DT 28421 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28421

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28421

Hints and tips by Kath

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BD Rating — Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Hello everyone. I’m standing in for Miffypops today as he’s busy – it might just have something to do with Bob Dylan! I don’t think that I’ve ever done the hints for a Rufus crossword before and I admit to seeing ‘sporty’ clues even when they proved not to be. As always on Mondays a few of these caused a spot of bother, for me anyway, but generally it wasn’t too tricky.

In the hints the definitions are underlined and the answers are under the things that say ANSWER so only do that if you need to see one.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought and how you got on today.

Across

1a            Study old currency used by this country (7)
DENMARK — A short word for a study is followed by the pre-euro money (old currency) in Germany.

5a            Allowance that offers advantage (7)
BENEFIT — A double definition.

9a            Gout’s disrupted one’s zest for life (5)
GUSTO — An anagram (disrupted) of GOUT’S.

10a         A crowd milling around on glacier maybe showing timidity (9)
COWARDICE — An anagram (milling around) of A CROWD is followed by something that a glacier is made from.

11a         The ones who are named for the post (10)
ADDRESSEES — The post here is all your letters and the ones who are named have the right to open it.

12a         Customs perceived in house styles (4)
USES — A lurker, or hidden answer (perceived in) – it’s hiding inside the last two words of the clue

14a         Cut joint cooked for earlier meal (4-8)
COLD-SHOULDER — This kind of ‘cut’ means to snub someone or give them the brush-off and it’s what you might have for supper on Monday when you’d had a roast piece of lamb or pork for Sunday lunch.

18a         Those in service go on reacting strangely (12)
CONGREGATION — An anagram (strangely) of GO ON REACTING.

21a         Eggs left in cricket ground (4)
OVAL — The plural of an egg cell is followed by the abbreviation for L(eft).

22a         It looks like one campanologist is late (4,6)
DEAD RINGER — A slang term for someone who looks exactly like someone else could also be a campanologist who’s snuffed it (late).

25a         First striker whose attitude is offensive (9)
AGGRESSOR — The person who starts a fight or strikes the first blow – nothing at all to do with football which was my first thought.

26a         Is a short account for a patriarch (5)
ISAAC — Do exactly as the clue tells you – IS from the clue, followed by the A from the clue and the abbreviation (short) for ACount – and with a bit of luck you’ll end up with a Hebrew patriarch.

27a         Nero sprawled on couch in a toga? (7)
ENROBED — An anagram (sprawled) is followed by (on) a couch or divan.

28a         Sirius follows Jack (3,4)
DOG STAR — If split 4,3 you need a verb meaning follows or tails and one of the usual crossword land jacks or sailors.

 

Down

1d            Crease party clothes (3-3)
DOG-EAR — Another one that needs to be split differently – a two letter word for a party is followed by a four letter word for clothes or attire.

2d            Rugby game’s finished, lacking players? (2-4)
NO-SIDE — Oh dear – this really is a Rugby clue and the answer is something that I’ve never heard of. It’s in the BRB and it means the end of a game of Rugby – if you were lacking players you wouldn’t have a team. One that’s really tricky to write a hint for specially when you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.

3d            Honest description of company chairman’s position (5,5)
ABOVE BOARD — A cryptic way of saying the position of a company chairman means honest and without deception.

4d            Thrills which footballers can get (5)
KICKS — A double definition – even I managed this one.

5d            Kentucky derby? (6,3)
BOWLER HAT — Here we go again – I think we’re meant to think of horse races but the answer is what we call something that our friends from across the pond, or in Kentucky, call a derby. I could easily have got the wrong end of the stick with this one but if I have I’m sure someone will tell me.

6d            Grass or nettle (4)
NARK — A double definition – the first is an informer and the second a verb that means annoy or irritate.

7d            Record turnover? (4,4)
FLIP SIDE — The record here is made of vinyl and is, or was, played on a turntable. Deception time again – we’re supposed to think about profits and losses and other financial stuff.

8d            Rate for converting undoubted wealth (8)
TREASURE — An anagram (for converting) of RATE is followed by a word meaning undoubted or definite.

13d         Paying tribute to Brussels on record, I quaver (10)
EULOGISING — Start off with the two letter abbreviation for the organisation that we’re about to leave which has become synonymous with Brussels, follow that with a record or register, then the I from the clue and finish that lot off with a verb that means quaver or vocalise.

15d         Put aside in delivery? (9)
DIGRESSED — And another one – I immediately thought the ‘delivery’ was ‘crickety’ – it’s not. It’s an oration or address and the answer means put aside in or got away from the main point.

16d         In disorder, ace lad holds firm — one raises the subject at the palace (8)
ACCOLADE — An anagram (in disorder) of ACE LAD which contains the two letter abbreviation for a firm or business.

17d         Threaten to put stop to bad temper (8)
ENDANGER — A word that means put a stop to or finish is followed by another that means bad temper or annoyance.

19d         Horrified husband in story turning up on time (6)
AGHAST — A reversal (turning up) of a story or epic contains the abbreviation for H(usband) – finish off with the abbreviation for T(ime).

20d         Missile makes terrible crater (6)
TRACER — An anagram (terrible) of CRATER.

23d         Took a risk, as about to interrupt father (5)
DARED — An affectionate way of addressing your father contains (to interrupt) a little short abbreviation that means about or concerning.

24d         First Channel swimmer and flycatcher, we hear (4)
WEBB — A homophone – the surname of the first man to swim the English channel sounds like (we hear) something made by spiders that catches flies. In our house they also catch dog and cat hair and look awful.

I liked 14 and 27a and 6d. My favourite was 22a – it made me laugh.

The Quickie pun:- TOUR + TILLER = TORTILLA

50 comments on “DT 28421

  1. I found this pretty much R&W until I got to 25a and 15d. I guessed what they were but they were total bung-ins which happened to be correct. I am looking forward to Kath’s explanation and experiencing that ‘dooh’ moment.
    Ticks to 14a, 22a, 1d, 5d, 13d, 24d, pick for me would be 1d.
    Thanks Kath and Rufus

    1. 5d – Kath, I could be wrong, but I think they are both hats, certainly a Derby is, and I am pretty sure a Kentucky is – assume they are as per the answer,

      1. Kentucky Derby is most commonly a horse race but it is also a type of bowler hat so my take on 5d is that it is a typically Rufus-style cryptic definition where he misleads you to think of the obvious but wrong answer before the penny drops.

        Not an easy clue to try to explain.

        1. I’m very easily mislead – got myself well and truly tangled up with this one.
          I even asked Mr Google to see if there was a bowler i.e. a ‘crickety’ one called Kentucky. Oh dear!

          1. Yes, guilty here as well. Never did find a bowler named Kentucky, although there doubtless is one.

        2. RD. This is getting ridiculous – I agree with you again! And shouldn’t the whole clue be underlined as a cryptic definition for just one type of hat?

  2. Was half expecting a clip from ‘Porridge’ for 6d (or was that nerk/nurk?) Anyway, quite liked this, but felt like we have seen 5a, 18a and 17d before. Thanks to all.

  3. 1.5*/3* for this Rufus puzzle. A very quick and comfortable solve with no hold ups 1d is neat and concise so takes the top of my podium. Many thanks to Rufus for the Monday challenge and to Kath.

  4. 2*/4*. All the usual Monday fun.

    24d was my last one in because I became transfixed by the idea that “First Channel” was the definition which, with the checking letters, led me to thinking initially that “Beeb” might be the answer.

    22a was my favourite but ticks also went to 14a, 27a, 28a, 6d & 7d.

    Many thanks to Rufus and to Kath for a super-smooth transition into the Monday blogging chair.

  5. Pretty straightforward today – enjoyable, just wish it lasted a bit longer. 1*/3* I liked 1d, 2d, 13d and 28a. Not sure I liked 25a very much – is that really a cryptic clue?

  6. My heartfelt thanks to Kath who has allowed me to catch up with business affairs and banking before our trip to Liverpool today. The puzzle took little time to solve and provided a few smiles along the way. 2d made me think of the late great Bill McLaren who used to say “And with that kick the referee blows ** ****” Bill Mclaren’s shoes are being ably filled by Nick Mullins who reads a game well and has some enjoyable turns of phrase. It is a shame they have Austin Healey on the team.

    Thanks too to Rufus for the early morning workout.

    1. Yes, good to recall Bill McLaren. He was another in the wonderful group of commentators from my youth, along with Arlott, O’Sullevan, Benaud, Ted Lowe, Peter Jones, Bryon Butler.
      MP,am I right in thinking 2d has rather fallen into disuse??

      1. I am not MP, but you are right about 2d, HoofIt.

        The ESPN glossary of Rugby Union terms puts it accurately thus:

        No side – antiquated term used to describe the end of the match. Superseded by full time.

      2. It may be antiquated but I hear it from time to time. Bill McClaren once described a mass brawl as a slight altercation between the two sets of front rows.

    2. Well I sympathise with Katy here. I have played and followed Rugby for many years as well as being educated at William Ellis Grammer school and I have never heard the term ‘no-side’ before!
      I too miss Bill especially when there is a punch-up and would make a comment such as ‘ah, the boys are just introducing themselves to each other’

      1. I wonder if Kath has ever been called Katy before?

        My sister, Catherine, has been called all manner of names that she dislikes.

        1. No – I’m not usually called Katy – suspect it’s a typo – the H and the Y are pretty close together.
          I’ve also been called lots of other things!

          1. It’s probably predictive text, when I try and type ‘Kath’ it used to come back as ‘Katy’. Now it’s ok. The mysteries of computers!

  7. Apart from the last in-1 down, no hold ups and I agree with RD that it was lots of Monday fun from Rufus.
    He always seems to bring a sparkle to the cluing and misleads wherever possible, going for a **/****..
    22A produced a chortle-reminded me of the Meatloaf song based on the life of Quasimodo-‘Dead Ringer For Love !

  8. Fairly straight forward with the exception of 25a & 15d, just put in words that fitted, I didnt think either were particularly good clues. Favourites were 1d & 5d. 2*/2* Many thanks to Rufus and Kath.

  9. For me, Rufus in a very benign mood, bordering on R&W, completed at a fast gallop – */***.

    Favourite 2d – I will always remember Bill McLaren using the term every time he did the commentary for a (then) Five Nations game

    Thanks to Rufus and Kath.

  10. I don’t like to be critical of setters, because what do I know?

    But, to be honest, there were 3 or 4 clues which I found a bit disappointing. I don’t mind a “round the corner” or oblique answer if it’s entertaining (a “d’oh” moment) but not if it’s just dull.

    Anyway, that was redeemed by 14 and 22a, which were funny and 27 and 28d which were clever.
    So, thanks to Rufus and Kath. I have to go and see if our motorhome will wake up after its hibernation…. It IS German, so I don’t expect any trouble.

    1. 27 & 28d were too clever for me as not even on the grid ;-) Agree 22a was the laugh out loud moment.

  11. I enjoyed this puzzle, completed in my average time so 2*/3* for me today. My favourite is also 22a which made me LOL as the kids say, although doing so in the office raised a few eyebrows among my work colleagues.
    Thanks to Rufus for the lunch break entertainment and Kath for the review.

  12. Fairly straightforward but learnt something new about a game I have watched on the telly but never played and a hat I thought existed only in my imagination. Thanks Kath

  13. Thanks for the tips and to the setter. Convinced myself that 5d was COWBOY HAT. Well, the W was there! That messed up 5a and 1d. 22a favourite.

  14. Apart from 2d, I agree a R&W (perhaps the SW corner excepted) but very enjoyable nonetheless.
    I did like 22a especially.
    Thx to all

  15. Loved this one but, oh boy, anywhere there was a hole to fall into I found it.

    Started out with ‘recipients’ in 11a but then wanted to put ‘cowboy hat’ into 5d which messed up that idea. Compounded the felony by deciding that 2d had to be ‘no-show’ because I’d never heard of the rugby term – and so it went on!
    Shamefully, I didn’t know the swimmer so, like RD, I toyed with ‘Beeb’ for quite a while.

    Amazingly, it all came together in the end (although my paper grid looks a real mess!) and I awarded plenty of ticks.
    14,22&28a plus 1,5&15d all made the final cut with the laurels eventually awarded to 22a – still chuckling over that one.

    Many thanks to Rufus and to Kath for doing a brilliant job of standing in for MP and for giving us a Dylan-free Monday. Extra Brownie points to you for the superb illustration of 9a.

  16. 2d, 5d and 24d all obscure for me…..rest good with about the right level of challenge (for me), but they greatly detracted from the enjoyment, so **/*

  17. Rushing to appointment so will read comments later.
    I enjoyed this but thought it tricky for a Rufus offering. Never did get 1d, stupid when it’s a typical Rufus clue, and bunged in 2d as I know nothing about rugby.
    Fave was 18a, fave illustration from Kath is 9a; note, that’s not two faves, they are in different categories.
    Thanks to Rufus and to Kath for standing in.

  18. Thanks to Rufus and to Kath for the review and hints. A very nice start to the week. Quite gentle, but very entertaining. Started with 2d, I remember Bill McLaren using it. Some very good clues, but my favourite was 27a. Last in was 13d. Was 2*/4* for me.

  19. I’m not usually on the same wavelength as Rufus but loved this puzzle, delightful. Just right for me with clues you can figure out eventually. 1d was last in. Lots of favorites, but 22a probably gets the prize.

  20. I thought there were lots of amusing clues today. Enjoyed it very much.

    By the way, Brian seems a happier chap lately.

    Thanks to the setter and Kath.

  21. Like Jim, I fell into the trap of thinking 5d was “Cowboy Hat”, and, like Brian, I had surprisingly never encountered 2d before, but otherwise it was fairly plain sailing and enjoyable as ever.

    My three favourite clues were 14a, 22a and the deceptively simple 1d. Superbly clued gems.

    For me, the most interesting aspect of the puzzle was the use of “on” as a positional indicator. Twice, in 10a and 27a, Rufus has used it in the same way as one would normally see it used in a Down clue (as in 13d, in fact), but I have always thought the convention was that, when used in Across Clues, “on” has the meaning of “after”. Not in this puzzle apparently!

    Many thanks to Mr. Squires and to Kath for an unexpected but very welcome Monday appearance.

  22. Relatively simple but entertaining as is customary from Rufus.
    Many thanks to him, and to Kath for stepping in.

  23. In my rugby playing days, 2d was always plural, so I hesitated to put it in until I had the checkers. Otherwise, plain but enjoyable sailing. I loved 22a, but just to different, I’ll go for 7d as my favourite, as a vynl lover. Thanks to Kath for stepping in and to Rufus for a gentle start to the week. 1*/3*

  24. That was lovely , not quite a read and write , which made more enjoyable.
    I liked 13d , 25a , 26a but 14a is my favourite.
    With thanks to Kath and Rufus.

  25. Lovely enjoyable Rufus Monday 😃 **/**** Liked 1a, 11a, 28a & 1d Sorry Katy but a big thanks for the blog and thanks to Rufus now for Ruby Tuesday 😳 Suddenly really cold again in the East 😨 With the northerly wind. I feel sorry for all of those migrant birds

  26. Not quite as easy as some Monday puzzles have been recently. The little bit of General knowledge slowed things up for me somewhat. I liked 22a but 7d was my favourite. 2/3* overall.
    Thanks to Rufus, and to Kath for her extra duties.

  27. By the way, Whistler’s Mother just appeared on ‘Pointless’ (I’d never seen it before the other day).

  28. As is often the case I struggled badly today, me and Rufus’s cryptic definitions just don’t get on. Last in 25ac and 15d that I found quite tortuous.

  29. I rather enjoyed this one. 1*/3.5* for my money, and I enjoyed quite a few – notably 16d, 14a and 13d. VMTs to Rufus and Kath.

  30. Just checking whether Avatar reassignment worked – it took me ages to work out.
    Oh dear it looks like it didn’t!

        1. Well done! I remember that it took me ages and I needed help from sister-in-law who was staying with us at the time.

  31. Didn’t get round to commenting on this yesterday, mainly because I solved it later than usual and while out and about. I liked 14a and 22a. Thanks to Rufus for the puzzle and to Kath for the blog.

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