word meaning pre-eminence, derived from the use of a certain tree leaf as a token of victory, around the single-letter abbreviation for S(aint)
9d Police leader concerned with the person following suspect provides final irony (5,2,3,4)
The lead singer of the group Police followed by a two-letter word meaning concerned with, THE from the clue and a person who is following a suspect
15d Extravagant roll could give man bruise (9)
This large sandwich made with a long bread roll is an anagram (could give) of MAN BRUISE
20d Firm‘s team of workers? (6)
Two definitions – an adjective meaning firm and a team of workers or artistes
22d Bird to feel bad about taking off first (5)
A verb meaning to feel bad about without its initial letter (taking off first)
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The Quick crossword pun: {wart} + {affront} = {waterfront}
This seemed like three different puzzles to me. I found the SE corner “read & write” but then had to work hard to solve the NE & SW corners before shuddering to a halt in the NW corner which took me ages. Nevertheless I really enjoyed the challenge today and overall I am going for 3* for difficulty and 3* for enjoyment.
1d was my last one in and I needed BD’s hints to understand the parsing. 2d was a new word for me and it took me a while to understand the relevance of “a hit perhaps” in 6d. I also got held up a bit by obsessing about the wrong first word for 9d. Although my answer fitted neatly with “final irony” I couldn’t reconcile it with “Police leader”, but the penny finally dropped after I had solved 11a.
Many thanks to Mr. Ron and to BD.
Hope you enjoyed your cruise RD ?
Yes, very much thank you, SW. Two weeks of cloudless skies and calm seas, visiting many wonderful places and gross overindulgence on food and drink :-)
I did wave to you as we passed Sorrento!
Thank you setter, a feeling of satisfaction at finishing this puzzle – I found it difficult. It seemed to revolve around getting the 4 long answers before really making progress. Thanks for the hints BD – I was hoping you would give one for 24a. I had the answer but just couldn’t get the wordplay.
SW, for 24a put a three letter word for “bounder” inside (“in grip of”) the surname of the “writer” who created Peter Pan to give you a word meaning “block”.
I think you will find that SW was saying thank you for the already-provided hint!
:oops: that will teach me to check first before trying to be helpful. I am not quite sure why but I wrongly interpreted SW’s wish as being an unfulfilled hope.
Thanks anyway RD for your kind thought ! BD was right !
He usually is! :-)
To my mind, this was one of the most enjoyable Saturday puzzles for a long while and I loved 9d, although I will admit to having muttered something under my breath when the penny dropped…
I enjoyed this one as I found it more challenging than some Saturday puzzles and without needing to come here, just the occasional dip into the BRB . Some nice clues here – 24a was favourite and 14a was a new word for me (I think). Many thanks to Mr Ron and to BD for keeping me away from cutting the grass…
Needed quite a bit of electronic help to sort this out – I found it far tougher than recent Saturday puzzles but I don’t think I was firing on all cylinders due to a late night. Thanks to setter and to BD 3.5*/3*
Quite tricky in places but very enjoyable esp 4a. Was going to nag that you don’t make (the first 5 letters) from marmite when I realised it meant the shape of the bottle, v clever! Don’t see why 7d means pre-eminence?
Thx to all
Looking in the BRB, definition 2 of the word in question lists ‘pre-eminence’
Not in my copy it doesn’t but I can’t send you the entry without breaking the rules :-)
In the electronic BRB it only refers to the religious song.
The latest edition of the BRB comes out next Friday – ask Mrs B if she’ll get it for you as an early Christmas present.
Also you are looking up the wrong word – and if that gets me sent to a Corner I don’t care, I have a home made strawberry cheesecake setting as I type.
I assume it’s the word around the Saint referring to the tree that *************?
There is no electronic version of the BRB – only a pale imitation provided free by Chambers.
The one I have cost me hard earned cash!
Which version is that? If it’s an app it’s not an “online” version.
It says it is :
The Chambers Dictionary (12th Edition)
The single-volume English dictionary with the widest coverage of all the riches of the English language.
Clear, accurate and occasionally witty definitions.
The latest new words from science, technology and contemporary culture.
Chambers is one of the world’s most respected dictionary publishers, appealing particularly to word lovers and those who revel in all the quirks of the English language. Its extensive list of innovative language and reference titles includes the renowned Brewer’s list of endlessly browsable dictionaries of phrase and fable, and covers English-language dictionaries and thesauruses for every level of user from school to crossword fan, from English learner to student of slang. Meticulously researched and expertly written, the highly acclaimed Chambers range has been at the forefront of presenting knowledge and learning in an engaging and accessible way since it was first established in the 19th century.
In that case have a look at the third meaning of the second definition of the four-letter word in question and you should find “Emblematically, pre-eminence, the prize”.
Even the 1972 Edition, which serves me quite well, gives pre-eminence as a definition of the four-letter word!
I agree this was more of a challenge than most Saturday offerings but none the less entertaining for that, anagrams notwithstanding. Thank you Mr. Ron and BD however I did just manage – thanks to much reference book help (e.g. for 2d) – before you came on line. ***/***.
Enjoyed this one, bit of a struggle bottom left but got there in the end.
Then had to do it again a IPad app is playing up again and deleted all entries.
Telegraph is aiming to major on digital media, no chance of success as everything they touch in IT turns to mud.
Thanks to BD for hints needed for 24a for wordplay…clever stuff.
Thanks to the setter.
Last look at MPP in hope of inspiration.
Then NTSPP, busy day!
I finally worked out 5D from the checking letters but had no idea where Mackay came in. Similarly, I did not understand the comedian reference in 23A. Been away too long, methinks. Not a fan of 7D, either. Can’t say that I enjoyed this much, but I thank the setter anyway. Thanks, of course, to BD for the review and enlightenment.
Yes, a lot of local references and I was totally lost with those. Oh, well, it’s their puzzle, they make the rules!
These references must be very difficult for expats … but you didn’t have to leave the country!
Did you?
While being British, I was born and raised outside the UK, so I never left. My Mum and Dad were so pleased with I went “home” to live in my early adulthood, but I, sadly, couldn’t withstand the cold and rain, too much sunshine in my blood!
Stan, I really don’t know how to respond to such a provocative question except to say it has no place on this blog.
I found this straight-forward although NW held me up 1a and 3d (doh!). 6d was quite nice otherwise nothing stands out for me. Thanks to BD and for the review of course. Enjoy the sun. How are England getting on in Brazil? Oops silly me.
I found this one really, really, REALLY difficult. It’s taken me ages – I’d get away with saying how long as it couldn’t discourage anyone! Oh dear!
I was slow to get all four of the long answers which didn’t help at all. Eventually managed three of them but dithered about 5d as I thought that it was a five word title beginning with “The”.
I’ve never heard of 2d and forgot about the 15d roll although I vaguely remember being foxed by the same answer some time ago. Oh dear, again.
I thought this was very good but verging on being beyond me.
I liked 14 and 26a (once I’d stopped trying to include the apostrophe S in the anagram) and 19d.
With thanks to whoever it was who has tortured me for hours and to BD for a few explanations.
Not sure that I’m up to trying a Radler NTSPP.
I really enjoyed this crossword and only stumbled a little bit in the SW corner. Having said that, we put a few answers in, knowing they were right, but not why they were right. Anyway, thank you to the setter and to BD.
Pleasant puzzle today.
Faves : 4a, 11a, 17a, 5d, 8d &15d.
Good weather continues in NL.
We are getting ready to go down to the Var on Monday for a couple of months.
Thanks to the setter and to Big Dave for the hints. A very enjoyable puzzle, but very difficult. I needed 5 hints to finish. Had never heard of 5d or 4a. Had most of 9d,but couldn’t make the police connection. Favourite was 17a. Was 4*/4* for me. No need to worry about England anymore in the World Cup
Like Kath, I found this one really, really difficult, but unlike Kath, I never did finish. Must get out and about and get things done and this was taking up too much time, also becoming a chore. Didn’t get the marmite (yummy marmite) thingy, no idea and don’t really know Greater Manchester towns. On the other hand, clues like 2d went right in. I liked 17a, that’s my favourite.
We have monsoon rains every afternoon at two o’clock, so I try to get anything that requires driving to be done by then. I got caught out yesterday and found the water in my yard above my ankles and the pool overflowing! Thanks to setter and to BD for hints, which didn’t help much to finish this but always enjoy the review.
A total and utter night mare thanks to Big Dave without you would,nt have finished today , much help needed so an abject defeat ,Monday is another day.Still it,s sunny and warm in wonderful Wiltshire,new potatoes from garden for lunch,strawberries for tea , tomatoes coming on apace along with runner beans etc ,so isn’t all bad.
How are you managing to succeed with runners? I too am in “Wonderful Wilts”, but last year had nary a bean, and this year the flowers are sparse in the extreme. I don’t understand it. Broad beans seem o.k. if the black fly leave me a few.
Another Saturday super crossword. Struggled initially but it gradually opened up. Thanks to BD for the hints, one ir two much needed, and thanks to the setter. 11a was a new one on me although it’s there somewhere in the depths of my mind
An enjoyable Saturday crossword that I wasn’t able to start until I got back from collecting my god daughter from Durham at about 4. I haven’t done too badly, but as always I had consult hints and tips. One day I’ll do it “all by mine own” as my dear daughter used
Many thanks to BD for the hints, and the setter for the puzzle. Some of the answers brought a wry grin e.g. 9d
I’m also suffering with the iPad app randomly deleting my answers, perhaps I will give up and return to good old fashioned paper ;-)
Our younger Pet Lamb used to say “I’ll do it my own self”.
I found this enjoyable but very difficult today. Needed four hints to finish so thanks to Big Dave
For Carrie and anyone else who likes using Ipad, Crux have sorted out their problems with the Telegraph – it’s by far the best crossword app. I’ve seen.
Welcome to the blog Forlorn Hope
I agree with you about Crux. You can also get the Independent crosswords and a daily crossword from the Globe and Mail, a Canadian paper that uses a syndicated crossword that is, I believe, set by Roger Squires (Rufus).
Thank you Forlorn Hope, I shall persevere :good:
If I have got 6d correctly, I can’t see my answer listed in the BRB as related to a hit (nor the reverse way round) so I was a bit disappointed BD hadn’t chosen it to hint. But thanks to him and the setter, especially that fair but misleading clue for 4a.
(I had not heard of the use of part of 7d either but it is there – in my ipad version of the BRB.)
For 6d if you look up the relevant 5-letter word in the BRB the only definition for the intransitive verb should explain the ‘hit’ bit.
Thanks Gazza, much appreciated (I realised I had looked up the whole answer rather than what you suggested.)
My thanks to the setter for an enjoyable and occasionally testing puzzle, which l make about 3*/4*. I particularly loved 5d – what a performance! Thanks to Big Dave for the hints, as well, although l didn’t need to draw on any for this one.
An interesting puzzzle , during the course of which I needed a hint for 5d as Mr Mackey meant nothing to me.I had to google Greater Manchester towns, but wikipedias list , alphabetically produced, provided an answer immediately, given the checkers.We studied all sorts of places in Geography , at school, such as Bolivia and Brazil and so on, but never England, which is unfathomable , when you think about it.Thanks to the setter and BD.
Lurked too long. I love the blog and all your comments. Enjoyed this week’s. Needed BD to find out why I had some of my answers. Thanks.
Welcome to the blog NJoy
We have several thousand lurkers, but it’s great when one of them comes out of the shadows!
Your blog has added so much pleasure to my crossword solving – and has given me the courage to tackle the Toughie too.
This was a most enjoyable Saturday puzzle (****), with some excellent clues. I liked 11a, 17a, 24a and 5d just to mention a few.
I managed to complete this without hints, but did find the NE corner rather tricky. It took me a while to work out 7d, my last in. I have much enjoyed Big Dave’s hints, and found them most valuable. I didn’t understand the ‘police leader’ in 9d, and my parsing of 1d wasn’t quite accurate.
Appreciative thanks to the setter for an enjoyable challenge and to Big Dave for super hints.
Bit of a struggle but finished except 8d. Can someone throw me a little hint.
Remove the I (neglecting one) from the way one might refer to paintings by a particular Old Master and you should be left with the name of a group of gods.
Thanks should have spotted that one. Another very clever clue.
Finished now but must confess found this one difficult.