Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 27944
Hints and tips by 2Kiwis
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Now that most of you have put your clocks back, we have to wait an extra hour before we can start on our blog. In our winter we access it at 11am, then we have a month or so with noon, and from now on right through our summer we have to wait patiently for 1pm. If we looked hard enough we could probably find there is a quote somewhere about the enhanced pleasure of delayed gratification. We always find Jay puzzles a pleasure to solve so we will enjoy this enhanced pleasure and give it **** for fun.
Please leave a comment telling us your thoughts.
Across
1a Bedroom suite? (7,5)
CHAMBER MUSIC : A cryptic definition made up of a synonym for a bedroom and a sequence of instrumental movements.
9a Panels need cake to be included in tests (9)
TRIBUNALS : A three letter word for a small loaf is included in a word for tests.
10a Supper’s beginning with drink — maybe squash? (5)
SPORT : The first letter of supper and then a type of fortified wine.
11a Summit‘s importance requiring husband to stand in for wife (6)
HEIGHT : Take a word meaning importance and, at the start, substitute H(usband) for W(ife).
12a Second attempt on record for needlepoint (8)
TAPESTRY : The abbreviation for a second and a word meaning attempt, follow a type of record kept on a reel or a cassette.
13a Sets right before parting shot from Nadal (6)
RADIOS : Remember where Nadal comes from and how he would say goodbye. Put this after R(ight).
15a To eject from plane is not catastrophic (8)
JETTISON : A type of plane and then an anagram (catastrophic) of IS NOT.
18a Section accommodating a mainly enthusiastic flier (8)
PARAKEET : Find a word meaning section or portion, and inside this place A from the clue and a word meaning enthusiastic without its last letter.
19a Nervous, but working with slight advantage (2,4)
ON EDGE : A two letter word for working then a word for a slight advantage.
21a Bucket full of poor Tony’s hair? (8)
PONYTAIL : A synonym for a bucket surrounds an anagram (poor) of TONY.
23a Burn mark made by my central heating on front of sofa (6)
SCORCH : Start with the first letter of sofa, then a word meaning ‘my’ or ‘blimey’ and the abbreviation for central heating.
26a Sign of a cold and he’s into the spirit! (5
RHEUM : The spirit made from sugar cane has HE from the clue included.
27a Overly harsh doctor has a trick with one case of abrasion (9)
DRACONIAN : An abbreviation for doctor, A from the clue, then trick or dupe, the Roman number one and the first and last letters of abrasion.
28a Unusually astute for the newspapers? (6,6)
FOURTH ESTATE : An anagram (unusually) of ASTUTE FOR THE. This expression, attributed to Edmund Burke, is the group that follows Clergy, Nobility and Commoners.
Down
1d Trapper to supply food outside church (7)
CATCHER : The abbreviation for church is inside a word meaning to supply food.
2d Excuse a student with one book — one! (5)
ALIBI : A from the clue, a one letter student or learner, the Roman one, the abbreviation for book and the Roman one again.
3d Encounter with Gorky discovered the technique of an artist (9)
BRUSHWORK : A brief passing encounter, the abbreviation for with and the three central letters (covers removed) of Gorky.
4d Horse raced around middle of croft (4)
ROAN : The central letter of croft is inside a word for moved quickly.
5d Steals the limelight from leading coaches (8)
UPSTAGES : A word meaning leading or ahead and then coaches as used by Wells Fargo perhaps.
6d Go to court supporting one’s children (5)
ISSUE : Start with the Roman one and S, then a word meaning to take legal proceedings against.
7d Bruised and baffled, needing time for female (8)
CONTUSED : Find a word meaning baffled and replace its F(emale) with T(ime).
8d Don’t go if wrong about Scottish banker! (4,2)
STAY IN : A wrong or evil deed contains a Scottish river.
14d Called during act — that’s insane (8)
DERANGED : Called on the telephone is inside a synonym for an act.
16d Persistent, and flying out in case (9)
TENACIOUS : An anagram (flying) of OUT IN CASE.
17d Puzzle of drone flying across turbulent river (8)
BEWILDER : A synonym for turbulent or untamed is inside the type of insect that a drone is, and then the abbreviation for river.
18d Such painting means work during leave (3,3)
POP ART : The abbreviation for a usually musical work is inside a word meaning leave or separate.
20d Unsettled Helen can, with no end of potential, improve (7)
ENHANCE : An anagram (unsettled) of HELEN CAN after the last letter of potential has been removed.
22d Pace office worker before starting others (5)
TEMPO : An office worker not part of the full time staff and the first letter of others.
24d Pakora? It always has something to go with curry (5)
RAITA : This yoghurt based dish is hiding in the clue.
25d Clean base for painting (4)
WASH : A double definition. The second is a thin preliminary coat.
Our favourite today is 13a.
Quickie pun boys + terrors = boisterous
2*/4*. Wonderful enjoyment on a miserable day here in London. 13a was my last one in and favourite.
Many thanks to Jay and to the 2Ks.
Twix update please, RD.
Hoping for some encouraging news.
Yes, please! Need to know how the precious lad is doing.
Thanks for asking, but no change today. He’s been nibbling unenthusiastically at various things that I have tried to tempt him with – greens, cabbage leaves, spinach, kale; and he has even turned his sweet little button nose up at dandelion leaves which hitherto have always been his favourite treat. I’m going to ask the vet tomorrow if she can recommend some liquid nourishment as I fear we are in a bit of a Catch 22 situation – he needs to eat properly to build his strength up before she will consider operating on him to sort out his teeth.
Oh dear, turning up ones nose at dandelions is a serious business! It would be great if she could get liquid nourishment into his little body. Good luck and masses of cuddles for Twix!
Umm….do they make dandelion-flavoured Complan, I wonder? Time for the vet to think outside of the box, methinks.
Come on, Twix – we’re all rooting for you, little one.
Another on the easier end of the scale. Only 8d caused a momentary hiccup but soon sorted. My thanks to the 2ks and thanks to Jay. Another Dylan night in Manchester along with 100,000 oikball fans. It could be Heaven and Hell in the same day.
To be honest I don’t think the oikball fans will be at the Dylan concert. Fairly certain they’ll be at the oikball. It’s after I’d be careful.
Bob is a bit like marmite-love or hate.
Two of my sons went to see him and thought he was terrible. Positively fourth street is probably my no1 track of all time-hope you enjoy the experience.
Thanks Beaver. I always enjoy the experience. Manchester is under construction. Everywhere is roadworks. Tramworks construction and renovation.
Don’t I know it. We were there a couple of weeks ago for the England v Uruguay game. Nightmare. Oops! Forgot, don’t think anyone’s talking rugby anymore.
Beaver – Glad to see your two sons have good taste in music
His performances are a bit Marmite too, seen him several times ranging from the fantastic to one at Earls Court where he was so terrible we left at the break along with most of the audience!
That’s more like it! Many thanks Jay and the 2 “All Blacks”. Liked several including 9a, 10a, 13a, 8d and 17d. ***/****.
Pretty straightforward – a couple of anagrams, a hidden word and a couple of dodgy clues – 3D particularly was really ‘clunky’.
**/****
Definitely on the easy side for Jay but hugely enjoyable. 3 and 8d caused the most problems. The former because even though I could see the answer the word play eluded me. The latter because I’m an idiot and I didn’t think it through. Saw the ‘tay’ bit straight away and yet still made a mistake.
7 stars by clues so can’t pick a favourite.
Many thanks to Jay and to the 2Kiwis for blogging. Always a pleasure to read.
Third easy one on the trot although I did find this a tad stiffer than the previous two.What a delightful clue 13A was & has to be my stand out for the day.Many thanks to Jay & the 2 kiwis for a splendid review.
A proper crossword after two days of R and W, Agree with the 2K’s **/**** and Rabbit Dave’s -wonderful enjoyment, very entertaining and well clued throughout, remembered 28a from somewhere in the dim and distant, thanks to 2k’s for the pics-remember seeing a Warhol exhibition at the national many years ago-should have bought something.
Pretty straight forward I thought apart from 13a. I could have sat here all day and I doubt I would have come up with the answer.
Me too.
Very enjoyable, some nice surface readings. 1a raised a smile, and I liked 13a (with its tennis surface), 15a (to eject from plane…) , 21a (bucket full), 23a (burn mark) and 28a (unusually astute) and more.
Many thanks Jay and 2 Kiwis
Excellent puzzle I also struggled with 13a and I’m afraid resorted to help.
Many thanks to 2Kiwis and to Jay.
Agree. A bit more challenging than the beginning of the week.
Nice anagram in 28a.
Thanks to Jay and to 2kiwis for the review.
I agree with Beaver, the right level of difficulty after two days of R & W ***/**** ? Very enjoyable on a horrible wet day here in Cambs ? Liked 1a, 13a, mucho grasias 18a, 5d & 24d Thanks to the 2x Ks and Jay ?
A pleasant puzzle from Jay,but definitely not anR and R.
Thanks to all concerned.
Just what we have come to expect from the Wednesday setter…an enjoyable puzzle with just the right level of challenge. No favorites from me today. Thanks Jay and K2.
Lots to like about this crossword. Quite straightforward in may ways but a couple of new words for me or some I’d forgotten (e.g. 28a). Add in a couple of misdirections (10a and 23a) and you’ve got a thouroughly enjoyable puzzle 3*/4* for me. Many thanks to the setter and to the 2kiwis for the helpful review.
Found this one trickier than the last few, and needed a little bit of help but managed to complete quite a bit unaided. Really wanted to put chambre d’hote for 1a, knowing it wasn’t right, otherwise it would have been (7,1,4). Got there in the end. Liked 2d and 28a. Thanks to Jay, and to 2K’s. Clearing my husband’s office out last week I found a BRB (2… dictionary and thesaurus). They are 9th editions and ten years old. Do I really need to upgrade? I mainly use a phone or tablet to look things up.
Hi Florence – I’ve not upgraded my BRB or my Roget for several years now. I’ve got the BRB and Thesaurus on my iPhone and I’ve yet to find anything in the DT that isn’t in either. They also cross-reference electronically. Of course they’re not quite as nice to use as the real thing but they’re very effective and the updates are free too…
I have not hot one Florence. I have a Collins English Gem pocket dictionary and google. I make a fair bit up as I go along
Thanks for the tips. I mentioned two or three weeks ago that I thought I needed to buy a BRB, but husband was sure there was one in the office. I just wasn’t sure if I needed to buy a new one. I have my answer thank you. My mother-in-law bought me a Bradford a few months ago which I usually use. She’s been using one for years, in fact it’s all she uses. She’s been doing the DT cryptic for years, and as she will be 90 next year there is no way I can compete. She is brilliant. I introduced her to this site last year and she loves it. Thanks BD, the site gives her a lot of pleasure. It’s great to see her on her iPad.
Tell her to start commenting. We need someone to help to lower the average age of us lot
I agree with 2* difficulty and 4* for enjoyment.
Two things that always catch me out – sets = radios and the 28a newspapers – people could be forgiven for thinking that I might have learnt by now, but I haven’t!
I was very slow with 3d – Gorky “discovered” – oh dear! I could see the answer but it took me so long to see why.
For some reason 9 and 11a and Id held me up too.
I liked 15, 21 and 26a, and 24d, even though it’s a lurker.
With thanks to Jay and to the 2K’s.
I don’t remember ever trying a Messinae Toughie so I’m about to find out whether or not I can do them – still have the rest of yesterday’s to do anyway.
About par for the Wednesday setter with just a couple of grumbles – 18d for one. Nonetheless an enjoyable solve, with the answer to today’s Polyword appearing in 27a
Liked 22a but will go with 1a as my favourite of the day.
Thanks to Jay for the puzzle and 2K’s for the blog.
Funnily enough, 13a in the Toughie also appears in today’s Anagrams!
A real puzzle of two halves. The top was almost R&W and the bottom half verging on 3.5 for difficulty.
Odd mixture of super clues like 13a and perfectly dreadful ones like 23d (cor=my, pathetic!). Personally I have a real problem with setters who expect you to guess that you have to use the first letter of a word with no indication as in 3d, just strikes me as a bit of a cop-out. Overall enjoyable if you can get past the above.
Thx to all.
Fully agree. A case of write it in then painfully parse it ! Took a while to see discovered meant the removal of the covering two letters.
My last day in Pommersland. Warm and sunny here – enjoyed the crossword, too, Thank you 2Ks and setter.
Good afternoon everybody.
An excellent back page puzzle (not least because it was on the back page…) and definitely four star enjoyment for a wet Wednesday afternoon but just as surely into four star time for me.
I couldn’t fully rationalise 23a at the time, and 7d and 24d were new to me but logically retrievable from the clues. Many clever clues with 1d, 3d, 9a, 11a, 13a and, last in, 17d being my favourites.
****/****
Late in today having been out to a friend’s birthday lunch at the local fish restaurant – scrummy!
Another 2*/4* coming in from me – I do enjoy Jay’s puzzles.
8d was my last one in, despite having already dealt with the same construction at 11a – dim, dim, dim!
26a we’ve fortunately had fairly recently but 28a had to dragged up from the very grey area of the brain.
Liked 13a but favourite goes to 1a – needed some checkers before the penny finally dropped but it did make me smile.
Many thanks to Jay and also to 2KS – will you be glued to the ‘box’ on Saturday?
I have to drive to Cardiff tomorrow Jane. Should We pop in on the way?
You’d be more than welcome, MP. Sadly it’s about a five hour journey from here to Cardiff, although it is a beautiful drive up through the mountains. Mary might be closer?
Well for us it actually happens early on Sunday morning and YES, like almost everyone else in the country we will be glued to the “box”.
An immensely enjoyable solve, slightly tricky in places and generally full of terrific clues.
Favourite was 17d, lovely surface imagery. LOI was 13a, took a while to see that “sets” was a noun and not a verb!
I shall try to remember “discovered” as a useful tool for removing outside letters, having not seen it before. This device doesn’t earn a mention in the latest edition of The Chambers Crossword Dictionary interestingly.
Many thanks to Mr. Mutch (Jay) and to the 2Kiwis.
I also made a mental note of “discovered” for future use!
Me too with “discovered”.
Super puzzle with all the usual twists and enjoyment. However, I did struggle in converting ‘my’ into ‘blimey’ in 23a
My,Cor and blimey are regulars.
Thanks MP. Although I am fairly regular I had not met them before
Good morning everyone. Good to see you have been behaving yourselves while we have been asleep.
As I mentioned in the reply to Jane above, the whole country is in a state of nervous anticipation about the big game this weekend. That lot across the Tasman Sea are our sworn enemies in all things sporting, it’s usually a David and Goliath thing, and a final against them is what we had all been dreading. What we need is the support from all those whose teams have already been eliminated. So what about it everyone, support the 2Ks, support the All Blacks.
I’m on your side 2Ks. Hope you grind them down at the weekend.
(I know very little of rugby or sport generally, but I don’t expect that matters.)
My fanatical Welsh supporting friend has indeed swapped her allegiance to the All Blacks for this weekend’s match (consoled by the thought that it’s a Welsh ref in charge!). However, as she is leaving tomorrow for a three week sojourn in Aussie land visiting an old friend, she may have to be a little less vocal than usual during the game!
The big game this week-end is Chelsea v Liverpool.
I don’t understand why you are nervous.
Ka Mate, Ka Mate.
We also like beating the Aussies!
Absolutely rooting for NZ to win. Forgotten all about the big game this weekend. House guests this week are tennis mad, so all talk has been about the WTA.
After England’s sad exit I certainly will be supporting you on Saturday (see my Comment 31 to DT 27943).
I have seen the New Zealand rugby team (for that is their name) play four times live. I have never seen them win. I hope for a great final to end a great tournament and that the best team on the day wins out. It will be fairly refereed by Nigel Owens.
Would never in a million years have got 13a but managed through the rest OK. Definitely harder than yesterday or Monday.
Wonder if anyone else agrees with me re 12a that needlepoint is not tapestry?
Don’t have a BRB so await adjudication.
BRB 12th Edition states: ’embroidery on canvas, done with woollen yarns, used on chair covers.
I suppose one might fit: Am A right, or Am A Wrang?
I may or may not be a small sweet cake, but as far as I’m concerned they’re not the same thing.
I enjoyed today’s puzzle; it was certainly a bit more of a challenge than those of the last couple of days.
1a made me smile when the penny finally dropped and Rafa’s 13a also. This was my favourite too.
2/3* overall.
Thanks to Jay and the 2K’s for their review.
3.5/3. This took me a while to get going and then a number of ah-ha moments and wry smiles. Thanks to the setter and the 2Ks for the review. Rain has started in earnest and about time too, so a wet walk for me and the dogs.
A very satisfying puzzle, albeit reasonably straightforward: 2*/4*. I solved 13a just as Rafa succeeded in overcoming Dimitrov in Basel – with such serendipity at work, it just has to be my favourite clue. Thanks to Jay, and to the antipodean duo.
Thanks to Jay and to the 2 Kiwis. Too tough for me, needed 10 hints to finish. Was 4*/2* for me.
Once again Jay seems determined to live up to his billing as my favourite setter – and this time, he made it more of challenge than in recent weeks. It took me several passes before I was left with a couple of stubborn ones that finally fell just as I was contemplating a second pint. Lots of lovely stuff, with several meaty Lego clues, some tricky (and not obvious) anagrams and one or two strokes of genius. 1a is in that category, but it’s game set and match for 13a, which is the most satisfying clue I can remember for weeks. Brilliant. 3*/4.5*
It’s all very well for the KK clan to get an extra hour for their blog, but the antipodean clock change means I have to be up before the lark has even had its first cup of tea and a fag to do my Australian radio in the morning and at the moment the only thing I can think of to talk about is George Osborne’s strange nose.As a member of the 28a, I must try harder.. Thanks to C&C and Jay. Let’s have more of this sort of thing
sorry to say that i did not find this challenging, got through it too quickly so went on to the toughie which was far more enjoyable.