DT 30188 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30188

by 2Kiwis  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30188

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****

Kia ora from Aotearoa.

Our beautiful holiday weather has continued for another week. Today, although it is still fine, it is quite windy and we are told to expect a change for the worse to be with us soon. That’s the thing about living in an island nation, you get a lot of ‘weather’, as most of you know.
We needed to do bit of checking in BRB for 15a but everything else slotted in smoothly for us in what we thought was a pretty typical Wednesday puzzle.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across

1a     Bush says piece as politician (5,9)
ELDER STATESMAN : A type of bush or small tree, then says or avers and a piece from a chess set.

9a     On reflection, second prize is pants (7)
DRAWERS : The reversal of S(econd) and a prize or bounty.

10a     Sales talk about origin of lamb dish (7)
PLATTER : The first letter of lamb is inside a word for glib sales talk.

11a     Bearers of gifts may be somewhat unimaginative (4)
MAGI : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

12a     Picture hospital department following almost complete success (10)
FULFILMENT : A word for complete or total loses its last letter, then a picture or movie and finally the classic hospital department.

14a     Memorable year, after slight problem (6)
CATCHY : A slight problem or fish-hook and then Y(ear).

15a     Roman governor of Thrace moved across banks of Tiber (8)
TETRARCH : An anagram (moved) of THRACE contains the first and last letters (banks) of Tiber.

17a     Obsession having wrong info about cab back (8)
FIXATION : The name for a hire cab is reversed and placed inside an anagram (wrong) of INFO.

18a     Buy son (not Oscar) a little dog (4,2)
SNAP UP : The word son without its O(scar), then ‘A’ from the clue and a young dog.

21a     Share place on a lake (10)
ALLOCATION : ‘A’ from the clue and L(ake) are followed by a place that Kirstie and Phil might be involved with, three times.

22a     Shock obtained from reversing extractor fans (4)
AFRO : A reverse lurker, hiding in the clue.

24a     Black perhaps worn by Edward as mark (7)
CEDILLA : The first name of singer Black contains the short form of Edward.

25a     Asian leaves king cutting poor chap with call for attention (3,4)
PAK CHOI : An anagram (poor) of CHAP contains the chess abbreviation for king and then a two vowel call for attention.

26a     Embark on challenge and risk getting stung (5,3,6)
GRASP THE NETTLE :  The answer is a figurative use of a phrase for an action that could lead to getting stung.

Down

1d     Newly developed medicine I dismissed is common throughout area (7)
ENDEMIC : An anagram (newly developed) of MED(i)CINE with one of the I’s removed.

2d     Bar to current beer supply? (7,8)
DRAUGHT EXCLUDER : An all-in-one. The definition is the first three words. The first word of the answer is also a type of beer.

3d     Smell from stream cut off at source (4)
REEK : A stream that is often tidal loses its first letter (cut off at source).

4d     Even chance offered to cat needing lift (4-2)
TOSS-UP : ‘To’ from the clue and the reversal of a familiar word for a cat.

5d     Sorts to accept — if Italy is representative (8)
TYPIFIES : Sorts or kinds contain ‘if’ from the clue and the IVR code for Italy.

6d     Dash across shopping area seeing such conditions (5,5)
SMALL PRINT : A four letter word for an area with many shops is inside dash or run quickly.

7d     How bowler may be lost without thinking? (2,3,4,2,1,3)
AT THE DROP OF A HAT :  The bowler here is not a cricketer but a type of head gear.

8d     Look, needing engineers to replace a poor devil (6)
WRETCH : Start with a word meaning look or observe and replace its ‘A’ with the two letter abbreviation for army engineers.

13d     Ivory trades reported these in blood (5,5)
WHITE CELLS : The colour of ivory and then a homophone (reported) of a word for trades or retails.

16d     Description of artist with sex appeal supporting Calais, perhaps (8)
PORTRAIT : What Calais, being a coastal city, is an example of, then a Royal Academician and the two letter word for sex appeal.

17d     Failure since employed by Grand Prix company (6)
FIASCO : A two letter synonym for since is enclosed by the letter and number for Grand Prix racing, and CO(mpany).

19d     Academic lie about personal description (7)
PROFILE : The short version of the name for a senior academic, and an anagram (about) of LIE.

20d     Body snatcher ultimately found hiding in thicket (6)
CORPSE : A thicket or small wood contains the last letter of snatcher.

23d     Broadcaster on eastern part of Scotland (4)
SKYE : A television broadcaster and then E(astern).

Quickie pun    skint    +    height    +    skintight

60 comments on “DT 30188”

  1. Yet another wonderfully entertaining puzzle to continue the year. Some simply
    brilliant clueing in 1a, 2d, ah well, too many to list ‘em all here!
    If I were a compiler of any upcoming puzzles, I’d be very nervous of breaking the
    great run we’re having by setting one that’s even a bit mediocre, so no pressure there then…..Very well done to our setter today, great fun.

  2. 2.5*/4.5*. I really enjoyed this with 1a, 15a & 6d making it onto my podium.

    I’m not entirely convinced by 2d, even with the 2Ks’ explanation.

    Many thanks to all three birds.

  3. I am 75 and have never heard to 26ac! Managed to work it out from the other letters in the clue and then looked it up. Otherwise a very enjoyable Wednesday puzzle.

    1. Couldn’t resist sending one of my favourite verses:

      Tender-handed stroke a nettle
      And it stings you for your pains
      Grasp it like a man of mettle
      And it soft as silk remains.

      Aaron Hill.

  4. For me, one of the most entertaining Wednesday puzzles for some time with smiles all over the grid. Every time I thought I had a podium another potential clue appeared so I’ll limit myself to choosing 28a as favourite on the basis it’s one my favourite sayings.
    Many thanks to Jay (I presume) and the Kiwis.

  5. What a clever and elegantly clued puzzle.
    And so enjoyable to solve.
    Many a smile eg 24a and 16d.
    So, 2.5*/5*
    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  6. This was a real treat to solve, with a grid full of potential favourites; 15a and 6d eventually came out on top.

    My thanks to Jay and the 2Ks. The Hudson Toughie is equally accessible and enjoyable this morning.

  7. I struggled a bit with this perhaps because of being awake all night with a painful lower back that went into spasm each time I moved. So, that and the tiredness that accompanies it have left me a bit befuddled. Still, it was a wonderful puzzle and a joy to solve. I had completely forgotten the mark at 24a and wanted to put “Pad Thai” in at 25a so was held up for a while there. My COTD was the “snappy” 18a.

    Many thanks to the setter (Jay?) for a really fun puzzle and to the 2Kiwis for the hints.

    Very blustery in The Marches so Hudson’s ears will be streaming behind him when we go for our walk after lunch.

  8. A bit of a toughie for me, since the 26a expression is one that I can’t remember hearing before, though surely I must have during my various sojourns in the UK. So I did a bit of googling with that one. as well as with those Asian leaves in 25a. The other problem I faced is a recurrent one: differences between Brit and Am spelling (e.g., ours has an extra L in 12a, which I think is my COTD). Minor matters, though, because this is an absolutely top-notch addition to the JayMaster’s gallery of gems, and I thoroughly enjoyed the solve. Thanks to the Kiwis and Jay. ***/****

    Excellent Hudson Toughie today–finished it faster than I did Jay’s.

  9. A top drawer puzzle, nicely clued throughout & even allowing for his consistently high standard better than a pretty typical Wed puzzle in my book. I was familiar with 15a but checked it anyway – I immediately got sidetracked reading about the great 2-y-o of that name while my ears bled listening to a metal band from Atlanta so named. Podium contenders aplenty- 1,24&26a plus 2,6&13d all ticks for me.
    Thanks to Jay & 2Ks

  10. Entertaining crossword. Like Steve Cowling I was aching to put Pad Thai in for 25a but instinct held me back.

    I am, however, placing 15a on THE LIST where it joins netsuke, a bootless errand, and cloisonne, amongst several others.
    Beware THE LIST!

    Thanks to Jay and The TwoKays

    1. Your list must be getting rather long now, Terence. Be interesting to see exactly what is on it. :grin:

    2. My LIST started in 1970 and comprises a good quality hardbacked B5 page-a-day diary, purchased specially for the purpose of helping with solving cryptic crosswords. It contains many hundreds of words/synonyms, phrases, quotes, snippets of GK, tables of info, etc. I still add to it regularly even now. Trouble is, it’s all rather random – sometimes it can take ages to find a bit of info I know is in there somewhere.

        1. Indeed. It’s not my little black book but my “medium sized red book” and I’d never give it up. But now I have a laptop it’s often easier just to use Google.

  11. A very enjoyable puzzle with lots of clever clues and great misdirection. I liked24a,2d, 1a and joint COTD’s 9a and8d. Many thanks to the compiler. It was indeed an elegant puzzle. Thanks to the Kiwis for the hints too.

  12. Greetings from a slightly damp Putney in south west London. This is my first post on this site – a NYR to contribute rather than just read. I thought this puzzle was a lot of fun. I didn’t know my Ancient Roman governor but the checkers meant that I could work out the answer. And it took me a while to 26a and solve 26a – my LOI. I can’t resist a cryptic clue and for me 2d was the best of a good bunch today. However, it was pipped to the post for my COTD by 24a. Who can’t resist a combo of a much loved Liverpool songstress and a mildly exotic pronunciation mark?

    1. Welcome to the blog and thanks for ‘delurking.’

      Please keep to your NYR and contribute often.

    3. Welcome, Putney Boy. Pleased to hear you have decided to comment and look forward to hearing more from you. :good:

    4. Good to see that you’ve decided to de-lurk. The Half Moon is a good music venue in your neck of the woods – have seen many a good gig there. Keep your comments coming.

        1. Hi Putney Boy – last time I was at the Half Moon was to see Roy Harper – my mate was sloshed and got booed out for repeatedly requesting Tom Tiddler’s Ground
          Also used to help run the Boat Race Event at Winchester House
          Small world innit

          1. Letterbox Roy – I had my 40th birthday party at the Winchester House Club – a long time ago now, unfortunately. Definitely a small world.

    6. A warm welcome, Putney Boy, and do please continue posting … though I can’t say I share your warmth of feeling for that particular Liverpudlian caterwauler!

  13. Except for the ‘Asian leaves,’ which held me up as I was trying to make tea from them, an absolute delight – 2.5*/4.5*.

    Candidates for favourite – the four long ‘uns (1a, 26a, 2d, 7d), and 6d – and the winner is 6d.

    Thanks to Jay and the 2Kiwis.

  14. A characteristically enjoyable puzzle with plenty of smiles throughout. I got a bit held-up in the north by not getting 1a until late on but it was fairly clued, so I just think it was me being slow today! I hadn’t heard of 15a or the definition for 22a but thankfully they were very accessible from the wordplay. 9a, 25a, 2d and 7d all tickled me but COTD goes to 24a ***/****

    TY to Jay and 2Ks

  15. Lots to like today, had to check the leaves at 25a (the kitchen is a no go area to me), everything else within reach from the wordplay.
    Favourites, the clever 1a & 2d stood out from crowd.
    Thanks to the (assumed) Jay and the rest of the aviary.

  16. I enjoyed this eventually as at the first pass my reaction was HELP! Got 12a but couldn’t parse it and didn’t know 5a Cay in the clue which I had to look up.

  17. Top draw cluing throughout and a sound start with 1a,last in was 4d which provided the D’ oh moment, liked the surface of 19a.
    Favourite was the clever 7d.Thanks to 2K’s for the pics
    Going for a ***/****.

  18. Jay has started 2023 with another of his always enjoyable puzzles – thanks to him and 2Ks.
    I don’t fully understand 2d.
    My ticks went to 9a, 24a and 25a.

  19. I found this very gentle today with no hold ups at all. Loads of brilliant clues. It’s difficult to pick any favourites but if pushed, I’ll go for 1a, 12a and 26a. Thanks to Jay and the 2Kiwis.

  20. Had to check on 15a although no doubt he’s made previous appearances – so many of those Roman titles!
    Top slot going to 6d with a nod to 14a and the Quickie pun.

    Thanks to Jay in his ‘proper’ guise and to our 2Ks for the review – certainly know what you mean about island weather!

  21. Not sure this is a Jay puzzle, but found it a decent puzzle for Wednesday.
    2.5*/4* for me

    Favourites include 14a, 22a, 24a, 2d & 13d — with my winner for it’s cleverness 24a
    6d made laugh as did 14a and 2d.
    13d was also clever IMHO.

    A well put together puzzle with 15a my only stumbling block for a while but eventually worked it out.

    Thanks to setter (Jay?) and the 2K’s

  22. Very enjoyable and entertaining. My favourite was 1a. Completed only with help for 15a and 26a

  23. Could kick myself for struggling with this one – every time I used a hint I had the ‘oh, of course’ moment. Had never heard of 15a, but should have got the others. All round very clever, and enjoyable despite the frustrations.

    Thanks to setter and 2Kiwis

  24. “What did Horace say, Winnie?” I’m normally on Jay’s wavelength, but today I couldn’t be further out of synch. I only solved a dozen before realizing I was getting nowhere. Of those that I did solve, my fave as 6d, runner up 13d.
    Thank you Jay but way beyond me, thanks to 2Kiwis for explaining it all. Please, someone, anyone, send me my brain back.

    1. I couldn’t do it today either – I always find him quite difficult but today was impossible! :sad:
      Where do Horace and Winnie some from?

      1. I might be showing my age here, but there used to be a kid, where I can’t remember, maybe radio, who talked gibberish and they’d ask his older sister, “what did Horace say?” It became a catch phrase when you couldn’t understand what someone was saying. Like Jay here!

        1. Wiki. is your friend, Merusa … Harry Hemsley’s catchphrase from Radio Luxembourg’s Ovaltiney’s Concert Party!

          1. I shudda orta checked it, but just remember it from earliest days, I’m guessing early 1950s. It came to me out of the recesses of my mind, should use it more!

          2. Oh my goodness. I was an Olvantiney all those years ago, and had also forgotten this.

  25. A Jay crossword – as usual brilliant and difficult too – I always find him tricky.
    Loved it all so nothing to pick out anything as a favourite.
    Thanks to Jay for the crossword and to the K’s for the hints.

  26. A clever and amusing puzzle 😃 ***/**** (I am 82 and have heard of 25a 😳) Favourites were many but 21a, 6d and 17d were my favourites 👍 Thanks to the 2x Ks and to Jay, for surely it was he🤔

  27. Morning all.
    The forecasters got it right this time and we awoke to the sound of rain on the roof. Ah well – the gardens probably will appreciate it.
    Looks like we could have upped the difficulty rating a little but we followed what the clock told us was our solving time so must have got a bit lucky along the way.
    A pleasure as ever and we assume that Jay is the setter again.
    Cheers.

  28. Still troubled with cerebral cobwebs (hopefully will improve after 12th Night!) so again took a while to get into this and then to parse everything but made it with just one visit to Mr. Google for 15a. Not sure about wording of 2d. Thank you, as ever, Jay and 2Kiwis.

  29. A very pleasing puzzle; for me a tad above average for a back-pager with fine clues providing much enjoyment. I’ve ticked a few clues but I will mention 2d because, although it contains enough (possibly twice) to readily get the answer, I cant quite work out what “type” of clue it actually is. To me, the whole clue is a 5-word cryptic definition (ie an exclusion to the current (flow) of a (draught) beer supply) containing another 3-word cryptic definition at the beginning (ie an exclusion to a current – of air). Does that really make it an A-I-O clue? 3*/4*

  30. Another very enjoyable puzzle – this year really has started well. Enough resistance to require slowign down a bit and close reading of the clues, with plenty of rewards for doing so – the four long clues were great fun. Top place on the podium shared by 2d and 24a.

    Many thanks to Jay and to the 2Ks

  31. Oh dear, not a puzzle for me today I’m afraid. Did pretty well in the bottom half, but struggled with a lot of the top. Just not on the wavelength I guess.

    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  32. I had a rather slow start with this one, interrupted by an unexpected visitor. Second attempt proved more fruitful. 6d was my favourite. Thank you setter and the 2ks.

  33. Thanks to the three birds. What a super puzzle. So much humour, all brilliantly clued. I liked 1&9a, &7d, but my favourite was 2d. LOI was 13d. Really enjoyed it. Was 3* / 5* for me.

  34. It’s mostly been said already but this was great fun with a few challenges but still solvable (4 in a row now with no wind assistance is good for me).
    I was a bit slow with both the poor chap and poor devil, slower still with LOI 12a. Trying to make the answer = picture wasted a minute.
    COTD 22a for the best surface against some top competition.
    Many thanks setter & 2Ks.

  35. Got beaten here too.
    Never got 26a. From Crush the Beetle to Cross the Nettle, nothing worked.
    Never been a fan of idioms.
    Thanks to Jay and to 2kiwis for the review.

  36. Great puzzle which I ripped through at speed. Last ones in were in the NE. Held up only by the Roman Governor. Just had to fit the remaining letters in where they would fit. 1 17 14 and 26a and 6 7 and 17d are my favourites. Top Notch so thanks.

  37. As usual I get on better with Jay with his Logman hat on, this was no exception, I got 4 on my first pass. I fell asleep in the chair, hence finishing at silly o’clock. Surprisingly I knew the leaves and unsurprisingly I didn’t know the Roman governor. Favourite was 26a. Thanks to Jay and 2K’s.

  38. Not the easiest of crosswords but lots of great clues made it a ***/**** for me. Spent far too long trying to justify “sufficient” as the solution to 12a. So thought I’d see if Kiwis hints could explain it. Duh!
    One minor quibble – I thought a couple of surfaces read a bit nonsensically, 17a &13d, but of course clearly indicated the solutions.
    Many thanks to Jay and the two Kiwis for the excellent hints.

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