Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27582 (Hints)
Big Dave’s Crossword Club
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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.
Don’t forget that you can give your assessment of the puzzle. Five stars if you thought it was great, one if you hated it, four, three or two if it was somewhere in between.
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 a “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.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Keep following small enchanting woman in communication centre (11)
Keep or subsistence follow S(mall) and an enchanting woman
8a Slow bowler’s variation finds place to turn in front of leg (7)
The reversal (to turn) of a place or location followed by (in front of) a colloquial word for a leg – this leg is not the leg or on side in cricket, just for a change
10a Bird’s egg on garden plant (8)
A bird followed by a verb meaning to egg on or encourage
11a Curt’s no leader, put in place by company group (6)
Drop the initial letter (no leader) from an adjective meaning curt or brusque and precede what’s left with CO(mpany)
16a Old Western film one employed at RADA? (10)
Split as (5,5) this could be an instructor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
21a Snake catches Marvin napping (6)
Not Hank B Marvin, but the actor who famously had a hit with (and I didn’t say sang!) Wandering Star – put his first name inside a snake
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22a Twitter’s number one for upsetting immense number (8)
Believe it or not, once upon a time twitter meant to make a tremulous sound – put another similar verb in front of the reversal (for upsetting) of NO (number) and I (one)
24a English composer not a green artist (2,5)
Start with the English composer of Land of Hope and Glory, drop (not) the A from the clue and finish with a prefix meaning green or concerned with preserving the environment
26a Ancient Mayor of London once walked round a street there (3,4,4)
A three-letter adjective meaning ancient followed by the first name of Boris’s predecessor and a verb meaning walked, the latter around the A from the clue gives a street in SE London
Down
1d Belted out tune when served up drink (7)
A verb meaning belted out followed by the reversal (served up) of a tune
3d Means to pay for such as ‘Good Soldier Schweik’ on the radio (10)
Split as (6,4) this sounds like a description of the novel by Jaroslav Hasek
5d Lily Allen’s first rendering of ‘Old Shep’ (8)
The initial letter (first) of A[llen] followed by an anagram (rendering) of OLD SHEP – not particularly difficult, but the mental image of Lily Allen singing Old Shep is amusing!
9d Catch handlers going astray in the country (11)
A three-letter verb meaning to catch followed by an anagram (going astray) of HANDLERS
12d Inharmonious gig with records delivered finally in rave (10)
A gig at which records are played as a substitute for live music followed by the final letter of [delivere]D inside a verb meaning to rave
15d American hero — North Dakota clergyman (8)
The surname of the American hero who rode from Boston to Lexington to warn fellow American revolutionaries of the approach of British troops followed by the abbreviation for North Dakota
A blast from the past – how many of you remember this one?
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ARVE Error: need id and provider |
17d Fast car hampered by insubstantial legroom (7)
Surely two separate definitions – the musical notation for “lively and rather fast” and a rust-bucket car from the 1970s – of this hidden (hampered by) word!
19d Sweet flavour and wrapping I notice (7)
Put the AND from the clue around I and a verb meaning to notice
23d Carry on habit? (4)
Two definitions – a verb meaning to carry on or get by and a semicircular, sleeveless, hooded vestment worn over the alb or surplice by priests at certain Christian ceremonies
And here is our very own Prolixic (aka the 15d Michael Callaghan) wearing his!
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The Quick crossword pun: bus+Turk+Eton=Buster Keaton
Thanks for hints Dave helped me understand what surely must be one of the most obscure clues at 3d, I did get it but would never have understood it!!! Am I alone in this????? fav clue 16a
Good morning, Mary. Crypticsue will be in her element, like me, because the grid’s on the back page of the paper and, yes, I had to resort to a certain search engine to discover the relevance of 3d! I also gleaned that, like Dickens and ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’, Hasek didn’t finish the tale[s]…
Good to have the Premiership back Cara
… here we go, here we go etc. etc.
I was very happy to see the puzzle in its rightful place. Didn’t need to search as I did know who the Good Soldier was.
Welcome back Mary. I agree with you, I found the clue obscure although I got it. I’ve now finished all except 23d. It must be so easy but I can’t see it
Apologies, I’ve now seen BDs’ hint
I had to fight 23d too and needed the hint!
Hi Cara and Collywobs nice to ‘see’ you both …
now we can get back to some serious persevating…welcome back Mary
Hi spindrift ..nice to see you too, by the way you left the ‘r’ out perservating :-) , I am on sick leave from holiday leave at mo,
hope to be seriously back in Oct tho
My last one was 23d…went through my decoder but needed the hint as I was not familiar with the vestment! thanks BD !
I had read the book on 3d luckily. Was thinking of Alan Ladd on 16a until I had a brainwave – good clue though.
a few cues where I had the answer then trying hard to justify- eg 26a – a bit slow there!
It was John Wayne and I am old enough to know
I starred in it – big John was great !!
Thank you setter, I wondered if I would enjoy this with all the GK – as I don’t know a lot about anything – but having finished it, I thought it was good fun with some tricky wordplay. Thanks BD for the hints. I am glad that you gave a hint for 23d which was a bit of a problem !
23 down, i rather fancied ‘****’ as the answer; carry on as in ‘****, ****!’ and habit as in the singular of ***** = habits.
now I’m a bit miffed it’s not that; i was feeling quite pleased with myself for a few moments there.
Welcome to the blog John
Please read the instructions in bold red letters before posting again on prize puzzles.
Poor John! First comment and sent to the naughtly corner – don’t be disheartened as we’ve all been there at one time or another. Someone usually brings cake! The other thing you must NEVER do is say how long the crossword took you. I for one would like to know how fast the clever people do it – I like to dip in and out and make it last from breakfat until bedtime!
Yes – we’ve all been there – don’t worry about it and please keep commenting!
There are very few rules here but, here we go:-
1) You never say how long a crossword has taken you as it could discourage less able solvers.
2)You never use bad language or libel someone.
3) No politics or religion.
Those are general rules that apply every day but at weekends it’s a bit different because they are prize crosswords. In addition to the above you mustn’t do anything that’s in the big red boxy thingy that jumps out every time or you’ll really be in trouble.
Good luck!
My reply below should have gone to you. Oh dear!!
Really enjoyed this one – a nice challenge with some less than obvious clues. I really liked 3d!
2*/4* for me.
Apart from 23d, I finished in my target time which is before publication. I did find the puzzle difficult to begin with but it gradually opened up and was both challenging and enjoyable. Many thanks to BD for an explanation of 3d and the answer to 23d, and to the setter, whomever he/her is
Thanks to the setter. As always the four letter clues gave us the most difficulty. Struggled with 18a and 23d. As we are staying in a hotel on Lesbos, we gave up and went to breakfast. As always, the little grey cells continued working and they were a write-in by the time we returned to our room. How does that happen?
I’ve only been doing cryptic for a couple of weeks, since I found myself on sick leave with not much to do! I’m still a total novice, but enjoy the challenges. And it certainly is a challenge today! Only 3 to get, and of course Sod’s law no hints are available! For me, difficulty is *** and enjoyment ****. Thanks as always to BD – hints do help me for sure.
Welcome to the blog Walt
You can always ask for help on the missing answers – just be careful to follow the instructions in red when you comment!
Thanks BD! If anyone could possibly assist with 14a, it is driving me crazy! I do have the letters in it from 3d, 12d, 5d and 9d.
It helps to keep related comments together if you click on REPLY instead of entering a new comment.
14a Pupil who’s left school able to write and rub out! (10)
The 2-letter abbreviation for a pupil who has left school followed by an adjective meaning able to read and write
Thanks BD! I have the answer now. I thought the clue was something else! Easy now you’ve helped! And thanks for the hint re using reply. Have a good weekend!
How did you manage to get 5d! It’s copletely opaque.
It’s a fairly straightforward first letter of a word plus an anagram. You have to learn not to be taken in by the surface reading of the clue and just look at it as a mini-puzzle.
1*/3.5*. What a joy after a couple of dull days! This provided much needed light relief even though it was all over too soon.
11a was my last one in, and 26a was my first one in and favourite.
Many thanks to Mr. Ron and to BD.
I’d appreciate a hint or two on 18a which has got me totally stumped. There is an obvious answer that would be defined by the last two words in the clue but I’m utterly baffled by how that would relate to the rest of the clue!
The definition is the last word, not two words, in the clue. I won’t say more, because I don’t want to be told off!
Thanks Kitty, been on lunch break but can now fill in the last answer after your excellent hint.
Not too difficult, although I had 23d wrong and needed the hint; I also made sensible guesses at 3 and 15d, which were clear enough to do so with confidence. Very pleasurable solve :).
Thanks to the setter for the breakfast enjoyment, and to BD for the usual sterling work. Thanks also for the last couple of days’ hints, which I had time to peek at, but not to comment on.
It’s good to see new solvers. Keep at it, Walt – and newbie lurkers! I’m teaching cryptics to my old – “not that old!” I can hear her protest – mother, and it highlights just how tricky these are when you’ve yet to get familiar with the cryptic grammar and the usual suspects.
Difficulty: Saturday
Enjoyment: Saturday! :yahoo:
Well that one was fun – I thought some of it was tricky – whatever did we all do before Google?
I needed the hint to understand why, or even if, my 26a was right, and also needed the hint for 23d.
8 and 11a were my last answers.
I thought there were some good clues – 1 and 14a and 5 and 17d. 4d made me laugh and for that reason was my favourite.
With thanks to the setter for the crossword, BD for the hints, and Mr Google for 3d.
Very enjoyable puzzle today which I completed without the hints. I would rate this as 1.5/3.5 I really liked 3D The punning and misdirection is excellent. Thanks to Big Dave for the review.
enjoyed this a lot though never heard of good soldier schweik and i got 23d down wrong.
I liked 10a, actually 7a was nice too, 14a, 5d
of course my favourite was 9d
many thanks setter and big dave
I thought this was a really enjoyable Saturday puzzle. For some reason last in was 18a which considering I already had two of four checking letters created a bit of a “doh” moment when the penny dropped – definitely my favourite clue. Some nice wordplay and misdirection here. Thanks to the setter and to BD for the review – what an excellent picture hint of Prolixic! Cheers
Another very tough Saturday. First run yielded zero answers but persistence eventually paid off. Never come across a 23d before (not surprising as it’s a religious clue).
Nice to see the return of the cricket clue (sorry Kath) but our fav today was 16a.
Thx to all for what turned out to be an enjoyable solving
Never come across 23d before?
Have a look at this:
You are wicked, BD!
(I got a bit distracted on that page. Was amused by the saga of Heno losing his chicken!)
Me too!!
Oh, those were the days. Pleased to say that the chicken has been ever present since then.
I often think I’ve not heard of a clue/word before only to remember that I’ve forgotten it!!!!
Before my time so that’s another word to file away in the ‘only needed for crosswords’ drawer. My guess worked well enough for ‘carry on’ but was admittedly weak on the other definition. It’s always the pesky four-letter words that cause problems!
Otherwise an enjoyable challenge with 16a a favourite.
2.5/4*
It’s me age you know, memory not what it was!
I’d forgotten it too, but something is nagging in the back of my mind about ******* ****, actor in Randall & Hopkirk (deceased) old TV series. Perhaps I used that to try and remember “****”.
Wow – I stared at these clues for some time with no inspiration at all, but when the breakthrough finally came, with 1a and 3d, most fell into place readily enough. All in all a good puzzle, enjoyable and just tough enough! 3*/3*
Hello everybody, thanks for the huge welcome last week. Phew, today’s was more in my line I had begun to think over the last few weeks that I was losing it. Fave clue today, 14a. But just struggling with 4d (it can’t be that obvious, can it?) and 18a.
The ‘flutters’ is what someone could be said to do with their eyelids and it also means a touch on the potty side!
PS 18a – The definition is ‘nick’ and it’s a noun. You need a three letter word meaning girl – I think it’s dialect but not sure where from – containing (hugging) the one letter abbreviation for old.
Thank you Kath, so obvious but I couldn’t see them!
It’s always the obvious ones that catch us out – particularly the tricky little four letter ones. Glad to have been helpful.
I did the puzzle before the hints came up and had to resort to google to understand 3D, but then it became my favorite clue. I also liked 24A a lot. Many thanks to the setter and to BD.
Enjoyable Saturday puzzle.
Faves : 16a, 24a, 3d & 7d.
I found this one tricky but very enjoyable! I don’t mind struggling with a puzzle if you get an “aha” moment after. I didn’t know the “why” of 26a but I felt it had to be right; had forgotten that mayor. Loved 24a, 7a, 18a (when I eventually got it) and 26a, but fave is 3d. Heavy use of google and gizmo. Many thanks to setter and to BD for hints, particularly 23d!
I have fitted several stabs at this around my gardening activity (great to have a warm, fine day) and I certainly found this more demanding than the usual Saturday fare which is a bonus. Thanks setter and BD although I was determined to cope (!) without your excellent hints. Fav probably 16a but there are several other goodies. ***/***.
I found this one pretty tricky but I’ve decided that it’s due to jet-lag and only getting 45 mins sleep the previous night / day (whilst on a plane). Thanks to setter and BD ***/***
Managed this and have now dropped by to see how you lot got on, I did know 23d and got 3d by looking at letters I had in. Loved 14a but it was all delightfully witty particularly 26a. Have a good weekend everybody back on Monday because I have a rest on Sunday.
Most weeks the Sunday puzzle is the best one.
Thanks BD, for some long forgotten reason I cancelled the Sunday paper and consequently have never tried the crossword. Perhaps I should change my mind and give it a go.
Am with Merusa in forgetting the Mayor, 23d remembered from another puzzle. Water Newton music festival tomorrow, Cynth Cuth Cher and Lulu in tow. Thanks setter and BD
You’ve got FOUR best friends? Lucky you, I would love to have more but feel I must be good and stick with one. I am baby sitting two for the weekend, so that helps from time to time.
Ok……..so I am now classified as officially dense! Please could I have a clue for13a? My befuddled brain can’t compute this one and it’s my last one in.
Thanks as always to BD and setter. Help was needed again today despite a good, albeit late start.
Not sure, i’m going to be redacted by BD but its a double definition style clue
13a – a four letter fish could also be tea – you might be more familiar with the ‘tea’ spelt with just three letters.
That it why normally I stay quiet :) I find boundaries as much as the pooches do, just so darned tempting.:)
I had to google like mad to find it spelled with four letters!
I knew the spellings but cannot give hints without going to the naughty step. I need cake.
Well I’m stuck on the tea and 18a.
See comment 18 by Kath for 18a and see Kath’s comment above for 13a.
Phew! Managed to finish this evening. Visited Imperial War Museum today in South London. Gave me a clue for 26a. I had met the former mayor at a birthday party.
Needed hint for the vestment.
Thanks Dave.
Thank you. Ironically had I not been idle and looked in the BRB I would have had the answer. The electronic version of definition let me down. Can have that gin now but thanks for the help and doh moment! Happy rest of weekend.
After last Saturday’s trickier-than-usual puzzle this a more usual challenge. A brisk start then I got bogged down with a few. Last in was 22d and I had to check 5d. 26a was my favourite – lovely clue. 6d crops up periodically. An enjoyable puzzle and thanks of course to BD and to the compiler.
Thanks to the setter and to Big Dave for the hints. A super puzzle with some great clues. Was beaten by 23d, which I had seen before, but had forgotten. Favourite was 24a, was 3*/4* for me. Great entertainment.
WOW! I’m so late I am sure nobody will read this. Just finished work and managed to get my twisted brain around this grid. I liked 3d a lot. ***** [text redacted] *****. Still have to sort out 4d and 8a and I am done. Good night and thanks to Big Dave for the hints. Specially 26a.
Hello all,
First time I’ve looked at your site and found it both useful and amusing. I usually decide that I don’t have time to finish when in fact I can’t finish. Interesting to see what people found difficult compared to what I’m stumped by. Quite agree that it’s the smaller words that prove to be the worst. Thank you Kath for the clue of three letter word meaning girl, with that info if all finally fell into place!
Welcome to the blog Ange
thanks for the clue to 11a – I did get it but wondered why , and I still don’t think it is a synonym for “group” !!! – more a person part of same !!
It’s both a group and a member of that group.
many thanks, BD, adding to my vocabulary once again !
Thanks for the hints BD….thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle…
Glad I’m not the only one not getting the last clues in until the following day! Blaming an unexpected dinner guest last night… I thought 3d was clever, but had a mental block on 12d ,so thanks for hints.
Just back from holiday which was wifi and newspaper free. Found yesterday’s puzzle tricky after the break. Am definitely not on the same wavelength as this particular compiler….but enjoyed employing the little grey cells. Many thanks for the hints which got me started BD, I really needed them today. :-)
I did Saturday and Sunday’s puzzles in reverse order this weekend. This one was definitely trickier than Sunday’s for me although it all fell into place eventually with 23d being my last one in due to a poor memory, given that it has appeared before! 3*/2*
Thanks setter and BD
Well I managed to complete all the puzzle except for 18a. Am having a complete mental block and would appreciate some pointers.
If you read through all the comments, you will find more than one ‘pointer’ to 18a.
Slight slip up in the hint for 12 down??
Welcome to the blog Jane
Now sorted, thanks.