DT 28289 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28289

by Miffypops  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28289

Hints and tips by Miffypops

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty */** – Enjoyment ****

Today is national Bathtub Party Day. Let us know how your Bathtub Party went but please spare us the photos. Well done England and Coventry for winning their Rugby matches this weekend. Mexican Pete deserves a mention for re-opening The Buck and Bell so our village now has its full complement of six pubs up and running again.

The hints and tips below are written to help you understand how a clue works and lead you to the answer. Definitions are underlined and the answers are hidden in the click here boxes. Illustrations may have little or no relevance to the clues.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a    Air transport that’s used by a lumberjack (7)
CHOPPER: A trademark Rufus double definition the first being a helicopter and the second being an axe or a hatchet

5a    One’s restricted by a lack in flavour (7)
ANISEED: Split 1,4 find a term that means a lack. (Yes you can lift the letter A straight from the clue) Place the letter that looks like the number one and the letter S as it is pluralised in the clue inside (restricted by) this lack. Sometimes it is harder to write a hint than it is to solve the clue

9a    Has to set out professions of loyalty (5)
OATHS: Anagram (set out) of HAS TO

10a    Phoney gains fare for ocean travel (9)
SEAFARING: Anagram (phoney) of GAINS FARE

11a    Airman and crew involved in conflict (7,3)
CRIMEAN WAR: Anagram (involved) of AIRMAN and CREW

12a    Liveliness I found in revolutionary sphere (4)
BRIO: Reverse (revolutionary) a three lettered sphere and insert (found in) the letter I

14a    Appealing features of newspapers? (5,7)
AGONY COLUMNS: A cryptic definition of what Graham Norton writes on alternative Saturdays in the Weekend section of The Daily Telegraph

18a    Bosses supply new purse and means (12)
SUPERINTENDS: Anagram (new) of PURSE followed by a verb meaning means

21a    They’re used for picking up military equipment (4)
ARMS: Another double definition what you gather your children up in and big guns

22a    Kind compiler, one putting printed words in right order? (10)
TYPESETTER: Take a noun meaning a sort or category followed by a word meaning a compiler (perhaps of Crosswords)

25a    A telephoto lens will record these racing outsiders (4,5)
LONG SHOTS: A double definition. The type of photos that might be taken using a telephoto lens or a racehorse that has little chance of winning. Fast women and slow horses. The story of my life

26a    Possible means for identification (5)
NAMES: Anagram (possible) of MEANS

27a    Side playing away from home fails to survive (4,3)
DIES OUT: Anagram (playing) of SIDE followed by a word used to denote that one is not at home.

28a    Anger when counterfeit coin has gone in circulation (7)
DUDGEON: An adjective meaning counterfeit is followed by an anagram ( in circulation) of GONE

Down

1d    Alternative of superior quality (6)
CHOICE: A double definition

2d    Be too clever for old university idiot (6)
OUTWIT: place a fool after the abbreviated words Old and University

3d    Weak team members who’ll get transferred by coach, perhaps (10)
PASSENGERS: Those who make up a team but do not contribute to team effort or a collective term for travellers on coaches

4d    About to transgress, by gum! (5)
RESIN: Our usual puzzleland word meaning about is followed by an immoral act against divine law

5d    Clan have a bad falling-out in the Highlands? (9)
AVALANCHE: Anagram (bad) of CLAN HAVE A. Leonard Cohen perfoms a song of this name on his album Songs of Love And hate but I much prefer this song.

6d    Boy, about five, sees another (4)
IVAN: Bunging the Roman Numeral for the number five into one boys name will give another. The first being associated with Scotland and the second with Russia

7d    Witty sayings of sir, page recycled to enthral maiden (8)
EPIGRAMS: Anagram (recycled) of SIR PAGE capturing (enthrall) the letter M from M(aiden)

8d    King Charles’s residence where one is in disgrace? (8)
DOGHOUSE: This King Charles is a spaniel. This is where he might live and is where most husbands are said to be from time to time. Not me of course I live high upon a pedestal.

13d    Hit by stick, doctor bonded with glue (10)
BLUDGEONED: Anagram (doctor) of BONDED with GLUE

15d    Capricious female? (5,4)
NANNY GOAT: Capricious here refers to the zodiac sign Capricorn The sign of the Ram. If this Ram were female she would be the solution to this clue.

16d    Said sale is fixed and charged (8)
ASSAILED: Anagram (is fixed) of SAID SALE

17d    Names put out for sparkling Italian wine (8)
SPUMANTE: Anagram (out) of NAMES PUT

19d    I’m upset to be limited by eye problem in snooker (6)
STYMIE: Our favourite eye infection contains the reversal (up) of I’m. This term used in the pastime Snooker originated in another pastime. Golf.

20d    Where you will find screws on the doors (6)
PRISON: These screws are not the ones in your door hinges. They are warders in gaols and that is where you will find them

23d    Disease doctor admits relented (5)
EASED: Our first lurker of the day.. hidden away somewhere within the letters of the clue

24d    Capital in endless loose change? (4)
OSLO: Anagram (change) of loose minus its last lette (endless)

The usual good Monday morning fun from Rufus.

The Quick Crossword pun: prop+pen+city=propensity

82 comments on “DT 28289”

  2. Rufus back on the soft pedal I thought, but a good Monday puzzle.
    Absolute favourite was 22a, followed by 15d&26a.

    Thanks to Rufus and to MP (complete with pedestal of his own making!). Loved the 14a example, was bewildered by the 3d clip and thoroughly depressed, as usual, by Mr. Cohen.

    1. Can’t see why you’re bewildered by the music (?) clip for 3d Jane – The title pretty much speaks for itself. Although, I will agree with your thoughts on Mr Cohen. :)

        1. I agree Jane and if you look at the lyrics IMHO they are utter rubbish viz “Deny the passenger, who want to get on”.

    2. I tried so hard to match the answer with an entertaining piece of music that Jane would like. I thought I would be safe with Elton John. The Leonard Cohen is a favourite of mine that I thought Jane might also enjoy. The lyrics always make me smile.

  3. Liked. No time to rabbit on now as I have to run to that bathtub party. I’ll take the Rookie with me. Many thanks to Rufus and MP.

  4. I really enjoyed this one.
    It took a while to get started because I was rather stupidly slow to get some of the first answers – don’t know why.
    7d always causes trouble – I have a mental block with 7d, epitaph and epithet – have to look them up every time to check which one means what – oh dear.
    20d is the kind of clue that I bang on about – most of us know this meaning of ‘screw’ but is it really fair on newer solvers – you either know it or you don’t but there’s no way you can work it out.
    Lots of anagrams but I’m not complaining about that.
    The piccy hint for 14a made me laugh.
    I liked 21 and 22a and 8 and 15d. My favourite was 4d.
    With thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops.
    A big pile of ironing to do then Miss, Mrs or Ms Rookie, I think.

  5. A very good enjoyable puzzle, some lovely clues. 2.5*/4* Favourites 2d, 3d and 8d. Many thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops.

  6. Enjoyable and fairly straightforward. Held up with 13d – need to think of “doctor” as anagram indicator not Dr, MO, MD etc. Needed hint to sort out parsing of 15d, & it is my birth sign (which I’m pleased to say I needed to find out from Mr Google).
    Thanks to Rufus & MP for excellent, even concise, hints.

  8. Rufus less tricky than he has been in recent weeks made an enjoyable start to the week – **/*** for me. Perhaps it was the large number of anagrams – 11 (including partials) by my count.

    Long favourite 25a, and short favourite 12a.

    Thanks to Rufus and MP.

  9. This was much quicker than Dill’s delightful rookie puzzle.

    5d is very nice (the clan falling out in the highlands)

    Rufus always manages to trick me with his 2-word cryptic definitions masquerading as a double definition (15d)

    Many thanks Rufus and Miffypops for an excellent review.

  10. I found this quite difficult but got there in the end…had a few breaks to do stuff like put out the rubbish and have another coffee in between.
    Made things a little more difficult for myself by putting in typewriter at 22a….not my cleverest moment.
    Very pleased with myself for remembering 19d…one of my father-in -law’s favourite words.
    (He was of a somewhat gloomy cast of mind.)

    Thwnks to the setter and to Miffypops for the hints which, unusually, I did not need today.

  11. Having trouble with the blog today.
    Bright and breezy puzzle, excellent cluing throughout and a */*** for me, thanks to setter and Miffypops – the pic for 8d drew a smile, where are his legs ?
    Favourite 15d, such a good clue and don’t remember seeing it before- alternately could have simply simply forgot !

  13. Enjoyed this, and managed all except a couple before reading the extra hints on here. Either I’m learning or it’s an easier puzzle, because often I can only manage a couple before needing the extra help. Thanks for today’s explanations :)

    1. Ma’am, thanks for popping in!

      Having read the “Court Circular” it seems that one has a day off today. Plenty of time for the crossword!

  14. A very gentle start to the week I thought. Good fun while it lasted. 15d was my fave. 1.5/3* overall.
    Thanks to Rufus, and to MP for his review.

  15. An easy start to the week, enjoyable too. No hints needed to solve but did need the parsing to the capricious lady. I don’t normally read the hints unless I need one, however, I do scan the comments. So,after reading Kath’s, I did look at hint for 14a, which as KAth implies, is quite funny.

    Thanks to all. I’m in Manitoba and we have a winter storm watch in effect, lots of exercise to be had shovelling wet snow.

  16. Pretty much standard fare from my near neighbour but good fun nonetheless. A few old chestnuts but the surfaces, constructs and enjoyment of the majority of clues by far outweighed any lack of ingenuity. I think I will go with 8d as my favourite of the day.

    With thanks to Rufus for the puzzle and to MP for his review – didn’t know that the ‘Buck and Bell’ had closed. As you know Mrs SL and I had lunch there with friends about this time last year. Good to hear of a pub re-opening though, definitely ‘bucking’ the trend. Well done Mexican Pete (whoever you are.

    On a non crossword note – thank you all for your kind comments. I am happy to say that I will now be more regular on the blog :).

    6. Oh good – we really are getting back to normal now – well, at least what passes as normal here. :smile: to you SL.

    7. Great news I am so pleased for you and, as importantly,yours.
      Regards & best wishes

    13. A very belated but heartfelt welcome back from me too. Shropshire felt quite lonely without you.

  17. Sorry to spoil the national day but a bath uses far too much water in this day and age. Should only have showers really.
    Was a bit confused by 15d and could only think of Nancy Boys.
    3d was also new to me.
    Thanks to Rufus and to MP for the review.

    1. It would seem that’s not necessarily the case, JL. There was a letter in the DT a while back from a gent who, by way of experiment, timed himself having a shower and then the following day put the shower head into the bath and ran the water for the same length of time. He reckoned that the bath then contained far more water than he would have normally put in.

      My bath/shower configuration doesn’t allow for me to try it out myself but maybe others can?

    2. There are exceptions to this bath v shower stuff. Younger Lamb can empty our quite large hot water tank when she has a shower.

      1. who was it that said they prefer showers because they did not want to wallow in their own filth?

        sorry, this was meant to reply to JL

    3. I always forget that “law of relativity”.
      A friend of mine used to fill the bath all the way to the overflow and keep the tap on to make sure the temperature was constant.
      Ps: Jane, the Saturday prize guardian is from Paul/Dada and all about birds. Great stuff.

  18. I’m a true, blue Rufus fan and today is no exception, always on his wavelength.
    There were a lot of anagrams but you don’t hear me complaining.
    I loved 8d, but I’m going to go with 15d as fave – how clever is that?
    Thanks to Rufus and to M’pops for his fun blog.

  19. **/****. Very enjoyable puzzle although took two sittings for me. Started last night and completed the southern half but then left the top until this morning. Thanks to the setter and MP for the review. Our first snow today although the mountains in the distance have been white for weeks.

  20. Like Kath I made a slow start but gradually got on Rufus’ wavelength and did get there in the end without need for gizmo help. Tried for sometime to come up with a palace name for 8d! Thanks Rufus and MP. ***/***. I have been denied the opportunity to participate in a Bathtub Party thanks to staying with family in the S E Water region where there has been no water due to a burst main. 😥

  21. We all know that Mondays wouldn’t be Mondays without a liberal dose of anagrams, but I thought thirteen in one puzzle (you must have miscounted, Senf!) was somewhat overdoing it, even for Rufus!

    It was a delightful crossword nevertheless, back to the usual read and write standard this week. My favourite was one of the thirteen, 11a.

    Many thanks to Mr. Squires and to MP.

  22. Enjoyed that, plenty of anagrams, phrases and double meanings. 👍

    Suspect we are due a stinker tomorrow😕

  23. Very enjoyable, if not very taxing.
    Nice to see SL back on form.
    Thanks to all as ever.

  24. Really enjoyable solveable crossword thank you Rufus and a very amusing (as always) blog from MP 🤗 **/**** Favourites from a list of many, 15d, 1a & 14a 😄

  25. Very pleasant, I agree with the ratings.
    Thanks for the terrific blog, Miffypops, and thanks to Rufus as well.

  26. 5d had us head scratching for some time even though we had worked out that it was an anagram. The usual good Monday fun.
    Thanks Rufus and MP.

  27. Enjoy the blog enormously and it kept me sane when i was hospitalised last summer. 15d, Just a thought though is Capricorn really the Ram? Where does Aries fit?

    1. Welcome Mary R. MP’s hints are sometimes designed to confuse. I think he hopes it will get him more comments :roll:

    2. Hello Mary R. I googled Capricorn and thought it was a rams head I saw now I see it is a goat. Zodiac mumbo jumbo is not my strong point but I ought to know a Ram is not a goat. Thanks for pointing it out. Sorry to confuse. I am a city boy at heart

  28. Late today as the dreaded change of Isp has happened, but what a palaver setting up new emails.
    Still all done, lovely puzzle almosta walk through.
    Many thanks to Rufus and MP

  29. A pleasant start to the week, even if a bit heavy on the anagram pedal for my tastes. 1/2* difficulty and 3.5* enjoyment seems about right. My favourites were 28a and 15d. Thanks to Rufus, and to MP for an entertaining review.

  30. An enjoyable, fairly straightforward start to the week. I had to look up 17d, and 28ac took up far too much time at the close, but the rest fairly flew past.

  31. Thanks to Rufus and Miffypops for yet another splendid start to the week. Alternated between this and Rookie corner enjoyed both workouts now off to read latest book. Rather odd old-fashioned detective story from 1930s recently reissued no modern technology just pure and simple detective powers.

    Miffypops – the last picture on calendar is a robin, it has been fabulous, next year’s is not as nice.

    1. I have not looked at Carrie Ackroyds 2017 calendars. I can Send you a Long Itchington wildlife calendar if you want me to.

  32. Thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops for the review and hints. I just couldn’t get into this. Needed the hints for 5,18,21,27a & 6,15,16d. Was 3*/3* for me.

  33. Loved today’s puzzle with my sons name at 6d and clues that made me smile at 2&8d. Would have been easier if I had spotted all the anagrams. Feeling young and trendy because I did get the reference in the 3d clip which cleverly also contained a chopper 🚁😄

  34. Thanks for the hints MP, no problems apart from 5a, I have no idea how the wordplay makes the answer, in spite of MP’s sterling efforts to put me on the right track. I had to reveal the answer in the end.
    Thanks MP, and to Rufus….

    1. The pedant in me would respectfully beg to differ from MP in that surely “one’s” in 5a clue is a possessive rather than a plural but the outcome in the solution is of course the same.

      1. Poorly schooled orphan boys would have no idea about possessives and plurals. I do my best.. Sometimes I fall short.. Hey Ho.

      2. Not so sure about “surely”: some would write two ones as two 1″s others as two 1s (I prefer the former as it cannot be confused with 15). When I find my ” Eats Shoots & Leaves” I will check.

    2. HIYD, I see you’ve posed a question about the wordplay in 5a which no-one has answered fully. Ones (or I’S or just IS) is restricted (or surrounded, limited) by a lack or A NEED thus: A N(IS)EED = ANISEED. The S in numerical terms such as the 1970s is usually nowadays written without a possessive apostrophe. But I guess you’ve sussed it by now, anyway. I’ll get me coat…

  35. Are 28a and the root word of 13d the only words in the dictionary that end DGEON? A gentle start to the week. Thanks to setter and solver.

  36. Did this hours ago. Almost, it seems, in another .world. I love our boat. Jolly gentle Rufus, Shropshire Lad back in the saddle and all is well with the world.. Thank you MP and Rufus. 1*/3*

  37. As always for me, I completed this excellent and enjoyable Rufus puzzle on Tuesday morning. This late, I cannot add anything new to the comments already made, so I will just rate it 2*/4* and give thanks to all.

  38. Since goats and sheep are a different species how can a capricious female indicate a nanny goat.

    1. Welcome to the blog Kriptik Steve

      I thought Miffypops was the only one who couldn’t tell sheep from goats. There is no mention of sheep in the clue, and Miffypops’ error in the hint has already been pointed out.

    2. Hello from me Kriptik Steve. When reading my hints please bear in mind that I am merely a poorly schooled orphan boy. Welcome to the blog. Join in and keep the comments coming.

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