DT 29468 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

DT 29468

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29468

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where the cool, wet weather continues. The west coast could certainly benefit from some of our rain, and we would gladly take some of their heat in return. It seems these days we encounter nothing but extremes in all facets of life.

I presume today’s puzzle is by Campbell but I failed to identify a second pun — although that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t one. My ear is hardly attuned to British speech patterns.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

3a   Stop working to phone one close to apoplexy about wrong data (4,2,1,3)
CALL IT A DAY — start with a charade of a verb meaning to phone, a Roman one and the final letter of apoplexY; then wrap this round an anagram (wrong) of DATA

8a   Run west with American to find country (6)
RWANDA — string together the cricket notation for run, W(est), a synonym for with and A(merican)

9a   Staircase containing a new window (8)
FANLIGHT — a set of steps containing the A from the clue and N(ew)

10a   Release a French pair (8)
UNCOUPLE — a French indefinite article and another word for pair

11a   Signal returned by her playing card game (6)
EUCHRE — reverse a theatrical signal and append an anagram (playing) of HER

12a   Plump bird associated with Christmas competition (5,5)
ROUND ROBIN — a shape associated with plumpness and a bird often featured on Christmas cards

14a   Chaperon perhaps agitated round rough oaf (5,2,6)
GUARD OF HONOUR — an anagram (agitated) of the final three words in the clue

20a   Debauched scholar, student I confine to college grounds (10)
PROFLIGATE — line up a university teacher, a student driver, the I from the clue, and a verb meaning to confine a student to college grounds

22a   In with academics where Cornell is (6)
ITHACA — the New York state location of a US university is hiding in the second and third words of the clue

23a   Suggests  loans (8)
ADVANCES — double definition; the first a verb and the second both a verb and a noun

24a   Bully about to get a little time inside after that (8)
THREATEN — a preposition denoting about or concerning, the A from the clue and the abbreviation for time placed inside an adverb meaning after that

25a   Picked up actress associated with Burton, maker of garments (6)
TAILOR — when picked up by the ear, the surname of the actress who twice married actor Richard Burton sounds like a garment maker

26a   Trump’s last official address in high office (10)
PRESIDENCY — the last letter of TrumP and the official dwelling of a colonial governor in India

Down

1d   Famous old Hollywood actress, good in the last act (8)
SWANSONG — silent film actress Gloria and the abbreviation for good

2d   This may stop one from getting off(8)
INSOMNIA — cryptic definition of a condition that may keep one awake at night

3d   More theatrical, one pitching a tent? (6)
CAMPER — double definition; a rather whimsical comparative adjective and a noun

4d   Kipling’s fourth poem on English existence (4)
LIFE — the fourth letter of KipLing, the title of a poem written by Kipling, and E(nglish)

5d   Suggestive remark made by one nun I’d upset (8)
INNUENDO — an anagram (upset) of ONE NUN ID

6d   A coin from each one (6)
APIECE — the A from the clue and a generic coin

7d   Stick given a Democrat at this point (6)
ADHERE — link together the A from the clue, D(emocrat) and an adverb denoting at this place

13d   Comic opera singer, expert on love (5)
BUFFO — a knowledgeable enthusiast with a nil tennis score comprise a comic actor in Italian opera

15d   Character, in middle of act, withdrew (8)
DEPARTED — a theatrical character or role placed in the middle of a non-theatrical act

16d   Agency to pass on material (8)
ORGANDIE — an agency or medium of communication followed by a verb meaning to depart this earthly existence

17d   Kept talking, heartlessly betrayed (6,2)
RATTED ON — remove the central letter (heartlessly) from an expression meaning to chatter thoughtlessly at length

18d   100 in number for printmaker (6)
ETCHER — introduce a Roman 100 into a substance used to induce numbness

19d   Stroke is worried before onset of squall (6)
CARESS — a verb meaning is worried or concerned followed by the initial letter of Squall

21d   Thoughtlessness of tax involving computer services (6)
LEVITY — a tax enveloping the abbreviation for another term for computer services

23d   Member of the clergy caught out immediately (4)
ANON — a senior cleric stripped of the cricket abbreviation for caught (caught out)

Several clues caused me to think “That’s clever!” or raised a smile. In the former camp is 4d with its smooth surface and use of the poet’s name for another purpose. I also liked the nun making suggestive remarks at 5d but I will nominate the agitated chaperon at 14a as my favourite.


Quickie Pun (Top Row):TOUR + TIERS = TORTILLAS

Quickie Pun (Bottom Row) : None that I could identify


101 comments on “DT 29468

    1. Couldn’t agree more. The bottom was a real swine not helped by 22a and 13d which I have never heard of. 19d had the wrong tense for worried.
      Really disliked this puzzle.
      ****/*
      Thx for the hints

  1. This was sufficiently challenging to make one work at it but very entertaining (**/****). I enjoyed 1d, 8a, 11a and 22a, although those who dislike GK based clues may not be so keen. Thank goodness for Mr Google, as 22a was a bit obscure, although it was a particularly good lurker. Thanks to Falcon for the hints and to Campbell for a clever puzzle.

  2. Two grand Hollywood dames and a most enjoyable Monday puzzle: what more could one ask for, huh? Perhaps world peace and some rain out West and no more Covid would help some. My top clues today: 1d, 14a, and 20a. Thanks to Falcon, whose hints I’ll read now, and to Campbell. 2* / 3.5*

  3. My only problem was with the rather obscure (to me) location of Cornell, everything else slotted in quite easily.
    I did like 9&10a plus 1&4d and my favourite was definitely 14a which really made me laugh!

    Thanks to Campbell and also to Falcon for the review.

  4. 1.5*/4*. For me this was a lot of fun and another puzzle in the “just because it’s light doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable” category. I did need to Google “Cornell” just to make sure that the lurker made sense.

    26a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

  5. After a run of pleasant (and successful) puzzles, I soon got the impression that I wasn’t going to like this one, and I was right. I think the level of unfamiliar words and GK was a lttle too much, especially for a Monday.

    22a had me stumped, I didn’t know 16d or 11a.

    Not my cup of tea, I’m afraid.

    Thanks to all.

  6. I also thought it was entertaining and, if the GK component looked heavy, it didn’t add to the difficulty as the checkers and precise clues got you there.
    Also I knew 22a was an American University, but not where it was and I refused to look it up, so I resorted to “If in doubt, find a lurker”.
    I had never heard of that card game though.
    Too many to pick out a favourite.
    A lot of fun and thanks to the setter and Falcon.

  7. Sorry about the unintentional hint yesterday. This one was tricky enough in places to give it a ***/**** I don’t think I would equate levity with thoughtlessness in 21d and I needed the hints to understand 18d. I always forget about the other type of number. I seem to recall “organdie” from an old Simon and Garfunkel song, though which one escapes me now. Amazingly, I knew where Cornell is but it took me long enough to spot that it was a lurker. I liked 14a but favourite is 20a. A nicely constructed clue. Thanks to all.

      1. I am amazed that you ‘found’ the Garfunkel song to Emily so quickly, RD, and it was such a pleasure to listen to his dulcet tones again. I have what is supposed to be S&G’s complete works on CD, but I did not remember ‘organdie’s appearance. Thank you for the pleasure.

  8. Another enjoyable puzzle today although I too had to google Cornell (didn’t spot the lurker). Never heard of the card game but the rest was OK. Thanks to all. Beautiful day here in N Norfolk but still got hordes and hordes of people – why aren’t the kids back at school and people going back to work? Oh dear, being a bit of a grump!

  9. Typical Monday fare in terms of enjoyment and difficulty, completed at a fast gallop – **/****.
    I also did not know the location of Cornell but I recognised a US city lurking in the second and third words of the clue so entered it without any verification.
    I did, however, have to verify the card game.
    Candidates for favourite – 3a, 12a, and 1d – and the winner is 3a.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  10. Like MalcolmR I too didn’t know where Cornell was but spotted the lurker. Similarly the wordplay got me to the 11a card game & the only material I vaguely knew starting with the first 5 letters of 16d (my last in) ended in ZA & was only 7 letters but finally twigged it from the clue. Mr G then required to verify all 3 answers & for 13d while I think about it. Still enjoyed it however & my picks today would be 2&5d along with my favourite, 20a.
    Thanks to Campbell & to Falcon.
    Ps Rookie Corner is fun especially for cinema lovers of old.

  11. A tricky SW corner, last in was 22a after a hunt, nearly put in Ottawa!
    Anyway a sound start to the week and a 2.5*/3.5 * for me-sorry about the halves.
    Liked the charades 20 and 24a also the surface of 25a.
    Great game of cricket yesterday, look forward to the decider,
    Thanks to our setter and Falcon for the pics.

  12. A difficult one for a Monday. I too did not know the location of Cornell but I have played the card game. I liked 20a and 4d but my COTD is 2d. I hope 26a is his last address.

    Thank you to setter, who consensus have down as Campbell. Thanks also to Falcon for the hints.

  13. I was struggling with this so decided to take a swim in the sea. Suitably sharpened by the dip it all became clear on my return.
    Mondays are never going to be my favourite puzzles of the week due to the setter’s propensity for ancient thespians etc but I did enjoy this. Favourite was 26a
    2.5/ 3*
    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the entertainment.
    Ps…does anyone know what happened to blogger who shared the name of the comic opera singer?

    1. I always find that a distraction helps. Today I ground to a halt after a quick start, but a little lunch and the penultimate bottle of my last years wine (75% Montepulciano/25% Sangiovese) sorted things out quickly. Like many, Cornell lurked in the mind as did 16dn. I am not a big fan of GK in clues but I do like the number in 18dn … it never fails to raise a smile😎

      But thanks to setter and Falcon for the blog.

  14. Pleasant brain-teaser including acceptable call for a bit of international GK. 11a new one on me. Should have remembered the number in 18d bung-in. Several Fav candidates including 8a, 20a, 2d and 4d (was reminded of the poem after visiting Bateman’s a while ago). Thank you Mysteron and Falcon.

  15. Top half fine, bottom a struggle that I did not enjoy overmuch. Didn’t know the fabric or where Cornell is, certainly difficult for a Monday, well into *** time for me.
    14a my COTD.
    Roll on tomorrow.
    Probably me as I was expecting a “Sorry but the windows that were promised 5 weeks ago still weren’t in Friday’s delivery so we won’t be coming today to fit them” call, which duly came. Just when things couldn’t get worse they did – now they haven’t any idea when to expect them.
    Thanks to setter & Falcon for the review

    1. When I sold windows I always said fitting would take two days. We will remove the old windows on November 1st and fit the new ones on April 2nd

      1. Olivia,
        Thank you for those words of comfort. What is it they say, “Many a true word….”.?
        Trying to source my own, it’s amazing how many ads. say “deliver throughout the UK” only to find they don’t. When I point this out they say “Oh I can see how that could be misleading”, my reply being “No it’s not misleading it’s plain wrong”.

    2. My friend in Sheringham ordered a bed in February and was told 5 week delay – it turned up 3 days ago! Then they expected her (aged 73) to lug it upstairs by herself.

  16. Hallo from a very warm Cambridge. No problems with this except in the top LH corner where I was stupidly stuck on the Hollywood actress because I couldn’t spell the African country. Blame the heat, I know perfectly well how to spell it really. We topped up the bird bath just before lunch and I have to tell you that my birds do not understand the rule of six as there are at least a dozen having a wonderful time, splashing so much that we shall have to top it up again. I think it might be an idea to get a bird feeder to go outside my daughter’s sitting room windows, she might enjoy that. We
    have just been told that the care home is going into lockdown again and our planned visit this week is cancelled. I feel so very sad for all those people being caught up in the forest fires. Tragic. Thanks for the puzzle and the hints. A little snooze now!

    1. The RSPB have a fine selection of bird feeders, including a couple of styles which stick to the outside of the window with suction pads. I think your daughter might enjoy seeing the birds at close quarters, Daisygirl, particularly if she is going to be isolated again. Its 81 F in old money here in the Vale of White Horse.

      1. Thanks for that tip, I shall look them up. She is actually on the ground floor and her room opens onto the communal garden that goes all round the outside of the complex so she could have something stuck in the ground. I have a feeling something stuck on the window might worry her.

    2. Just popped in to read the comments & loved your ‘my birds’ description – I could picture the scene.

  17. I shot through this one apart from the SW corner which I came back to after a lengthy absence of doing nothing in particular. Then it finally clicked. That well-disguised lurker will have to be my favourite along with 26a.

    Thanks to Campbell for the challenge and to Falcon.

  18. Being away from home l missed the opportunity to comment on the excellence of all last weeks puzzles.l don’t think l have ever enjoyed such a fine run.I did not know the card game and misled myself a couple of times today.lt really is time l knew how to spell canon.Thanks to all.

  19. Thank you for the pic at 22a Falcon. We drove through the Finger Lakes on the way back to Manhattan from Niagara Falls a few years ago, and saw the university. That answer was straight in, although most will have got it from the lurker. I can’t say that the rest of my answers were straight in. There was a fair bit of head scratching going on. This was not the easiest of Monday’s, but I managed to finish It, so I guess it was probably fair. Thanks to all.

    1. Hardly an informative comment! And not in the spirit of the site. If you have concerns about the crossword then please air them. We are here to help.

    2. Agree with Stone Waller. Please let us know why you thought it “Yuk”. You could be right but we need to know your thinking behind your comment. Also, please remember compilers work hard to entertain us so do not dismiss their efforts in such a derisory fashion. Give us something to discuss. 🧐

  20. Definitely not a friendly Monday puzzle, IMHO. At least I knew where Cornell is, which is just as well as I didn’t spot that it was a lurker. Never heard of the 11a card game, nor 13d, not being an opera fan. Thanks to Falcon and setter.

  21. I got stuck halfway so had a small packet of Hula Hoops and a glass of squash, chatted to Lola for a while and came back with renewed vigour.
    Needed hints for 11a and 16d – I knew both words but couldn’t raise them from my weary brain…
    We spent a few hours yesterday laying paving slabs in the garden – my knees are reminding me of this with every move I make today.
    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

    1. Beware that snack Terence. They’re on special offer at the CoOp (55p for 6 packets) & I’m ashamed to say I munched through 4 packets (they’re only small) with a couple of beers & have consequently resolved to purchase no more as a modicum of self control cannot be guaranteed.

  22. Totally agree that this was a game of two halves: top end much easier. Several hmmms, for us, (14a, 20a, 18d, 21d) and the card game unknown. ****/** but we did like 26a and 4d with their doubly useful proper nouns. Thanks to setter and Falcon. Enjoyed the Simon and Garfunkel, always a pleasure. 🙂

  23. There is a strange article about crosswords and crossword constructors on Wired.com. It goes on a bit but interesting to note the different views from an American perspective.
    As for today’s puzzle. Very Mondayish. Which is what Monday’s should be.

    1. I logged on to the site, which is new to me, but could’t find this article. What is it under? Thanks

  24. Bit of a struggle today so my thanks to Falcon. I Had a sudden thought about Burton being the 50 shilling tailors. Which was quite the wrong way to approach 25 a. Thank you to the setter.

    1. I believe that Montague Burtons the tailors gave rise to the phrase “The Full Monty” when it referred to the demob suits issued to returning soldiers after the war;
      A full three-piece suit with waistcoat and a spare pair of trousers from the Leeds-based British tailoring company
      Montague Burton. When British forces were demobilised after the Second World War, they were issued with a “demob
      suit”. The contract for supplying these suits was partly fulfilled by Montague Burton.
      But lots of other claimants for the breakfast and striptease variants

  25. Some clever clues which I thought raised the bar for a Monday. Like others I needed to check the location of Cornell to confirm the lurker. Thanks to Falcon and today’s setter.

  26. Like others I found I needed a break between the top half and bottom half. Suitably refreshed by a can of Tango and a lunch time sandwich I managed to complete the bottom half although 16d took some head scratching and a google check. I used to work with a guy who went to Cornell so spotted the lurker quite early on.
    A very enjoyable Monday puzzle so thanks to setter and Falcon!
    Thought 12a and particularly 25a excellent clues!

  27. 2/4. Well constructed and enjoyable puzzle. The answers could all be found from the clueing and while some needed a bit of head scratching they fell into place eventually. Thanks to the setter and Falcon for the review. We’d like some of your rain to clear the skies of the smoke, I fear for those south of here who have lost everything in the fires and the death toll will undoubtedly rise.

    1. Yes, I agree. I have friends in Oregon and I worry about them. My California friends don’t appear to be as affected. And what about the wildlife? Disaster.

  28. Found this one very tricky. Only got there with hints. Does any one know how to play the card game? It’s a great favourite in crosswordland. Thanks to setter and Falcon for excellent hints.

          1. I played it a few time’s back when I was at uni but can’t remember much about it. I thoroughly enjoyed Canasta but also cannot recall how it goes except I do remember it uses two packs. The one I do remember and still play is Cribbage.

  29. Like others, I found this tricky and generally clever and enjoyable, only marred by a couple of (for me) obscurities (US city and card game)…..still, at least I learned something!

  30. Pleasant start to the week 😃**/*** Favourites 3d & 9a + 23d Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon 👍

  31. Well that was tricky, and like others a short break was needed. I confess to needing a fair bit of help, but rather enjoyed it. I may be being a little dense but I guessed the answer to 18d, and thought it was the Roman numeral and the number three. Still got the right answer hey ho!
    Thanks to setter and Falcon

  32. Found this very tricky, south being more friendly. I feel incredibly stupid, we’ve had 1d before and I have played 11a in the past. I went back to 8a and tumbled to what I was required to do, that opened up that corner. I knew where the university was but missed the lurker.
    Fave was 4d, clever that, and I liked the word at 20a but had no idea how to unravel it.
    Thanks to Campbell, and to Falcon for his help unravelling half of this.

        1. Definitely unlikely. That was my first misgiving. The identical spelling of the first syllable was also a red flag.

  33. I’m usually happy with Monday’s crossword but not today despite it being a perfect day in Lanzarote.As I do write a lot of letters I do use a round Robin system adapted to the particular friend but it’s certainly not a game! And being pedantic with the assistance for 24a re is not a preposition. I look forward to next Monday as Tuesdays often present a challenge.Thanks to all concerned.

    1. You’ve shortened your alias so this required moderation. Both of your aliases will work from now on.

    2. Re: “re is not a preposition”

      In that case, you should take the matter up with the editors of the Oxford Dictionary of English as Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) was my source for that piece of information.

  34. Having just had a Zoom music session cancelled, I’lll now comment on what I shall term Crossword Laxatives, I.e. what we do once we are stuck.
    So far, we have had:

    Swimming in the sea (if only…)
    Drinking what sounds like one’s own wine (from one‘s own vineyard?)
    A small packet of Hula Hoops and a glass of squash
    Doing nothing in particular
    A can of Tango and a lunchtime sandwich (not so much a device, just …….lunch)

    Are there any advances?

  35. @Bluebird

    “Drinking what sounds like one’s own wine (from one’s vineyard?)”

    I’m afraid not a vineyard – i have olives! Yes, my own wine but in this case (2019) I bought the grapes. But I did also make 160l from my pergolas (montepulciano and some ancient local grapes) in 2019. Unfortunately something went wrong and I had to ditch that lot. This year the pergola grapes have suffered from the dreaded blight (poor June weather) and so I have also had to ditch those grapes as well. A farmer’s lot!

    But I will be buying Montepulciano and hopefully Sangiovese to make the 2020. At about 60 cents (€) a litre it’s well worth it😎🍷🍷🍷

    1. Fab! But also tragic in a bad year…
      I bet that gives the arteries a good clear out!
      I was wondering whether you are near where a big cycle race has been this week?…not the TdF…..
      What happens to your olives?

      1. Not near the race as far as I am aware (don’t follow it and don’t really watch tv anyway so would miss any mention of it).

        We are in the Gargano, Puglia.

        Our olives are converted into Extra Virgin Olive Oil (organic). And Mrs SW preserves some as I outlined below. We have 280 trees. When I bought them they were 15 metres high. Now after 17 years and a lot of warming logs they are about 6-8!

        If you persevere with my gravatar you will find some pictures and more …

        1. I did. It looks idyllic…. It wasn’t till I looked more carefully at the map that I realised the boot had a spur.
          I read somewhere that the further south in Italy, the more anthocyanins are in the wine. I mean, why bother with statins?
          Thanks!

          1. Antioxidants is the thing I believe! There is an area in SW France where they consume vast amounts of Madarin wine and the folk live very long lives. So of course the French have studied them and put it all down to the Madiran😎🍷

            Of course we in Puglia make similar very high tannic wines, but nobody has bothered to study it. For decades, maybe centuries, wine from Puglia has been transported north to make Tuscan reds, French whatever and in the case of white wines Champagne (Bombino grape from Puglia).

            And if you ever find a bottle of D’Arapri (methodo classico) in a supermarket then try it … it is from San Savero, Puglia and it is simply good at the price.

    2. Not quite in your league, but the olive tree we’ve had for over twenty years has produced its first olives this year, all six of them look splendid

      1. I understand olives cannot just be picked and eaten. They need to be processed somehow. Is that right?

        1. Steve … if you are eating them they need to be preserved in brine or a vinegar solution.

          We also have one tree called “provencana” … we salt these and make sure they are tossed everyday for a coupld of weeks – great with wine🍷🍷🍷

          If you are making olive oil, they naturally have to be ground and pressed at a mill.

          1. That is interesting, Stone Waller. How long are they stored in brine or vinegar before they become edible?

          1. Perhaps the best position for it. The Romans grew red vines down there a couple of thousand years ago in a warmer period.

            Do you prune it?

            1. We did this year. It’s in a very dry piece of ground. Why it suddenly decided to produce six olives we have no idea

              1. Do you prune it like an empty wine glass?

                Basically an olive should have air and light internally. If you can imagine a wine glass having four to five branches forming its structure (shape) then cut off everything that grows inside, but leave the pendant branches on the outside. They are the ones that produce the olives.

                1. Mr CS is the pruner if olive trees, fruit trees and grape vines, but I can say that the olive tree looks as you describe with the olives on the outside

  36. Thanks to the setter and Falcon for the review and hints. A nice start to the week. Took me ages to get on the right wavelength. Had never heard of 22a & 13d, but the wordplay was clear. Favourite was 12a. Just couldn’t get 6d. Was 3* /3* for me.

  37. Trotting along at a fair clip until I fell at the final hurdle in the SW. Didn’t sport the lurker and 24 was one of those portmanteau clues I couldn’t put the bits together without the hint.
    I apologise for lowering the tone but my first thought for 2d was IMPOTENT – (stop one getting off) but it was the wrong tense and thankfully checkers put me on the right lines.
    1d 14a and 3a top of a big pile today.
    Thanks to Falcon and Campbell

  38. This was a classic straightforward until it wasn’t. If you have never heard of the card game in 11a, which I hadn’t, even with all the checkers it’s nigh on impossible to work out because it’s such an unlikely looking word. 22a I Googled to double check that it was in America, thinking the answer might be States, and the area of NY came up so I spotted the lurker. 21d was a bit of a stretch as was 23d, soon yes, although they didn’t hold me up. No real favourite. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.

  39. I have just taken delivery of Chris Lancaster’s book. The cartoon by Matt on the cover indicates that Hudson is a better solver than I!

  40. Found this Monday offering on the verge of a 3* but managed in 2.5* Found some words in here that I did not know so enjoyment level ** for this reason. Too much GK for me. No matter. It’s the way it is sometimes.
    Clues I liked include 3a, 10a, 2d, 4d & 23d … winner 3a

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon for the hints
    Bring on the rain to clear the smokey air here and to help douse the flames in the northwest US

Comments are closed.