ST 3109 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3109 (Hints)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3109 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where some of you might recall that last Sunday I said that we were in Extreme Drought conditions.  Well, one of the best ‘cures’ for such conditions is ‘typical’ weather for a three day holiday weekend which is what we have this week.  Tomorrow, we are celebrating, to the exact date, the 202nd anniversary of Queen Victoria’s birthday and we have had a few days of cool wet weather to go with it.

On the ‘Covid front,’ on Friday, our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, proudly boasted that Canada has surpassed the USA in first ‘shots’ – 49% of the population compared to 48% down South while carefully ignoring the fact that the USA has 38% of its population fully inoculated compared to Canada’s dismal 4% (that is four per cent). 

Keep staying safe everyone.

For me and for the second week in a row, and there is a good reason why that is underlined, today’s Dada is on a par with yesterday’s Cephas.  I counted four anagrams (three partials), two lurkers (one reversed), and no homophones – all in a symmetric 32 clues, with 18 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.

Candidates for favourite – 9a, 22a, 7d, and 13d.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.

Don’t forget to follow BD’s instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!

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 as “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 Expert on defending old fool (7)
A four letter, perhaps less commonly used, synonym for expert and ON from the clue containing (defending) the single letter for old.

9a Device diminishing the writer? (6,9)
When used to prepare a (graphite based) writer this device usually makes said writer smaller (diminishes).

11a Open mouth consuming first of ripened fruit (5)
A four letter verbal synonym of open mouth containing (consuming) the first (letter) of Ripening.

15a Spring exam official in the city? (7)
A month in the season, not the complete season, of Spring and what is probably our favourite cruciverbal exam.

16a Often heroic, opener dismissed (7)
An adjectival synonym of heroic (when considering a chivalrous person of old) with the first letter deleted (opener dismissed).

19a Saw covered in roundish marks (7)
A double definition – the illustration should help.

22a Massive pair of soldiers (5)
Two (pair of) soldiers – the first is from ‘across the pond’ and the second is illustrated.

26a Pa miscounted and played joker (5-2,8)
An anagram (played) of PA MISCOUNTED AND.

28a Check on boy reversed — outrage (7)
A synonym of check followed by (on) a synonym of boy reversed.

Down

1d Religious ceremony requiring bread is held in outskirts of Trondheim (7)
A type of bread roll/bun followed by IS from the clue contained by (held in) the first and last letters (outskirts) of TrondheiM – other than ‘linking’ the definition and the wordplay ‘requiring’ does not seem to be needed for anything else.

2d Aficionado totally fab, so amazing in supporters’ game? (7,8)
A three letter synonym of aficionado and an anagram (amazing of) TOTALLY FAB SO.

5d Fallen container, dry (7)
A synonym of fallen (when, perhaps, fallen is used for military personnel who ‘don’t come home’) and a type of container (perhaps used for cooking).

6d Some urchin, a perfect scruff (4)
The ‘forward’ lurker (some) found in three words in the clue.

7d Picture where straw house would be after hurricane? (4,4,3,4)
A double definition(?) – the first was a cinematographic extravaganza (picture) made in 1939.

13d Primp up or primp down? (5)
A double definition(?) – the first probably applies to a female person and the second applies to a winged animal.

17d Fourth Estate prepared for exercise (5-2)
What is commonly referred to as the Fourth Estate and a two letter synonym of prepared for.

19d Like snakes, four having shed skin inside hole (7)
FOUR from the clue with the outer letters deleted (having shed its skin) inserted into (inside) a type of hole (in the bones of the skull) – it took me a while to convince myself that the answer ‘matched’ the definition, but I did find a close enough ‘match’ in an on-line thesaurus.

26d Greek character in private blew up (4)
The reversed lurker (in . . . up) found in two words in the clue.


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Someone who shares his birthday with Queen Victoria, although I doubt that she would be amused, is Whatsisname who is 80 tomorrow.  This is one of his best selling singles and is from a performance at the Newport, RI Folk Festival in 1965.  I wonder if he still wants to be like Mick Jagger or Keith Richards :wink:

100 comments on “ST 3109 (Hints)

  1. Thank you for the explanation to 13 down. Although I inserted the correct answer to complete the crossword, I hadn’t grasped the subtle reference.
    No other sticking points. Favourites 20d & 27ac.

    1. I did doubt myself but did cotton on when I realised that down is not the opposite of up.

      1. Me too, that was after wasting time trying to work on a palindrome as I didn’t have 17a to confirm that it couldn’t be one!

  2. 3*/4*. I found this quite challenging in places but very enjoyable as usual for a Sunday.

    I’m probably in a minority of one but I detest the use of 21a as a noun. Sadly it has found its way into our dictionaries, so it’s fair game for setters.

    The definition for 24d is bizarre but it raised a smile, and it did occur to me that a singular 17d was not much exercise!

    Podium places go to 10a, 17a and, my favourite, 1d.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

    P.S. I guess one way that Bob Dylan would like to be like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards is still alive. :wink:

      1. I don’t like it either. It really grates on me every time I see or hear it.

  3. I thought this had the edge on yesterday’s Cephas puzzle & was a fair bit trickier while still being at the gentler end of the Dada range. Excellent as usual despite a few things that have featured recently cropping up again. Like Bertie the subtlety of 13d, my last in, escaped me but the answer couldn’t be anything else. Pick of a host of super clues for me was 1d with 5,13&19d not far behind.
    Thanks to our Sunday duo.
    Ps didn’t go back to blog after posting yesterday & only read it this morning. Best wishes to George for a swift recovery.

  4. I really enjoyed this challenge, which needed a couple of sittings. I got stuck on 27a for ages, which given that I have a chemistry degree was a bit embarrassing when the penny dropped. That in turn was holding me up on 24d, my LOI and COTD – how brilliant to take the oldest joke in the book and turn it into a crossword clue!
    Continued best wishes to Kath and also now George for speedy recoveries.
    Thanks to Dada and Senf

  5. The top two-thirds of this clever and enjoyable Dada went in quite quickly, but then I hit a little wall, with 19d and 27a, which were my last two in, almost spontaneously. Like RD, I too dislike 21a as a noun, so he is not alone. Podium stars today: 5d, 22a, 19d. Thanks to Senf and to Dada. *** / ****

    Big PGA finale a few miles away from me today, with veteran Mickelson leading the pack by one shot.

    1. Should be an exciting final day, though the lack of European contenders always takes a little of the enjoyment away for me

    2. Understand the wind (probably not a real wind to you locals) is due to return today.

      For me Mickelson crossed the line when he deliberately hit a moving ball at Shinnecock in 2018 so hope someone else takes the PGA. Our commentators seem to have forgotten that (and his criticism of Tom Watson after the Ryder Cup) when telling us what a wonderful person he is.

      1. Hear, hear. He may be “America’s Favourite” but I think that he is a crass oaf.

    3. Sorry for not replying yesterday. Today’s final round will be very interesting with the wind due to get up & switch around. Watched in awe at Phil’s front 9 display & thought he finished really well after his back 9 hiccup. Suppose I ought to be rooting for a 50yr old to bag his 6th major but can’t forgive him for entertaining taking the Saudi dosh so sweet swinging Louis will have my support – followed him round Rand Pk & briefly spoke to him when he won the SA Open & he’s a lovely chap. Whoever wins the real winner is the course which is majestic – reckon some of the tees I played off were 100yds up from theirs.

      1. It’s much warmer today than it has been, though I don’t think that the heat is a problem–nothing like the wind. Mickelson is not my favourite by a long shot–nor has he ever been America’s, really; there’s something too commercial about him for my tastes. After your good words re Louis O, I think I’ll cheer him on. Back in the day, my family used to drive down to Kiawah for Sunday lunch–in the days before the Ocean Course was developed. Ah me, such memories.

  6. Took me two sittings but persistence was definitely worth it, a brilliant puzzle with some clever and amusing clues in 1a, 9a, 14d and my favourite 20d. Last in was 24d because I didn’t realise the answer was this shape.
    Thx to all
    ***/*****

  7. Mid-spectrum Dada for me **/*** time but very enjoyable ****. A very pleasurable start to the day.
    13d LOI, as others, a bung-in confirmed by Senf’s hint.
    9a clever & probably a chestnut but not to me so gets COTD r/u 24d.
    Thanks Dada and Senf for the usual hints.

  8. Either dada’s quirky clues are getting easier or I’m becoming more attuned to them. A first pass usually elicits a “seriously?” thought – I can do about two! This one fell into place quite quickly and proved an enjoyable exercise. **/**** I too didn’t grasp the reasoning behind 13d until I looked at the hints and 19d was guesswork based on the first two words of the clue with supporting checkers. Thanks for the hint Senf, I’ve just about worked through the answer now. 19a was a lovely bit of misdirection especially as I’m not accustomed to looking at the obvious with dada. Favourite 1d. Daisy, George will be in good hands and I wish him and Kath a fast recovery. Have a g&t, Daisy, take a taxi if you can go in. Thanks to all.

  9. After the first pass all the 4 letter answers were in except 24dn …. my last one in. I find that very unusual.

    27ac also held me up until I managed to see the parsing. Like many others I couldn’t explain 13dn.

    So thanks to Senf an Dada for another great crossword.

    1. Good to see you back, SW, always slightly worrying when one of our number misses roll-call for a few days.

  10. As is often the way for me with a Dada offering, there was that slight sense of panic at the outset when nothing seemed to jump out but once the first ‘domino’ fell the others followed quite readily. 5d was my LOI – silly when I look back at it.
    Podium places went to 9&22a plus 7d with a special shout out for 1d which is what I shall be attending next Tuesday. I have yet to meet my new granddaughter in person and I’m so excited!

    Thanks to Dada for the Sunday special and to Senf for the excellent hints although perhaps not the musical accompaniment……….

  11. I found this relatively gentle for Dada and less tricky than yesterday’s Cephas but, nevertheless, very enjoyable (2*/4*). I liked the misdirection in 5a and two pairs of clues, 8d and 16a together with 19d and 19a. Many thanks to Senf and Dada. I hope Kath and George are making good progress and wish them both a speedy recovery. Good wishes to Merusa too and I hope you are feeling better .

  12. Oh dear I’m still struggling with 13d…. can’t find any winged animals in my answer! Made myself laugh by looking up buntism until the right answer came to me. Thanks to Dada and Senf for enjoyment this morning.

  13. Enjoyable today with some head scratching. Has the hint for 13d changed from winged insect to winged animal? I could have misread it but think I have the correct answer but I knew it was wrong if it was insect. DG hope George is well on the mend and you are taking care of yourself.

    1. If my answer to 13d is correct, I would say quite a few men do this too! I think they are called popinjays! Hope I don’t land on that step.

    2. No, the hint has always read ‘winged animal.’ ‘Winged insect’ would have been completely incorrect.

      I did use ‘probably’ in the first part of the hint which, for me, does not rule out the answer ‘possibly’ applying to other than a female.

      1. Thanks Senf, must have misread it! I have only just realised the significance of ‘down’.

  14. I needed help with a couple but, on the whole, a really enjoyable crossword. Like Jane, I had nothing on the first pass but I have come to expect this now with Dada. Soon, the domino effect got going and I had completed half in short order. The rest took some teasing out but I made it to the finish line – with the help I mentioned at first. The long anagrams took some working out and checkers were needed before they revealed themselves. I am going to make a confession here. I used to hate anagrams, especially long ones, and would use an anagram solver. I have now decided that is not “playing the game” and I now work them out unaided. Favourite clues are all the long anagrams, 1a, 18d and 5d. My COTD is 4d even if it is an old chestnut.

    Many thanks to Dada for a most enjoyable puzzle. Thanks, also, to Senf for the hints.

    Continued good wishes to Daisygirl and George together with Merusa and Kath.

  15. A nice Dada puzzle for a sunny Saturday night here on the west coast.
    Not really quirky this week at all. 1.5*/**** my rating.
    Some great clues again this week including 9a, 12a, 17a, 22a, 4d & 8d … with co-winners 22a/8d & 17a
    Thought 12a & 22a were clever, and 7d was first in with a good laugh.
    Great puzzle for me. Thoroughly enjoyable.

    Thanks to Dada and Senf

  16. Enjoyable but, to me, not quite as enjoyable as yesterday’s. I had four stragglers 17 and 27a and 13 and 24d. I did get there without aids with the spherical food being my last in. Favourites 9 and 15a and 1 4 5 and 14d. Thank Dada and Senf.

  17. Still find it difficult to get onto Dada’s wavelength so no interconnection but one by one I did eventually make it. For me several clues jarred viz 9a, 15a (noun/adjective), 22a, 23a, 13d, 18d, 19d and 24d. Thank you Dada and Senf.

  18. We too found this mid range for a Dada but good fun. It was made easier by the four long clues. Favourite was 7d. Thanks to dads and Senf.

  19. Did anyone else wonder if they were looking for a palindrome in 13d? I did until I got tge checkers.

    1. Same here – thank goodness I already had the checkers in place to abuse me of that notion!

          1. Me too, but the checkers I had in soon convinced mee that I was barking up the wrong tree.

  20. I’m another who failed to see the significance of “down” in 13 down. Thanks, Senf.

    27a – I understand the wordplay … but the surface reading makes no sense to me. I’m obviously missing something … maybe a chemistry degree?

    1. Jepi, having a chemistry degree doesn’t help to make any sense of the surface reading of 27a.

  21. Slow to start and then a steady solve to the end.
    Best wishes to all of our poorly bloggers. It’s a pleasure and privilege to be part of such a warm hearted group!

    1. Hello JB – the Venice contact for the Art Society is at http://www.seevenice.it and her name is Luisella Romeo and she is excellent. We have now done two live virtual walking tours with her both lasting about an hour and a half, the first one was of the Dorsodoro area and the second Murano. It was extraordinary to see Venice devoid of tourists and sparkling clean canals. I think the cost is 200 Euros.

      1. Thankyou. I’ll forward this to my visits Secretary.
        Has your leg now healed? I cut mine almost as badly last year. The Surgery nurse was brilliant. I reckon she was the only one working in our otherwise deserted surgery. Our surgery has not behaved well in this emergency.

        1. It’s healing well thanks although it looks a bit messy still. I’m very wary of walking into something sticking out. My nurses were great but our surgery too is not behaving well – you can’t see a doctor as you can’t get passed the receptionist. What are all the doctors doing I wonder.

  22. Hallo everyone – freezing cold here in South Cambs, went to church this morning and the new heaters have been installed but were not on!
    I jolly quickly rectified that but it is a funny old service with no hymns (which is my favourite part of going to church) no wine, masks on.
    The ambulance had been spotted in our drive (nothing gets missed in this village) so everyone knew George was in hospital and for some reason
    all the old ladies love him. He has always been good with children and old ladies – I thought when I got to be an old lady I would come into my own
    but I am still waiting. Anyway, I waffle. They are sending him home as the doctor told me he is safer here than being kept in hospital, they have
    tweaked his drugs and want to do more tests in outpatients. It is so kind of everyone to send good wishes, I am more worried about Kath because
    George is an old man and really all he has to do is take things easy. Easier ! I am concerned about Kath who has a much bigger mountain to climb to
    get back to normal. Has anyone heard how bad the stroke was? And how she is progressing? Crossword : a delight, clever and witty. I liked 9a, brilliant clue, 19d – was not looking for that sort of hole, 4d though I suspect I have seen that before and others too. Many thanks to the setter for the diversion and to Senf for the hints. I had to laugh about down not being the opposite of up, but in this case it is true.

    1. Pleased to hear George is getting home, Daisygirl. It is always better to be home. I think it helps with recuperation. Mrs. C and I wish you both well.

    2. Good news that George is coming home. I agree, also worried about Kath. I am hoping that bearing in mind her nursing experience, she was able to recognise the signs and get to the hospital quickly, as early treatment makes a big difference. Unfortunately, strokes and heart attacks are often not immediately recognised in us ladies.

      As for George taking it easier, don’t hold your breath. I’ve a bad hip and dodgy back, but what was I doing yesterday? Out there digging up shrubs and replanting them. We’re our own worst enemies.

    3. Good news about George DG, really glad you are getting him home. Freezing here too, will have to put the heating on and its the end of May!

      1. Delighted to hear that George is coming home to you.
        It is just ghastly when you are at home alone waiting for news.
        Best wishes to you both.

        All the best to Kath too.

    4. So glad George is going home, I’ve always said that hospital is no place for poorly people. Daisy, I send all best wishes for him. I agree with Lizzie, I’m concerned about Kath too. Oh dear, please everyone, stay well.

      1. Good new Daisy. I hope he is doing as the doctor said. My other half is not so good at doing what the doctor says.

    5. I’m sure you’ll be relieved to get him home, DG, nothing like a familiar environment and ‘other half’ to speed recovery. I’m just hoping that the same will be true for Kath – we are all waiting for a news update.

    6. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for George and best wishes to you DG in your caring role.

  23. Seems I am on my own in not enjoying this one today. Not even close to being on a par with Cephas yesterday, IMHO. I was thrilled with that, but cannot get on Dada’s wavelength today. Setting aside half done, might return later. Off to get my second shingles shot now, perhaps that will wake up my grey cells. Thanks Senf, hats off to you in solving today.

  24. Wow that was tough. I think watching ‘Frozen’ on the TV had an effect on my brain! Got there in the end. Last two in the large moleculed substance and the spherical food. The latter raised a half-hearted hmmm. Great challenge, so thanks to Dada and Senf.

  25. I always find Dada difficult, nothing new today. I had three unsolved, all in the NE, and one that was right but a total mystery, yup, that one, 13d. I got 2d from the anagram and checkers but blowed if I know what it is, have to google. I did need electronic help for a couple but surprisingly few, of course, 7d was the biggest gimme and a great help.
    Fave was 1d, 7d featured in the friendly slot, and 19d was clever I thought.
    Thanks to Dada for the puzzle, huge gratitude to Senf for unravelling 13d and others.

  26. Oh dear, crossword mojo has well and truly departed. I have not been able to finish a crossword for weeks, I just hope I am not loosing my marbles! This one I got about half way before giving up. Dada used to be a breeze.
    Weird in the extreme.
    Thanks all.

    1. I think you have a lot on your plate at the moment, Hoofit.

      I’m sure your mojo will return when things calm down a bit.

      1. Ora is probably right. When I have a lot on my mind, I find that I cannot finish a Sudoku. It’s a warning sign for me to chill out.

        1. Thanks, what you both say is certainly true. Perhaps one needs to be in a relaxed state of mind to do crosswords.

          1. It seems silly but does anyone else have nightmares about crosswords? I can find myself awake at 3a.m. desperately trying to solve a clue or anagram.

            1. Hands up here – trouble is that in the cold light of day I realise I’ve been trying to solve a non-existent crossword. Maybe I’d have a future career as a setter if only I could remember the clues!

          2. Hoofs, if I am stressed about something, my solving skills drop dramatically. Please don’t worry about it. You will solve them again when your ship reaches calmer waters. 👍

  27. Needed quite a lot of help from Senf and the electronic gizmo today but got there in the end.
    I am just not on Dada’s wavelength , though some weeks are better for me than others.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf.

    At least it has stopped raining here but it is still far too cold for May.

  28. A bit tough for me today. Didn’t get 13d even with the hint. Realised from the comments what down meant.
    Thanks Dada and Senf
    Love to Kath, daisygirl and George.
    ****/***

  29. Where has Terence got to? We really ought to have a tick in register every morning.

    1. Good crossword. We too were looking for palindrome fo 13d. Didn’t fully understand the answer until we read Senf’s hints. Favourite clue 9a. Thank you Senf and Dada.

      DG, Terence last posted on Thursday May 20. Sadly H’s Father has just passed away. You probably missed this. Pleased to hear George is coming home. Continued best wishes to George and Kath.

  30. Got there in the end but all the hard work rather spoiled the enjoyment.

    Best wishes to Kath as well.

  31. That was a lot of fun — although I stared and stared at 24D before it finally hit me (I’m still not convinced about “spherical food” as a definition!) And although I could figure out 23A from the other letters in place, I still can’t quite see how the wordplay connects.

    Favourite clues were 9A and 7D (18D also was a laugh-out-loud moment).

    This was a significant one for me — I’ve been working away at The Telegraph crosswords for six weeks now (reading this blog, reading getting started books etc.) and this was the first time I completely solved a grid by myself. Very exciting to finally have been able to solve a complete puzzle. (And thanks to all the bloggers and commenters here from whom I’ve learn so much so far).

    1. Hi Andy, the definition is the first word of the clue and the wordplay involves ‘pieces’ which is often used to refer to chessmen followed by one of the commonly known letters which indicate the suitability of a film for various age groups. Hope that helps.
      By the way, do I take it that you are involved with Safety of Life at Sea?

      1. Hi Jane

        Brilliant — thanks for helping me understanding 24A — as I say, I knew it was **** because of the two letters I had, but I just couldn’t figure out “in pieces, everyone can see”. Obvious now (and me a chess player!)

        And I’m at a different Solas (there are about four or five different organisations with that name!): we’re @ https://www.solas-cpc.org

        Thanks again!

        Andy

      2. Thanks Jane, although 23a was a banker I could not parse it either and very glad someone else had the same problem so to speak.

    2. You have been working on the Telegraph crossword for only six weeks and you finished one today?
      Respect, Andy! It took me nearly 50 years! 👍
      Mind you, there was no Big Dave when I began. The only thing to do was to look at the solution in the paper the following day and try to work out the parsing. Not that I knew it was called parsing! 🤣

      1. Well, I ought not speak too soon — most likely tomorrow I’ll be banging my head on the desk again. Today was helped by those three really long clues that (a) I got quickly and (b) gave lots of helpful letters.

        This blog has been amazing — along with several “How To Do …” books. And buying the Chambers Crossword Dictionary was a huge help.

        Still loads to learn but it’s been a fun journey so far.

  32. A bit of a strange mix, for me. I really didn’t like 27a and 24d though it must be tricky to find a different way of clueing the latter. The second part of the former really didn’t seem to provide anything except confusion. I agree with others on 21a and I have no idea what 2d involves but presumably it is popular. Despite it apparently being commonly known, I have never knowingly heard of the fourth estate as that in 17d and was trying to use the fourth letter of estate. Overall, my personal opinion is that it was not as enjoyable as yesterday’s though I do realise that we are all wonderfully different.

    I came here today with much trepidation after the bad news about so many individuals recently. I wish everyone the best of health for as long as possible and a peaceful ending when the time does come, as it must.

    1. If I am reading you correctly you are referring to the ‘… put back on my cut …’
      Reverse the answer and split it in three … thus 2,2,3 and I think it will be clear

      1. Thank you for your explanation. I can see the second and third bits but the translation of on to my last two letters continues to elude me. Oh well, onwards and upwards as we prepare for another locked down Victoria Day …

  33. Finished with some help from Senf, for which many thanks. Had to have electronic help for a couple Senf missed out on – didn’t know I needed them! COTD 24d, which fooled me for a long time. Thanks to Dada for enjoyable brain teaser.
    Glad to see George is home, where he will get the best care. All best wishes to him and to Kath.

  34. Needed the hints to understand the second part of 13d too.
    Nice to see Dada in top form with some fun definitions and wordplay.
    A ray of sunshine on a dull and wet Pentecost Monday.
    Thanks to him and to Senf for the help.

  35. Only now had time to look at this puzzle. Most enjoyable and many thanks to Dada for this very satisfying grid, and to Senf for the review.

    Several candidates for COTD, and for me the podium is shared by 9a and 27a.

    2*/3*

  36. Steady progress until 13d. We’ve bunged something but still not any wiser after the hint. Favorite 7d.

  37. 4*/3*…..
    liked the scruffy urchin in 6D…
    have an idea about how 23A “List in pieces, everyone can see (4)” is constructed, but am not sure.

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