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DT 29416

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29416

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Kia ora from Aotearoa.

We must have just turned the corner with the seasons. Two shy daffodils have dared to burst into bloom in our garden. We think they are very foolhardy as it certainly still feels like winter to us.

We thought Jay has been gentle on us this week but all the fun is still there.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a     What the journalist said to have an effect? (7)
IMPRESS : Split the answer (1’1,5) to understand what the journalist might say.

5a     Vehicle I purchased with 50% off is a beast (7)
CARIBOU : A transport vehicle, then ‘I’ from the clue and the first three letters of a word meaning purchased.

9a     Opinions of wife during struggles (5)
VIEWS : Struggles or contends contains W(ife).

10a     Mammals long for change, beset by troubles (9)
PANGOLINS : An anagram (for change) of LONG is enclosed by troubles or aches.

11a     Lab working with kitchen solvent (2,3,5)
IN THE BLACK : An anagram (working) of LAB and KITCHEN.

12a     Island involved in risky experiment (4)
SKYE : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

14a     Managed, provided … (12)
ADMINISTERED : A double definition. It is a service or treatment that is provided.

18a     … author meets revised power play (3,9)
THE MOUSETRAP : An anagram (revised) of AUTHOR MEETS plus P(ower).

21a     An acceptable standard, and not married (4)
NORM : A word meaning ‘and not’ and then the abbreviation for married.

22a     It may have its place in modelling! (10)
PLASTICINE : An anagram (modelling) of ITS PLACE IN. The whole clue gives the definition.

25a     Independent army keeping quiet, not taking sides (9)
IMPARTIAL : The abbreviation for independent, then army or relating to military matters contains the musical notation for quiet.

26a     Where cameras may film attack? (5)
ONSET : Split the answer (2,3) to see where the cameras are.

27a     Tonic needed by English after spirits? (7)
GINSENG : Juniper berry flavoured spirits and the three letter abbreviation for English.

28a     Peers reviewed before court honour (7)
RESPECT : An anagram (reviewed) of PEERS and then the abbreviation for court.

Down

1d     Where nurse might put needle, reportedly to no avail? (2,4)
IN VAIN : Sounds like (reportedly) the blood vessel where a needle might be put.

2d     Rather small-minded about end of affair (6)
PRETTY : A synonym for small-minded contains the final letter of affair.

3d     Theologian going in to feed is upset, seeing cultural gathering (10)
EISTEDDFOD : The two letters for the degree a theologian might hold are inside an anagram (upset) of TO FEED IS.

4d     A bit of a bloomer from friend in the Home Counties (5)
SEPAL : The geographical area of the UK referred to as the Home Counties and a friend or mate.

5d     Draft for American screenplay supporting prisoner (9)
CONSCRIPT : A familiar word for a prisoner and the written form of a screenplay.

6d     Tie up revolutionary to get space (4)
ROOM : The reversal (revolutionary) of a word meaning to tie up a boat.

7d     Would these be worn by distracted Arabs? (8)
BLINKERS : A cryptic definition. The Arabs involved here are not people.

8d     Lacking balance, and nasty due to change (8)
UNSTEADY : An anagram (to change) of NASTY DUE.

13d     Household items to be found in decreasing use? (5,5)
STEAM IRONS : Another cryptic definition. Putting a hyphen after the second letter of ‘decreasing’ will help to understand the wordplay.

15d     Shielding with no answer must be offensive (9)
INSULTING : Remove A(nswer) from a word meaning shielding or protecting from the cold.

16d     Bearing up (8)
STANDING : A double definition. Bearing or tolerating and vertical.

17d     Animal trainer excited about source of protein (8)
TERRAPIN : An anagram (excited) of TRAINER contains the first letter of protein.

19d     Web matter for discussion under Tories originally (6)
TISSUE : The first letter of Tories and then what needs to be dealt with.

20d     Attend case of indictment and get out (4,2)
BEAT IT : A 2,2 phrase meaning attend and then the outside letters (case) of indictment.

23d     Going north, some suffer a loss of sun (5)
SOLAR : A reverse lurker, hiding in the clue.

24d     Elm Road cut off at both ends? (4)
TREE : Remove the first and last letters from a road or thoroughfare.

We enjoyed finding today’s animals and the 18a play.

Quickie pun    revert    +    hems    =    River Thames

88 comments on “DT 29416

  1. Another Wednesday, another masterpiece from Jay. Beautifully crafted, it was an absolute joy from first clue to last. With so many great clues from which to choose, picking a favourite is tough, but I will go for the topical 15d, purely because we are currently having our extension somewhat noisily being protected against the cold as I type. 7 and 13d are equally deserving of a mention.

    Thanks to the three birds.

  2. A pleasant offering today – not too taxing. 10a took me some time which I wasted assuming long = pine, until the penny dropped. Needed 2Ks help parsing 7d and 20d. Must remember the alternative meaning of Arabs. No special favourites, but 20a and 24d did stand out. Thanks to setter and the 2Ks.

  3. Another great Jay crossword – my particular favourite (out of many candidates) was 22a

    Thanks to Jay and the 2Ks – no daffodils here but loads and loads of sweet peas (I’m running out of places to put the vases)

    1. Sweetpeas, my faves. I called my car sweetpea and the young lady who bought it still does!

  4. Jay reaches another milestone of perfection. I did struggle a bit with 14a and, as usual, had to check the spelling of 3d, but otherwise it was a joyous trip throughout. As a craftsman, Jay has few equals, as demonstrated by my podium winners today: 10a, 7d, & 15d, my LOI. Lots of worthy contenders too. Great puzzle. Thanks to the Kiwis and to Jay. ** / ****

  5. That was terrific. I started off by ticking 1a straightaway thinking that it might be my favourite, and followed on by ticking 22a, 7d,13d, 15d,20d and 23d. It was the just the sort of puzzle to put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. I was held up momentarily by 5a when I had the correct synonym for “purchased” but took the wrong 50% off, hence I ended up with “***ight”, and tried to fit a vehicle to it. Checking letters from 5d and 7d put it right. Thank you Jay and the 2Ks.

  6. I found this a bit tougher than our reviewers and would go for 3* for both difficulty and enjoyment. As usual a plethora of podium candidates, I liked 1a plus 2 and 16d.
    A little confused by 4d, it’s probably me but the friend isnt ‘in the Home Counties”?
    Many thanks to the 3 birds for the entertainment .

      1. I see it now, thank you CS. I was thinking that the *** had to go inside the ** to fit the wordplay but it doesn’t.

  7. A lot of fun combined with some welcome food for thought. SE was last corner to give in but that largely due to my having bunged in wrong solution for 19d – that’ll larn me! 24d IMHO is rather wide-swept. An abundance of great clues but 21a, 7d, 13d and 20d stood out for me. TVM Jay and The 2Kiwis.

  8. Very nice puzzle 😃 ***/**** lots of good clues but favourites 11a, 18a and 1a 🤗 Thanks to Jay and to the 2xKs eagerly awaiting Spring 🌹

  9. Given the positioning of the comma in 1d, it seemed to me that it was the “to no avail” that was the homonym, thus “E” rather than “A”. But “A” is correct according to the iPad version.

    1. I also wondered about which answer to choose.
      It seems to me that the clue works for either…..unless someone can enlighten me?

      1. OM
        I thought so too (and thought the wrong answer marginally better) so I can’t help you.

      2. Me too! Either works! But, otherwise, a brilliant solve – favourite has to be 10a! Thanks to the 3 birds!

          1. It wouldn’t be a cryptic clue with the other spelling. Answers of more than one word are usually a well-known phrase or expression of title of something.

  10. A brilliant puzzle as usual from Jay. It’s fast becoming “treat of the week”. It took me the longest to sort out 14a and 18a for some reason. Favourite 15d with high marks for 3d. **/**** Thanks to all.

  11. Super puzzle today and not too taxing. Loved the picture of 10a, such lovely gentle animals and so persecuted. Too many favourites today to pick just one. Thanks to all.

    1. Yes, it’s so sad that they’re being hunted like that. I believe they’re seriously endangered, poor things.

  12. 2*/4.5*. Yes, a typically fine puzzle from Jay.

    1d worried me. As mentioned by Attila the Hun, the positioning of the comma leads to the answer being “in vein” which I felt was unlikely as it is not a specific phrase like “in vain”. Nevertheless I followed the instructions and entered “in vein”. I also thought the surface of 18a was rather odd – good wordplay though.

    Everything else was pretty much perfect and 22a, 13d, 16d & 23d were battling it out for podium positions.

    Many thanks to Jay and the 2Ks.

  13. Another Wednesday, another fine Jay puzzle, with the usual superlatives, completed at a gallop – 2*/5*.
    Candidates for favourite – 5a, 26a, 7d, and 20d – and the winner is 20d.
    Thanks to Jay and the 2Ks.

  14. Agree with all of the above that this is a great puzzle from Jay. Too many good clues to pick a favourite but if pushed I go for 5a, 22a and 7d.

    Many thanks, Jay for the entertainment and thanks to the 2 Kiwis for the hints.

  15. Another belter from Jay. Great crossword full of clever & entertaining clues. 22a is my favourite. Thanks to Jay and the 2Ks.

  16. I didn’t find this as straightforward as others seem to have and did need a bit of electronic assistance with the play anagram……my excuse for this is that I am solving on my tablet and have no access to pen or paper. I need to write the letters down myself to do anagrams.

    Thanks to Jay and to the 2 Kiwis.

    1. It was solving on an iPad that got me into solving without pen or paper

      1. Me too. I find that if I stare at the anagram it rearranges itself into the answer. Weird or what?
        Thanks to Jay and the 2 kiwis

  17. This was quite challenging in places and had some superb misdirection (11a, 18a). I’ll give it 2.5* for difficulty as I fell asleep in the middle of doing the puzzle (I’ve had 2 sleepless nights due to an insect bite that made my hand swell up like a balloon) and am not sure how long it took. It was definitely 4* for enjoyment and I was beguiled into thinking 11a involved bleach before the penny dropped. I thought there was a clever bit of double meaning in 13d as many people don’t bother with this household task nowadays. Thanks to the Kiwis. My daffs are long gone but my hibiscus is just about to flower. Thanks to Jay for cheering us all up.

  18. Another little gem from Jay with plenty of fauna to keep me happy. I was slow to get 14a and not very quick off the mark with 15d either.
    So much choice for special mentions but I finished up with 10a because of its surface read (poor creatures are heading for extinction as a result of being hunted for their meat and scales), 3d out of loyalty to my adopted country and 7d as I was well down the garden path with burkas and the like!

    Thanks to Jay and also to our 2Ks – there’s always a couple of daffodils that get their timing wrong, I invariably have the same situation here.

    1. First word that came into my head for no good reason at 7d was Bedouins. Then the horse quickly came to mind.

  19. My usual Wednesday tussle but today of my own making. I always spell 3d wrong, & today was no exception so thrown out in SW.
    Absolutely excellent puzzle. The fact that no less than no less than 18 clues have received honourable mentions so far attests to its quality.
    My COTD was 10a.
    Thanks to Jay and the 2Ks. Puzzle & review brightened my day.

  20. On the whole very enjoyable with the usual smattering of Jays stretched synonyms such as 19d.
    Not too tricky and my favs were 1a and especially 7d.
    I know I have asked this before and many people have tried to explain it but I am still at a loss to comprehend the meaning of the clues joined with dots as in 12a and 14a. For the life of me I cannot see any connection between either the clues or the answers. As Shakespeare would have said ‘It’s a mystery’.
    Thx to all
    **/***

    1. Sorry I meant 14a and 18a. For some reason I cannot edit the answer as it says I do not have permission to edit!

    2. I’m with you on that, Brian. I have never understood them either. In fact, my heart sinks when I see one.

    3. I think it is to make a more meaningful sentence from the two clues – if 14a hadn’t had them, everyone would have muttered about a two-word clue, this way we have a sentence that makes sense as one clue runs into the other

      1. Thank you crypticsue last it makes sense, and thank you Brian for posing the question.

      2. Thanks CS, I think I know what you mean but either clue seems to works perfectly well on its own. I really don’t see that the linking adds anything (other than to confuse me!).

  21. Everybody has said everything for me I think. An absolute delight with spiffing misdirections. It has fortified me for a visit to the dentist this afternoon which I am fearing might mean an extraction. Thanks to the feathered friends.

    1. I hope all goes well at the dentist Daisygirl. I was supposed to have an appointment at the start of lockup, but it was rescheduled for Monday 21st July. My Husband and I drove across this morning to read the notice on their door. We have to telephone before we travel on Monday. Then, as their door will be locked, we have to ring the doorbell to say that we have arrived. At which point they will take our temperature at the door.

    2. Good luck at the dentist. Ours retired, so we chose a new one closer to home. I got away scot free with just a cleaning, but husband has to have 4 new crowns… but glad we went. They were all masked and wearing face shields. Took our temperatures etc. So very reassuring.

      1. What a performance!!! Temperature taken, disclaimers signed, loads of initialling on what I have and haven’t done or been but glory be – after
        an X-ray it was decided that the root was OK so no treatment other than to eat on the other side for a while and a hefty bill. So there is a God
        and I thank him, as being on blood thinners I was not looking forward to the afternoon. Driving into Cambridge was really strange, quite an adventure.
        Thank you for your good wishes ladies! We stick together.

        1. So pleased you don’t have to have any more treatment. A good outcome, apart from the bill.

          1. Jagging, shooting pains since you ask! I have spent thousands on my teeth over the years, every kind of crown, implant, bridge etc you can think of. Just got poor teeth whilst my brother (who has thick wavy hair grrr) has never had a filling. It’s just not fair!!!

  22. 14 and 18 across, if read together as a statement, makes sense if the solver is “author”.

  23. Absolutely what a cryptic crossword should be. 10 out of 10 from me. Very entertaining.

  24. What a lovely treat from Jay, thoroughly enjoyed. I so very nearly finished unhinted, but 14a stumped me, probably because I was focused on the three dots. And I misspelt 22a, which held me up at 19d. Well it has been about 40 years since our kids last used the stuff. Had to chuckle at 13d. So big thank to Jay and the 2Kiwis.

  25. I echo what YS and Cryptic Sue have said this was a real pleasure to solve I did like 5a, 22a, an 27a, on the downs 5, 15, and 16 but my COTD was 22a closely follower by 7d for the distraction. Thank you Jay and the 2Kiwis

  26. I did about 1/3rd of this first pass and put it down to have a go at an Indy puzzle from Monday but the gaps here filled themselves quite easily on my return. as well as the above-mentioned difficulties with the ellipsis. I often confuse myself with the difference between M**T**L and M**S**L but the clue told me which one to use. I wondered what was American about 5d and 3d last one in as my Welsh spelling is feeblleyn peninsular at best. Thanks to Jay and 2K’S

    1. I wondered about the American in 5d also but then realised it more of an American expression. Their men were conscripted ours were called up. I had several attempts at spelling 3d.

  27. A delightful puzzle from Jay with my COTD being 22a. I am however puzled by 1d. What is there in the clue that indicates which of the two possible answers is the correct one? To me, the comma suggests the first part of the clue is the definition. Many thanks to the 2Kiwis for the review.

    1. A10pm
      I thought that too. Someone pointed out to me that the answer required (2,4) which implies a 2 word saying or expression. “In vein” is not, in vain is. Placement of the comma in the clue might have helped. However it might also be misdirection as Senf’s first Rule applies. Jay is so much a master I would favour the latter

  28. I enjoyed this puzzle – usually do with Jay. Challenging without any hmmms or raised eyebrows.
    The crossword a welcome tonic after an Amazon Prime grocery delivery. We are still disinfecting everything and it is quite exhausting. Lola didn’t help at all; she remains in her favoured afternoon location – curled up, snoozing under the ivy.
    Thanks to Jay and the K duo.

  29. Another great crossword from Jay, I managed to get on his wavelength today, nearly a write in but as usual a couple of stinkers thrown in. Favourite clue 10a. Some really good anagrams as well.
    Thanks to the 2Ks and Jay.

  30. 1d I vote for IN VEIN because of the comma. IN VAIN was clearly the desired answer in which case the comma should have come after reportedly, not before.

  31. Up to the usual Wednesday high standard – thank you Jay and the wintering kiwis

  32. Superb as said by so many.3 d my favourite but there were so many others.Thankyou.

  33. Late on parade today as only just solved after a good day on the golf course followed by shopping where I noticed a significant number of shoppers yet to start wearing masks. The iffy punctuation in 1d notwithstanding another gentle Jay gem. The north absolutely flew in but the south slowed things somewhat & just squeezed in ** time. The usual host of worthy podium contenders but I’ll opt for 7&15d with 22a. Thanks to Jay & the 2Ks for the review.
    Ps A **** difficulty rating by Gazza suggests not much point bothering with the Toughie but still have yesterday’s Dada to tackle this evening.

    1. Hi, Huntsman. It’s Robert in Charleston. Thought I’d let you know that I began re-reading The Go-Between this morning after doing the excellent Jay puzzle. I ordered the NYRB edition with an Introduction by Colm Toibin, the superb Irish novelist, and Hartley’s own Introduction. Suddenly, I find myself back in my 20s, in grad school, wondering what the world has in store for me…like Leo, our narrator. I’ve been wafted back 60 years.

      Glad you had a good day on the links.

  34. Hey, hey, another Jay day! He is very special.
    Last in was 18a, I missed the “p” in the anagram but finally sorted.
    Natch, I needed to check the spelling of 3d, I don’t think that qualifies as help.
    Isn’t it fun when you don’t need help to solve. Fave was 7d, but 10a worthy of mention.
    Thanks to Jay for the weekly fun and to the 2Kiwis for the hints and pics.
    Oh no, it’s clouding over – I’ll have to try getting in the pool in the mornings during monsoon season.

    1. Can’t make the avatar out Merusa – what does the caption from the muppet’s mouth say ?

  35. Just hard enough for me complete slowly but surely, without having to waste too much if the morning!
    Over to the Toughie now if I can find my binoculars to read the clues. Am I the only one rather disappointed with the new look of this puzzle page? Gave up yesterday cos I couldn’t read the clues (with glasses). The small font on a grey background ain’t easy for me

      1. I think the new format looks dull, depressing and Dickensian. The previous format which we’re used to is colourful by comparison, and readable by someone with less than medium strength reading glasses. Time to move back to the Times maybe. Not thought out properly. Must write to the crossword editor

    1. As with so many redesigns, the end result often serves a narrower audience than before.

      My bête noire for many years was the colour screen on ATMs – introduced not to aid the customer’s easy transaction, but to “enrich” the advertising potential. However, many suffered (and still do) because their positioning caused the screen, with its much reduced contrast over the monochrome screens, to become unreadable in strong sunlight.

      And has anyone seen an ATM user spend time reading the advertisements? 😂

  36. I’ve been out most of today but the wait was well worth it. Most of what I might have written has already been said so I’ll just add that I thought that this was brilliant! How does Jay do it week after week? I had to check the spelling of 3d which I can never remember and, like others, had to reset from thinking burkas to horses at 7d! Not an easy transition at the end of a busy day!
    Many thanks to Jay and the 2Ks.

  37. Very good, as others have said.
    I found it harder than most did, though on reflection, I don’t know why.
    I enjoyed 18a, only because my Dad went to the second ever performance, some time in the early ’50’s, I think.
    Thanks all.

    1. I think 1952. Premiered at Nottingham Theatre Royal with Agatha Christie in the audience. She thought it might be good for a little run.

  38. Morning all.
    We also had some discussion on what was the definition and what was the homophone in 1d and even took the unusual step of revealing a letter to be sure we had it correct before pressing the ‘Schedule to publish’ button.
    Good to read that everyone enjoyed the puzzle as much as we did.
    Looks like another cold day coming up for us with the temperature not expected to reach double figures. Brrr!
    Cheers.

  39. Was I the only one who put TANGLE in for 19D (which I still reckon is a perfectly good answer other than it mucks up 22 and 26A)?
    I knew 22A was an anagram but with my error it just wouldn’t come!

    1. Welcome to the blog Bullie’n’Jug.
      Agree that TANGLE fits the definition. Just a pity it does not fit with the checkers too.

  40. Very enjoyable, thanks Jay and kiwis. I got about half way, stalled and then had a fairly straightforward run to the end after a little help from you for 10a (so many anagram possibilities I couldn’t see the wood for the trees). Lots of clever misdirection which stumped me- didn’t spot the modelling anagram hint in 22a nor the de-creasing in 13a which was my COTD, and it was a long time before I got on the right Arab track for 7d. Thanks all!

  41. Thanks to Jay and to the 2 Kiwis for the review and hints. Another super puzzle from Jay. No real holdups. I liked 4d and 10a, but my favourite was 5a. Was 2*/4* for me. Last in was 19d.

  42. Unlike most, I did the top ok but severely struggled with the bottom. Three clues I just could not solve and had the wrong answer for the longest time in 15d. Not my day I am afraid as it really didn’t enjoy the last half. Three of the clues I never solved.
    Favourite clue was 1d and liked 11a, 12a & 13d.
    For me *****/** … no reflection on Jay’s puzzle at all.
    Just me today.

    Thanks to Jay and 2K’s

  43. I thought a number of the synonyms were stretched to breaking point 5d’s screenplay to name but one, wasn’t too keen on 24 down either. More like a **** to me but any road up got there despite falling asleep in the middle of it. No favourite. Thanks to Jay and 2K’s.

  44. Thanks Jay and 2Ks. Fantastic puzzle completed without assistance. Unusually I was left with long ones but got there with 3d and 14a being last in. I had no doubt about the correct spelling for 1d. I do sometimes with homonyms but best to ignore the punctuation. Like capitalisation it is there often to confuse. I wanted to fit pine into 10a. Favourites 5a and 7 13 and 20d

  45. Great puzzle as always. Lots of fun and pretty straightforward but got stuck in SE corner and needed 2Ks’ help with last three. Podium places to 18a, 22a and 27a. Also liked the pun in 13d.

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