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DT 29341

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29341
The Saturday Crossword Club
Hosted by Tilsit

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Until the Telegraph resumes the award of prizes for the Saturday puzzles, this post, and tomorrow’s, will be just like the Monday to Friday posts, with hints for every clue and revealable answers.  BD


Morning everyone!

This morning’s blog comes to you from the west wing of my flat overlooking the patio outside my sheltered accommodation laundry, just for a change.

Today’s teaser was rather enjoyable and I am pleased that we seem to be settling into a nice pattern of enjoyable Saturday challenges.  This feels like our original Mysteron setter – some cricketing references and the usual elegant clues.

Nothing terribly taxing although there’s one word that you’ve heard of, but may not have known the definition of.

All in all a satisfying solve and very nearly a pangram

Some news.  Our regular Sunday setter Dada celebrates the 25th anniversary today of his first Guardian puzzle, which the paper has reprinted with some updated clues.   To celebrate he is hosting a webchat this evening at 7:30pm UK time.  Congratulations to him.

You’ll need to download Zoom, which is the app of the moment but don’t need to sign up and will need to sign up for his email at his website https://www.johnhalpern.co.uk 

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.

Some hints follow.

Across

1a Robber in group seizing equipment (7)
BRIGAND: We start with the old name for a robber and this comprises a word for a (rock) group and wrap it around something meaning equipment.

5a Austere detectives in CIA sent back (7)
ASCETIC: Something meaning austere (usually referring to a lifestyle of a certain philosopher) is an abbreviation for detectives returned inside CIA. A clue that follows the old tradition of easier indications for an obscure word. Something some of our daily setters occasionally forget.

9a I’m within illuminated boundary (5)
LIMIT: A word for a boundary comprises I’m inside something meaning illuminated.

10a In NY a sole freshly cooked with onions (9)
LYONNAISE: A MasterChef type word referring to a dish cooked with onions is an anagram (freshly) of IN NY A SOLE. While we’re on the subject, what did you think of the Final last night? The right person won overall, but on the day’s performance, I don’t think the verdict was correct. What did you think?

11a Coming out badly in tax claim is let-down (10)
ANTICLIMAX: Something that turns out disappointing is an anagram (coming out badly) of IN TAX CLAIM.

12a The straight approach initially, then right tyrant (4)
TSAR: A word for a tyrant can be found by taking three initial letters of words and adding R for right.

14a Pioneer priest on island adopting strange rites (12)
FRONTIERSMAN: The word for an American pioneer (think Davy Crockett) is found by taking the abbreviated title for a priest, adding ON plus an anagram of RITES and sticking the lot before that name of a UK island.

18a Retailer dealing in Leicester and Derby? (12)
CHEESEMONGER: An al-in-one cryptic definition. If you wanted a tin bath or some candles you’d go to one type of shop so named, if you needed the produce of Leicester and Derby, you’d go to one of these. Or in this example, not….

21a English anger seen in nearby country (4)
EIRE: A country not terribly far from me is revealed by taking an abbreviation for English and adding a traditional Crossword word for anger.

22a Wine lover Jo is taking in Los Angeles (10)
BEAUJOLAIS: The name for a popular wine released annually in a traditional event is made up of a word for a lover, then putting the abbreviation for the US city inside JO IS. Once upon a time the release of this used to be a big event, but it seems to be ignored by the British press nowadays.

25a China must embrace change, daughter thought (9)
MEDITATED: The appearance of another Crossword standard. When China appears in a clue it rarely means the country, but a reference to what it means in Cockney rhyming slang. So take this meaning, insert a word meaning to change something and add D for daughter. This gives you something meaning thought.

26a Peter Sellers somewhat brusque? (5)
TERSE: I think I have seen this clue four times already this year. A word meaning brusque is hidden inside the name of the actor.

27a Royals upset northern woman (7)
ROSALYN: A woman’s name is found by rearranging (upset) ROYALS and adding N for Northern.

28a Lightly cooked part in cheese dish (7)
RAREBIT: The name for a favourite cheese comfort food (well, it is for me!) is the cookery term meaning lightly cooked plus a short word for a part.

Down

1d Romantic song everyone gets nasty about (6)
BALLAD: The name for a romantic song often crooned is a word meaning nasty around something meaning everyone.

2d Prisoner one meant to corrupt (6)
INMATE: Another way of describing a prisoner is found by taking the abbreviation for one and adding an anagram (to corrupt) of MEANT.

3d Supremely evil influence in Chartist reforms (10)
ANTICHRIST: The name for a religiously evil influence is an anagram (reforms) of IN CHARTIST

4d Husband stocks food shop in capital territory (5)
DELHI: Inside the shortened name for a food shop goes H (husband) to give a world capital.

 

5d Love helping after trouble (9)
ADORATION: Something meaning love is revealed by putting the word for a helping after what can mean trouble.

6d Beat and not beet? (4)
CANE: A word meaning to beat is also a form of sugar that isn’t the sort named in the clue.

7d Hard work gets paintings into book (8)
TOILSOME: An adjective meaning something is hard work can be revealed by putting a style of painting inside a word for a book.

8d Woodland space becoming brighter (8)
CLEARING: A double definition for an open space in a wood and something becoming brighter.

 

13d Game in which ale served up for pirate (10)
FREEBOOTER: A word for ale is reversed inside a slang word for a type of sport to give the name for a pirate.

15d Last but one team member in political residence? (6,3)
NUMBER TEN: Two definitions, one being a famous political home and the other being the next to last player of a certain type of sporting team. The political home is that of the Chief Mouser to the Treasury.

16d Bowler claiming credit for sensational headline (8)
SCREAMER: Newspaper slang for a sensational headline is found by taking the name for a type of bowler in cricket and putting it round the abbreviation for credit.

17d That man travels round British Isles (8)
HEBRIDES: A short way of saying ‘that man’ and something meaning travels goes around the abbreviation for British and gives you some notable northern islands.

19d Zulu on barge moved around city (6)
ZAGREB: A European capital city is found by taking the letter referred to by Zulu is a certain alphabet and adding an anagram (moved) of BARGE.

20d Verbal agreement for rise (6)
ASCENT: Because of the way the answer appears in the grid you could put either entry in here? No, not at all! Here the answer has to be the underlined definition as the verbal comes first, before the word agreement.

23d Short articles in French and German (5)
UNDER: A way of saying ‘short’ in quantity is found by taking how a Frenchman and the German say their articles.

24d Thanks accepted by the Spanish and others (2,2)
ET AL: A Latin phrase meaning ‘and others’ is made up of a way of saying thanks inside the definite article in Spanish.

All in all, a very enjoyable solve although I’m expecting the usual moans about cricketing terms.

The other puzzles around today:

The Guardian – Paul’s (Dada’s) very first puzzle in that paper:

https://crosswords-static.guim.co.uk/gdn.cryptic.20200418.pdf

The FT by Redshank

http://prod-upp-image-read.ft.com/99c80282-7b25-11ea-af44-daa3def9ae03

The Independent by Hob (Puck in the Guardian) – watch the ad and click the PRINT TAG

https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent/?puzzleDate=20200418#!202004

Music to finish – try this – from an incredible talent.

See you next Saturday!

The Crossword Club is now open!


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The Quick Crossword pun: witch+won=which one?


76 comments on “DT 29341

  1. 15d didn’t make much sense in the IPad Edition as the words ‘team member’ were not present. That aside, the rest of the puzzle was a delight, with some terrific clues, including my favourite 25a. Great fun and very enjoyable.

    Thanks to our Saturday setter and Tilsit.

  2. A very pleasant Saturday Non-Prize Puzzle completed at gallop – 2.5*/3*.
    18a held me up for the longest time – I had convinced myself, without checking, that Leicester, like Derby, could be a type of tableware that the product could be served on.
    Not very impressed by 13d as I consider that there is a word missing from the clue that should be there to aid the reading.
    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 25a, and 17d – and the winner is 17d.
    Thanks to the setter and Tilsit.

  3. A straightforward but delightfully enjoyable puzzle which I finished quite quickly (1.5*/4*). It was further proof that puzzles do not need to be full of obscure or convoluted clues to be enjoyable. I liked 5a, 14a and 22a best but there were lots of fine clues to choose from. Thanks to Tilsit for the hints and to the mystery setter. Keep safe and well.

  4. This was a strait forward puzzle with no obscurities and a**/*** for me- a pleasant solve.
    I now know my onions thanks to 10a,not seen 18a in print for a while probably obsolete.
    I liked the surfaces of 22a and 26a.
    No toughie today to while away the time-every day is groundhog day with not much light at the end of the tunnel, and its raining!

    1. The Paul (Dada) blast from the past crossword in today’s Graun (see Tilsit’s link above) is an interesting solve, particularly trying to guess which were the updated clues

        1. Stuck on the upper left corner in the Graun, crypticsue. The Queen like a fish and the two-part ‘rational’ clue. Might you spare a clue or two? If not, I understand. I think I have 23d right. Very nice Dada (Paul) celebration.

            1. Many thanks, Gazza! Different kind of Queen, and how clever is c***** m******?!

  5. When the NW corner fell without pause for thought I thought I was on Senf’s horse but things slowed considerably and I finished in bang on 2.5*. Was unable to parse 15d but YS has cleared that one up. Pretty sure 18a clue was in a recent Graun cryptic which was handy. All in all pretty enjoyable albeit not particularly taxing. I liked 13d & 14a both being words you don’t hear often.
    Thanks to the setter & to Tilsit for his review.

    1. 5ac held me up because of the unfamiliar “detectives”. Once I solved all fell into place except for one hitch … writing the answer to 3dn in 11ac mistakenly until it dawned that the crossers didn’t fit the answer. Hate it when I do that.

      Nice puzzle on a warm sunny day. Now on to Paul in the Grauniad😎 with a lovely bottle of susumaniello/negroamaro made by Cantele.

      Thanks to setter and Tilsit.

        1. On my screen at the bottom of the front page, immediately above the ‘Submit’ button, there is a difficult to see white box that says ‘enter your email’

        2. Scroll down the page and you will get a request for your email address its plain sailing after that

  6. Excellent crossword for a locked down wet day.Challenging but doable with care and some good humour.I did not know the rule explained in the blog for 20d so put the wrong one in.Still learning and grateful to all bloggers for that .This one was a delight and the picture at 4d is in the country whose capital we seek.Thankyou.

  7. Another puzzle of two halves the southern half easy the north trickier. I missed yesterday as internet down, but it suddenly returned at 2300. Favourite clue 18a and 13d. We are still in lockdown in NC but incomers try to sneek in. Sispiciously clean 4x4s and no seagull attack. Pleased to see this commented on in DT. Broke rules yesterday and took dogs for a gallop on Bodmin Moor.
    Thanks to Tilsit and mystery setter.
    Keep safe everyone and if they think they are going to imprison us 70 year olds, think again.

    1. We’re with you in the imprisonment feeling, being retired but pretty fit and healthy (luckily). It’s time to start the wheels turning to get the young folk back to work and school. Much longer and a lot of them won’t have jobs to go to, as companies collapse and close their doors for good. We don’t mind taking all necessary precautions, but we didn’t live this long to spend our time locked in our houses away from family and friends. And we certainly don’t want our children’s and grandchildren’s futures ruined by this lockdown.

  8. Plain sailing today. As a Leicestershire lad 18a made me smile but 6d pipped it to my cotd. Thanks to the setter and Tilsit.

  9. Thoroughly enjoyable and solved at a fast pace. I put the wrong word for 20d. Had I parsed the clue properly, I would have changed a letter. Too many good clues to be able to pick out a favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Tilsit for the hints.

  10. Completed quickly enough albeit it with a couple of guesses – I didn’t know the 16d answer was used as a description of a sensational headline and the only slang term I’ve heard of for the game in 13d ends with ‘y’ not ‘er’.
    No particular favourite although I’m very fond of 10a – just too lazy to make them for myself!

    Thanks to our setter and to Tilsit for the Saturday club. Very much enjoyed the clip of the excellent cellist.

  11. 2*/4*. This was good fun.

    I haven’t heard the slang term for the game in 13d for many, many years.

    13a was my favourite but it would not have been with the, in my opinion, unnecessary addition of “team member”. This is not in the paper but I see has appeared in Tilsit’s review which presumably is what is in the on-line version.

    Many thanks to Mr Ron and to Tilsit.

      1. It’s a fair cop, guv! I meant 15d so at least I got one of the three characters right – that’s how lockdown can affect the brain :unsure:

  12. All completed in *** time, but I wasn’t too sure about the ‘game’ in 13d, I only know that word to end in -tie.

    Otherwise all straightforward, thanks to Tilsi and the setter.

  13. Re Masterchef, definitely the right person won. I find it an irritating programme from India’s hushed tones though the most unattractive presenters ( do they even like each other?) to poncy recipes with raw meat. Why do we watch it?!!
    Back to business. At times like these, what a blessing we have 22a.

    1. I’m with you as far as the raw meat is concerned – I’d be sending it back to be properly cooked. Seems to be ‘de rigour’ for today’s chefs and critics but it’s certainly not for me.
      PS I think we watch it because everything else is either a repeat or more desperate news about Covid 19!

  14. A gentle solve. 13d held me up the longest mainly because footer is not a term I can recall being used for the game. Favourite 22a.

  15. Nicely Saturdayish – I did wonder if we were heading for a pangram but it was a bit of an 11a to find that we were missing several letters.

    Thanks to the setter and to Tilsit

    Here’s hoping that we’ve seen the last of this morning’s thunderstorms and heavy rain so that we can take our permitted exercise this afternoon. We’ve gone from very cracked up ground yesterday to huge puddles everywhere today

  16. I like puzzles I can complete without reference books and in three hours max. Being 90 I have three hours and time to doze while thinking the answers. Good one today. Did not like cane the last one I put in. Enjoyable today and still awake.

  17. A welcome and pleasurable distraction today from the cares of Coronavirus. SW last to succumb. Unusual spelling of 27a. Joint Favs 22a and 6d (having lived for many years near British Sugar factory at Bury St. Edmunds). Thank you Cephas (?) and Tilsit.

  18. A most enjoyable puzzle, full of wit and whimsy, with some rather ‘dated’ terms, at least from this across-the-Pond perspective. I guessed at the game in 13d and was a bit surprised that my answer for the dealer in 18 was correct. Finished nonetheless is 1.5* time and awarded medals to 22a, 7d, and 16d. Thanks to Tilsit and the setter. 1.5* / ***

  19. Enjoyed this one very much …completed it unaided and understood the clues , so hurrah for me!

    Thanks to Tilsit and to the setter.

    I would like to add my agreement to Tilsit’s comment at 5a about obscure words.

  20. I wasn’t up with the larks today I spent way too much time yesterday on the toughie and had a lie-in. After a late brunch/early lunch this was a nice puzzle with minimal head-scratching. 20d would have fooled me too but I am getting better at sorting out the homonyms these days. 6d was LOI the pesky 4 letter ones are my bete noire, and according to the MP rule of saving valuable resources, I have left that unfilled. I am sure the graphite saved from omitting an A and an E will come in useful if this lockdown continues.
    It seems like we are treated to a cheese and wine party today at 18a 22a and 28a I am missing my regular trips to the best little 18a in the country ( https://www.thecourtyarddairy.co.uk/ ) and have had to settle for mail order. I do hope these lovely little businesses survive the lockdown.

    Thanks to Tilsit and setter

  21. It took me a while to get into this and I started from the bottom….when I got to the top I wondered what I found difficult!
    It all came together without hints, for once…
    Last one was 22a which was nicely presented and a typical clue with the maxim never assume adjacent words are related.
    Thanks to setter for a nice puzzle and to Tilsit -is this the first time all of the clues have hints provided?
    I am looking forward to getting our freedom back aren’t you?

  22. Thirty-two days into solo self-isolation, and I’ve begun to set myself an achievable daily goal. Today it was to actually get around to commenting on a puzzle, so here I am. Nice cryptic, and not too taxing. 6D was my last one in and my favorite. Thanks Tilsit and the setter. Stay safe, y’all.

    1. I am also very glad to see you back, Expat Chris. I thought 6d was one of my top three. Took me a while, though.

  23. A very pleasant Saturday with this puzzle. All fine, other than with the “game” in 13 down.
    **/***. Thanks to both.

  24. Remarkably finished in 2* time…. a pleasant solve after lunch on a greyish Hampshire day.
    Nothing too scary 2*/4*
    Favs 18ac & 22ac , but then again who would disagree!
    Thanks to setter & Tilsit for review.
    Have a safe ‘at home’ weekend everyone.

  25. An enjoyable solve today with a bit of a travel and foodie theme going on. My last to go in,14a so it’s my COTD. Congratulations to Dada and thanks to the setter and Tilsit🦇

  26. I enjoyed this today on the whole, although there were two things I didn’t like at all. The first was the horrible word at 7d and the second was the term for football in 13d. However I acknowledge that they are both acceptable words.

    Like others I was confused at 15d, but see that there are two extra words in the clue above.

    There were two new words for me at 10a and 16d but they were solvable with the clues and checkers.

    I ended up using a Thesaurus to solve 6d. I was also watching out for a pangram – typical because I invariably miss them when they are actually there!

    Many thanks to the setter and Tilsit – great Monty Python clip.

  27. After the horror of the last three days this was a very pleasant surprise with no real hold up anywhere on the grid. Thanks to the setter and Tilsit.

  28. Excellent puzzle, just what you need for a relaxing Saturday.

    All went in without too much trouble. 22a sent me off on the wrong track to start with, really good wordplay in the clue. LOI was 5a, as others have commented not the usual detectives.

    Thanks to setter and Tilsit

  29. In my usual racehorse distance comparison, this ‘miler’ was also completed at a canter. Nothing to stretch the mind too much. However, having said that, 7D somewhat taxing, last one filled in. This lockdown has brought out the creative side in me, and have rediscovered my love of home made flap-jack. A quick visit (naughty) to my local cash-n-carry helped me out with large slabs of unsalted butter, huge bags of light brown sugar, whopping tins of golden syrup and sacks of rolled oats. Anyone feel peckish?

  30. Spent most of the late morning/early afternoon in the garden which is now very wet after last night’s rain.
    It’s still quite chilly in Oxford so let myself come in to do the crossword.
    I didn’t have much trouble today even with the footy/crickety stuff.
    For some reason I took ages to get the 27a girl’s name even though it was an anagram.
    Started off with the wrong second bit for 18a which was silly but 15d sorted that out.
    I think my favourite was 22a but lots of other very enjoyable clues.
    Thanks to the setter and to Tilsit.
    Off to have a go at the NTSPP.

    1. Lucky you Kath, we are desperate for some rain up here in Lancashire! Never thought I’d say that in February! Our allotment could definitely do with a drink.

  31. A delightful puzzle and whilst I didn’t need the clues I enjoyed the review. So a big thanks to our setter and Tilsit. BC has now flattened its curve but I suspect very few will relax their caution. I will continue with my spring cleaning and power washing everything that’s not capable of escaping.

  32. Wotta treat after struggling for the last couple of days. I had to use e-help for 13d despite having the crossers, why, heaven knows, it is so obvious! Really enjoyable, so much to like.
    I liked 18a and 17d in particular, but I have to choose 22a for fave.
    Thanks to our setter and to Tilsit for his hints and tips. Keep safe all.

  33. A nice relaxing Saturday puzzle with a steady solve and no real hang ups. 14a and 18a took a while to drop in place. Surprised at the word for ‘game’ in 13d was new to some people … maybe that’s a generational (read age!) thing. Favourite clues 7d, 13d & 24d
    Thanks to setter and Tilsit

  34. A sense of achievement that I managed to complete the crossword without needing any hints, the first time ever. Currently furloughed so every morning I am attempting the previous days crossword. Thanks to all the hints and help I finally may be getting somewhere. Thanks once again.

  35. A very enjoyable crossword, thanks to the setter and Tilsit. Something from 18a and a glass of 22a would be a nice way to finish the day!

  36. Worked steadily through this enjoyable puzzle. 15d was a bung-in as I was working from the printed version which had the two words missing. Favourites 22a and 6d. Thanks to setter and Tilsit, especially for the soothing musical accompaniment.
    I thought the Masterchef winner was the right one, although a bit of a toss up. Just wish I’d had a bet on it with my wife.

  37. Thank you to Dada for an enjoyable solve today and to Tilsit for the hints, particularly the John Cleese clip at 18a. Didn’t know until we rewatched it just now, that Tilsit is a type of cheese, something learned today. Quite a cheesy puzzle today, with 28a as well. Quite the most perfect dish of Welsh Rarebit is served at Betty’s in York, with their apple chutney. Love to visit when visiting our friends in Derbyshire.

    1. I love Betty’s Rarebit and live even closer than Derbyshire. I like to take Mama Bee often but she is on lockdown and Betty’s is closed so we are having to settle for their cakes.

    2. There’s a brasserie just across the little bridge (behind Notre Dame) to Ile Saint-Louis that serves the absolute best Welsh Rarebit I have ever had…at least it was there 10 years ago, the last time I saw Paris. I had been there once before, a few years earlier, and this last time I took some friends who also went wild over the Welsh R. How I wish I were there right now instead of locked down here in Charleston. Sorry I missed Betty’s the last time I was in York

  38. I’ve been a football fan all of my life especially since my uncle Terry took me to see Leicester City in the early 1960’s and I’ve never ever heard it called footer! Footie perhaps but footer? Rather spoiled the crossword for me. Apart from that NW was almost toughie level but rest perfectly straightforward. If I had to name a favourite it would be 14a. Thanks the the setter and Tilsit.

  39. I question 13d, along with many others, but otherwise a very enjoyable solve! Favourite was (and is) 22a. Thanks to the setter, and to Tilsit for the hints, and the superb cellist! I have an ancient Kathleen Ferrier LP with that very song – bliss! 🙃

  40. Missed solving and replying yesterday due to time being taken up welcoming a lady from Tesco and more time finding further delivery slots. I just had to say for the record, even if no one is reading, that this is an excellent puzzle. 15d deserves special mention. I do not have the extra two words in the paper edition and personally think the two extra words spoil the clue. I rethought “last but one in” after I got the answer and found it to be very clever – and I am not a fan of cricket. 6d – I thought this excellent – short and sweet (no pun intended. I think it is a clue you either see immediately or spend hours trawling through lists of four letter words. 10 18 and 28a enliven the taste buds and are excellent too. The woman’s name at 27a could offend some but I found it acceptable as the anagram was easy to spot. I also spotted it could be two women – Rosa and Lyn. More like this please. Hope BD is OK also Brian as don’t recall seeing a comment from him. Not sure what he would have made of it but I hope he enjoyed it.

    1. Mrs BD & I are both fine, if somewhat bored, thanks. Last night we started watching the 8.5 hour BBC production of Bleak House on DVD – just the 8 hours to go!

      1. That’s good to hear. Try not to read, watch or listen to the news. However the news of possible isolation until Autumn next year for the over 70s has just about finished me off!

  41. Finished another Dada after a few weeks of failing miserably so feeling pleased. I have to say how impressed I am with those of you who say a word was new to you but you worked it out using the checkers. I don’t think I have ever managed to do that. Electronic help is always needed to solve new or unknown words. Perhaps when I am out of my apprenticeship I may be able to do it.

  42. With nothing else to do, (just finished the Toughie), I came here using the arrow at the top and went through the clues. Solved all but a handful without even reading the hints, so it would have been pretty much a write-in. Is this the usual standard for a Saturday Prize Puzzle? If so, I’ll stick with the Inquisitor.

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