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DT 30227 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30227 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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On a warm and windy morning here in East Kent, we have a fairly light and breezy Saturday Prize Puzzle.

There are quite a few anagrams but It isn’t a pangram, so was Cephas the setter??

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.

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    Coming out of foster care, one tells of what is to come (10)
An anagram (coming out) of FOSTER CARE

10a    Taking a liberty (9)
Taking the liberty from someone and making them work as a servant

15a    Lady having protection finding this on pond (4,3)
A lady and a type of protection such as a cushion

18a    Fitting stabbing instrument (7)
[Edited hint – see comment 34]  A fitting for a lightbulb or a stabbing instrument fitted to the muzzle of a firearm

25a    Pass through negotiator (2-7)
Removing the hyphen from this negotiator would leave a way of saying pass through

26a    Admit criminal now at university (3,2)
An anagram (criminal) of NOW and the usual adverb meaning ‘at university’

28a    Imitative newspaper worker? (4-6)
A cryptic definition of a newspaper worker, the ‘imitative’ perhaps (?) referring to the first part of this job title

Down

1d    Inevitable destiny of one of three goddesses (4)
Did the three goddesses get their name from the inevitable destiny or vice-versa?

2d    Echo included in two songs making one (9)
The letter represented by Echo in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet is included or inserted between two types of song, one sung in unison, the other a short narrative song

8d    Ginger isn’t rearranging piece of jewellery (6,4)
An anagram (rearranging) of GINGER ISNT

14d    Irresponsible sort? Bat perhaps (3-2-5)
This irresponsible person could be a cryptic definition of a bat

17d    Miserly fool said to be closely connected (5-4)
Miserly or unwilling to part with money followed by a homophone (said) of a fool

20d    Hotel surrounded by Scottish river thicket (7)
A hotel surrounded by, or inserted into the name of a Scottish river

24d    Say no to reduced incentive (4)
Reduce or remove the final letter from a verb meaning to reject (say no to)

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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

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The Quick Crossword pun: LORRY + KEATS = LORIKEETS

90 comments on “DT 30227 (Hints)”

  1. 1.5*/3.5*. This was a light and fun puzzle marred for me only by the appearance of the vague lady in 15a. I was on track for my 1* time but 20d, my last one in, added half-a-star to my difficulty rating.

    With plenty to good clues to choose from, my podium comprises 18a, 21a, 2d & 14d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

    1. I had no problems with 20d, not least because there is one with our surname (no idea why) over towards Ashford. I did take a photo of it several years ago, but as usual when you want to find it, it takes too long when there are other things to do with a Saturday morning

  2. Hurray, a puzzle I can finish again after that incomprehensible offering yesterday!
    Some clever clues that could have had more than one answer that fitted (I for one jumped to the wrong option in 28a, until other fill-ins made me change my mind)
    2d was last in, it was a best effort stab at the answer, then run to the dictionary to check it, luckily got it right despite never having heard of it before. Thanks to our setter today for levelling the pitch again.

    1. I seem to have had the same experience as you Tipcat, with the wrong second word initially in 28a and not knowing the word in 2d – my LOI. Joint COTD for me were the animal themed 14d and 22d. Thanks setter, thanks CS.

      1. Oh Lordy, is that why I cannot get 11d? I would say my version is the more likely to spring to mind but perhaps they have these too

    2. Agree with Tipcat, I have regained some of my confidence after a run of more obscure and unfathomable challenges. It really is dispiriting to find a crossword very difficult and the experts rate it a1.5* and very enjoyable.

    3. I too made the same error! Was delayed getting 10a and still not got 7d despite 3 checking letters. So much more enjoyable than yesterday’s puzzle though when I read the hints I did manage to finish it eventually. Many thanks to the setter and CS. Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.

  3. Top right held me up for a bit not least because I cannot see why the answer to 7d is tearful although the wordplay works. Had to look up the prophet who was new to me and 5d has the worst anagram indicator of all time.
    Apart from that no problems and very enjoyable.
    Thx to all
    **/****

  4. Not quite a doddle but certainly more accessible and quicker for me than yesterday’s marathon. Lots of enjoyable clues, with 2d my COTD, and several in the SW corner: 14d, 18a, & 19d. I also liked 10a, which was my LOI. Thanks to CS and today’s setter. **/***

  5. What a wonderful change from yesterday.Plenty of straight-ins, ponderers, stroking of chins and slaps on the forehead. Lots to like – I don’t have one clue that I dod not like. I had to hold off putting the second word in at 28a because I had two and both of them fitted the checkers I had. I nearly spelt 2d incorrectly but, thankfully, re-read the clue before I entered it. My favourite and COTD is 14d because that one caused me to slap my forehead the hardest.

    Many thanks to the setter for the fun and to CS for the hints, which I will now look at.

    A bit blustery in The Marches but warm enough to get out in the garden and start clearing out the dead.

    Perks may make his first trip outside today but it is a bit blustery and cats go scatty in wind.

    2. I’m worrying about what or who exactly is buried in your garden and hope you’ve managed to ‘clear them out ‘!

      1. Yes, it did sound like “Bring Out Your Dead!” from the Great Plague, didn’t it, Mhids? Don’t worry – just pulling out dead growth and cutting the raspberry canes.

  6. I too had a couple of answers that had options but checkers helped eventually, a light Saturday test that didn’t require a refill. I had a lightbulb💡 moment when the fitting dropped on 18a and that became my favourite today although I am tempted to re-read/watch L P Hartley too. “The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there”
    Thanks to setter and CS
    Time to go to the Rhubarb Festival…

    1. Didn’t we both re-read the Hartley novel two or three years ago–together, as it were? Great movie too.

      1. I think we did – it has been a regular re-read here for a long time I think I will look out for the Jim Broadbent TV movie rather than the Julie Christie/Alan Bates version this time

  7. Nice relaxed puzzle, just right for a Saturday morning. Fairly quick and no revisions or corrections.
    Sun trying to come out properly here in Oxfordshire but mild enough already.

  8. Straightforward puzzle with a good mixture of cryptic clues, anagrams, etc. I too had to check 2d in the dictionary as it rang a distant bell but I was not certain.

    Last one in was 11d as I had put the wrong newspaper worker in for 28a. After this was corrected, everything fitted.

    Favourites were the military 18a and 20a. The other favourite has to be 20d as it includes a river close to home.

    Thanks to the compiler for an enjoyable puzzle but I think there was a greater feeling of achievement on completing yesterday’s puzzle using fair means or electronic.

              1. Whichever one if them says it, they’ll end up in the Naughty Corner, and I’m not letting them have the last coconut macaroon. You’ll have to read my review on Friday

              1. I did too but in retrospect I think the word we all put in doesn’t have a hyphen whereas the correct answer does.

  9. Good fun, with just 2d extending my thinking time as it was a new word for me, although gettable through the wordplay. 14d was my favourite for the laughter it induced upon solving, ahead of 18a.

    Thanks to our Saturday setter and CS.

  10. Another one with the wrong second word for 28A at first. Otherwise, quite straightforward and no particular favorites. Thanks to the setter and CS.

  11. Phew what a relief after yesterday’s horror. This was just demanding enough to make for an enjoyable challenge. Originally wanted to use partially parsed easygoing for 10a but 11d put paid to that and on second thoughts pick it as Fav. Hesitated over fitting in 18a but bunged in anyway as it had to be. Thank you Mysteron and CS who is alone so far in suggesting a setter. Look forward to identification.

  12. A steady solve for me which I greatly enjoyed. No favourites, all very good clues.
    As others, I had an alternative for 28a, actually I had 2 other possible newspaper workers in mind, but only 1 of the 3 fitted the checkers.
    Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue.
    A good start to a grey day here. At least it is relatively mild.

  13. What a delightful relief after yesterday’s cranial workout!

    1*/4*

    Fav 14d & LOI 12a

    Thanks to setter & CS

  14. An enjoyable stroll after the rigours of yesterday’s assault course. Unlike Brian I thought the indicator at 5d excellent for the surface.
    Thanks to the setter & CS
    Ps I was forbidden from playing in the 20d near to our house when very young which needless to say made the lure of doing so all the more enticing

  15. Hmm – not a pangram, no double unches, but Cephas has fooled us in that way before; however, I am going to go out somewhat on a limb and put five bob on this being a Chalicea production.

    Candidates for favourite – 21a, 25a, 14d, and 24d – and the winner is 21a.

    Thanks to Chalicea, or whomsoever, and thanks to CS.

  16. Chalk to yesterday’s cheese. Once the superfluous newspaper worker had been sorted it was a jump and a skip to complete.

  17. Apart from the ‘which one is it’ at 28a, this slotted together nicely and my five bob joins that from Senf when it comes to who was the compiler.
    Tops for me were 21a & 17d.

    Thanks to Chalicea (I think) and to CS for the hints and pics.

  18. Luckily for me I thought of the newspaper worker before I considered the first word of the clue, otherwise I may have fallen into the trap. Difficult to know how I could have solved one any quicker. I did know 2d but checked the penultimate letter. I cannot remember the last time I came across a 3d. Probably before the Divorce Law Reform Act. I have just marked 2 and 14d as favourites. Enjoyed greatly but, along with Brian, I was in the minority who enjoyed yesterday’s.

  19. A straightforward puzzke qith a well- balanced mix of clue types. It was nice to actuly have a puzzlwevto do after yesterday’s dismal DNS. Like others, I held off filling in tge secondvpart of 28a until there were a few more checkers. Liked 11d, 18d, 20d (such a lovely word) and my COTD 2d, which beings back memories ofperforming with a small ladies choir. Thanks to the compiler and to CS for the hints

  20. A very friendly Saturday puzzle for me with only a couple of hold ups – I vaguely knew of 2d and needed checkers to assist and I had multiple options for 20a until I got 11d and realised both were wrong… I’m with Senf in thinking this is Chalicea’s work! Either way, thanks to both setter and CS for the fun

  21. Very enjoyable and was able to finish. Like others had to check the word at 2d was real and not one I had invented! I enjoyed 18a as there is more to it than first appears.
    Fortunately I got 28a across so all in all a happy bunny here, or maybe a cat who got the cream to keep with the cat theme!
    Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints and pics

    2. If you look at 1a, you will see that the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth letters aren’t linked to a letter in a Down solution, so they are ‘unchecked’ letters, often referred to as unches, Some crossword grids include words where two of these letters are side by side so these are double unches

      3. Thanks for the explanation, never even thought about it, just ignored for years!
        Tis depressing when you mention the weather as warm and windy in Kent, then in 7, John + Faulkner mentioned this sun trying to come out in Oxfordshire. Whilst in North Cornwall we are having our third day of rain, can’t even see the garden fence through the cloud.
        Todays more gentle crossword did improve the mood.
        Does anyone else still have a hose pipe ban, we do.
        Managed to rig the jet washer to the water butt and cleaned the car for the first time in 4 months. Can’t go out or it will be dirty again!
        14d and 20d my favourites today, 2 option on 28a required 11d to resolve. Got it wrong to start with.

        1. Well, BB, it’s been grey and mizzly right from sparrow fart this morning in East Cornwall, wet over the moor, and not much better this afternoon in central Cornwall, with mist reducing visibility to a couple of hundred yards at best. No surprise at our continuing hosepipe ban – Roadford’s water level has actually been falling for the last few weeks, and is under 60%. Not good this close to summer!

  23. That’s better today, perhaps a little to far over to the easier side, but at least l could finish!!

  24. Found this Saturday puzzle quite accessible with a couple of words that gave me pause for thought.
    My 5/- is on this being a Cephas puzzle.

    1.5*/4.5* for me today.

    Favourites include 1a, 16a, 21a, 26a, 17d & 20d — with my winner 20d

    Thanks to Cephas (?) and CS for hints & comments

  25. George has gone off to Hertford Rugby Club again so I’m on my own with some smoked salmon and a glass of red wine. Which no doubt helped the solving process except for pesky 28a. I cannot believe another week has sped by and next week is the start of Lent. I have very happy memories of many carnivals in Maastricht. Hey ho. Many thanks to the setter and to CrypticSue for the diversion and the hints.

  26. Yesterday’s capped off a bad crossword week for me personally but we managed to complete it with difficulty this afternoon. Today’s was much more straightforward and enjoyable. Favourite was 17d. Thanks to the setter and CS.

  27. Light and enjoyable afternoon fare, equines undisturbed. Hon Mentions to 6a and 17d.

    * / ***

    Many thanks to the setter (Cephas?) and CS

  28. Such a relief after yesterday
    I’m sure 27a is in someone’s hit list
    COTD 14d
    Enjoying the swathes of snowdrops in the hedgerows here in Devon.

  29. Piece of cake compared to yesterday’s Toughie – the latter took us ages but got there in the end.

  30. Generous Saturday fare.
    Steady progress marred by initially failing to recognise an anagram indicator.
    And taking some time to solve 20d.
    Thanks to the setter and CS, very nicely illustrated review.

  31. Whew, wotta relief! So I’m not losing my cognitive abilities, this was a treat from start to finish. I knew all the words and what they meant, and I could parse all of it without hesitation. Whomsoever set this, I suspect Chalicea, I love you for restoring my faith in me. Enough rhapsodising, fave was 20d, lovely word, but so much more topped my list.
    Thank you setter, and much appreciated your hints and tips CS.

    1. Isn’t it strange how Cephas an Chalicea seem the same? Their styles are so alike that I have given up on trying to decide who set the puzzle.

    1. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this, you’re a STAR! I was so despondent yesterday when I could only solve one clue, maybe I ain’t so dim after all.

    2. Yes, many thanks indeed Cephas for a very enjoyable solve and for revealing it as your witty work.

    3. Wonderful puzzle, Cephas. I think you restored the faith of many after yesterday’s offering. Thank you.

  33. Quite a bit easier than yesterday, and any problems I had were mostly of my own making. Luckily 28a sprang to mind, with no alternatives, so no problem there. But I was rather too quick with 20a, which really held me up with 11d. Never heard of 2d (not very musical, I just about managed the recorder), and always thought 23a had 8 letters, not 7. Like I said, faults of my own making. An enjoyable Saturday challenge from Cephas.

  34. Enjoyed doing this early and coming to the comments much later.

    I solved 18a as a double rather than a cryptic definition, taking the ‘fitting’ to refer to light bulbs.

      1. So you did SJB! Apologies, I thought I’d checked thoroughly it hadn’t been said before I posted – obviously not!

  35. Is it just me or is 10a ambiguous? I think there are two words for “taking a liberty” that fit the checkers. One is “trapping” and one is the mentioned “making someone working as a servant”. How are we supposed to know which is the correct answer?

      1. Is it? I thought it was a cryptic definition. If it was a double definition, wouldn’t crypticsue have put a gap in the underlining? And I can’t see “liberty” being a synonym for either answer. Quite the opposite.

  36. For the first time in ages, we just don’t get 11d clue, pretty sure we’ve got second word of 28a wrong, but even with second choice word, it’s not happening..! Don’t want to get anyone in trouble….but ?

    1. In 11d, ‘about’ is an anagram indicator, if you rearrange the letters in the first two words of the clue, you’ll get a way of saying ‘the very best yet’

  37. The answer to 2d is provided in [redacted]. Don’t think this deserves the naughty step – too vague.

    1. I’m not sure if you are the Patsy who has commented before with a different email address, but if not, welcome to the blog, and please can you add something to your name so that we can tell you from the other Patsy

      Although your comment is indeed vague, I still think it is straying into alternative clue territory

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