DT 28313 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 28313

by Miffypops  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 28313

Hints and tips by Miffypops

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

Good Morning from the heart of Downtown LI. The party capital of rural Warwickshire.

Here are my predictions for 2017

  • Some people will die in 2017.
  • Women will wear silly hats but still look prettier than they do without hats.
  • Crossword puzzles will not matter
  • The accumulation of unnecessary crap will continue in our household but I will contribute nothing to this.
  • The Daily Telegraph will fail to realise the value of Big Dave’s site and continue trying to rip pounds from people’s pockets with their unfair and antiquated premium rate phone lines.
  • Comedians will remain unfunny
  • England will win the Six Nations Tournament without a grand slam.

Today’s puzzle is a doddle. If you need help I have made an attempt to do so below. Definitions are underlined. The explanations should help you to the answers. If not the answers are hidden under the greyed out boxes.

Happy New Year. Happy solving.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a    Old soldier’s to be taken in to get settled (6)
AGREED: Place our R(oyal) E(ngineers) inside a word meaning old. The one between Old and Pensioner in OAP

4a    The kind of capital in a buoyant economy? (8)
FLOATING: A cryptic definition of a type of unfixed assets. The word buoyant is crucial to this clue

9a    Car driver that’s liable for duty (6)
PETROL: What makes an engine run is also highly taxed.

10a    Switch positions from time to time (3,3,2)
OFF AND ON: Double definition. The two positions of an electrical switch for example

12a    Crooked king is in bad way (4)
AWRY: An anagram (bad) of WAY contains the chess notation for the piece known as the king

They that wash on Monday
   Have all the week to dry;
They that wash on Tuesday
   Are not so much awry;
They that wash on Wednesday
   Are not so much to blame;
They that wash on Thursday,
   Wash for shame;
They that wash on Friday,
   Wash in need;
And they that wash on Saturday,
   Oh! they’re sluts indeed.

13a    Gangs that can give one a sense of anxiety (5)
ANGST: A lurker. Hidden in the clue. Indicated by the words can give.

14a    Scoffed about knight making money for gambling (4)
ANTE: To scoff is to eat. The past tense of the word eat needs to be placed around (about) another chess notation. This time that of the knight or the horsey.

17a    He cuts inside the fold (5-7)
SHEEP SHEARER: A fold is a pen or enclosure in a field where livestock, especially sheep, can be kept. This is what the person who gives those sheep a haircut is known as.

20a    Facsimile I put on record mistakenly (12)
REPRODUCTION: Anagram (mistakenly) of I PUT ON RECORD.

23a    A Republican gets into outsize rows (4)
OARS: A from the clue together with the abbreviation for a republican need to be placed inside another abbreviation meaning outsize. (Not XX or XL)

24a    Intends to produce wealth (5)
MEANS: A double definition. Included in the lyrics in my illustration

25a    Regularly applies to be seen with a petition (4)
PLEA: The word regularly is used here as a device to suggest the use of every other letter of the following word APPLIES. We are not told where to begin so we have either APIS or PLE. The clue carries on to say ‘to be seen with a’ suggesting the addition of the letter A to what we already have. APISA has one too many letters and isn’t a word. Go with the other one.

28a    Stable one working horse (8)
STALLION: The stable here used to stable a single horse. Add the letter than looks like the number one and then add the word on straight from the clue. Job done.

29a    Site my allotment to give hindrance for old golfers (6)
STYMIE: Anagram (allotment) of SITE MY. Allotment is an unusual anagram indicator

30a    Delay when mail has broken open (8)
POSTPONE: The word for The Royal Mail followed by an anagram (broken) of OPEN

31a    She gives expression of surprise about label being back to front (6)
AGATHA: Place an expression of surprise around the reversal of a label. The reversal indicator is being back to front. The expression of surprise is also a catchphrase used by Alan Partridge and borrowed from a Swedish pop group or the name of a Norwegian group. It is also expressed by many upon solving a particularly devious clue as an expression of triumph.

Down

1d    Survey in a paper is distorted (8)
APPRAISE: Anagram (distorted) of A PAPER IS

2d    Elected to be sent back (8)
RETURNED: A double definition. Think of the title of the geezer who reads out the numbers of votes after an election

3d    School bill’s rising (4)
ETON: This famous school near to Windsor is the reverse of a bill of fare

5d    Abandoned candidature, being too far behind (4,8)
LEFT STANDING: A synonym for the word abandoned is followed what candidature means to one trying to gain office through election

6d    A fellow artist’s depicted looking up at a distance (4)
AFAR: A from the clue. The abbreviation for Fellow. An artist or Royal Academician reversed (looking up )

7d    I love to eat what’s in the medicine chest? (6)
IODINE: A charade of the following. I from the clue. The letter that looks like the love score in Tennis. A verb meaning to eat.

8d    An egg’s to be cooked in holy water (6)
GANGES: Anagram (to be cooked) of AN EGGS

11d    Place with unique way to get around dump? (3-5,4)
ONE HORSE TOWN: A place with few and poor facilities may be described as such. Having only one such animal makes such a mode of transport unique.

15d    Spots or moles (5)
SPIES: A double definition. The second being a secret agent

16d    Length a boxer will go to for a jab (5)
REACH: The distance to which a boxer, can stretch out their hand

18d    Award going to Turkey’s top negotiator (8)
DIPLOMAT: A certificate awarded by an educational institution is followed by the first (top) letter of the word Turkey

19d    American moved secretly (2,6)
IN CAMERA: Anagram (moved) of AMERICAN

21d    In talk one’s active though one’s talk is idle (6)
GOSSIP: A rather cryptic definition of a tittle tattle

22d    American girls — they’re a sight in Norfolk (6)
BROADS: Double definition. The second being the waterways of Norfolk

26d    Beer’s served up in error (4)
SLIP: This error is the reversal of a type of lager

27d    Street silver speculator (4)
STAG: This stock market speculator can be found by combining the regular abbreviation for Street with the chemical symbol for silver

The Quick Crossword pun: gutter+snipe=guttersnipe

124 comments on “DT 28313”

  1. Miffypops used the word doddle to describe this Bank Holiday offering. He was not wrong. I rated this 1*/3* with 11 down my favourite. I agree with all his predictions, with the exception that England will win the Grand Slam. They are that good, and can fill each position twice over.

    Many thanks Rufus and MP for a fun review.

    1. We have the blue teams at home for some easy wins. Wales always want to pee on our chips and The Irish in Dublin will be difficult because they will make it so. Roll on 2018 when we play all the blue teams away. Long weekends away in Paris Edinburgh and Rome. Yippeee.

  2. Very easy puzzle today. I was a bit baffled with the reference to old golfers in 29a and why dump was in 11d. 1.5*/2* Many thanks to the setter and to Miffypops.

    1. I think the golfing term is very old fashioned hence the ‘old’ being in the clue. The word dump is the definition. I agree the clue could work without it and would be a typical Rufus clue. Maybe the crossword editor had a say. More importantly why has the saloon bar owner not invited us along?

    2. The term applied when a ball was deliberately putted onto the line of an opponent to prevent him being able to hole his putt.
      It disappeared many years ago when Rules of Golf allowed a player to ask for a ball to be marked & lifted if it was on his playing line. Hence “old golfer”

      1. Strike “deliberately” as it could have accidental. It was a tactic I understand a bit like snookering a player in that game.

      2. Primary definition is ‘to hinder or thwart’; just like an awkward clue :smile:
        Apparently an old golfing term; can’t find a definitive origin though.

  3. I’m not as good at others in recognising the signatures of specific setters but, as it’s a Monday, I suspect this is Rufus. A straightforward solve this morning over the second cup of coffee.

    Surfaces read well on the whole and I liked 5d, 7d and 12a. Not sure about use of ‘driver’ in 9a and I was very surprised to find that 23a is a verb. Very ugly! (Gosh – that sounds like a Trump text: How True!)

    I wonder if anyone else made the same mistakes as me with 17a. Initially taking ‘cut’ as meaning ‘to separate out’, I went for ‘rustler’, changed it to ‘stealer’ to fit with 5d and then had to change it again to fit with 11d, at which point I realised what ‘cut’ really meant.

    Thanks Rufus and Miffypops for the review. Nostradamus, eat your heart out!

    1. I meant to mention 23ac as a verb but forgot. I think many people will have problems with 17ac. The answer came straight away to me possibly because I have blogged (blagged) so many Monday Rufus puzzles.

  4. 11d: my mane enjoyment, solved on the hoof; had to stifle a snort; got a withering look from Lady M!

  5. Not quite a doddle for me – 12a & a few others held me up. Once the penny dropped it was just my slow-wittedness caused the problem
    Thanks to setter & MP. Often wondered what Kitty’s occupation was. Your illustration for 11d has revealed all.

    1. There were other choices for an illustration for 11d but the Saloon owner nailed the choice.

      1. Never ceases to amaze me where you find all these definitive (& relevant) illustrations.

        1. Google images Lrok. It is worth reading Kitty’s toughie blogs just for some of the illustrations.

      2. Miss Kitty was a very well known saloon owner in Wild West TV series land. This could be Marshall Dillon’s personal map.

  6. Completed very comfortably before lights out last night. Maybe it was the Dalwhinnie I was sipping and I should take a test for performance enhancing substances, or was it Rufus just being very kind and gentle? 0.5*/*** for me.

    Long favourite a toss-up between 17a and 5d. Short favourite 24a, which I think is an oldie but goodie.

    I agree with MP on the 6 Nations. Is the bonus point system being used this year?

    Thanks to Rufus and MP.

    1. Yes a bonus point system will be in place

      Mirroring the system used in the Aviva Premiership, Guinness Pro12 and World Cup, victories will count for four points with a bonus point being awarded for teams who score four or more tries. A losing bonus point will also go to teams losing by seven points or fewer, meaning that a side could lose a match but still gain two­ ­bonus points. A draw will now be worth two points. Under the previous system, a win was worth two points and a draw one.

      To ensure that a team winning all their games are not usurped by a team who have gained six bonus points, Grand Slam winners will be awarded three additional points.

    2. Ooh…I have an unbreached bottle of 15-year-old Dalwhinnie that I inherited from my-brother-in-law several years ago and he was given it probably several years before that. We’ve just never got around to opening it. What’s it like?

        1. The ‘answer’ is no longer part of the rules of golf, hence ‘old’ golfers, I have no problem with this,

    2. Brian, I’m not sure whether you’re applying ‘fatuous comment’ to your own question or to MP’s response. It’s not clear. Assuming you’re still seeking enlightenment, I’d advise scrolling up to LabradorsruleOK comments @2 where all is explained.

  8. Finished but all in all not an enjoyable experience. Too many woolly clues like 21d for me. Very messy!
    For me **/*
    Thx for the hints

    1. My pleasure Brian. My genuine pleasure. made all the more pleasurable by the wealth of positive vibes that flow freely towards me.

  9. So glad to know that 29a didn’t just fox me! I know the word but not the reference to golf. Otherwise an enjoyable puzzle. Just the ticket to get me back in sync after a frantic but very enjoyable two weeks and a cold and cough which doesn’t want to leave me.
    Thanks to setter and MP.

    1. I hope your cold leaves you soon. Mine has been with me throughout December and has seen the new year in with me.

  10. Enjoyed this start to the 2017 batch of Rufus puzzles.
    Hadn’t ever thought about the derivation of 29a and the boxing term was a guess but everything slotted into place quite easily.
    Searched unsuccessfully for something more to 21d – a bit weak?

    Top places going to 10,14&28a.

    Thanks to Rufus and to MP – ticks for you going to Jason’s lego, Roger Miller and the street map of Kitty’s home town. Do you really think that women look more attractive when wearing hats? I know (and understand!) about the ‘men in uniform’ thing but that’s a new one on me.

    1. Question to BD upon submitting today’s blog – Am I missing something at 21d?

      BDs reply. I can’t see anything more to it – but if there is you can bet someone will spot it!

      I do like my days out when the ladies dress up and I really do like to see the girls in their hats. Not prettier I suppose but nicely enhanced.

      1. Ah – so it’s actually the complete ensemble rather than just the hat? In that case, I’ll ditch the idea of wearing the plastic rain hat to the birthday bash.

        1. I live in a world where people get up in the morning and wear whatever they like and nobody offers an opinion. I am ure you will look good in a plastic rain hat Jane

    2. Hi Jane. I also tried to find ‘something more’ in 21d. I did wonder if it was a play on the word being both a verb and noun with two distinct meanings – the person and the content. The first half of the clue could be noting that it’s an active verb when talking, and the second half noting that when the person in question talks the output is often described as idle. That was the best I could do and it’s clumsy, to say the least.

    3. Maybe it was the Dalwhinnie (see my comment at 5 above), but I thought 21d was quite clever as the clue refers to the use of the answer in two senses – the person talking, and what is being talked.

  11. A gentle introduction to 2017 from Mr. Squires, but enjoyable as always.

    I gave ticks to 17a, 15d and 22d. 21d was a little too convoluted for my taste.

    Many thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops. Another safe prediction is that, like every year, someone somewhere in about April will predict that we will experience a scorching summer, but strangely they are always far more publicity-shy when it never materialises!

    1. I forgot to add that somebody will ask how we know who the setter is. Are you coming to the birthday bash?

  12. Nice to see Rufus back with his usual lateral thinking. Almost missed it…not!
    So much so that I didn’t get 16d.
    22d made me laugh.
    Thanks to our Monday maestro and to MP for the review.

  13. Thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops for the review and hints. A very enjoyable puzzle, but very gentle to ease us into the new year. Started with 13a, finished with 9a which was my favourite. Was 1*/3* for me.

  14. No probs with this very enjoyable puzzle.
    Thanks to Rufus and Miffypops

    See you all at the birthday gathering.

      1. Doubt it! They are a bloody nuisance in company! We will, however, be bringing the new, groovy camera.

  15. I was ‘stymied’ last night when I tried to print this crossword off the Telegraph site but all I could get was the crossword frame without the numbers or clues. I tried several times without success, gave up and went to bed with my mind alive and buzzing and had no sleep. I read a PG Wodehouse instead so all was not lost!

    Completed this one without too many problems – I wonder how many tried to make an anagram from FACSIMILE I and LP/EP – yes me too!

    I’ve decided it’s probably my printer and I need to change the cartridge.

    West Ham v Man U later – come on you Irons!

        1. I buy a subscription to The DT. I get the hard copy delivered daily. The digital edition appears during the night. It has almost everything that the hard copy has. I get The Cryptic Crossword. The Quickie. The Codeword and The Sodoffku. No Toughie though.

          1. Dear MP

            I’m sure you and BD have been over this many times but please can you pass me some instructions on how to get DT puzzles on my iPad?

            I promise I’ve looked again through the site and can’t find any mention of it. I have tried something called crux software in the past without success but that may be me rather than the software.

            Many thanks

            1. Download the app for the telegraph edition and on running log in with your telegraph ID. Then go to contents and flick across to puzzles then chose cryptic. No problem

              1. Thanks Bob. Puzzles all works ok on my Windows laptop, much as you describe but my iPad tells me
                I need Adobe flash player 10.00 . When I try to load that it tells me that the iPad doesn’t support it.

                Humph!

                On the upside I finished my copy printed via puzzles and my laptop with no problem.

                  1. I should have thought that the DT helpline would be a good place to start, I have found them very good in the past, they should be able to provide you with the name of some alternative software

                  2. You ought to know better than to ask for my help on anything related to the bunch of amateurs masquerading as a software company that produce the iPad.

    3. Glad to hear it, I tried to make an anagram out of the same letters; obviously it did not achieve anything except hold me up.

  16. Like others above, I didn’t understand the golfing reference for 29a, but got it anway. I stuffed up 9a, thinking of US police cars…. Favourite was 11d. My first comment for this year, so Happy New Year to everyone. Let’s hope it’s better than the old one. Thanks to Miffypoops and the compiler.

    2. As another note on 29a -the situation was no longer permitted after the Rules of Golf were changed to allow the obstructing ball to be lifted in 1952. So not many “old” golfers left who played when stymies were allowed I guess.
      Still crops up today sometimes when, say, a player is behind a tree he will say “Stymied by that tree” often with an indication of the tree’s parentage.

  17. I have just noticed how well my current avatar goes with 11d. I doubt that that was the only horse in the village on Christmas Day though.

  18. Happy and healthy New Year to you all.

    This was pretty straightforward today.

    I quite liked 22d

  19. I wouldn’t call this a doddle but I never do on Mondays – something always 29a’s me.
    I didn’t help myself one little bit by dividing 10a 2,3,3 – that played havoc with the top right corner until I saw what I’d done – the first ‘oh dear’ of the year.
    Like others I spent a while thinking that I was missing something with 21d.
    I probably wouldn’t have got 29a if we hadn’t had it, or something similar, fairly recently.
    9a was my last answer.
    I liked 31a and 7d. My favourite has to be 17a because it reminded me of the specsavers advert with the collie getting a haircut which still makes me laugh. Had it not been for that one my favourite would have been 22d which also made me laugh.
    With thanks to Rufus and to Miffypops.
    Off out now to stave off cabin fever – Mr Rookie later.

      1. Yes, I do. However the clue was pretty specific that it was the less common version so I can’t really blame anyone but myself. Damn. :sad:

  20. Straight-forward today, though I have not heard (or have forgotten) the saying for 11d, 13a was last in as I totally missed the lurker.
    Was convinced that 9a was ‘Button’ after the racing-driver that the ladies swoon over, unusually I took this site’s advice and avoided the bung-in, got the answer in the end.
    Decorations down today and back in the loft for another 11 months, back to work tomorrow…
    Thanks for the usual, great set of hints and Rufus.
    I’m either getting better or the puzzles are getting easier!!
    Favourite as 18d…

  21. As most people have already said, a fairly gentle start to the week. I quite liked 5d but my favourite was 18d. 1.5/3* overall.
    Thanks to Rufus, and to Mp for his as usual entertaining review.
    Ps. Hey Hoofit! You’re four days early!

    1. Interesting comment, you are allowed to take the decorations down before 12th night, aren’t you??? I would not be able to get my inflatable Santa and Reindeer off the roof when I get home from work as it would be all dark!!

    2. I put up our gay coloured lights on the tree outside our abode on Christmas Eve and packed them away four days later. That’s telling ’em.

  22. A gentle but enjoyable puzzle once I cleared the cobwebs from my little grey cells (I blame the bubbly last night/this morning). 19d my favourite as I haven’t seen the term used for a while.

  23. There are always one or two Rufus clues that I never manage to understand – today 21d and 18d – think I’ll mosey on down to Kitty’s Saloon to drown my sorrows!

    1. Agree about 21d, I don’t understand it at all, either, but 18d is simple enough??

  24. I do like the Rufus puzzles, I’m on his wavelength. I had no problem with 29a, even though I don’t play the game, for some reason I knew it was an old golf term.
    Naturally, I forgot 9a again, I had to use gizmo, and we only had it a week or two ago – dim. I presume 26d is an abbreviation for Pilsner.
    Lots to like, fave was 17a, but 11d was a close runner up.
    Thanks to Rufus, and to M’pops for his entertainment. I do like the new gravatar. Funny, we never hear from Hanni any longer.

  25. **/***. A reasonably straightforward puzzle. Thanks to Rufus and MP for the review. MP, your illustration for 18d reminds me that many moons ago Declan McManus used to work on my shift team with no signs at the time of his future fame.

    1. I am glad that the young Declan chose the route he chose. I am sure he was replaceable to you

  26. Thank you Miffypops; for the help with 18d, which had me stumped for reasons that escape me, and for the delightful explanation of 25a. Another entertaining Rufus.

    1. The first word will work if you squeeze two letters into one square. If you ever choose to do this put the two letters together in an unchecked square.

      1. Agghh – now I need a clue to understand your answer ! PLSA ? An L by overlapping an A with an I ….. throw me a bone.

  27. This puzzle delighted me despite rating as a R&W. The review delighted me even more. Thank you MP – I loved the Lego box and immediately forwarded the link to friends and family. I am amazed no one mentioned that – perhaps you have all seen it. Thanks Rufus, lovely.

    1. The useless boxes can be found for sale on EBay. Either as a kit or ready assembled. A more complicated programming board can be used

  28. Well, that’s why my ears have been burning today!

    I haven’t much to add to the comments already made. I usually have trouble with a couple of clues on a Monday; today I was dozy with 9a and clueless – well, technically, answerless – at 16d.

    Many thanks to Rufus and to the reliably-entertaining MP.

    Kitty’s Saloon is located in what is now a one-tiger town (best not to ask what happened to the horse), so for your own safety I won’t invite you there. However, you’re all welcome to come to The Bridge House at the end of January. :)

  29. Nice start to 2017.
    We were stuck behind four 29a’s today at the Gog Magog GC, the round took an extra half an hour…made up the time with this puzzle fortunately.
    Always good to have a selection of sporting clues – golf, rowing, boxing, racing. Is 17a a sport in Wales?

    1. No 17a isn’t but hopefully we will fleece the English at the Millennium in February.

            2. MP: We would only put vinegar on chips, yours or ours
              No just put Brains into Rugby and Brians SA into your English pubs.
              Of course in the DT it will be reported as England lose to Wales. I have taken the paper for 50+ years and I have yet to see it say that Wales beat England at any sport.

  30. I did not find this a doddle, but I tell myself that I haven’t been tussling with Rufus for all that long. Like Jane, I spent quite some time looking for devious wordplay in 21d before deciding that it was just a convoluted cryptic definition. I liked 11d, especially with MP’s illustration, and needed to look up 29a in the BRB to understand the golfing angle to the clue. Thanks to Rufus for the puzzle, and to MP for another entertaining blog.

  31. Yes a nice gentle start to 2017 **/*** 😄 Favourite 30a Thanks to MP for his excellent blog and to Rufus for the puzzle 🤗 Happy New Year to BD and to his Posse of Puzzlers 😬
    PS just a small point about the hint for 3d I have never thought of it as a bill of fare but as a word relating to currency 🤔

    1. Yes you are right. Looking at the hint I have no idea where the bill of fare came from. I am however looking forward to tomorrow’s dinner at The Crabmill in Preston Bagot.

  33. The SW corner put up a little resistance, but the rest felt much like ** for difficulty. The beer was the very last one I thought of.

      2. In my youth I thought it was only Boddingtons that made beer & all the rest made ales & Watneys made Red Barrel. That tasted not a lot better than what you think we would put on your chips.

  34. I wouldn’t call this a doddle, but then they rarely are for me. But that’s ok as long as I can finish by the second sitting, albeit with the everso helpful hints when needed. I had 17a from the start but just wasn’t confident that it was correct.

  35. The DT online weekly prize one is a good one this week for anyone who subscribes…

  36. Very gentle, but no particular clue leaps out as favourite for me. Call it 1*/2*. Thanks to the setter (Rufus?) and to MP. I’d like to think that England will do it with a Grand Slam, but the injury list is assuming alarming proportions and I fear a resurgent Ireland in Dublin will prove a very testing final fixture.

  37. Funny comments, folks. Gave me more to think about than the crossword did.
    Thanks to all as ever.

  38. Enjoyable solve. South west corner took longer than it should have. Looking forward to the rugby. Living just on the English side of the Wye only one fixture really matters in this area.

  39. MP’s deliberate mistake for the day – 12a. King is K in chess notation (not R) :grin:
    Unless I’m wrong, which is quite likely.

    1. You are correct that I made a mistake. Any deliberate mistake will only ever be in the illustrations or the waffle that goes with the hints. The hints are sacrosanct.. The R is from the latin Rex not the chess notation. When I use the words poorly schooled, I use them for a reason. Thanks for pointing that out.

  40. I didn’t find this that easy. I was stuck on 29a, 21d and sadly 9a. I put that down to driving a diesel version. Many thanks for your splendid review Miffypops. Loved 11d and the sketch. Lots of them in Wyoming. Arrived in a hotel at one place where we had to order starters, main meals and desserts all at once as the chef went home at 8.00pm. I think it was a case of us being the strangers in town. Thank you Rufus, I enjoyed the bits I could do.

  41. As a newbie who’s just had to have a month away from crosswords, I was very glad it was a gentle puzzle… well, gentle to all of you at least, although I was still very reliant on the extra help!

    Have to admit to never having heard the phrase ‘one horse town’ before.

    Thank you to Miffypops and the setter.

      1. Whoops, thank you! Consistency isn’t my greatest strength, so that’s very helpful.

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