DT 29013 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 29013

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29013

Hints and tips by Hilda Ogden

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Another Monday puzzle which should ease us nicely into the solving week. Nothing too testing and a few smiles along the way. Even our Stanley could solve this one

These hints and tips have been created lovingly to help those of you who may need help to solve a couple of clues or to understand why an answer is what it is. Usually a clue consists of two parts. 1. A definition, which is normally at the beginning or end of a clue. 2. Wordplay which tells what to do to solve the clue. The hints and tips help with the wordplay of the clues. Definitions are underlined. Some hints are illustrated. These illustrations may or may not have a bearing on understanding the clue.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a    Working spell without delay (2,4)
ON TIME: A synonym of working is followed by a spell which might be measured in minutes or hours

4a    Venomous creature in house? Name (8)
SCORPION: One of the houses of the zodiac is followed by the abbreviation for name. The position of this sign of the zodiac will not affect your life in any way at all

10a    Betting odds nevertheless shortened (5)
EVENS: A short term (4,2) meaning nevertheless can have its last letter removed to leave a type of betting odds

11a    Philanderer having more sense round Arab country (9)
WOMANISER: A word meaning more sagacious is placed around a country found on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula

12a    Dismiss teller (7)
CASHIER: A word meaning to dismiss from the armed forces in disgrace is also another title for your Bank teller. Michelle Donna and Belinda in my branch. Lovely girls.

13a    Drive mad in huge complex around noon (7)
UNHINGE: An anagram (complex) of IN HUGE also contains the abbreviation for noon

14a    Famous horse reviewed, along with others we trained, in US TV series (6,3,5)
MURDER SHE WROTE: A horse which won the Grand National three times is written backwards (reviewed) This is then followed by an anagram (trained) of OTHERS WE. The result is an American TV series which sounds appalling

17a    Look at occupying B&B, say, for livelihood (5-3-6)
BREAD-AND-BUTTER: Within the two letters B Expand the ampersand symbol into the word it represents Now insert a word meaning to look at or study. Add a verb meaning to say or speak. Split what you have 5,3,6. Add a filling of your choice and enjoy a well-deserved sandwich

21a    Postal system first-rate? Complain bitterly about modifications, primarily (7)
AIRMAIL: we have three components to find in order to solve this clue. 1. A two letter term meaning first rate. 2 A verb meaning to complain or protest bitterly. 3 The primary or initial letter of the word modification. Arrange as suggested by the clue

23a    Printing error about hotel, relating to violent storm (7)
TYPHOON: A four-lettered printing error or typing error has the abbreviation for hotel inserted. This is followed by a term meaning relating to

24a    Aquatic bird in burnt small pasty? (5,4)
BLACK SWAN: The colour of something burnt is followed by the abbreviation of small. A three-lettered term meaning pasty or white follows. Pubs bearing this name are often referred to as the dirty duck

25a    Tear off to collect ten more (5)
EXTRA: An anagram (off) of TEAR contains the Roman numeral for ten

26a    Lay in rum, rum for famous person (8)
LUMINARY: Anagram (rum) of LAY IN RUM

27a    Single item editor agreed (6)
UNITED: An individual thing or item is followed by the abbreviation for editor

Down

1d    Best or worst? (8)
OVERCOME: As verbs both best and worst mean to get the better of or defeat. The answer is synonymous with defeat

2d    Bursar more confident after rate adjusted (9)
TREASURER: a word meaning more confident or more certain follows an anagram (adjusted) of RATE

3d    Fail to hit French island with weapon that’s fired (7)
MISSILE: Was there ever an easier clue? To fail to hit should lead straight to a four-letter word. An island in France is a straight translation into French of the word island. The definition which follows the wordplay is unambiguous.

5d    Courting ad temp prepared — it may lead to romance (8,6)
COMPUTER DATING: Anagram (prepared) of COURTING AD TEMP

6d    Owner of large farm managed head of cattle with that woman (7)
RANCHER: Begin with a word meaning managed. Add the first letter (head of) of the word cattle. Add a pronoun meaning that woman

7d    Upcoming children’s author abridged dramatist (5)
IBSEN: Remove the last letter from the surname of the author of The Railway Children (abridged) Reverse what you have left (upcoming)

8d    Treated shark close to mainland (6)
NURSED: A type of shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, is followed by the last letter (close to) of mainland.

9d    Performer associated with Toledo? (5-9)
SWORD-SWALLOWER: Toledo in Spain is known for the quality of its steel and particularly for the production of a long double-bladed weapon. When not being used as a weapon it may be used by a performer who appears to ingest the whole of the blade.

15d    Tense Italian stronghold — a time for revenge (3,3,3)
TIT FOR TAT: 1. The abbreviation for tense. 2. The abbreviation for Italian. 3. A stronghold such as Knox. 4 The letter A from the clue. 5. The abbreviation for time. 6 split what you have 3,3,3

16d    Inebriate daughter, after dash in dark, collapsed (8)
DRUNKARD: Place a word meaning to dash or to hurry inside the word dark which our setter has generously gifted to us. This is followed by the abbreviation for daughter

18d    In hospital, ask a nurse, a native of Juneau? (7)
ALASKAN: The answer is hidden within the words of the clue indicated by the word In. How easy is that? I have never heard of Juneau.

19d    Lots met up excitedly, full of energy — indefinite number (7)
UMPTEEN: An anagram (excitedly) of MET UP is filled up with the abbreviation for energy and followed by the mathematical indefinite number. To save you the bother it is the letter N

20d    Frisk doctor entering prison (6)
GAMBOL: An abbreviation for one who has the Medicinae Baccalaureus sits inside a word meaning a prison. Perhaps a Medicinae Baccalaureus is sitting inside a prison at this very moment. I doubt that he will be frolicking if he is.

22d    Actual leader of Moroccan kingdom (5)
REALM: A word meaning actual, genuine, not false, authentic or true is followed by the initial letter (leader of) of Moroccan

Quickie Pun: Jewel+Banned=Dual Band. Dual band is a feature allowing a device to function in two different frequency bands. In the context of mobile phone networks, a dual band device enables broader roaming capabilities to users. So now you know


 

50 comments on “DT 29013

  1. Pleasant way to kick off the week. South smoother than the North. Stupidly was left with 14a unsolved after completing the rest. Forgot the house relevance to 4a and a bit dubious about 1d which I also bunged in. Fav was definitely 10a. Thank you to whomever and whomever.

  2. Mild but pleasant enough. My local Mucky Duck in Ockham used to be a great little pub but like so many in these parts, it is now a swanky £10-a-pint posh car showroom.

    Thanks to setter and Hilda – the only thing I had to look up today was SWF.

      1. Understand the term, yes, but the practice, no.

        Never thought I’d see the day that I’d be having a conversation with Hilda Ogden on BDSM – combined with the avatar it’s all a bit scary.

        Only on a Monday… :smile:

        1. I had to look up both! Ooer! I must have lived a very sheltered life.

          24a held me up for a bit as I was looking for a type of pastry. Other wise thanks to all for a nice puzzle today.

    1. I used to play cricket against Ockham, there used to be a good pub called The Hautboy, don’t know if it’s still there.

      1. Absolutely correct Hoofit, the pub scene from Werewolf in London was filmed there. ‘Beware the moon…’ etc. The cricket ground is just down the road.

        The lovely building is still there but I think that’s some kind of exclusive hotel now.

        Now you’ve got me trying to remember what film featured the local pub in St Buryan, Cornwall.

        *EDIT* Ah, Straw Dogs – posters all over the walls

          1. Ah, yes that’ll be the one. Full circle – it was actually the Mucky Duck which is also just down the road

  3. 1*/3*. Light but pleasant apart from 9d, which I thought was a bit obscure and rather weak. 10a was easy to solve but harder to parse as I noticed that the answer also appeared backwards in the clue, which was both misleading and utterly irrelevant. I also briefly flirted with a different colour swan for 24a but mine wasn’t burnt enough.

    My favourite is a toss-up between 17a and 1d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to MP.

  4. I thought this was pleasant enough without being anything to write home about. Took me a little while to sort it out with a few bung ins (12a, 8d) along the way so will attempt to parse them later. 7d eluded me completely though. I’ve done a bit of 5d but never heard it referred to as that. (Online but not computer) My favourite was 1d, which I thought was subtle and clever.
    Biggest laugh of the day was the pseudonym for the reviewer….classic!! 2.5/2.5*

    Many thanks to the setter and to Hilda for his/her usual top notch review.

    1. Long before the internet, Stephen, they did put people together by using a computer to match the characteristics likely to, well, match them up. I think Dateline might have been one.
      Anyway, a friend of mine was briefly famous for being half of the 100th couple to marry using one of those companies……..this was still in the 1970s…….
      I believe they’re still together!

      1. I prefer the old fashioned ways. I won my first wife in a game of cards and met Saint Sharon on a bouncy castle (She was 21 at the time)

        1. Thanks for the imformation Bluebird and thanks for the (questionable) “dating tips” MP!

  5. No problems here beyond 9d which was a ‘guess then look up’ once 11a was in place.
    Nothing stood out for special mention but it was an enjoyable enough solve.

    Thanks to our setter and to MP for the blog. I can heartily recommend the Dirty Duck in Stratford – just the place to meet up with the brilliant actors of the RSC after watching one of their performances.

    1. Is that the one with all the signed photos of the actors on the wall? If so, wonderful pub.

      1. Yes, I think you’ve got the right one. Just down the road from The Swan theatre on the right.
        The food is excellent – as well as the often auspicious company.

    2. That’s where I met Helen Mirren before she became famous. Sadly, I can’t remember what she was in .

      1. It’s easy to look up all her RSC performances online. There are 40 of them but maybe scrolling through them would jog your memory?

  6. Thanks for the explanation of today’s pun, MP!

    I couldn’t make head nor tail of it…..so now I know.
    I’m just glad mine now works at home…..we’re at the “ fast” end if the village.

    It’s a long time since I saw a 9d. We have diversity now, but no variety.

  7. The proscribed term comes to mind, very straightforward for completion at a fast gallop – */***.

    The answer form 9a came to mind immediately but I thought it a little obvious so I waited until most of the checkers were in before writing it in.

    No obvious favourites.

    Thanks to the setter and GMoLI.

  8. I must be a bit dull today. I found this a tad tougher than Hilda and others and in my view Stan wouldn’t have a snowballs with it.
    I did like it a lot though and thought it one of the best Monday’s for a while. Well hidden anagrams and I learned a few things along the way. Could not really pick a peach here.
    ***/***
    Thanks to the setter and Hilda (where on earth did she come from?)

  9. Well that hasn’t happened for a long time, went straight through. A nice pleasant crossword to break us in gently.
    A pleasant Monday puzzle usually bodes ill for some us, can mean a few stinkers to follow. Still out with the Thesaurus and BRB.
    Lovely day in North Cornwall but the glass is dropping.
    Thanks to Miffypops humerous as ever and to setter.

  10. Completed at a gallop staring at the Muriel and the China ducks for inspiration🦆🦆🦆.
    Still lots of fun and I will save reading the blog for later when I get home.
    You know Juneau it’s the capital of Alaska.

  11. As aforementioned, a very mild, but enjoyable start to the week. No particular favourite today.

  12. I completed this pretty straightforward puzzle before driving over to Brixham for lunch and a stroll round the harbour. Now I am back I can’t remember much about the crossword but I did enjoy 17a.

    Thanks to MP for a fun blog and to our setter.

  13. 1*/2.5*. Gentle start to the week and no real stand out clues for me although good to see the old chestnut at 1d. The English language never disappoints. Thanks to MP and the setter.

  14. Thank you to MP and Setter. A very enjoyable puzzle, although I am suprised that there were no grumbles about 9d, which was very GK-based

    A slowish start with only 2 Downs on a first pass. But then came together nicely over a leisurely bowl of Tom Yum soup.

    Favourite(s) – all of the long ones

    3d – “was there ever an easier clue?”

    Yes. It was my last one in!

  15. Yes, benign but very enjoyable. I’ve never watched Coronation Street, so I had to google Hilda – where on earth did that come from?
    I know I’m getting old and a tad senile, but it took far too long to know why 7d was correct, especially as The Railway Children was a fave book, read many times.
    Fave was 14a, loved the horse, and the TV show with Angela Lansbury was fun to watch.
    Thanks to whomsoever our setter is and to Hilda for the usual Monday entertainment.

  16. Quite a quirky puzzle ***/** 😬 with a lot of Lego type clues🤔 Favourites 2d & 22d. Thanks to the Setter and to MP especially for explaining what the Quick Crossword was all about👍

  17. 2*/3* for me, got held up a bit around 14ac, then was unsure why, probably because I had no idea what it was. After that clues fairly fell in ,,, fav is 17ac & I mean literally!
    Thanks to setter & “she of the curlers” for timely hints.

  18. 14a stumped me – grand national horses and US soaps in the same clue, not my scene.
    I see no comments, but does anybody else find the new Captcha’s to access this site just a bit annoying. These Google captchas don’t play very well with those of us who delete our cookies and who don’t use Chrome, six times round the block to pass the test today. Please revert!!!!!

    1. I delayed trying to answer this as I do not know US TV programmes. I would not know my Cheers from my Friends. However, I do of course know it and the horse and think it a splendid clue. I would not call it a soap. More of an entertaining comedy drama in which the formidable Angela Lansbury (granddaughter of George Lansbury British Labour MP) starred.

  19. Completed today’s puzzle with no help – electronic or old school – which is a first for me after nearly a year of practice. I have to admit I guessed 9D and after 20 years living in the US, I was thinking closer to Lake Erie. Anyway just wanted to take a moment to thank all the contributors to this blog, which has been fantastic support in my efforts to become a crossword solver. I also appreciate the efforts of the setters (and tolerance of those experienced solvers) to take into account all abilities and allow for the satisfaction I experienced today.

  20. Got this done nice and quickly so had time for other things. Great start to the week. Many thanks to all.

  21. This took a while to get into – my first in was at 25ac at which point I thought I was in trouble. But from that point on normal service was resumed, though the longer answers took longer than they should have. Last in the performer followed by the teller.

  22. I struggled a bit, but am sure it is because I have my moving head on and not my crossword one. Another 4 weeks and I should get better. Thanks for the Coronation Street picture Miffypops, Took me right back to when our girls were toddlers and the aim was to get them bathed, tucked up in bed, stories read etc. so I could be downstairs in time to watch the latest episode. There’s a big following over here of “Cory” fans, I think they get it via YouTube, Britbox etc.

    1. Isn’t it on Saturday mornings on PBS? I’ve never watched it but I had a friend who did, not sure if it’s still on.

  23. My head is hurting. I found Thursday’s easier than Friday’s, which put me in the minority and today’s was straightforward with my first one in 14a. I don’t always post but love reading the blog and the diverse amount of knowledge and lack of it never fails to intrigue. Thanks to everyone.

  24. Gentle start to the week with no problems encountered. No real favourite…
    maybe 24a?
    Thanks to the setter, and to Hilda for the review.

  25. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to you guys anymore but I can’t reach the site anymore on my Windows Phone. Only get the bouncing browser checker…for ever.
    I don’t always switch on my mainframe when I come back home at silly o’clock but I did tonight.
    Found the crossword very pleasant.
    Quite luckily, I knew both the horse and the series in 14a.
    Good charade in 15d. I like charades.
    Thanks to the setter and to MP.

  26. I had problems signing in earlier. I hope it’s not the start of gremlins. Many thanks to the setter and Miffypops. I couldn’t get hold of a DT today, so could only do the crossword by reading the review. It meant that there was a lot of cheating.

  27. Thanks to the setter and to Miffypops aka, Hilda for the review and hints. A nice puzzle to start the week, which had a few head scratchers in it. Last in was 8d. My favourite was 24a, because of the misdirection, I may have misread pasty as pastie, but got there in the end. Was 3*/3* for me.

  28. A bit late to comment now but I will anyway.
    I found this more difficult than most others seem to have done – only three answers having been through all the across clues but more from the down ones.
    I never did get 14a.
    I think my favourite was probably 11a.
    Thanks to the Monday setter and to the Monday hinty person.
    Useful stuff to do now so today’s crossword may have to wait.
    It’s raining! :smile: I’m really pleased – it’s too dry.

  29. 2*/4*..
    liked 11A (philanderer having more sense round Arab country);
    the TV series in 14A (famous horse reviewed, along with others we trained, in US TV series) is a regular on ITV3.

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