Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28510 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Saturday Crossword Club
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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
8a One must enter by means of jetty (4)
I (one) inside (must enter) a word meaning “by means of”
10a Client in hoax reckoning to meet the Queen (8)
If you can’t parse your answer, then it’s probably wrong – try again with a charade of a three-letter hoax, a three-letter reckoning and the Queen’s regnal cipher and then you might be able to solve a couple more down clues
12a Flower people going by Mini perhaps (9)
Split as (3,6) this could describe people going by the type of vehicle of which a Mini is an example (perhaps)
15a Vicar standing in can triumph (7)
The three-letter abbreviation for a vicar inside (standing in) a can or bucket gives a verb meaning to triumph – standing can only indicate reversal in a down clue
17a Leaf insect’s colourful display (7)
A leaf of a book followed by an insect
22a Winter personified as knave, female or twisted saint (4,5)
A knave followed by F(emale), the reversal (twisted) of OR and S(ain)T
27a Something soothing in mist left by enchantress (5-5)
A mist and L(eft) preceded by an enchantress
28a Road covering very undulating (4)
A road or route around (covering) V(ery)
Down
1d Creature no longer is around on the prowl (8)
An anagram (on the prowl) of IS AROUND –prowl works as an anagram indicator as it means “to keep moving about, restlessly”
2d Bird cage (6)
Two definitions – Cockney rhyming slang for this punishment and the place where it might be served
5d Fast living (5)
Two definitions – an adjective meaning fast and the living, usually when contrasted with the dead
14d Military punishment that will pass by anon? (4-5)
This military punishment means to remain anonymous in a well-known saying that starts “No names” – perhaps next Friday’s review might expand on this
18d Take the plunge suddenly? No, I have to get around Home Counties date initially (8)
NO and the abbreviated form of “I have” around the part of England in which the Home Counties are located and the initial letter of D[ate]
19d Turn over hat dimensions (7)
Split as (3,4) this could be the dimensions of a flat hat
21d Family pet’s first flower (6)
A three-letter word for family preceded by (‘s first / is first) a pet
24d City food bar’s hot inside (5)
A food bar with H(ot) inside
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The Quick Crossword pun: piece+unearth=Peace on Earth
1*/4*. This pangram was not at all tricky but still made for a very pleasant solve thanks to some inventive cluing which was admirably brief (except for 18d) with mostly nice smooth surfaces.
12a was my last one in and 14d was my favourite.
Many thanks to Mr Ron and to BD.
Completed at a comfortable gallop, just what I needed after a very pleasant meal, and two glasses of Stella Artois, with my son – */***.
My list of potential favourites kept growing, and I think I have to agree with RD on 14d.
Thanks to the setter and BD.
I was a bit slow off the mark but then everything fell into place quickly. 27a and 14d were my top clues.
Pleasant to do and not too hard. My favourite clue by some distance was 1d, which not only had a brilliant surface but the parsing of which took me most of my solving time to finally see — and it was so obvious once I had. Thank you to the Saturday setter and BD.
Crypticsue will be amused to read that, as I got stuck on 20a and 21d, I had a break and did the GK Crossword – and finished it. Sue, I don’t think that you or your husband will have a problem with today’s offering. As Dave had kindly provided a hint for 21d – and left me feeling rather stupid – that answer went in and, as a consequence, 20a followed quickly. I now intend to go and watch some local cricket but Gert may cause me to re-think my afternoon…
Just reading the comments while waiting for an email from BD – we won’t have time to look at the GK until at least tomorrow afternoon – just back from the beach leaving 14 relatives there, while we prepare a meal for 18 of us later this evening, so crosswords are taking a bit of a back seat today. I’ll give the GK to Mr CS first and see how he gets on!
I cannot see beyond 14d as my favourite and last one in. I thought at first this was gong to be quite tricky, but the wavelength thing clicked in and away I went. Overall this was 1.5*/4* for me, with many thanks for an enjoyable puzzle to the Saturday setter and BD.
Not difficult but a lovely crossword for a Saturday morning.
The only one that caused real grief was 14d – I’ve now looked up the saying – I have a sneaky feeling that I’ve been ‘had’ by this before.
Needless to say I missed not only the lurker but also the fact that it was a pangram – will I ever learn?
Lots of nice short clues and some good anagrams.
I liked 17 and 25a and 2 and 21d. My favourite was 27a – love the plant and the stuff that’s made from it.
Thanks to Mr Saturday Ron and to BD.
NTSPP later – off to cut grass before it rains again.
The moment I see a ‘Z’ I think ‘pangram?’ – not always true, of course . . .
Difficult to come up with favourite clues – it was all rattling good fun.
I was totally lost by 14d, only got as far as looking up the meaning. I’ve now checked further after your comment, and I now get it. Thanks, Kath.
14d is still beyond me, I’m sure I have it correct, I don’t understand the hint either!
See my tip to Florence at comment 10.
A fun puzzle that looked harder at first glance.
I lke a crossword that uses all the letters in the alphabet!
Thanks BD and Ron
Perhaps a little easier than some recent Saturday puzzles, but a most enjoyable solve.
Had a ‘dim’ moment over 5d for a while and another over 14d – very clever when I finally ‘saw’ it.
Leader board is crammed and I think 17a just takes the honours by the smallest of margins.
Many thanks to Mr. Saturday Ron and to BD for the Saturday club.
I’ve managed to finish this over a well needed cup of tea… but I’m afraid that 14d was just a bung in. I will have to work out why it is what it is. Or just be good and wait for the answer to be published. 27a was an enormous relief to me when I was stung by a jellyfish when I was a child. Many thanks BD and setter. Off to set the table for a dinner party. Oh ….I’ve just realised the crossword is a pangram.
Google 14d, but don’t stop at the definition, look further down.
Thank you Merusa. All has become clear. I should have googled it all earlier. I was In Florida in May, but I was in the NW, whereas I gather you are somewhere in the Miami area.
What a pity! I’m in Miami Springs, which is just north of the Miami Airport. Maybe next time?
Next time is a distinct possibly. We are usually in Florida every couple of years. The only bit left for us is Florida Keys.
… or you could add the last part of my hint to your answer and search for that.
Thank you BD.
Surprised myself by finishing this after a very hesitant start. Discovered my bunged-in client in 10a didn’t fit the bill. Haven’t previously come across abbreviated no names as per 14d. Several unusual anagram indicators. 21d ‘flower’ ? Made NE difficult for myself by bunging in wrong word for 13a. South went in first but was held up in North by the two wrong bung-ins. Thank you Mysteron and BD.
It’s not an abbreviation – it’s a saying.
I appreciate that BD but I was referring to the last word of the 14d clue whilst trying not to spill the beans re the solution.
Have you never come across that “word” at the end of the a poem by an unknown author? I got the answer from the checking letters but had no idea why. Still not sure why “pass by” is there.
Comfortably finished before ‘lights out’ last night.
Normal, pretty straightforward Saturday Crossword fare – very enjoyable!
Just watching the Test Match, the Windies are six down and look well out of their depth – it’s sad to see how far they have fallen since their glory days!
Thanks to the setter and to Big Dave for the hints. A very enjoyable puzzle. Favourite was 1d, after I read the hints in order to parse it, I had the answer, but had no idea how it worked. Was 2*/4* for me.
After an iffy week this was definitely on my wavelength, just for once I had no recourse to the supertoy with some lovely definitions. Thanks to setter and BD. NTSPP done so after tea will move on to GK in Saturday.
Loverly puzzle on a Saturday, great fun.
Twigged to the pangram at 22a, that letter is pretty rare.
I’ve never seen a pic of 27a, isn’t it pretty? It should be my fave, but now I know about 14d, I have to choose that.
Thanks to the setter and to BD for the hints.
27a smells lovely too.
can anyone help I have joined/ renewed my membership but cannot access the crossword site I have cut and pasted the password they gave me but get a message saying an incorrect password or email address, I have asked for a new password and emailed the telegraph for help to no avail?
They have a help line – it’s the first entry in their FAQ at http://puzzles.telegraph.co.uk/site/faq#1
I’ll email you copies of today’s puzzles. Remind me tomorrow if you would like those as well.
I think they only operate 9 am – 5 pm BST on weekdays.
I’d never heard of 14d before so needed to investigoogle in order to complete the grid. However, on the whole this was a straightforward and enjoyable puzzle.
Thanks to BD and setter 1.5*/4*
Lovely crossword which was surprisingly on the easy side for a prize one. I spent more time solving the quick one! Favourite was 1d with 5d as close contender. Did not spot the pangram, oops. Mr Framboise helped with 14d. I always do the Cryptic first thing in the morning (after letting Fifi out and making a cup of tea) and what a pleasure it is! I always promise myself to blog later on but then forget about it till the evening when it is bedtime… Must try harder to be more present. Thanks to the setter and to BD. 1*/4*
Mlle. Fifi is quite the young lady now, isn’t she. She’s just lovely.
Unusual for me to, more or less, write the answers in as I read the clues – very rare!
5d last to go in
14d I solved okay but cannot say I understood the answer until I read the hint
R.
Solved at a gallop, and very enjoyable it was too. Last in 19d. Guessed it might be a pangram, but didn’t need to check to complete.
NE and SW corners went in first, with the other two only partly, until I used Big Dave’s hints, thank you. No real favourite although I thought 12a was funny. I did think the setter meant river when he put flower, as I have been led astray too many times in the past, but this time it really was a lovely flower.
**/**** for our rating – thoroughly enjoyable and not too hard for tired brains after a busy few days! 19d favourite and amused by 27a.
Redacted.
All done, though I did need a couple of hints. I always seem to have a couple left unsolved.
Managed to get my golf handicap back to single figures today, so the crossword took a back-stage to that minor achievement.
I’m still not sure I understand 14d, I shall have to wait until Friday for a full explanation.
Favourite was 15a.
Thanks BD and Mr. Ron
Very entertaining puzzle and like some others guessed it was a pangram once. Got 27a. Thanks to the setter and BD for the hints.
Agree with 14d head-scratchers; got it based on other letters – and plentiful experience of the answer in younger years! – but clue seemed a wee bit tenuous. Rest of puzzle, though, was one of the neatest set of clues I can remember.
Did not take too long but quite unusual I thought. I did SW first and was left with NW. However, picked up the paper when woke in the night and it all went into place. I did have more trouble with the anagrams than usual which is no bad thing. Favourite was 27a.
I thought the rule was to give hints not answers for a prize puzzle. If one holds the pointer over a picture the answer appears!
There are few things that annoy me more than those who come new to the site and tell me how to run it. Read the Comment Etiquette and the FAQs before commenting again.
I was merely advising you of what appears to me to be a fault, not telling you how to run your site. Rest assured I shall not trouble your site with my presence again lest it annoy you further.
As a matter of common courtesy when visiting any site you should read the FAQs provided by that site before leaving a comment, especially one like yours. Had you done so here then you would have found your answer and known that it is a feature, not a fault.
Just started the week with Saturday’s offering(!) good start to the week, v enjoyable but 10a doesn’t feel right to me (‘client’?) anyway, favs are between 5d & 16d. Thank you all