Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3229
A full review by Rahmat Ali
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on 10th Sep 2023
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. Once again an enjoyable solve from Dada this Sunday and now I present to you a full review of his puzzle. Hope to have your valuable feedback and comments.
I felt nostalgic looking at ‘shoo’, the answer to the clue of 24d and I reminisced the good, old days of my school life and the wonderful short story ‘A Witty Answer’ that was in Book VII of ‘New Radiant Readers’. The story begins with a certain nobleman who, after successfully hunting one crane with his hawk, sent it home to his cook with orders to prepare it for dinner. While it was being done, a friend of the cook happened to enter the kitchen and the good smell of the roast prompted him to beg his friend for a leg of the crane. The cook refused to give him the leg and his friend replied that he should not expect any favour from him in future. Soon there arose a quarrel between the two but, at last, the cook made peace with his friend by cutting a leg and offering it to him. At dinner, the crane with one leg was served to the nobleman who had also called his friend to join him. He angrily asked the cook what had become of the other leg, to which the cook replied, “A crane has only one leg, sir.” The nobleman became angrier. But the cook assured him that he would prove it to him that a crane had only one leg. The nobleman warned him that if he failed, he would thrash him in such a way that he would remember till his death. The next day, the nobleman took the cook along with him towards a river where he had himself seen cranes earlier on several occasions. When they reached there, they saw plenty of cranes, each standing on one leg, as normally they do when sleeping. The cook, who was feeling afraid till then, heaved a sigh of relief and told his master that he could himself see what he told was correct. The nobleman then went closer to the birds and uttered, “Shoo! Shoo!” Instantly, all the cranes woke up and put down their other legs too. Then they all flew away. The nobleman then told his cook that he could no longer escape his punishment. But the cook was ready with his witty answer. He told him that if he had told “Shoo!” to the crane that was cooked the previous night, it might have put down its other leg too, and both would have saved their journey to and fro. The master could not help laughing. He had to praise him for his wits and subsequently they came home.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Social climber finished jump (7)
UPSTART: A charade of UP (finished) as finished, ended or brought to an end and START (jump) as a sudden movement of surprise or alarm guides to the definition ofa person who has risen suddenly from a humble position to wealth, power or a position of consequence
5a Manage some poetry in heartless ode (7)
OVERSEE: VERSE (some poetry) as a piece of poetry in which words are arranged in lines, often with a regular rhythm or pattern of rhythm placed inside (in) O[D]E that is devoid of its central or middle letter (heartless)
9a Prince say, hitherto there on manoeuvres (4,2,3,6)
HEIR TO THE THRONE: An anagram (manoeuvres) of HITHERTO THERE ON guides to the definition of the heir apparent to the British throne; currently Prince William, Prince of Wales being the example
10a Asian secure, we hear? (4)
THAI: TIE (secure) as to fasten or secure with or as if with a cord, rope or strap serving as a homophone heard by the audience (we hear) guides to the definition of a native or inhabitant of Thailand that is in Asia and thus also an Asian
11a Number working in joint (5)
TENON: A charade of TEN (number) as a number between nine and eleven and ON (working) as functioning or working as of an electric appliance or power supply takes to the definition of a joint made by a projection at the end of a piece of wood etc inserted into the socket or mortise of another
12a Surprise: is it funny? Oddly not (4)
STUN: The evenly-placed letters (oddly not) of iS iT fUnNy leads to the definition of a verb meaning to surprise, shock or astound someone so much that they cannot think clearly or speak
15a That chap’s a politician no more! (7)
HISTORY: A charade of HIS (that chap’s) as the possessive third person singular male pronoun and TORY (a politician) as a member or supporter of the Conservative Party which evolved from Royalist politicians in Great Britain guides to the definition used to indicate one that is finished, done for, gone, dead or no longer important
16a Creative menials wasted (7)
SEMINAL: An anagram (wasted) of MENIALS takes to the definition of an adjective meaning notably creative or influential in future development
17a Start that’s bad in competition (5,2)
CRANK UP: RANK (bad) as conspicuously bad or objectionable put inside (in) CUP (competition) as a sporting contest in which a cup is awarded to a winner yields the definition of a phrasal verb meaning to start a machine or device or to start a process or project
19a Go-getter importing goods set off (7)
TRIGGER: TRIER (go-getter) as a person who always makes an effort, however unsuccessful they may be bringing in (importing) GG (goods) as the abbreviation G for good is repeated to cryptically form its plural takes to the definition of a verb meaning to give rise to, initiate or set off
21a Constantly criticise swimmer (4)
CARP: Double definition; the second being a noun referring to an edible deep-bodied freshwater fish, typically with barbels around the mouth and belonging to the family Cyprinidae that takes to the first a verb meaning to complain or find fault continually about trivial matters
22a For example, like beef tea, my brews (5)
MEATY: An anagram (brews) of TEA, MY leads to the definition of an adjective meaning of, relating to or full of meat such as beef to quote an example
23a Standard stone (4)
FLAG: Double nounal definition; the second being a hard evenly stratified stone that splits into flat pieces suitable for paving that leads to the first referring to a piece of cloth or similar material, typically oblong or square, attachable by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country or institution or as a decoration during public festivities
26a Smooth and lovely sweet (7,3,5)
PEACHES AND CREAM: Double definition; the second being a simple dessert consisting of sliced peaches, whipped cream and other ingredients that is popular in the United States that takes to the first an adjective meaning smooth, unblemished with attractive yellow-pink colouring, especially of facial complexion and sometimes hyphenated before a noun
27a Purchase English house: informed about that (7)
TOEHOLD: A combo of E (English) as the abbreviation for English and HO (house) as the abbreviation for house has TOLD (informed) as communicated information in spoken or written words surrounding it (about that), leading to the definition of a strong first position or a slight footing or advantage from which further progress can be made
28a Continue song and dance (5-2)
CARRY-ON: CARRY ON (continue) as a phrasal verb meaning to continue an activity or task guides to the definition of a phrasal noun referring to a display of excitement or fuss over an unimportant matter
Down
1d Free meal, though not starter, dining on success (7)
UNHITCH: [L]UNCH (meal) as a meal eaten in the middle of the day, typically one that is lighter or less formal than an evening meal though devoid of N, its starting letter (not starter) having inside (dining) HIT (success) as a great success, especially a film, pop record or song takes to the definition of a verb meaning to unfasten, release or free from attachment
2d Corkscrewing flight scariest, pals struggling to catch breath (6,9)
SPIRAL STAIRCASE: An anagram (struggling) of SCARIEST PALS to hold inside (to catch) AIR (breath) as the breath involving inhaling and exhaling in respiration leads to the definition of a set of stairs arranged in a circular pattern so that they go around a central point in a flight leading to the upper deck lounge
3d Biblical book plays a part (4)
ACTS: Double definition; the second being a verb in the third person singular form meaning perform a role in a play, film or television that takes to the first a noun referring to a book in the New Testament narrating the beginnings of the Christian church and also known as the Acts of the Apostles
4d Wobbly child given low grade in test (7)
TOTTERY: TOT (child) as a very young child getting (given) E (low grade) as a grade rating a student’s work as very low or failing placed inside (in) TRY (test) as to put to test or trial takes to the definition of an adjective meaning shaky or unsteady in gait as from infirmity or old age
5d Taxing figure ours to manipulate (7)
ONEROUS: The definition of an adjective meaning involving a great deal of effort, trouble or difficulty, especially of a task or responsibility is arrived at from ONE (figure) as the lowest cardinal number followed by an anagram (to manipulate) of OURS
6d Reverberation of sound in the chorus (4)
ECHO: Part of or hidden inside (in) [TH]E CHO[RUS] takes to the definition of a sound that is repeated or reverberated after the original sound has stopped
7d Fair game running stern of clipper into old warship (8,7)
SHOOTING GALLERY: The definition of a carnival game typically featuring a pellet gun and numerous moving mechanical tracks with small targets to be shot for prizes is arrived at from SHOOTING (running) as moving suddenly and rapidly in a particular direction followed by the rearmost or last letter (stern) of [CLIPPE]R put inside (into) GALLEY (old warship) as a low, flat ship with one or more sails and up to three banks of oars, chiefly used for warfare or piracy and often manned by slaves or criminals
8d Permanent representative in the end learnt to adapt (7)
ETERNAL: The definition of an adjective meaning lasting or existing forever or without end is arrived at from the terminal or last letter (in the end) of [REPRESENTATIV]E followed by an anagram (to adapt) of LEARNT
13d Film with boxer, 4 Down (5)
ROCKY: Double definition; the second being an adjective meaning unsteady or tending to rock or shake that takes to the first a 1976 Academy Award winning movie for Best Picture about Robert ‘Rocky’ Balboa, a Philadelphia journeyman southpaw boxer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
14d Range, part of the morning? (5)
AMBIT: The definition of the area or range that someone controls or affects is arrived at from BIT (part) as a small piece, part or quantity of something of AM (the morning) as the abbreviation for the Latin phrase ante merīdiem meaning ‘before midday’ or the term we associate with ‘the morning’, that is BIT of AM, or AMBIT
17d Tilt over hole in part of plane (7)
COCKPIT: COCK (tilt) as to turn, tip or tilt usually to one side placed upon (over) PIT (hole) as a hole, shaft or cavity in the ground in the down clue leads to the definition of the section or compartment inside a plane from where the pilot and the co-pilot manage it
18d Glad whelp finally let out (7)
PLEASED: The final or last letter (finally) of [WHEL]P followed by LEASED (let out) as rented or let out, especially of a property or accommodation to a tenant or lessee by way of a contract takes to the definition of an adjective denoting feeling or showing pleasure and satisfaction, especially at an event or a situation
19d Great movie (7)
TITANIC: Double definition; the second being a 1997 American movie based on accounts of the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912 that leads to the first an adjective meaning of exceptional strength, size or power
20d Merge in after blending process (7)
REGIMEN: An anagram (after blending) of MERGE IN guides to the definition of a systematic way of life or a course of therapy or action, often including exercise and a recommended diet
24d Some butcher’s hooks on your bike! (4)
SHOO: Part of or hidden inside (some) [BUTCHER’]S HOO[KS] reveals the definition of a word said to frighten or drive away a person or animal
25d Evidence of battle wound, terrifying cut (4)
SCAR: SCAR[Y] (terrifying) as frightening of causing fear subject to the removal of its last letter (cut) takes to the definition of mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn or sore from a battle for instance has the injured tissue somewhat healed with the development of fibrous connective tissue
There were several clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 11a, 15a, 21a, 27a, 1d, 2d, 7d, 14d, 17d and 19d; the best of the lot being 15a. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Dada for the entertainment and to Gazza for the assistance. Looking forward to being here again. Have a gorgeous day.
3*/3* …
liked 15A “That chap’s a politician no more! (7)”