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DT 30078

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30078

Hints and tips by Falcon

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BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where we have experienced another gorgeous weekend and I have recovered from a brief, mild bout of COVID. I guess being double-vaxed and double-boosted paid off.

Although I finished today’s puzzle from Campbell in ** time, that does not include the considerable amount of time I wasted trying to concoct an explanation for 28a as a charade of a flower and a type of garden that one might find at some Christian educational institutions. I must thank my colleague Senf for pointing me in the right direction there as well as coming to my aid on the bottom line pun.

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

1a   Foremost of prizes, say, in golf club (6)
PUTTER — the foremost or initial letter of Prizes and say or speak

4a   Branch cancelled filming session (8)
OFFSHOOT — an adjective denoting cancelled and a filming session

10a   Fungal growth in amphibians, likewise lizards originally (9)
TOADSTOOL — string together hopping amphibians, an adverb meaning likewise and the original or initial letter of Lizards

11a   Dread moving snake (5)
ADDER — an anagram (moving) of DREAD

12a   Powerful chief, one who is easily angered (7)
HOTHEAD — a charade of powerful or spicy and chief or one in command

13a   Sea creature, first in particular place, not large (7)
OCTOPUS — insert a word meaning first or most important into a legal term denoting an exact place or location; from this, discard the clothing symbol for large

14a   Regular returned collecting right bottle (5)
NERVE — reverse a word meaning constant or regular and insert into it the single letter for right

15a   Sleeping rough in shelter? Not as much (8)
HOMELESS — a word sum of one’s customary place of shelter and an adverb denoting not so much

18a   Line taken by bishop when villain invades land taken back (8)
DIAGONAL — a Shakespearean villain (from Othello) inserted into a reversal of LAND from the clue gives the line taken by a bishop on a chessboard

20a   Fight caused by group near at hand (3-2)
SET-TO — link together a group or collection and an adverb denoting near at hand

23a   Swift sharp reply in letter I posted (7)
RIPOSTE — hidden in (in) the final three words of the clue

25a   One feels social worker, Anne, should be retired (7)
ANTENNA — the usual six-legged social worker and a reversal of ANNE

26a   Worry about Victor’s cut (5)
CARVE — to worry or show concern containing the letter represented by Victor in the NATO alphabet

27a   We, with initial manoeuvring, remain hidden while preparing to attack (3,2,4)
LIE IN WAIT — an anagram (manoeuvring) of WE and INITIAL

28a   Herb and flower garden visited by scholar (8)
ROSEMARY — a flower garden filled with thorny-stemmed specimens contains a senior arts graduate

29a   Reserve rowing crew that is after best medal (6)
GOLDIE — the shortened form of a Latin expression meaning that is follows the best medal awarded at the Olympics or other sporting competition giving the name of the men’s reserve crew of the Cambridge University Boat Club

Down

1d   Setting up, help out guides initially (8)
PITCHING — a (5,2) expression meaning help out and the initial letter of Guides

2d   Farm vehicle reportedly followed over top of ridge (7)
TRACTORthe first syllable of the answer sounds like followed or trailed; it sits atop (in a down clue) a hill or ridge in southwestern England As Senf suggests in a comment below, the first syllable of the answer sounds like followed or trailed; this is followed by the single letter for (crickety) Over, and the first letter (top of) Ridge

3d   Cast agrees, get a seasonal gift (6,3)
EASTER EGG — an anagram (cast) of the second and third words in the clue

5d   Understand editorial about extremely manly game (6-2-6)
FOLLOW-MY-LEADER — a word meaning understand (a line of reasoning, perhaps) and the main editorial in a newspaper encompass the extreme (first and last) letters of ManlY

6d   Brisk, small trading place (5)
SMART — the clothing symbol for small and a place where trading is conducted

7d   Editor enthralled by remarkably pious king of Thebes (7)
OEDIPUS — the shortened term for editor is contained in an anagram (remarkably) of PIOUS; this king gave Sigmund Freud a complex

8d   Rubbish written about husband’s do (6)
THRASH — keeping with the context of the surface reading, rubbish or nonsense containing the genealogical abbreviation for husbanc

9d   Scholz, perhaps, giving support to praise heard for senior British minister (4,10)
LORD CHANCELLOR — the title accorded the head of the German government follows (giving support to in a down clue) a word that sounds to some like a synonym for praise

16d & 19d   Film desperate partisans along it (4,5,2,5)
LAST TANGO IN PARIS — an anagram (desperate) of PARTISANS ALONG IT gives a controversial 1972 film directed by by Bernardo Bertolucci which starred Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider

17d   I look up article on the comic opera (8)
IOLANTHE — string together the I from the clue, the reversal (up in a down clue) of an archaic word for look, a grammatical article and THE from the clue

19d   See 16 Down

21d   Pot of tea, at first, then drank a rum (7)
TANKARD — the first or initial letter of Tea followed by an anagram (rum) of DRANK A

22d   Shopkeeper sounds more common (6)
GROCER — sounds like a word meaning more common; maybe in the sense of more uneducated or ignorant “rare” according to Collins English Dictionary or, perhaps, more coarse or vulgar

24d   Energy of southern squad (5)
STEAM — the single letter for southern and a squad or side

My clue of the day perhaps should be 28a as it put up the stiffest fight. However, I will opt for the bishop’s line at 18a.


Quickie Pun (Top Row): TAY + CON + BORED = TAKE ON BOARD

Quickie Pun (Middle Row): CYGNET + WRINGS = SIGNET RINGS

Quickie Pun (Bottom Row) : KAPPA + KAY + LEE = CAPERCAILLIE


74 comments on “DT 30078

  1. After the first read through I only had half a dozen in, second read through I had it all in, just shows the value of a few checkers (or the stimulation of the brain cells by a cup of tea).
    Never heard of 17d but easy enough from the checkers and “do as it says” wordplay, and the parsing of 13a took a little thought.
    I liked 10a plus 1,9&22d but runaway winner has to be 18a.
    Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon

    1. If not familiar with them look up Gilbert and Sullivan when you see Comic opera in a clue. I am happy to confess that, despite being familiar with legal terms, I did not parse 13a although the answer was obvious.

  2. Virtually a read and write but round the wrong way.
    That is, word in first, then parsing.
    13 and 18a the best of the bunch, I thought.
    Many thanks, Campbell, for an enjoyable week opener.
    And thanks to Falcon.

  3. 1.5*/3.5*. A light, fun start to the week with 18a my favourite.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to Falcon.

  4. A very pleasant puzzle to re-establish normality after our few days away in North Yorks. 29a was more obvious to solve than to understand, that was until I read the hint for the clue. 10a was one clue that appealed, but my vote for tops went to 28a, closely followed by the 16 lettered film. My thanks to Campbell and Falcon. P.s, count me in with those who were and still are very sorry to see MP leave this blog.

    1. Thought the indicator & fodder for the film (grossly overrated & rather unpleasant) created a rather fitting surface.

      1. I can’t pretend to be much of a film buff and so I only knew the film by it’s title, but I did like the tv series “Last Tango in Halifax” – which really has nothing whatsoever to do with with the matter in hand, lol. :-)

          1. Me too. Anne Reid is brilliant from Valerie Tatlock in Coronation Street to the grand lady whose name I don’t know in Sanderton. Love her with Derek Jacobi in Halifax.

            1. Me as well! She played Lady Denham in Sanditon – I think perhaps you are mixing up your Sanditons and your Bridgertons :wink:

              1. Seem to recall that you’re into guitarists RD – check out the new album from a great young talent – Marcus King – Young Blood. A bit retro but well worth a listen.

                1. Thanks, Huntsman. I’ve heard of him but not actually heard him play. I’ll check him our.

  5. This must be my swiftest solve. For any detractors who complain about the simplicity I would like to draw attention to the excellence of the clues. Certainly a R & W for me. I had never heard of 29a but confident to enter having followed the wordplay. Happy to confess that my parsing was less than perfect. For example, I missed the garden at 28a. I knew the herb and the flower of course but my mind went straight to that brilliant Academic and Dame who bears the forename which appears here. Top marks to 5d. Also I pick out 10 and 15a and 1 and 17d. Thanks go to Campbell and Falcon.

    1. I went down a different wrong path on 28a, trying to incorporate a “Mary garden” which is a sacred garden surrounding a statue of The Virgin.

  6. In 2d one can’t use the second “t” for both the homophone first part and the second part.

    1. I agree with your comment on 2d, an ‘oops’ on our blogger’s part, I think.

      The hint should probably read something like:

      ‘the first syllable of the answer sounds like followed or trailed, the single letter for (crickety) Over, and the first letter (top of) Ridge’

  7. After a slow start, things speeded yp as the checkers webt in, much as SL has described. There wer some good lego clues and I particularly liked 1d, 5d and 17d. 29a was gettable from the wordplay but I had to google it to be sure . Thanks to Falcon for the hints particularly 28a and 13a, which I couldn’t parse. Thanks to Campbell for anotber enjoyable puzzle.

    1. Yeay. At last we come into our own! A rowing clue which we pounced on, and a fencing one too. Both George’s sports. Ya boo to all the crickety ones!

  8. A little thought required to answer some of the clues and a bit of homework to verify 29a, but a most enjoyable puzzle from Mr Monday.
    I’ll go with others and give the top spot to 18a (knew you’d like that one, RD!) with 10a & 1d close behind.

    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the review – with a mention to Senf for his input.

  9. Very enjoyable and agree the ratings. I could see the word in 28a but like Falcon struggled with the connection. Similar for 29a. Thanks to Campbell for a good start to the week and to Falcon whose explanations are always so clear. It’s so nice hearing from other parts of the world too – keep it up even if it’s only the weather.

  10. The usual delightfully clued & thoroughly enjoyable Monday puzzles. The OLPP was very gentle indeed (5a my pick there) but the back-pager had maybe a wee bit more to it. Top 3 there for me – 10&18a plus 1d in no particular order. The bottom Quickie pun critter required investigation.
    Thanks to Campbell & Falcon
    Ps no golf today as the car if off the road with a cracked sump so plenty of time to ponder the 4 remaining in yesterday’s Robyn Toughie.

    1. Just read the review & like WW must confess to a parsing failure at 13a – forgot I’d bunged it in & moved on which I really must stop doing.

  11. Like SL, i started slowly but things went more quickly once the checkers went in Thanks to Falcon for help with 28a and 13a, which I couldn’t parse. I had to google 19a to check the result of working through thee wordplay. There were some good Lego clues, my favourites being 17d, 5d and 1d. Ialso like rhe anagram at 27a thanks to Campbell for another entertaining Monday puzzle.

    1. Your first comment went into moderation because there was a typo in your email address

      As this second comment says a lot more, would you like me to remove the first one?

  12. It’s Monday :good: It’s Campbell :good: **/****

    And, I concur with Huntsman on the OLPP – about 25% less challenging than this one.

    Candidates for favourite – 18a, 26a, 28a, 9d, 17d, and the Bottom Line Pun (for which I did have to e-check the spelling) – and the winner is 28a (the flower garden ‘element’ held me up for a while).

    Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon, and thanks for his thanks.

  13. Lovely relaxed start to the week’s crosswords. Rattled off with a cup of coffee. Nice and satisfying.

  14. A very classy Campbell today, with a hullaballooed Brando film that sent Pauline Kael of The New Yorker into Eternal Euphoria, a very famous moment in film criticism (like Huntsman, I thought the movie was just quite gross–‘desperate’ indeed). The backpager again eclipses the OLPP, with 1d my COTD followed by 10a, 5d,18a, & 28a. Thanks to Falcon and Campbell. ** / ****

  15. Managed to finish unaided after a very slow start. I don’t know quite why, but it felt harder than it really was? Think this morning’s battle with my oleanders must have sapped my brain power. All done now, thank goodness!

  16. Am I allowed to admit 13a was a bung in? I couldn’t parse it for the life of me,
    COTD is 18a. Very clever.

    1. Yep, we wanted it to be Deacon Blue! Had it been them, there would have been a link between the top pun and the bottom as Ewan Vernal, Deacon Blue’s bass player also played for Capercaillie, one of Scotland’s finest folk bands.

  17. Enjoyed this one, thanks to Campbell and Falcon. (Am I the only one who reads name of the setter and blogger at the top, but by the time I scroll down to comment I’ve forgotten them?!)

  18. t’s Monday … it’s Campbell
    Nice puzzle for the start of the non-work week.
    2*/4* for me today.
    Pretty much trouble free solve with so many great clues. Hard to pick favourites, but …

    Favourites include 4a, 10a, 14a, 25a & 2d with my winner — 4a with 25a very close second.

    Thanks to Campbell and Falcon

  19. Began by thinking this was going to be a killer but not so – it turned out to be eminently solvable. My Fav 10a. As usual failed to identify multiple Quickie puns. Thank you Campbell and Falcon.

  20. Ah Campbell. So often on my wavelength and no exception today as I had all the requisite underpinning knowledge to read and write. Though to appease the ‘a bit dated’ brigade maybe we could have the music producer at 29a.

    Many thanks Falcon and Campbell

  21. Thoroughly enjoyable, for me the best Monday in a long time. Lots of super clues and no complaints from me.
    Thx to all
    **/*****

    1. How’s your golf going Brian? Better than mine I hope.
      Couldn’t help seeing a personal golfing theme in this puzzle. 1a & 1d about the only thing I’m doing reasonably competently at the moment. From the tee it’s short odds a case of 26a the ball in either 18a direction towards water/bunkers/trees (perm 1 from 3) that 27a

  22. For anyone wondering where the name of the rowing team originated, John Goldie (1849-1896) was an English rower and president of the Cambridge University Boat Club between 1870 and 1872. His name was also given to the Goldie Boathouse, used by the Cambridge University crews.

  23. Having spent the morning wandering around Gloucester Docks, this was a typically friendly and enjoyable puzzle to kickstart the crosswording week. 18a came out on top of the pile ahead of 9d.

    My thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  24. Really enjoyed today’s offering though have to confess that I was as guilty as JB, for the bung in at 13a. Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon. Missing the sunshine today in the North West thus cooler but should improve tomorrow. Having completed the Quickie and the Cryptic, Wordle, Quordle, Waffle and Deluxe Waffle where to next to test the little grey cells. The Toughie puts me off just by its name alone!

    1. I suggest Worldle ( note the extra L) and Plusword

      With grateful thanks to Campbell for a most elegant puzzle and Falcon for helping me parse 13 and 28

  25. Another good puzzle for Monday by Campbell from which I pick 10 and 18a, and 9d for the podium.

    Thanks to Falcon and Campbell for their sterling performances.

  26. A masterpiece in synonym stretching, 12a powerful stretch, 20a near at hand stretch, 6d brisk stretch, my what a workout! Could have done some serious damage.

    1. The BRB defines ‘to’ (among other things) as an adverb meaning ‘in contact’. (The full definition is “in or into a required or fixed position, contact, closed or fastened condition”.

      Its sister publication, Chamber’s 21st Century Dictionary, (the version one finds on the Search Chambers website) defines ‘to’ as an adverb, one meaning of which is “near at hand”. Unfortunately, it provides no usage example.

      1. No usage examples, hmm I wonder why?
        I predicted a BRB comeback how brisk you are to quote it 🧐

        1. How about “cheek to cheek”? Meaning cheek adjacent to cheek or cheek in contact with cheek, etc.

          1. Jose,
            That is basically the meaning that also occurred to me, my examples being “shoulder to the wheel” or “nose to the grindstone“. However, these all appear to be instances of “to” used as a preposition (definition #6) in Chambers online “used to express attachment, connection, contact or possession • put his ear to the doorthe key to the lock.” and not “to” used as an adverb (definition #3) “near at hand”.

            1. I found a usage example in Webster’s New World College Dictionary on the Collins website. It defines “to” as an adverb meaning “at hand” with the usage example being “we were close to when it happened” which seems to me to be an expression one would encounter only in some regional dialects.

                  1. Could be! (although I believe that in the wordplay for 12a “hot” is used in the sense of spicy like hot peppers).

            2. Roger, Falcon. I can’t disagree with any of that. I got carried away without checking properly.

  27. Nice start to the week 😃 **/**** Favourites were 1a, 10a & 18a 👍 and bottom phrase in the “Quicky”. Thanks to Falcon and Campbell

  28. Thanks to Campbell and to Falcon for the review and hints. A very enjoyable puzzle, not too tricky. Some clever clues. Just needed the hints to parse 28a. Favourite was 18a. LOI was 2d. Was 2* / 4* for me.

  29. Thank you Falcon for the hints – I had about six I couldn’t get for the life of me (still early crosswording days for me, so calling that a win!)

    ***/*** for me. Particularly enjoyed 1d and 22d

  30. Struggled a bit today but probably due to a Covid addled brain! Oh well, had to happen sometime, I suppose. Thanks to Falcon for the hints which were needed for the last three in and Campbell. Enjoyed the quickie puns, especially the bottom one.

  31. At last a Monday crossword on a Monday. Still some notable long term contributors missing, the blog is poorer for their absence. I suspect you’re watching though. Favourite was 18a, my last in. Thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

  32. My R&R completion of this early this morning resulted in the award of some special jobs to do before winter! They’re all done now, but no toughie to settle into!
    Golf tomorrow, so lots to do later.
    Thanks setter and Falcon

  33. Sorry, but this is not my idea of a good puzzle. I found the clues to be confusing and they didn’t read properly. Far too many answers were written in and then I tried to justify them, not always successfully. Based on the above comments, I am in the minority though – that is the joy of these things. Oh, and put me firmly in the camp for using the first description for 2d.

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