DT 28426 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28426 (Hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28426 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club
Hosted by Tilsit

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Greetings from Daresbury Park.  Some of us have to work today, but there are worse places to earn a buck than here.

 

The boss (of the website!) is off mingling with the great and the good and a few others at the S&B bash in Nottingham.  If you are in the area, pop in and say hello.   You’ve  got me holding the fort today.

This was a fairly straightforward puzzle with lots of clues you could work out quite easily from the wordplay.  I think one might just hold a few people up and I have added it below and may get very cross if anyone posts the answer or further hints.

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.

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 as “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

3a Classic western produced by RADA tutor? (10)
We start with the name of a classic 1939 Western film. If you think cryptically of what a teach at RADA in London may do with students. The question mark means it’s needs you to think a little outside the box.

9a Facing plot after work, work over (8)
A word meaning facing needs you to take a very short word for work, add the same word again but reversed and then add something that means a plot or location.

10a Famous guitarist with his group, one presiding over celebrations (3,5)
I did wonder whether to post a hint for this, but I bet we would be besieged with requests for it. A phrase that refers to the leader of a topical celebration is made up of the surname of a famous rock guitarist, and the band he is associated with. Clever clue!

12a Anyway, don’t contemplate so much (10)
A word that means anyway could be split into what you might be doing if you didn’t contemplate as much as you did.

14a Area round capital no longer rated badly (7,6)
An anagram indicated by ‘badly’ of three words gives you the name for the area around the capital city.

24a One with dimples that may get hooked on a course (4,4)
A cryptic definition for something that may be found on a certain type of course.

26a While not present at work, a bishop posted one article (2,8)
This is a word sum type clue: a short word meaning at work + A and the abbreviation for bishop in chess + something meaning posted = one and and article = a Latin phrase meaning not present.

Down

1d Yale gang, for a change, fail badly (3,2,3)
An expression that means to fail badly is an anagram of YALE GANG.

3d Extent of odds studied (6)
A word meaning the extent of something is made up of an abbreviation for odds in racing plus a word meaning studied at university.

4d Rule clubs ignored after a while (4)
This is quite tricky. A word for a type of rule of power needs to lose C (clubs) and this gives a poetic expression meaning after a while.

13d Faux pas made by enfant terrible blowing top (5)
A word for a slip or faux pas is a word for a naughty child minus its first letter (blowing top).

16d Daughter put on excellent meaty spread (8)
Something that used to be put on your bread as a child is made up of D (daughter) and a ‘posh’ word meaning excellent.

18d Primate’s word of disapproval during Prohibition (6)
The name for one of the primates is found by taking a word shouted to disapprove of something and shoving it inside something that refers to prohibition.

23d Half a century in Rome inhabiting big residence (4)
How an (ancient) Roman would write fifty goes inside a word meaning large to give a type of residence.

Have some nice relaxing music to finish:-

The Crossword Club is now open.


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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

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The Quick Crossword pun: inner+scent=innocent


43 comments on “DT 28426 (Hints)

  1. Many thanks Tilsit. I finished apart from 10a which demonstrates that I know nothing about pop music. Nice crossword to whomever it was who cliued it and thanks again to Tilsit for the hints.

      1. I am Mary. How about yourself.?
        I’m still hacking away at the crosswords and enjoying life in France.
        Is your health OK?
        I finished todays’ puzzle before Tilsit published, which is my objective so a to measure any improvement

        1. I can’t remember where you are in France? I’m ok Collywobs, still struggling with the fibromyalgia and all its glorious side effects but hey I’m thinking of joining a ukelele band now … onwards and upwards!!

  2. R&W/2.5*. This was a very straightforward but enjoyable diversion for a Saturday morning. The only thing that slowed me down was using Google to check my answer for 1d which was a new expression for me.

    Don’t tell MP but 10a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Tilsit.

    1. 10ac. I suppose he is famous and he is a guitarist. Not to my taste though. The 10 acrosses I saw years ago did as they were told. They certainly never presided over anything.

  3. At first sight, I thought the answer to 10a was ‘*********’ but that didn’t work so I completed a few other answers and returned to it – now with the advantage of having the ‘*’. What a wonderful clue and I hope that the setter reads this because it’s made my morning.

    [Please read the red warning which states: “Please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT … in your comment”.]

    1. My apologies because, after all these years, I ought to know better. But, as you’ll appreciate, if you’re going to use a visual hint for 10a, that specific letter does point one in the right direction…

      1. When I did the notes, I felt the only clue that would cause any grief to some people and cause the hints to start posting would be 10 ac (and possibly 1ac because of the cryptic indication). Therefore I posted subtle additional hints to try and prevent it. That is what I believe is right to do,

        If I was in the mood I was in when I left work, I would have removed them and probably not blogged ever again.

        .

  4. Thanx Tilsit, struggled a bit with this but did manage … just … without the hints … last in 1d, hadn’t heard that expression! Sorry you’re having to work but you’ll have to wait a few years yet, problem is by the time lots of us don’t have to work, lots of things stop working!!!!
    PS … did you ever get round to completing/publishing your crossword, where you asked us to provide clues??

    1. Loved your comment about things/people no longer working, Mary. How very true!

    2. There’ll be a post about the whole thing tomorrow.

      I have a number of clues, but quite a few were not returned. I’m working out what we need to finish the puzzle and will get attendees on Tuesday to do the honours. If there are any more needed, I’ll appeal on Wednesday.

      The whole thing will be the Bank Holiday NTSPP, hopefully.

      1. Tilsit by all means send me further words to clue if you need to, you have my email address

    3. Yes but waking up naturally without an alarm starts every day of retirement brilliantly…wish we could have done it sooner 😊

    4. So, so true, Mary. Now that I have the time to “do” things, I find I can’t! Like my precious gardening.

  5. Try again – don’t know where my Comment went. I enjoyed darting about today’s exercise in an unstructured way and suddenly realised it was job done. Have heard of 10a group if not the musician but do wonder if “presiding” is really appropriate in this context. 24a prompted a smile. Garden beckons hoping that the soil might be slightly less rock-like than of late. Thank you Mysteron and Tilsit.

  6. 1*/3* from me for this straightforward yet enjoyable Saturday Prize Puzzle. 10a was undoubtedly my COTD, and 2d my last one in. Coffee finished, puzzle completed, so back into the slightly soggy garden for me.

    Thanks to our setter and to Tilsit for stepping up to the plate.

  7. An enjoyable start to the day which was probably at just the right level for my sleep deprived brain. 24a amused and pained me equally, probably because I am far too familiar with its theme…
    Thank you, as usual, to all involved.

  8. Not very exciting, managed to complete it at a gallop – */*.

    Got the group for 10a but I had to look up the guitarist – not on my list of famous pickers or strummers!

    Favourite, a toss-up between 3a and 24a – and the winner is 24a.

    Thanks to the setter and Tilsit.

  9. This came as a welcome relief after battling with Radler in the NTSPP!

    10a became easy once the vital checker was in place and I confess to leaving 4d until there was only one missing letter. I always spell that ‘rule’ incorrectly.

    Liked 12&23a – favourite is a toss-up between 3&24a.

    Thanks to Mr. Saturday Ron and to Tilsit for manning the fort whilst the boss is out playing. Look at it this way – your head will feel better than his in the morning!

  10. Certainly not a read and write for me – I found it quite tricky although now that I’ve finished it I can’t quite see why.
    I always forget 3a – anyway for some reason I thought it was a musical – oh dear.
    I guessed the wrong second word of 14a which didn’t really help anything along very much – sorted that out eventually.
    I needed alternate letters in 24a before I got it – I’m sure that’s not a surprise to anyone.
    I’ve never heard of 1d so only got that one towards the end – it is in BRB but only under the last word rather than the first and it says ‘chiefly US’.
    Even though I know the guitarist and the group I was slow to get 10a.
    I liked 8 and 20a and 5 and 17d. My favourite was 10a.
    With thanks to whoever set today’s crossword and to Tilsit.
    Hope everyone has fun in Nottingham – I’m off to the garden.

  11. Never heard the expression 1d before, and 10a made me chortle. Hope everyone enjoyed today’s puzzle as much as I did.

  12. A lovely puzzle for a Saturday morning. Very pleased that I got 10a without help, amazing the things an old bunch of brain cells can have tucked away so it’s definitely my clue of the day. Many thanks to Mr Ron and Tilsit. 2*/4* for me .

  13. Nice straightforward puzzle today with a nice lot of anagrams which are right up my street – typical Saturday fare.

    Big game at Murrayfield today – Saracens against Clermont Auvergne – should be a good game – come on Sarries!

    I’m looking forward to going to the Olympic Stadium tomorrow for the last home game of the season – West Ham v Liverpool – West Ham have lots of injury problems but you never know!

  14. Thanks to the setter and to Tilsit for the hints. I’m glad Tilsit posted a hint for 10a, because I would never have thought of it. I feel like I’m missing something, why do 10a preside over celebrations? Also needed the hints for 17d, would never have thought of this either. I also don’t understand 6d,but have put in an answer. Favourite was 25a. Was 3*/3* for me.

      1. Don’t know why everything people don’t know or think has changed for the worse must be “American”, but if you really mean 10a it isn’t American at all, its an ancient relic of nature worship.

  15. Very satisfying and enjoyable puzzle today, thanks to the setter and to Tilsit for pointing me in the right direction on the 2 clues that held me up, 4d and 10a. Favourite clue and favourite treat was 16d, oh the memories just delicious. Better half shudders but I could still polish off a slice or two of toast with this on top, given the chance.

  16. Echo Kath’s comment, certainly not as quick as yesterday. Like others not familiar with 1d but seem to think it has cropped up before.
    10a my COTD, although 24a produced a “Doh stupid” moment when I realised what was.
    Thanks to Mr Ron for a pleasrable solve and Tilsit for the hints, especially with the pressure of work not the first time your locum duties coincided witn work commitments. . Mary’s comment I thought very true.

  17. Agreed, a walk in the park, except for 10a. I bunged in an answer to fit the letters I had, it seems my answer was correct.
    Fave was 3a.
    Thanks to setter and to Tilsit for stepping in for BD while he revels.

  18. Enjoyable and not too many problems, though I did not find it as straightforward as some.
    I spelt the coffee with an ‘X’ (I only drink tea!!).
    By far and away the best clue was 3a, a real lol moment.
    I was lucky enough to see the three Honey Buzzards at Pegwell Bay this afternoon.
    Thanks Tilsit and Mr.Ron.

  19. On the easy side for a Saturday, with only 24ac and 2d causing any real issues. Needed all the checking letters to get 10ac, but it’s obvious once you see it!

  20. This is my first post on this site although I have long followed it. Having the time to finish on the day of publishing is my main problem, so Saturdays are better for me.
    Really enjoyed today’s puzzle, 12a last in and possibly my favourite

  21. Towards the top end of 1* time for me, and 3.5* for enjoyment. Some nice clues (3a and 16d, among others) but spoiled a bit for me by heavy rain on the conservatory roof – and on the backs of the poor nags out in the fields, while I sit here in the dry doing crosswords. Now I feel guilty at leaving them out. Ah well. Oh, thanks to the setter and Tilsit.

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