DT 28547 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28547

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28547

Hints and tips by Miffypops

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.

Or today is the day you have. Shut up with the moaning and get on with the good things like this crossword puzzle. A simple joy from start to finish. Thank you Rufus for today’s entertainment.

For those new to Cryptic Crosswords there are quite a few regularly used devices in this puzzle which provided givens for older hands. A Member being a body part (arm, leg, hand or foot). Con meaning to study. A tune being an air. Mother being Ma. Pulses being foodstuffs.

At 16 down Many posing as the letter C and one of Crosswordland’s favourite fish unite to give a solid puzzle for the newcomer but a write-in for more experienced hands. Regular solving and attention to Big Dave’s Bloggers should improve your skills no end.

The hints and tips below are here to help. The answers can be found underneath the click here boxes, Definitions are underlined

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a    A candidate who fails to keep it is unlikely to get it (11)
APPOINTMENT: We begin with a delightful double definition. One who fails to keep an arrangement to meet someone at a particular time and place is unlikely to get a job or position if that arrangement to meet is for a job interview

9a    Sports spectators that could be barred (4)
GATE: A second double definition, both nounal like the first. the number of people who pay to enter a sports ground for an event or a hinged barrier used to close an opening in a wall, fence, or hedge

10a    Young people rambling see Scotland (11)
ADOLESCENTS: Our first anagram of the day (rambling) of SEE SCOTLAND. I recommend that you all do so.

11a    Achievement one’s supporters broadcast (4)
FEAT: Ones supporters in this case are on the end of your legs after your ankles. They sound like (broadcast) an achievement that requires great courage, skill, or strength. A lovely clue to solve and a lovely clue to explain. To newcomers this is known as a homophone clue. The answer sounds like a body part but is actually an achievement

14a    Volume that affords satisfaction (7)
CONTENT: The answer as a noun means the things that are held or included in something. As an adjective it means in a state of peaceful happiness which is how I manage to keep Saint Sharon at all times

16a    Vessel not the same as a cutter (7)
CLIPPER: The vessel here is a fast sailing ship, especially one of 19th-century design with concave bows and raked masts, but it’s not the same as a cutter which is a small vessel with one mast. The cutter could be a hairdresser or a gardener pruning away happily or the instrument both use for doing so. A third definition of this word is:
a microchip which inserts an identifying code into encrypted transmissions that allows them to be deciphered by a third party having access to a Government-held key’ .

Hands up if you knew that

17a    Monster controlling the middle (5)
TROLL: The middle five letters of the second word in the clue which makes this our first lurker of the day. Recently on a visit to Coombe Abbey I heard my daughter warn my grandson to be mindful of one of these hiding under a bridge we were about to cross. She is her father’s daughter.

18a    Pained expression when front of pocket is ripped off (4)
OUCH: Remove the letter P (front of Pocket) from a word meaning a pocket which according to the OED has been around since 1325

19a    A drop of ink? (4)
BLOT: A barely cryptic definition of an unwanted ink stain or leak from a fountain pen

20a    Change as one ages (5)
AEONS: Anagram (change) of AS ONE

22a    Still out of tune? (7)
AIRLESS: Take a three-letter word meaning a tune or melody and add a word meaning fewer

23a    Abnormal postage brings out the secret police (7)
GESTAPO: Anagram (abnormal) of POSTAGE

24a    Where things are washed up or settle on the seabed (4)
SINK: A clear double definition. As a noun the fixed basin used by those old-fashioned types do the washing up or where the more clued up rinse stuff before hiding it in the dishwasher and as a verb to fall or descend under water

Clogged

28a    Carrying on, Mother gets canteen in uproar (11)
MAINTENANCE: Begin with our two-lettered word for Mother and add an anagram (uproar) of CANTEEN IN

29a    This month in a short way in a short way (4)
INST: This graphic abbreviation of the word instant can be derived by using the word IN gifted from the clue and the letters ST which are short for street (in a short way)

30a    Description of an eternity ring? (5-6)
NEVER-ENDING: A cryptic definition of something without beginning or finishing

Down

2d    One may find their pulses worth taking (4)
PODS: A cryptic definition of plant life containers of pulses such as lentils, peas and beans

3d    Single in Lyon, sadly (4)
ONLY: Anagram (sadly) of LYON

4d    First part of new rise just coming into effect (7)
NASCENT: Begin with the initial letter (start of) New and add a word meaning a climb to a higher point

5d    Like those blessed with a worldly inheritance (4)
MEEK: A reference to those said by Jesus Christ to be the inheritors of the earth in his Sermon on The Mount address

6d    Every throw-in counts in this game (7)
NETBALL: Cryptic definition of a ball game mostly played by females where balls thrown through a hoop score points.

7d    Grub to provide food and support (11)
CATERPILLAR: This delightful grub which will metamorphose into a butterfly or a moth can be found by compounding a verb meaning to provide (food) for and a tall vertical structure of stone, wood, or metal, used as a support for a building, or as an ornament or monument.

8d    Others will get lecture supporting Charles II’s return (11)
RESTORATION: A word meaning the others is followed by a word meaning a lecture or address. Together they describe the historical time in England which began in 1660

12d    Pupil’s joint academic achievement (11)
SCHOLARSHIP: A student, the S from ‘S and the joint nearest to your waist combine to give a word meaning academic study or achievement; learning at a high level or a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.

13d    A Cornishman making untimely error (11)
ANACHRONISM: Anagram (making) of A CORNISHMAN

15d    Nothing dropped by political party — hence taxes (5)
TRIES: Remove the letter that looks like nothing from the collective alternative name of the Conservatives

16d    Many fish stick together (5)
CLING: Begin with the Roman Numeral representing one hundred (many) and add our usual large Crosswordland ocean fish Molva molva

20d    Calm donkey with ague that’s run amok (7)
ASSUAGE: Begin with our usual three lettered donkey and add an anagram (that’s run amok) of AGUE

21d    Hide in south-east Mediterranean isle (7)
SECRETE: Use the compass points for South and East and add a large Mediterranean Greek Island.

25d    At one time part of population census (4)
ONCE: Our second lurker of the day (part of) and the first word of many a fairy tale

26d    Crew employee or member held in affection (4)
HAND: This member is a part of one’s body. Do you still hold your partners? I do.

27d    I study Eastern art (4)
ICON: Use the letter I straight from the clue and add a word meaning study

Quite a gentle puzzle. What did you think of it?

Quickie Pun PAY+PURR+WAIT=PAPERWEIGHT

55 comments on “DT 28547

  1. A very straightforward puzzle this morning from Rufus, with no obscurities to hold me up. 8d was my favourite and overall I thought this was a 1.5*/3* crossword. Thanks to the aforementioned and to MP for an entertaining blog.

  2. Quite straightforward but, as I’ve said numerous times before, no crossword is ever read and write for me – there’s always something that holds me up.
    Today the hold ups were 14a and the 13d anagram – I’d managed to convince myself it had to begin with ‘mis’ which was not only wrong but messed up 14a. Oh dear.
    I was also pretty slow to get 22a.
    I liked 24a and 1 and 5d (once I’d twigged what we were talking about). I think my favourite was 1a.
    Thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops for a good blog.

  3. 1*/4*. I found this straightforward but all the usual fun we have come to expect on a Monday.

    My podium contains 30a, 12d & 13d in no particular order.

    Many thanks to Rufus and an unqualified Miffypops.

  4. A gentle return to regular crosswording. The untimely error in 13d is my favourite. I like the clogged sink. Sadly no time to check out the videos – gotta run.

    Thanks to Rufus and MP.

  5. This was good in parts, well my part anyway, for some reason 15d last one in. Much head scratching looking for words for taxes no then the famous “doh” moment. Should have read Miffypops comments at the start more closely.
    Thanks to Rufus and Miffypops.

  6. There are always a few Rufus clues that I can never fathom out by myself … so thanks to Miffypops for explaining my missing ones. (1a, 2d & 3d)

    (Thought that today’s Dylan clip should have appeared in 22a?)

  7. A good Monday puzzle which was mostly straightforward although, like Kath, I was slow to get 14a&13d and I also made a silly mistake by bunging in ‘mate’ for 26d which didn’t do me any favours.

    At least half a dozen on the podium but I think I’ll award the gold medal to the 7d grub.

    Thanks to Rufus and to MP for a video-filled blog (the 22&30a clips were my winners). I suspect that Silvanus’ repetition radar will be bleeping over your preamble but perhaps you thought we needed to have the commandment reinforced!

  8. All seem delighted with this bright start to the week, agreed with Miffypops comments regarding ‘older hands’ it is a long apprenticeship to learn the tricks of the trade and reach the R and W stage, at least for some clues.
    Anyway a breezy start to the week first to last, favourite 1a- not seen this clue before !
    Started across the top line of the quickie and was certain the third four letter word was going to be ‘back’ to complete the pun-wrong again!

  9. As usual, a gentle start to the week. The enjoyment was all over too quickly. */*** 7d and 8d stand out from a fairly indifferent bunch for me.

  10. This was not a R&W for me though fairly straightforward. As MP says it was a joy to solve. I like 21d and the 17a lurker which I missed at first but 30 was my top clue

  11. Thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops for the review and hints. A nice start to the week, nothing too tricky, but I did need the hint for 5d. I’m really rubbish at anything to do with the Bible. Last in was 8d, favourite was 19a. Was 2*/4* for me. Very entertaining.

  12. Very enjoyable today. Too many good clues to pick a favourite.

    Thanks to MP for the entertaining review.

  13. */*** and a nice, gentle start to a blustery Monday morning, though a noisy spell in an MRI scan tunnel early on rather scrambled the grey matter.
    Chuckled at 11a so that’s my favourite today.

  14. Pleasant enough but not among my favourites. South yielded before the North. Not sure that 22a equates to out of tune and not too keen on 2d. Don’t have a Fav to nominate today. Thank you Rufus and MP.

    1. Angellov, as MP says in his review “air” = “tune” so something without a tune could be described as 22a, hence the question mark.

  15. A puzzle of two parts – 9a and the rest! It took ages, including a visit to the smallest room in the house, for the penny to drop on 9a.

    Overall, a very enjoyable start to the week, and the favourite has to be the aforesaid 9a.

    Thanks to Rufus and MP.

  16. Rufus on top form today I thought, so many delightful and elegant clues in his inimitable style.

    I whittled down my favourites to a shortlist of five – 10a, 24a, 29a, 5d and 6d – but many others ran them close.

    Many thanks to Mr Squires and praise be to MP.

  17. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Rufus fan, but this was really special.
    Last in was 11a, which brought a smile, but I’m going with 16a as fave ‘cos it’s what PanAm called its aeroplanes and PanAm gave me 30+ very happy years.
    Thanks to Rufus and to M’pops for a most entertaining review.

    1. I love to hear your occasional tales of Pan Am days Merusa. I smiled thinking about you watching the opera in Rome.

  18. Agree with the comments straightforward but so many witty clues 😃 */**** Some of which were 11a, 22a, 7d & 15d 😜 Big thanks to Rufus for giving us a nice start to the week and to MP for his pot pourri of video clips 👍

  19. Fairly straightforward but still a bit puzzled about 6d but probably because it’s a game I am completely unfamiliar with. Is a throw-in a name for scoring? Also not quite sure why Maintenance in 28a is carrying on but as the BRB list carry on for maintain I suppose it must be right.
    COTD for me is 7d, well it made me smile!
    Thx to all

    1. Hi Brian,
      Hard to believe that you haven’t heard of 6d but yes, the object of the game is to score a point by getting a ball through the hooped net at the end of the court – rather like basketball, although I think that is referred to as scoring a basket.
      As for maintenance – think in terms of ‘maintaining the pressure’ on something.

    2. In my netballing days (admittedly a while ago!) we certainly never referred to “throw in” but rather “shot/shoot”.

  20. Even though I do the cryptic every day, when it comes to Monday I always feel like I’m starting again after having taken a break. Today was no different; I took a while to ‘tune in’ and then having finally done so I raced though. Odd. Anyway, 16a was my top clue and overall 1.5/3.5*.
    Thanks to Rufus, and also MP for his review.

  21. I struggled in the SW corner, took an age to get 12d sorted, once I did all was ok.
    29a was a bung in, never heard of the word.
    I am slowly getting my head around Rufus, enjoying his puzzles more and more. Fav was 7d.
    Many thanks MP and Rufus.
    Thoughts with all those caught up in the appalling tragedy in Las Vegas.

    1. According to the FBI, Nevada has the most lax gun laws in the US. He described it as like being in the wild, Wild West. I wonder when we’re going to wake up here and say enough already. So many people killed and it shouldn’t happen.

      1. Doubtless the gun lobby will find a way of explaining it all away, Merusa. The recording aired on Radio2 here made truly harrowing listening.

        1. The gun lobby, the NRA, say that if everyone is armed, and they mean everyone, then a gunman would be taken down before he has a chance to do any damage. Now, do you see any holes in that argument? Can you see a concert like that drawing guns willy nilly? How on earth would law enfircement know who’s wearing the white hat and who’s wearing the black?

          The most farcical statement was a guy who said the UN should declare that everyone in the world should be armed. Imagine that?

          1. P.S. Google the Gingrich Doctrine – the right to bear arms is given by our creator, not our government. This is a man who ran for President and had a lot of support.

    2. 29a is not a word. It is the abbreviation for instant. In years gone by a professional would when replying to a letter thank the correspondent for his letter of the 3rd inst. if it was sent on that day in the same month. If it was a letter sent the previous month it would be “ult.” short for the Latin ultimate. It is frowned upon and not used these days in times of plain english

      1. I think that’s rather a shame – a bit like no longer addressing envelopes to Messrs.
        OK – so I’m just old-fashioned!

  22. Pleasant start to the week, thanks Rufus and Miffypops. Another plus, our friendly garbage man took pity on me when he saw me outside trying to bag up storm debris, that we all have piled at the end of our driveways since September 10 and no pick up day in sight. He stopped his truck (fully automated with just himself as the driver), got out and scooped up the 4 sacks I had bagged, and then manhandled the rest of the large branches etc into the truck. What a guy! He confided that he takes pity on anyone he sees trying to deal with this mess and it may be weeks before it gets officially collected.

  23. Yikes. I often struggle with Rufus – I usually find his the hardest puzzle of the week – but this was a **** for difficulty, if not a *****. :-) A definite case of the setter being on one wavelength, and me another altogether. Last in 24ac and 29ac.

    1. Absolutely how we felt about this one – had to use the hints for the last four clues – very unlike us!! Reassuring that it’s nothing to do with baby brain – as baby number 2 is now here!!

  24. Top of 1* difficulty, 3* enjoyment. A bit anagram-heavy for my taste, so no real favourite clue. 29a probably came closest. Thanks to Rufus and MP.

  25. Great Dave. I’m not a natural cruciverbalist and this is a brilliant find on the web! Thanks!

  26. Out of the 12 four letter words, I only failed on one: 5d. Don’t know anything about the bible or have all forgotten about it. Such a long long time ago.
    So thanks to my spiritual MP for the help.
    And thanks to Rufus for providing such a pleasant crossword.

  27. Always useful, informative and most importantly… saving that last clump of hair being torn out. Thank you. Phil

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