DT 29832 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 29832 (Hints)

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 29832 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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Tilsit is officiating at the European Quiz Olympiad in Krakow, Poland, and so I’m standing in for him this week. He hopes to be available to host the Saturday Crossword Club again from next week onwards for the foreseeable future.

I have a fair idea who set this friendly Saturday Prize Puzzle so will be interested to see if they turn up later to confirm.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, an assortment of clues, including some of the more difficult ones, have been selected and hints provided for them. It has been quite difficult to decide which clues to hint – quite a lot of the ones I didn’t involve anagrams, if that helps!

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.

My full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.

Some hints follow.

Across

1a    Fish photographer (7)
A double definition to start with – either a fish or a slang term for a photographer

5a    Failure to put fastener on the ceiling? (5-2)
A type of fastener and an adverb relating to where you’d be if you were on the ceiling

13a    Many years on in heaven, looking back (5)
I haven’t heard anyone use this informal word for (literally) many years 😊 Insert ON (from the clue) in a reversal (looking back) of a synonym for heaven

28a    Suffering evident in unit, or men triumphant? (7)
Hidden (evident) in the last four words of the clue

Down

1d    Day is fairly empty for meet (7)
An abbreviated day, IS (from the clue) and the outside letters (empty) of fairly

7d    Lacking success, wife out more, presumably? (7)
The abbreviation for Wife and what she’d presumably be if she was out more (2,4)

16d    Vegetable piece split (9)
Another word for a chess piece and a two-word phrase meaning to split or leave

24d    Stop ruminants stealing last of breakfast (5)
Some ruminants ‘stealing’ the last letter of breakfast

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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

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The Crossword Club is now open


The Quick Crossword pun: WHAT+TILER = WAT TYLER 

76 comments on “DT 29832 (Hints)

  1. A gentle challenge for a SPP and finished unaided bringing the crosswording week to a satisfying close. Nothing too taxing but some scratching of the head was required here and there. I’m not too happy about the word at 7d but that is just me. My favourite and COTD is 1d but this is closely followed by 2d.

    Many thanks to the setter for the fun and to CS for the hints and stepping in for Tilsit.

    Sadly, our Nuthatch has not returned.

    1. Loads of tasty looking stuff on your bird table Steve. He/she is probably stuffed to the gills and I bet the Nuthatch will return soon.

    2. I absolutely agree with you about 7d I can hardly believe it is a word! 3d and 13a were ugly ones too. I’m just too old fashioned!

      1. Nothing wrong with being old fashioned, DG. I’m so old fashioned, there’s a preservation order on me!

      2. I had me “doots” too and looked them all up, yes, they’re in my dictionary – big surprise.

    3. Soccer term Steve, that has been around 5a.
      My home town team were 7d again today and sadly, will probably not exist this time next year.

  2. A straightforward but fun puzzle with a great selection of anagrams. It’s nice to see a really accessible puzzle for the SPP, the sort of thing that might encourage newcomers to join us (1*/4*). I nominate 11a and 15a as joint COTD’s. Many thanks to CS for stepping into the breach to do the hints and to the compiler. I’m no use at guessing the compiler but today I think it could be Chalicea.

    1. I also had a thought or two about this being a Floughie Lady production then I remembered that she provided last week’s SPP. So, two in a row would be/could be a little unusual. But, you never know.

      1. Cephas, who often sets the SPP, can also deliver some kindly puzzles. I’m often wrong when I guess the compiler. The important thing is that most of us enjoyed it.

  3. 0.5*/3*. This was pleasant enough but all over in the blinking of an eye.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

  4. An undemanding yet enjoyable stroll through crosswordland this morning with nothing to particularly slow down what was a fairly rapid solve. The whole puzzle was concisely solved, with 16d being a prime example and my favourite.

    Thanks to our Saturday setter and to CS.

  5. Wow! Really enjoyed that. Have been struggling this week with quite hard puzzles so happy to finish this unaided for a change and go and make myself a celebratory cup of coffee. More please.

  6. Not a tricky puzzle today, but I am glad to see a hint for 16d. I didn’t see the chessy connection and it was bunged in unparsed.15a was my fave today.
    There is a bit of a problem with the reveal on the Quickie Pun 2/3rds is not hidden, but it might just be my cache.
    Thanks to CS and setter. and good luck to tilsit too

    1. Something weird must have happened when I transferred the pun from my Word document to the blog post. I’ve covered it up properly now

  7. Friendly and quite enjoyable, I thought. 16d gets my nod for COTD, followed by 13a and 18d. Thanks to CS for the hints, which I didn’t need, fortunately, and to today’s setter. ** / ***

  8. A tad on the gentle side probably for experienced solvers but very enjoyable nonetheless.
    Top three for me are 11a as it’s a lovely word and I like clothes, along with 13a and 2d.
    1/3*
    Many thanks to setter and Sue

    1. You’d get on well with George. 11a was one of his favourite words and he was very dapper in his day. Still scrubs up well when necessary but mostly looks like the handyman.

      1. I seem to recall him looking pretty cool in his tuxedo in the picture you uploaded recently Daisygirl.

  9. I too had a problem with understanding 16d so thanks for hinting that one, Sue. (And the others of course!). Other than that 👍👍

  10. Good morning CS. It may just be me but I think the hint at 1d may be slightly awry. Thanks to you and the setter for a welcome respite before the Spindrift family descend upon us for my wife’s birthday bash.

  11. No hassle today but plenty of enjoyment. Smoothest ride was in the North. 16d had to be but not for the first time I failed to take account of the piece. 11a and 12a have good surfaces and are my joint Favs. Not keen on 3d abbreviation. Thank you Mysteron (would be surprised if it is in fact Chalicea who often foxes me) and CS for being there in case of need.

  12. Solved unaided and very much in agreement with the comments above and an interesting diversity of COTD. I favoured 16d once I had parsed it followed by 7d and 23d. 19a seemed an appropriate clue for the DT. Only needed to check the plant and the pottery to confirm my bung ins. 1*/4****. Many thanks setter for the enjoyment and CS.

  13. Well, that didn’t last very long, apart from 13a, but it was good fun – 1.5*/3.5*.

    It felt like a bit of an anagram fest but that would appear to be because all but one of a reasonable number were in the Acrosses.

    Favourite – a toss-up between 7d and 16d – and the winner is 16d.

    Thanks to the setter and to CS for subbing for Tilsit.

    P.S. I think the name of the Revolting Peasant in the Pun is spelt differently and Britannica on-line agrees with me.

    1. He was spelt correctly until I had to make the hiding of the pun work and then he wasn’t. He is now

  14. Lovely crossword. Perfect for my simple needs – everything is there in the clues. No Chinese dynasties or Ancient Greek philosophers.

    Well, with no football and no rain forecast, there’s no getting away from it. We are going for a walk in the Surrey Hills. I love this area so dearly – perhaps not as breathtaking as the Yorkshire Dales or the Lake District, but it is less ‘touristy’ and so much of it retains the village feel of years gone by. There is a such an adorable Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie, Margaret Rutherford, Kenneth More feel about the villages of the Surrey Hills – long may it stay that way.

    Today’s crossword soundtrack: Lucinda Williams – Car Wheels On A Gravel Road.

    Thanks to today’s excellent setter and the no less distinguished Cryptic Sue.

    1. I am fortunate enough to live between the Surrey Hills AONB and South Downs National Park so I say hear hear to your comment “long may it stay that way”. Do hope you will continue to enjoy your stay in our neck of the woods. 🍃🍂🌾🌲.

      1. It’s my neck of the woods too. I was born and brought up here and have never lived more than a hop, skip, and jump away.

        1. Terence you left out the ‘lovely’.
          All last year Mrs T was taking you out on a ‘lovely’ walk and I really liked that. I too am a Surrey girl even though I was born within the sound of Bow Bells. Best County ever and I have a book about my old school entitled ‘The Jewel in Surrey’s Crown’ which is a bit over the top I agree.

          1. I am Surrey born and bred – my last house in Esher was on telly – cannot afford to go back to it now!
            Have very happy memories of cycling up Box Hill – in pouring rain – but sitting round a large log fire at the top………….

        2. I was born and brought up in Kingswood (just about Surrey Hills) but moved post marriage to East Anglia however have now come “home” to roost after 40 happy years there. I seem to remember you saying DG that you grew up in Cheam Village.

          1. I have happy memories of organising Geology trips, during which we stayed at Holmbury St Mary Youth Hostel. It had a quaint frieze, hand painted during the 1930’s, in the Common Room. It was chuckleworthy watching my lads from Canning Town when the hostel warden allocated their’ jobs’.

            1. The frieze looks fascinating. I see it was painted in 1937 when the hostel opened and it apparently features various people associated with the build. I can imagine your Canning Town lads reaction to undertaking some bucolic tasks!

          2. I did indeed Angelov. And had to endure the teasing due to Tony Hancock’s East Cheam which, of course, does not exist.

            1. Seems a lot of us live in this glorious county. I live in Cheam & when not covid restricted enjoyed the AONB locally. Now having had yet another birthday this week my longer walks are a thing of the past!
              And the little grey cells not as good as they were because I found this a bit taxing unlike most of the previous comments

  15. Quite a speedy solve with several instances of what might be referred to as ‘relaxed language’. Top clue for me was 16d.
    Thanks to CS for hosting the Saturday club and to our setter for the puzzle.

  16. Well that was soon over without even an irritating three or four letter answer to annoy me. I normally dart around a grid filling in where I have checkers. However, today I started with 1a and worked my way around each quarter in a clockwise direction. No square was left unfilled. The SW was the last and I feared it may hold me up. I came to 14d last with all the checkers and I was done. The vegetable at 16d came to me straight away but the parsing had to simmer for a while. Favourites 12 and 17a and 16 and 18d. Thanks CS. I always enjoy the hints even when not requiring and to the Setter.

  17. After yesterday’s struggle with the Toughie this was a pleasant surprise, very enjoyable.

    My favourites were 2D and 16D.

    Thanks to the setter and CS.

  18. A pretty straightforward puzzle. I was just unhappy with 7d. Must be right but an ungainly sort of word,
    Hope you enjoyed your birthday yesterday CS especially as you were back in the saddle first thing this morning!

    1. I had a lovely birthday thank you We went to Goodnestone Park (which at one time belonged to Jane Austen’s brother – so we walked round the lovely grounds as she would have done. We also enjoyed a very nice lunch which meant that I didn’t have to cook when I got home, so a successful day all round.

  19. As everyone has commented on the gentle side but good solid clues with a sprinkling that brought a smile. What’s not to like?
    COTD was 16d.
    Thanks to setter, not often I have any idea but the Swiss Miss comes to mind, and CS for the review.
    Was our esteemed Warringtonian the Quiz master.?am intrigued to know what a “Quiz Official” does other than ask the questions.

  20. A very enjoyable crossword today.
    Even managed to parse everything before looking in here. Hurrah!

    Thanks to the setter and to CS.

    A day for doing my own thing today as Mr Meringue is at Murrayfield as we speak cheering on the Scots against the S Africans. At least it isn’t raining……

    Might make the quince jelly before they all go off….or might stick with more crosswords…..

  21. Well it must be fairly gentle as I finished unaided, did have a hmm about 20d, not sure if explosive describes it ,but dare not elaborate on that for fear of the naughty step. Also 7d is not a term that I am familiar with. Very enjoyable though ,so thanks to all.

  22. Straightforward. Was hoping it would last a car ride to Abingdon but alas no. Thanks to setter and CS.

  23. Well this Saturday puzzle was a real breeze for me today, considering the ‘toughies’ we’ve had recently … 1.5*/****.
    Only a couple of clues I had to search on-line for ideas, as this was completed on Friday evening for me, so no hint yet.
    Lots of great clues including 13a, 1d, 8d, 16d & 21d with co-winners 13a & 8d that both made me chuckle and 7d made me groan(!!) as it was last in for me.
    Great job setter!

    Thanks to setter and CS

  24. Started late so only just finished, had a headache with 2D but solving it cured my headache. I too worked out 16D from letters but needed your hints as to the cues. Also the answer to the pun in the quick crossword I think this should be WAT TYLER not WATT TYLER.

  25. Enjoyable Saturday fare. Don’t understand the problem with 7d, it’s my COTD.
    Can’t unpick the wordplay for 18d although my answer is correct.
    The top half was def my favourite part with lots of clever clues. The bottom half perhaps less so.
    Thx to all
    ***/****

      1. Just got it, write it out horizontally Brian and you will see the article is in the middle! Hope I don’t land on the naughty step.

  26. I agree with W.Wanda that 16d came to mind immediately but I had to really work hard to justify it. Everything else fell into place nicely except for the inelegant 7d. I liked 12,17 and 27a and 1,2,16d. Thanks to the setter and to CC, glad you had a nice birthday and did not have to cook. I quite enjoy cooking but it is the relentless day after day repetition that gets me and oh boy, if the answer to ‘what do you fancy for dinner’ is ‘surprise me’ I am certain to explode. And he doesn’t learn….. Ah well, back to the sprouts.

  27. Lovely end to the week so thanks to the setter and CS. COTD for me was 16d. Yesterday afternoon a friend popped in for help renewing her driving licence on line. Despite her renewal letter showing her correct address and postcode the computer kept throwing it out saying the postcode was wrong. I’m not sure how I got round it but then accidentally put she had lived there for 60 years and not 6 and wasn’t allowed to change it so had to start from scratch. Came to postcode problem again but couldn’t remember how I fixed it the first time – all took about an hour and a half so despite only being 5.30 we opened the bar for a large G & T. Now she wants me to renew her passport!

    1. Re postcode problems, I’ve had this sometime (can’t remember if it was DLTV or not) and found that a space between the to elements was required before it could be accepted. BH151ZA had to be changed to BH15 1ZA

  28. What a lovely puzzle today.
    I couldnt parse 16d but it couldn’t have been anything else . Lots of likeable clues but no real standouts for me . The only problem with today’s crossword is that it has left me with quite a bit of spare time this afternoon, I think it will be filled by watching Rugby.
    Thanks to the Setter.

  29. Re 17d – was I alone in (redacted as giving too much information for a prize puzzle) Now rectified.

  30. After struggling for the last couple of days, that was such a treat! I’m sorry it’s over. I only needed my dictionary for help to make sure there was such a word like 13a, 3d and 7d. Nothing was obscure. I bunged in 16d, CS to the rescue to unravel it. There was so much to like, fave has to be 23a because it’s so pretty and it’s all over my house on certain Welsh items.
    Thank you setter for so much fun, come back soon, and much appreciation to CS for the hints and tips.

  31. Pleasant but very gentle. Commenced as the plane hit the runway & over before you could release your seat belt. Parsing Del Boy’s favourite veg was the only real head scratch & my pick of the bunch. Like Brian I didn’t mind 7d which was what I was over the 4 rounds of golf in the lovely Malaga sunshine. Fortunately I’d saved the Friday Toughie for the flight & that certainly kept me occupied. Negotiating customs & baggage reclaim at Luton was a surprisingly swift operation & certainly a darn sight quicker than locating the car – we’d arrived half asleep at some ungodly hour & neither of us could remember what level let alone in what sector of it we were parked in & as I was the passenger I absolved myself of all responsibility.
    Thanks to the setter & to CS for stepping in.

  32. Well that was a pleasant end of the week treat. I knew 13a as it was often used in my youth. Not a fan of 7d, and joint COTD for 1a and 1d. Took a while for penny to drop on 16d as they are known as snow peas over here. Start of the gardening season, hurray. Been busy planting geraniums, petunias, violas, and added some new shrubs including another bougainvillea and an allamander. Always think of Kath when I am working in the garden as I know it is a favourite pastime of hers. Thanks to setter and CrypticSue for stepping into the breach. Hope all is going well for Tilsit in Poland and that he doesn’t go anywhere near the shenanigans on the border.

  33. Lovely crossword for a sunny Saturday in the
    Peaks. Luckily I recalled the answer to 17d from a previous puzzle from not so long ago. Favourite clue had to be 16d – not least because the answer brought back happy memories of Del Boy and his funny lines – I’d better say no more than that! Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

  34. Enjoyable and satisfying progress to completion.
    Love 3a, both the clue and the word which I often use.
    So, **/****
    Many thanks to the setter and to crypticsue for the review.

  35. No problems with this one, with the exception of 7d which was my last one in. It just wasn’t a word that sprang to mind. Thank you setter and CS.

    1. Apart from the fact that your solution doesn’t fit the definition, the word I’ve redacted is highly unlikely to be included in a crossword.

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