DT 28201 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28201

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28201

Hints and tips by KiwiColin

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

 

One member of our team is away in the capital meeting up with a friend of many years so it is a solo flight for KiwiColin today. After a run of clear sunny days, that gave some of our family fantastic skiing conditions last weekend, it has turned colder again.  I bet Carol will be thankful for her warm coat in Wellington.  

We have the usual generous ration of clever clues from Jay to keep us all amused once again.

Please leave a comment saying how you got on.

Across

1a     Good cast will accept a cut (6)
GASHED : The abbreviation for good, A from the clue and a word meaning cast as a snake’s skin might be.

5a     Raised the sack, putting insect in (8)
BROACHED : The sack is where you might sleep and is found outside an insect for which we usually use a longer version of the name.

9a     Will they keep the viewers in touch? (7,6)
CONTACT LENSES : A cryptic description of some aids to vision that are worn in much closer proximity to one’s eyes than spectacles are.
images

10a     Authoritative book about poor dad being compliant (8)
BIDDABLE : The authoritative book for Christians includes an anagram (poor) of DAD.

11a     Relocating North Yemen’s capital is causing problems (6)
THORNY : An anagram (relocating) of NORTH and then the first letter (capital) of Yemen.
images

12a     Obstruction mainly by European nations originally acting as one unit (2,4)
EN BLOC : A word for an obstruction or hindrance loses its last letter and comes after the first letters of European and Nation.

14a     Business needing to be more flexible about source of income (8)
SUPPLIER : The first letter (source) of income is found inside a word meaning more flexible.

16a     Trials coming after prisoner disputes (8)
CONTESTS : An informal word for a prisoner and a synonym for trials or exams.

19a     Continue to hold volunteers in check (6)
RETAIN : A check that might be use to control a horse is outside the abbreviation for volunteer soldiers.

21a     Liaison of blonde chasing footballers from the East (6)
AFFAIR : Another word that could describe blonde as hair colour comes after the reversal (from the East) of a two letter abbreviation for official groups of footballers.

23a     Church work must be duplicated quickly (4,4)
CHOP CHOP : The abbreviation for church and a musical or artistic work gets repeated.

25a     Turn game around and show backs to be contentious (13)
ARGUMENTATIVE : Start with an anagram (around) of TURN GAME and follow this with the reversal of a musical with a South American setting.

26a     Teaches Tom to wear polished suede (8)
EDUCATES : An animal that has a male called a tom is inside an anagram (polished) of SUEDE.

27a     Men without millions are inclined to sign up (6)
ENLIST : Remove the abbreviation for millions from men and follow this with a word meaning ‘are inclined’ or are leaning to one side.
imgres

Down

2d     Lawsuit covering university sale (7)
AUCTION : A lawsuit or case taken to court includes the abbreviation for university.
imgres

3d     United shown in high definition, becoming polished (5)
HONED : The two letters for high definition are outside a word meaning united or no longer separate.

4d     Disadvantages of support during ties (9)
DRAWBACKS : A four letter word meaning support is inside ties or games when the scores are equal.

5d     Spreads complete in case of banks (7)
BUTTERS : Complete or totally is surrounded by the first and last letters (case) of banks.

6d     Done time? That’s clear (5)
OVERT : A word meaning done or finished and the abbreviation for time.

7d     Brewing ale cost us for this stew (9)
CASSOULET : An anagram (brewing) of ALE COST US.
imgres

8d     The quality of Messi at heart — hence lacking height (7)
ESSENCE : The central three letters (at heart) of Messi and then hence once the abbreviation for height has been removed.

13d     Feeling lazy — it’s the garlic being cooked (9)
LETHARGIC : An anagram (being cooked) of THE GARLIC.
images

15d     Punch admitted by goalkeeper for a team (9)
PERFORATE : Our only lurker of the day, hiding in the last four words of the clue.

17d     Rude worker from France getting priority (7)
OFFHAND : Firstly a synonym for ‘from’, then the IVR code for France and a worker or employee.

18d     Endorses merchandise that’s less than perfect (7)
SECONDS : A double definition.

20d     Promises phosphorus-free new chemical compounds (7)
ISOMERS : An anagram (new) of pROMISES after the chemical symbol for phosphorus has been removed.

22d     Scope of authority after turning clock back (5)
REMIT : When the answer is reversed a type of instrument of which a clock is an example will be found.

24d     Cool youngster docked and left (5)
CHILL : A word for a young person has its last letter removed and replaced with the abbreviation for left.

The well hidden lurker at 15d was the last to yield so gets today’s top prize.

Quickie pun    quay    +    pass    +    egret    =    keep a secret

65 comments on “DT 28201

  1. A slow start but overall a fair puzzle. 15d was my last one in too, it took me a while to twig it was a lurker. Thanks to the setter and to KiwiColin for the review.

  2. Thanks to Jay for an enjoyable puzzle. But I was not quite in sync with him today, so thanks to 1 of the 2Ks for assistance on my last four entries.

    ***/*** for me – with 23a as a standout favourite.

  3. A good few to think about here, e.g. 1a, 5a, 14a. Last in 15d with a real ‘aagh’ moment as others seem to have found above. Thanks to all.

  4. A slow start for me too. 25a brought pommers to mind, I can’t think why !
    With thanks to Colin and Jay.

  5. Jay up to his usual tricks, making me think that I might need to know cities in the Yemen, a phosphorous-free chemical compound and the names of various goal-keepers!
    It would seem that I’m in good company having missed the lurker in 15d until the last minute – very clever and probably deserves the top spot today but I was also rather partial to 23a.

    Many thanks to Jay for the fun and to our solo Kiwi for the review. Lovely pic. of the fur seal.

  6. Nice Jay crossword I found the lurker early on but 20d stumped me completely so had to resort to electronic help. Many thanks to single Kiwi and of course to Jay.

    1. Wasn’t sure about that either Brian. Maybe because the ‘of f’ is ‘on top’ in a down clue?

  7. Super test for me. Only minor niggle was that 5a gave no indication the insect was abbreviated so needed hint to complete. Would using the fish have been too easy?
    I know my goalkeepers I thought so went those with short names from Frank Swift through Gordon Banks to Joe Hart then ended up with a “bung in” finally spotted the lurker. Clue of the month for me.
    Thanks to setter and LK for review.

    1. One might actually find cockroaches in a bed but it is unlikely that one would find a fish in a bed.

          1. it was a minor niggle & was more about that I have only come across cockroach or apotrophe-roach for the insect. Clue would have needed ” perhaps” after sack to make sense my way I see that.
            Hope the “sharp end” wins & your church gets its organ money.

    2. 5a: I don’t think the clue has anything to do with what may or may not be found in a bed. The word play is a simple device to get roach inside bed – B(ROACH)ED. I reckon the clue would have been better with “…putting fish in” because that way no indirect/assumed abbreviation would be involved.

  8. An excellent puzzle again from Jay, with several clues suggesting something of a football flavour to it.

    The lurker in 15d was indeed superb, although my favourite vote goes to 25a for its clever construction and surface.

    Seven whole or partial anagrams may attract criticism from certain quarters, but not from this solver.

    Many thanks to Mr. Mutch and to Colin.

  9. Friendly Jay today so thank you to him

    Thank you to 1Kiwi for both the blog and the Quick Pun reveal as I’d been driving myself mad muttering the three words over and over again without much joy

    1. When Carol got home last evening we did the Dada Toughie together and then I gave her the three words of the Quickie pun so she could work it out as I had done. This morning, when she gets out of bed, she will need to look at the blog to preserve her sanity.
      That’s my story. Don’t tell anyone! :smile:

      1. Having got 1d I started off thinking that the quickie pun was ‘keep a cigarette’ – well smack my legs! Oh dear! :oops:

      2. I thought I was being so clever with my last sentence in the comment above but nobody seems to have noticed. :unsure:

  10. Feeling rather pleased to have finished this with NO help! This might be the first time I’ve done this for many years. I check in here most days to reveal the answers (if it’s more than 6 I give up!). My absolute favourite is the lurker! I remember reading here that if you just can’t fathom a clue, look for a lurker and it worked!

    Grateful thanks to all the setters and bloggers – I comment so infrequently that I’m using this opportunity to thank everyone!

    30🔆 here in S Herts so I’m sitting in a cool room with all the windows and curtains shut and a cold flannel in my forehead!

  11. Very enjoyable puzzle today with lots of great clues. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one to miss the lurker in 15d and that gets my favourite vote closely followed by 9a and 23a. Thanks to the setter and to KiwiColin for the hints.

  12. Good stuff as usual on a Wednesday so thanks to Jay and the one Kiwi.

    The lurkingest lurker I’ve seen for a long while has to be my favourite (and last in).

  13. The usual good Wednesday crossword and, again as usual on a Wednesday, my last few answers took longer than the rest of it.
    All I can say is that if most of you couldn’t find the lurker there was absolutely no hope at all for me. Oh dear!
    1 and 5a both took me a long time.
    General stupidity ruled 9a for ages – I could only think of something to do with remote controls.
    I’m not sure what the setters would do without the 25a show.
    I liked 21a and 17d. My favourite was 23a.
    With thanks to Jay and to Colin Kiwi
    Now I’m just wondering if I dare peep at the Toughie . . . ?

  14. The usual quality from our Wednesday setter with 23a which stood out for me.
    Finished with 14a and 15d. Why lurkers are always the ones causing delays is beyond me.
    Talking of Beyond, I enjoyed the movie as it was in Imax 3D. The details were so fine that I spotted Spock wearing a wig.
    But the biggest thrill was to get there on a Suzuki Bandit as my friend’s wife took the car.
    Favourite today is 23a.
    Thanks to Jay and to Colin for the review.
    Still no rain (three months now) and high temperature. What a fabulous summer this has been.

  15. I too am a member of the ‘missed the lurker’ club, so 15 down became my last one in. Overall, this was a good workout from Jay, with plenty to admire and enjoy. 25 across my pick of the day, and 13 down my favourite picture from the solitary Kiwi.

    Thanks to Jay and KC. 2.5*/3.5*.

  16. Lots to like today. Spotted the lurker but had to think about the parsing of 17d, and agree with the conclusion of that debate at #8.
    No favourites today, they’re all winners.
    That 7d pic has made me feel hungry – I just might make one for when it cools down later, mmm.

    Thanks to all as ever.

  17. Not often that a ‘lurker’ catches so many people! I only saw it after I had put in the answer. So that’s the favourite sorted.
    A lovely crossword that as usual took me a little while to get going but once that happened a fairly steady solve.
    3/3* overall.
    Thanks to Jay, and to the 1K for his review.

  18. I got the answer for the lurker…it had to be that from the cross letters, but did not spot it until I saw the hint.

    For some reason 5d and 6d did for me. Needed the hints for both of them.

    Many thanks to KiwiColin and to the setter.

  19. Phew it’s hot and pretty airless so pleased to have been back in my old routine of solving over breakfast because concentration is now difficult. This was an entertaining challenge. It’s reassuring to know several co-bloggers also missed the 15d lurker which has to be one of the best clues ever. I tossed up between the answer and percolate but couldn’t for the life of me parse either. Fav was 23a – tee hee! Thanks Jay for being gentle on us today and K1 for your prompting which as usual I enjoyed reading through. **/***.

  20. Nice puzzle, but must confess to not spotting the lurker at 15d 😰 So **/**** Thanks to Colin and to Jay 😎 Liked 9 & 23a. Ridiculously hot here again in the East today
    (that’s Anglia not Indies) 😡

    1. Welcome from both of us too Robert.
      Look forward to more comments from you in the future.

  21. Good morning everyone. Our solving team is now back to business as usual after a day of gallivanting in ‘the big smoke’ for Carol. When one is used to solving as a team it can be a bit tricky to judge difficulty level with a solo solve but from the comments it seems I called it correctly. The 15d lurker certainly made a considerable contribution to the solving time. A great clue.
    Cheers. :bye:

  22. Good Jay offering. Needed the hint to work out where the last five letters of 25a came from. Never thought of that sort of show although I got the right answer. 5a, 6d and 11a were my last in. The latter stupid as I had put a wrong letter in! Favourites 9a, 8d and 15d. I have to agree with Brian for the second time in a week. I did find 17d a little difficult to fathom but agree that priority refers to the fact that “from France” is in front.

  23. I joined the missing 15d team, never had the whiff of a clue.
    Fave today by a landslide is 23a.
    Thanks to Jay and to the single Kiwi, great hints.

      1. Doing very well. My only problem is the back, can’t seem to get over that. I’ve now got a brace which helps, but I’m not a patient lady and I want to be pain-free yesterday! Sadie has been such a wonderful nurse, full of sympathy and love! She sends greetings to Biggles.

  24. Slow today start with the top half, and picking up speed with the bottom half. Got going at second sitting, but totally missed 15d lurker. 9a was favorite, followed by 23a. Thanks Jay and Colin. Would love to see some snow, high 90s (F) here.

  25. 3*/4*. Very late today but this was the usual highly enjoyable Wednesday challenge. I’ll go along with those who picked 15d as favourite.

    Many thanks to Jay and 1K.

  26. 1/2* difficulty/3* enjoyment. My favourite clue is 7d – also my all-time favourite dish, some sort of beans, pork and lashings of garlic, eaten somewhere in Provence on a cold and windy day in late November 1983. I shall remember it until my dying day. Thanks to Jay for reminding me of that sumptuous meal, and to KiwiColin for the review.

  27. Found this one tricky today. Got there in the end but struggled with 5A and 5D. Also never heard of an isomer before.

  28. I have melted in the heat, but have a dim and distant memory of enjoying this over breakfast. Agree with the majority opinion and have little to add except my thanks to Jay and KiwiColin.

    1. Nearly warned you it drove me bats teams, goalies. I thought it would you too. Lurking re-defined possibly. Not been up all night I hope!

      1. Sadly I have chronic insomnia so these warm nights are a nightmare for me.
        The crossword today was a Jay special, superb clues.
        Got the Chambers dictionary for my birthday yesterday, great reference book.
        Thanks to KiwiColin and Jay.

        1. Happy Birthday for yesterday from us too.
          We look forward to your comments from now on starting with, “BRB says…….” :smile:

    2. All done, Mrs. Hoofit came good with the stew…
      Question…1a, why is the ‘a’ before the ‘shed’, the clue seems to indicate (to me – the novice), that the ‘a’ should be after the ‘shed’.
      Thanks KiwiColin…great hints…
      Thanks to Jay also….

      1. For 1a I read the ‘will accept’ to mean that the letter A would be included within (rather than added to) the charade made by (G)ood and SHED.

  29. I enjoyed this one, not massively challenging but I got held up for quite a while with 14a, 7d and 15d which pushed it up to above average – mostly, very good cluing too. 2.5*/3.5*.

  30. Challenging puzzle which I managed to master in the end, but couldn’t quite parse “priority” in17d, as others have alluded. I can accept the explanations given by Jane and Labradors, so thanks for that help.

    Thanks to setter and 1K.

    ***/***.

    1. Welcome to the blog Philly.
      This puzzle was published quite some time ago so I wondered if you might (like us) be from a remote part of the world.

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