Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3215 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where it is exceedingly warm – highs of 32 degrees feels like 38 – accompanied by, sometimes heavy, afternoon/evening thunder showers!
For me, etc, Dada continues to be not so ‘friendly’ – with three anagrams (one partial), one lurker, and one homophone, all in a slightly asymmetric 27 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
There is probably a typo in 8a (the E on high) but not in 14d (the ILY ending).
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 13a, 20a, 5d, 14d, and, unfortunately, 17d.
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 the 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 Sticky and wet — as shellfish? (6)
A double definition(?) to start – the second could describe a shellfish.
10a River, black one ebbing in peninsula (6)
Guess a river, this one is in Yorkshire, the single letter for Black, and the Roman numeral for one all reversed (ebbing).
12a Impressive witness going off (3-7)
A three letter synonym for witness and a single word term for going off.
13a A bore, possible reason for apparent expansion of corporation? (7,5)
A double definition(?) – they both relate to a ‘filled’ item of clothing.
20a Scream with delight about a pop band — decent fare? (6,4)
A single word term for scream with delight, being non-PC, perhaps more associated with the fair sex containing (about) all of A from the clue and the three letter (abbreviated?) name of a pop band, although Wikipedia suggests it is an American alternative rock band.
22a Bone set briefly, bust in the middle (6)
A type of (electronic) set for sound only with the last letter removed (briefly) and the middle letters of bUSt.
25a A selection of articles, therefore, for book (6)
One for Brian – the lurker (a selection of) found in two words in the clue.
Down
1d Full figure? Chap regularly quick to conceal it (8)
Alternate letters (regularly) selected from chap (I’ll let you decide which ones), and a synonym of quick containing (to conceal) IT from the clue.
3d Staff will confiscate the dodgy weapon (7)
A type of (ceremonial?) staff containing (will confiscate) an anagram (dodgy, move one letter) of THE.
5d Capital E x 3, did you say? (7)
The homophone (did you say?) of another way of saying E three times.
14d Convention in country adopted by all thieves, literarily? (9)
A four letter (African) country inserted into (adopted by) all the thieves in a piece of literature (literarily).
15d That woman has welcomed a native of Australia — bravo! (4,4)
The genitive of the female pronoun (that woman) containing (has welcomed) all of A from the clue and an (avian) native of Australia.
18d German discipline evident, having finished off opening German beer (7)
A term for having finished off (food) inserted into (opening) the short form of a type of German (more correctly Czech) beer.
21d Beastly sin? (5)
One of the Seven Deadly Sins – the illustration should help.
Quick Crossword Pun:
MARE + SEA + BOW+ COO = MERCI BEAUCOUP
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American rock and pop singer-songwriter Tommy Roe widely perceived as one of the archetypal bubblegum artists (I have no idea what that means) of the late 1960s had one UK number one for one week starting on this day in 1969. This is from a relatively recent live performance and is much better than the 1960s videos in which he is miming badly, before it was called lip syncing:
A slightly trickie Sunday then average, good fun with some nice PDMs.
Funny how solutions seem to be making appearances soon after their previous ones, two in the SE appeared very recently. Surprised to see 11a and 2d in the same puzzle too and to me 17d would benefit from a question mark or a maybe?
13a was fun, and 24a was clever as was 5d but runaway winner was 14d.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
A quirky and very entertaining puzzle from Dada – thanks to him and Senf.
There’s no typo in 8a – the clue is as intended.
My podium selections are 20a, 14d and 17d.
Yes, that’s how I read it, Gazza and why it became my COTD.
Tricky! I thought there was a typo in 8a too and then there was a loud clang as the penny dropped and i discovered that it was a good clue. I liked 18d, 14a and joint COTD’s 5d and 9d as well. Thanks to Dada for the brain workout and to Senf for the hints.
I found this very tricky – more so than many a Dada Tuesday ‘Toughie’ and I didn’t enjoy the solve as much as usual although I did think 8a was a very clever.clue
Thanks to Dada and Senf
4*/3*. I found this relatively tough but mostly enjoyable. The less said about 6d the better and, for me, 8a would only work if “highe” was a real word.
My podium selection is 20a, 5d &18d.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
More difficult than Sunday’s usual.
But very satisfying to complete.
Seldom seen such a brilliant
Clue as 14d
Big smile at 13a.
In summary, 2*/4*
Many thanks Dada and Senf.
That Oz inhabitant, I assumed I’d learnt something new.
As an Australian I must unfortunately advise that the bird is not a native here… try South America. Otherwise, a really enjoyable crossword
You’ve used a different alias from your previous comment (in 2011!) so this needed moderation. Both aliases will work from now on.
Hmm. Hard work! Foxed by the 15d native from Oz, until I realised the one wanted is exclusively S American except in zoos. Though apparently they all shared a common ancestor back in Gondwana times. Spent a while Googling for highe, to no avail, until the checkers defined the punch for this very ex-boxer. My fave I think.
Thanks to Dada for the workout and Senf for the hints.
Very tricky and not a great deal of fun for me, I’m afraid. I needed far too many hints and and eHelp in order to finish and that marred the enjoyment considerably. I thought 8a very clever as was 5d but my COTD out of those I could solve is the former.
Thank you Dada for the tuzzle but I’m afraid I could not do it justice. Many thanks to Senf for making “senf” of it for me.
Another lovely day in The Marches so I’m planting out the cuttings I took last autumn.
That’s was really tough, I was so grateful for the hints without which I would not have finished. No idea about 25a, who the h..l was/is (the answer)?
Some really clever clues but not one to enjoy but satisfying to complete even after consulting the excellent hints.
****/**
Thx to all
As Senf says in his hint, this is one for you as the lady in question gives her name to a Book in the Bible
Ah now I get it.
Thanks
Is this the same Brian who made the very first comment back in January 2009
Hi Dave
Thanks for sharing your blog with us. You and I have a few things in common; retired IT consultant, early r-‘n’-r, the number 44 and puzzle-solving.
The Telegraph certainly needs to get its act together over Firefox but the IE tab will help in the meantime. It’ll also help me with several web sites that I maintain. As yet the add-on only shows as an icon on the bottom RHS of my screen but I think it’s a matter of configuration!
Regards
Brian
You really miss out through never having gone to Sunday school or learnt RE.
15d, the bird is native to South America!!
Indeed! See 7!
Excellent mental workout, good to have a proper challenge for a prize puzzle. Ticks abound through my printout – 1, 8, 10, 16 & 25a; 5d & COTD 15d.
4 / 4
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf
A struggle and needed hints to finish. Now I see where the bird is in 15d having read the comments above. Not particularly enjoyable but thanks to all on a sunny but chilly north wind.
An extremely loud PDM for 8a on waking up this morning. But, it seems that Dada needs some geography revision for the 15d avian as well as the 18d beer.
Thanks to Lurker no more for being the first to point out the avian error.
Like many others, I initially thought 8A was a typo but, of course, it’s actually typically brilliant. I’m still trying to think of a a more palatable alternative to “highe” that would work in the same way but I’m stumped. Toughest Sunday for a while. Superb!
Had rather more trouble than usual with our Sunday setter, partly due to carelessly entering an incorrect second part to 12a.
All ‘came good’ eventually and my vote went to a top three of 24a plus 5&14d.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and music – strange how the memory plays tricks, I always thought ‘Dizzy’ had a rather faster beat!
You & me both for 12a – must have the same word. At least I wasn’t alone.
Oh my goodness! For me and I stress for me ⟨™ Senf⟩, I feel as though Dada has delivered an 8a after putting me through a double session of 18d.
I am in the same state as Philippides after he legged it from Marathon to Athens.
It’s as if I have run the entire length of Route 66 in bare feet.
Swimming the length of the Mekong river would have been less of a challenge than this toughest of tough crosswords.
Now I have an inkling of how Lewis and Clark felt when they reached the Pacific Ocean in 1805.
Come on 17d!
Thanks to Dada and The Man From Manitoba.
I haven’t quite got what you mean. Something comparable to how Ferdinand Magellan must have felt after his part in the first circumnavigation of the globe in 1519 – 1522?
Or the way I feel if I have not had my bits.
We also struggled with this extremely difficult puzzle but we got there, all done and parsed. Favourite was 5d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A struggle for me too. And still struggling with 2 down.
As Senf says in comment #18 below the key to understanding 2d is the first word of the clue.
That was a real tussle for me. I found myself resorting to the hints much sooner than I would have liked.There were some fantastic clues, some a bit off centre as is often the case with Dada. I liked the very clever 8a and the amusing 13a and 5d. Not so happy with the random lads in 6d! Overall it was somewhat too challenging for me to find it very enjoyable but I’m glad I persevered. Thanks to Dada and to Senf for his much needed help today.
I am so, so tired I don’t know how I managed this. Out Safari Supper was a huge success but we were clearing up until after midnight and I truly do not remember falling into bed. However, great success evidently work lots of lovely notes coming in. I have finished apart from 2d and am completely blank. When in doubt look for a lurker but damned if I can see one. I may have to relinquish the pen to Steve. I had daisies by 23,24,9 and 15. Favourite? Possibly 15. I am now going to go and lie down in a darkened room. Many thanks to Setter & Senf, if anyone has a clue for 2d without being put on the naughty step I would repay them with leftover pavlova. Virtually.
The ‘key’ to 2d is in the first word of the clue.
You’re just after the pavlova!
I’ve obviously got the wrong answer as my definition is in the last 3 words!
Doh! Got it now, bit like 11a
I got it but didn’t know why till you just told us. Thank you. I must be the only person left who can’t see the brilliant (apparently) 8a.
Split the answer (5,3) and treat it as the fodder and indicator in a cryptic clue.
Yes of course. Many thanks – Pavlova winging it’s way to you e’en now.
Sorry S, the pen is mine after all!
Whew! … Well this was right off the quirky end of a Dada ‘toughie’ puzzle this week … at least for me. That was tough and needed many hints to get through it.
3*/3.5* for me.
Favourites include 1a, 4a, 16a, 20a, 5d & 7d — with no clear winner.
Funny how 23a came up again this week.
Thanks to Dada and Senf for blog/hints
Woah! I often struggle to get on Dadda’s wavelength but today I wasn’t in his ocean. Pretty hard work to be honest and I look forward to the full review in a week or so to understand my numerous bung-ins. 2d and 11a across seemed odd so close together. ****/**
Thanks to Senf + Dadda
Agree that 8a was intended but also with Rabbit Dave that it would have been better is highe was a real word. Therefore not a contender for clue of the day for me. Also agree with Crypticsue that this was very tricky. It took me a long time to even get started. Still can’t parse 17d. Thanks to Dada and Senf
Wow…😮that was hard work today but got there in the end with the help of some off Senf’s excellent hints👍
Thanks to Dada for a v tough workout and, of course, to Senf for helping many of us with the blog ‘n hints.
Cheers!
Not helped by putting in a wrong ‘un at 12a & this guzzle certainly wasn’t one for the occasional glance at on the mobile so abandoned it with less than 75% complete. Completed on the iPad back home & once the fog had lifted. Top notch Dada & way tougher than the norm. I loved 8a although I’m inclined to agree with RD’s comment & the parsing pennies took a while to drop too for both 15&17d. Runaway fav for me was 14d with podium spots for 16&20a plus ticks for 5&18d.
Thanks to D&S
Toughest Dada for ages after yesterday’s straightforward puzzle and Friday’s toughie horror. Just softening us up for today’s.
:phew: I thought that was really difficult and not much fun.
It always feels unappreciative to say that sort of thing but, on the other hand, a bit pointless not to be honest.
I started off really well but that didn’t last long and was stuck pretty soon.
I liked 11a and 2d (not probably both because of the same sort of clue).
I loved !a – my favourite – that kind of clue always makes me laugh and I’m always up for a laugh!
Thanks to Dad for the crossword and to Senf for the hints.
Oh dear – even Dada rather than Dad!
I wasn’t going to comment today, as I too did not find it to be much fun. I got 1a and 4a right off the bat and then came back to earth with a bang. Don’t beat yourself up about “Dad”, it’s that know it all predictive text at work 😊. I will never understand why it is thought a good idea to have a difficult backpager when there is a Toughie on offer for the really clever people. A glance at the Toughie comments invariably shows far fewer people chance their luck there. We seem to get fewer and fewer friendlier cryptics lately, and not sure I will continue with my DT subscription if this keep up.
I wasn’t going to comment either but I do have to respond to this. There is method in the DT madness. There are not many who support the Toughie, the vast majority do the backpager. They hope that by making the backpager more and more difficult, they’ll be able to withdraw the Toughie, and save some money as the result. The majority like brain twisters like this, not many are unable to solve the very difficult ones as I am, so providing a Toughie instead of the standard that we’re used to. How many of you want a Toughie on offer every day? That’s what you’re going to get.
Good evening
By the cringe! That was hard work! Definitely needed the hints to make sense of some of the solutions today, plus the fresh pair of eyes offered by wor lass.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf
That was hard work for a Sunday evening, probably too hard to be enjoyable, although as Brian commented, a certain satisfaction in completing it. Charles Ives wrote a piece of music, The Unanswered Question…well I have answered all the questions but for many of them I really don’t know why! I guess I’ll have to wait for the full review.
Thanks to Dada and Senf
Dada put me through the wringer today, not dissimilar to Zandio’s Sunday Toughie today and I wouldn’t like to call between the two as to which was the quicker solve. 13a was my favourite today although 17d got a bigger laugh.
Thanks to Senf and Dada
Not too difficult, but a few I struggled to parse, so I hope that Senf’s typically impeccable hints throw some light.
Familiarity with Dada’s alter ego in the Guardian helps.
Thanks both.
Thanks Senf, clears up 18d, just couldn’t see it.
Finally finished but needed the hints for 2. I thought this was pretty tricky but the clues were very clever. I am pleased I got so far, especially now I see the comments.
Many thanks to Senf and Dada
I solved a few unaided but with a lot of head scratching,
then gave up. If I were of toughie standard I would attempt the genuine Toughie. How long are we to continue having two toughies every day?
Thanks to all.
My only issue is that the bird in 15d is, as far as I was aware, South American, not Australian.
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