DT 30359 (Hints)

103 comments on “DT 30359 (Hints)”

1. I found this a tad harder than previous SPPs and it took a while to get into it and I was left wondering about one or two clues. I did not get the Spoonerism at all and the answer to 5d was new to me. The lurker was very well hidden and I only found it after I remembered the rule made by a former member of the blog. My COTD is 15a.

   My thanks to the setter for the dandruff in my coffee and many thanks to Crypticsue for the hints.

   I did like the Quickie pun.

   Now up to the attic to perform the rituals.

   1. 9a was one of the clues I thought was ‘sneaky’

      1. Very sneaky, CS! It wasn’t until after I had read your hints that it became clear.

      2. Beyond ‘sneaky’ for me! Caffeine assistance has finally got the tea tray sized penny to drop. Quite dreadful.

         1. It’s a stinker! But then Dr Spooner is my bete noire! Nasty little man.j

   2. 9a was my last in, I got it right from the checkers but had no idea why. I tend to freeze when I see the word Spooner.

      1. Tea moo!

         1. Brilliant!

         2. !!

2. Above my pay grade I’m afraid. Far too difficult for my ability. Had to Google 4 clues and still don’t understand 4d and 26a and 9a is quite the nastiest little clue for some time. Small point but in the hint for 16d where does the ‘o’ in the answer figure?
   Not one for one I’m afraid.
   *****/*
   Thx for the hints

   1. Well spotted that man! I’ve amended the hint

3. 9a was also the one that kept me guessing the longest. Sneaky is perhaps a good way to describe it. 15a was my favourite until l deciphered 4d, which is such a terrific word. Good fun all round.

   My thanks to our setter, presumably beginning with the letter ‘C’, and to CS.

4. I have to agree with most of what Mr Cowling has said including the struggle with 9a which now makes sense. I will give the attic visit a miss as it is still crammed with boxes from our move here over 25 years ago. Will try the ritual in the sunny back garden instead.

   Favourite the tricky 16d.

   Others will be pleased that 27a is qualified by American.

   Thanks to setter and crypticsue for the 9a guidance.

5. 2*/3.5*. We had an enjoyable puzzle this morning albeit one with an American flavour (or should I say flavor?) with three instances, two of which were unindicated. I wonder how many penalty points my soulmate Mark will deduct as a result?

   Yes, 9a was certainly sneaky and my last one in, but it made it onto my podium alongside 26a, 3d & 8d.

   Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

6. As a newbie to this, at times, infuriating pastime, I was thrilled at getting the first three across clues right away, but that’s where the elation ended. Overall I managed six of the across and eight downs before going for a coffee refill.

   I haven’t finished yet, so no COTD, but 9a is definitely not in the running! I thought 27a more GK than cryptic though.

7. Just 4 held everything up including 5d which word I could “see” but didn’t know. Sure enough when looked up. 1d, 9a, and another so obvious I won’t repeat my stupidity here!
   Otherwise pretty straightforward but enjoyable.
   Thanks to setter.

8. Well, that was a week that was. Lethargic. Loss of appetite. Lots of sleep. Drinking lots of water. Lots of what inevitably follows drinking lots of water. Etc. Elevated temperature but a self-administered test for C-19 was negative so it must have been a form of man flu which I am sure the ladies will understand. It’s good to be back and thanks to crypticsue for ‘picking’ up last Sunday.

   Now today’s somewhat untypical SPP for which my two half-crowns are staying in my pocket. The setter may be a SPP regular or not.

   Candidates for favourite – 10a, 25a, 3d, and 16d – and the winner is 16d.

   Thanks to the setter and CS.

   1. Welcome back, Senf and I’m pleased you are feeling better.

   2. Good to know you are recovering, Manitoba Man.

   3. Good to have you back, Senf.

   4. So pleased to see you back Senf.

   5. Good see you back in the land of the living

   6. Feel better, Senf, the dastardly ‘flu is such a nasty, debilitating sickness.

   7. Glad you are feeling better, the flu can really knock you back. I was one of those that never got it, until I did one Christmas Eve, and 3 days later, it was pneumonia. We have both got the annual flu shots ever since. You never forget that awful lethargy and tiredness.

9. A nice SPP that did give the grey cells a bit of a workout, I did like the Spoonerism that wasn’t, and I hope that Orangier Emu spots the lurker too.
   4 and 20d amused equally but old chestnuts like 22d should be restricted to more seasonal guzzles
   Thanks to setter and CS.
   I will refrain from chucking five bob at a guess on the setter as it is about as likely to make a return as winning “The Mythical”

   1. She did !

10. What’s all this talk of Christmas? That’s the second time this week. It’s only July for pity’s sake! But much fun to be had.

    1. Not the most straightforward of puzzles and, like others I was totally baffled by 9a I’ve written something in, which is probably wrong, although it fits the checkers. 11a, 8d and 14a were the best clues, for me. Thanks to the compiler and to CS for the hints. Qhat a star you have been this week.

11. Reasonably straightforward though held up by the last two to be completed, 1d & 9a – which while the homophone works, still doesn’t convince me. A pleasant interlude on a wet Saturday. Special mentions to 21a & 16d.

    2* / 2.5*

    Thank you to the setter and CS

12. Distracted by watching the England Women’s football team (game still in progress) and keeping an eye on weather reports from Manchester for the Test Match – so I’m very grateful, as so often, to Sue for explaining 9a as the parsing was driving me doolally.
    One really does need to say it with different emphases until all becomes clear.

    Thanks to the setter and PC Security (anag).

    1. Unlike CS my repetitive saying out loud of 9a yields a nil return but unfortunately no husband to drive mad!

       1. I thought homophones were supposed to sound the same! Had to work backwards from CS’s helpful picture, but not amused by this one ;-[

          1. I bet you aren’t half as unamused as Mr CS was when I explained what I’d been muttering about :negative:

          2. Helpful picture may be but still can’t fathom where boring comes into it.

             1. Boring like the weather…

                1. What?

                2. tedious or uninteresting..

                   1. I think I will “retire hurt”!

       2. Nil for me too repeating. 9a!

          1. Oh gawd, just got it!😁

             1. Can you find a way to share?

                1. Late on parade, [redacted – see the instructions in red at the bottom of the hints about ‘alternative clues’ etc]

13. Phew, that was more friendly than the majority of this week’s offerings and I enjoyed it. 9a was a bung-in as I failed to realise the original human spooner didn’t come into it and likewise 1d had to be but that kind of style hadn’t occurred to me. The minister in 15a has certainly managed to grab the headlines this week with his stand on the M&S Oxford Street regeneration plan. 13d was my Fav. Thank you Mysteron and CS. Cringeworthy Quickie pun.

14. Straightforward although like Mustafa, 1d held me up with knock on impact to 9a (which I rather liked once I realised the Reverend was a mis-direction). Got to brave the rain as I need jalapeños from the allotment.

    Thanks to today’s setter and CS.

15. All OK except – sorry – I didn’t like 9a. Needed CS’ hint but groaned when I realised what the answer was. Impressive to include two Tory MPs in one crossword though and for that 1a and 15a are my joint COTD. After the football, now comes the golf and the Old Trafford rain. As Morecambe and Wise said, ‘bring me sunshine.’ Come on England!

16. All went well
    Until the remaining, 1d
    And 9a.
    Any mention of Spooner
    Turns my brain to jelly.
    Both took an age for
    The descending coin.
    Great fun, though, to brighten
    A rather overcast day.
    Many thanks to the setter and CS.

17. Late start for me and the Spoonerism that wasn’t haunted me throughout the solve. Having said that, the Levi’s guy in 27a put me in a far better mood! Think my favourite was 21a.

    Thanks to our setter (?) and to CS for the hints. I really do think that, in fairness to the rest of us who lose our stakes on a regular basis, it behoves our senior lady blogger to ‘put her money where her mouth is’ instead of just telling us that she has won if and when all is revealed!

    1. Once again, I had a successful wager – the puzzle had a certain something (not quite sure what) that reminded me of the work of the Editor

       1. Sorry, CS, that’s not good enough to win you the money – you posted that comment AFTER Mr Ed popped in to claim authorship! I’m thinking that you don’t quite understand how this betting lark works!

          1. Having devoted a considerable part of today to crosswords including drafting three blog posts, I was actually doing something not crossword related at all

18. Well, if this is not a Cephas puzzle I would be really surprised as it went in so smoothly and easily, as his tend to do for me. So I’m throwing 10/- on this being a Cephas gift this Saturday.

    1*/5* for me today

    Favourites include half the grid IMHO, but the top six for me include 12a, 17a, 24a, 27a, 3d & 20d — with winner a tie between 17a & 20d

    A thoroughly enjoyable solve on my Friday late afternoon in the blazing sunshine at 25C

    Thanks to Cephas and CS for hints/blog

19. A struggle for me today.
    Needed the hints for 9a (no surprise there) and to check 1d. Had to check the BRB for 5d and had to use the word wizard for 18d. Not my finest hour .
    Just not my cup of tea I’m afraid.
    Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue.

    I see we now have 2 members doing the rituals……I fear for us…..who knows what they may unleash……

    1. I am sure Oppenheimer shared your fears about what may be unleashed by dabbling with the unknown

       1. Orthodontists practice The Black Arts! I say that in jest , of course, – it’s what we endodontists call them. :grin:

20. Just popping in to say thanks for the comments so far, and to own up as the compiler of today’s puzzle. Apologies to anyone who thought 9ac on the sneaky side. I’d say in reply that it’s the setter’s job to be sneaky! I always think of that definition of the answer as being a “classic” piece of Crosswordese, along with definitions such as “banker” or “flower” for a river.

    Bonus points to anyone who can spot which answer started out with an anagram clue referencing an MP known for their skill at handling a sword. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a version of the clue that didn’t seem rather clunky, so changed tack.

    1. 27a ?

    2. Hi Chris, very good of you to pop in. I reckon there will be a fair amount of stake money lost today but it’s good to see that you can still occasionally find time to do a little compiling of your own. Any chance we might get another Samuel Toughie at some stage?
       I reckon Gazza’s guess of 27a as the potential anagram clue is probably correct. The lady’s prowess with a sword is likely to be the main thing her tenure will be remembered for in years to come!

    3. Thanks for popping in and commenting. It wasn’t overly long before I realised that 9a was along the lines you say (I’m pleased to say, having recently had trouble with ‘summer’ being someone who does sums!). It was the homonym part I found difficult, which might be due to my accent! I imagine, like Jane and Gazza, 27a for the MP?

    4. Thank you for dropping in, Chris and for the puzzle, which teased and pleased in equal measure.

    5. I enjoyed this, such a relief from yesterday. I got 9a right but had no idea why, clever that. Thank you for restoring my faith in crosswords.

    6. Would the anagram have produced a Penny-drop moment?

       1. Nice one Stan, but thank goodness she didn’t!

    7. Fair enough on the definition, but the homophone is egregiously bad !

    8. 27a) The French “Penny Dreadful” might clean up in America (10)

       Probably a bit too evil for a back page 😈😅

       1. … and an indirect anagram which is certainly too evil for any puzzle.

          1. Just having some fun 😅

21. A bit more of a challenge this Saturday, I enjoyed 3/4’s of the puzzle, but after checking my answer for 9a with our esteemed blogger’s hint felt it required too much of a leap of faith.

    2.5*/3*

    Fav 8d LOI 9a.

    Thanks to setter and CS.

22. CL thanks for coming clean as today’s Mysteron for this enjoyable exercise.

    1. Sorry this should have been a Reply to Comment 20.

23. About half went in without too much stress, but then hit treacle. I was quite pleased to solve 9a for two reasons, although the shadow of the naughty step prevents me from elaborating. Having said that I didn’t get the 9a homonym until I saw CC’s hint and persevered with the sounds (while appearing quite mad). The second part doesn’t fit naturally with my pronunciation at all. Clicking the sound file on my Oxford Dictionary app didn’t help either. It did occur to me, like CC, that 15a wasn’t particularly future proof. The lurkers stood out to me today, and there were only two definitions that I felt were notably remote. Having said that, it was tricky. Also, there is the Americanism indicator rule. There was an Americanism indicator in one clue, but not in another. I have been considering whether there’s a second Americanism without an indicator, depending on the parsing of a clue CC hasn’t hinted about. I notice Rabbit Dave thinks there are three Americanisms, and I’ll go with his view. But, there is a suggestion this is a new setter, so perhaps I’ll let this puzzle off with a caution.

    Thanks for the hints CrypticSue. Much appreciated as always.

24. Chris Lancaster is definitely not a ‘new setter’

    Also is there actually a ‘rule’ about indicating Americanisms? Although some people feel very strongly about the matter, others who read a lot of books, some from UK writers and others from American writers, not to mention watching films and television programmes where most of these expressions are in everyday use, just think of them as ‘words’

    1. Chris’s comment wasn’t there while I was writing – i.e. before the page refreshed. As you will have seen, I said there are suggestions that this is a new setter, which I obviously wouldn’t have said after the setter had identified himself! So it seems fairly obvious that I didn’t know at the time.

       As to your ‘also’, it’s just my rule which I mentioned yesterday. I don’t use Americanisms. I don’t say ‘fall’ for autumn, there is no ‘laundrymat’ anywhere near where I live, to me the toilet isn’t a ‘restroom’. So, to me, they’re not in everyday use and should be indicated just as much as French, German, and Spanish words are.

       1. Having said that, I accept there are American words that have forced their way into our lexicon, e.g. ‘skedaddle’, which appeared in a puzzle recently and most commenters who expressed a view seemed to like the word. I dislike it, but it seems to have been accepted by the dictionary as English, so I didn’t comment. There are a host of Americanisms that I hope don’t get officially absorbed, such as ‘burglarise’ (which is in the Oxford dictionary, but noted as N American) – we’ll have to see.

          In America, a muffin is a kind of cake and that’s how most people in England see them now. But in Greater Manchester, a muffin is what others might call a barm or a tea cake or in the South, a bread roll. The Americans call those kind of muffins, English muffins. It’s sad to think that the Americans preserve the English word better than the English.

          I read that fifteen per cent of people pronounce three with an f compared to just 2 percent in the 1950s. Makes me wonder whether any of these crosswords will be intelligible in a generation or two.

25. 3/2. I didn’t enjoy this puzzle which needed bung ins (9a) and 27a (hardly cryptic and worst still would accept an alternative answer until the SE corner wouldn’t work). Not my cup of tea. Thanks to the setter and CS.

26. I seem to have found this easier than most. Needed the hint for 9a. Sure I’ve got the right answer for 19a but just have to work out why! Good to see the cricket has started.

27. Have to agree with most of the comments re 9a (still don’t get it) particularly liked the ‘beyond sneaky comment 😂 24a was also not a favourite. However,apart from these two there were some excellent clues today including 4d and 15a. Thanks all from a very wet Bishop Auckland

28. It all flew quickly in until, like others, an almighty head scratch for both 1d&9a. Not sure I’d have twigged the latter (sneaky indeed) without the benefit of the initial checker which came after an embarrassingly long mental trawl for the style synonym – consoled to know I was in such good company. 5d unfamiliar to me & note 2d cropping up a lot recently. Lots to like in this one – 1a (surface made me think of the Coutts fiasco), 15a (cryptics seemingly fav Tory) & 27a (immediately played that titled track from Rory Gallagher’s
    eponymously titled debut solo album very loud & yes surely it was our Penny) made my podium with near misses for 4d&14a
    Thanks to Mr Ed (my betting ticket would have been in the bin) & to Sue plus a welcome back to Senf

29. Such a relief! I didn’t know 5d but well clued and a visit to the dictionary enlightened me. I had forgotten the dude (yes an Americanism, so shoot me!) in 15a but it had to be. Lots to like, 16d was good, but 4d is such a lovely word.
    Thank you esteemed Editor for the fun and CS for unravelling so much.

    1. 😂 Nothing wrong with American being spoken on the other side of the Atlantic, or indeed by Americans even if over here! Even to use the word ‘burglarise’! I just don’t search for American words in English crosswords because there seems to be an assumption they will be indicated. I say that because most of the time they are indicated. Setters could decide not to indicate any and use all English and American words, meanings and spellings, which which would bring in a whole raft of variants. Perhaps too many, but either way, there should at least be consistency IMHO; indicate all or none.

       1. No, I draw the line at burglarise … or maybe I mean burglarize!

30. I might have felt this was on the tricky side, except I felt such an overwhelming relief after my abysmal failure yesterday, so was quite happy to struggle with some of today’s clues. I did have to use some of CrypticSue’s hints, so not the satisfaction of finishing unaided. Would not have got 5d had it not been a lurker, need to remember that word. Like Merusa, my brain shudders when I see the word “Spooner” and I am still at a loss as to how 9a parses. But enjoyable and happy with that. Thanks to setter and CrypticSue.

31. Back from a lovely week in the Algarve, where it was hot but bearable unlike many other places seem to have been. Today it is wet and cold and I have washing everywhere!
    This is the first cryptic in a week and it took a while to get going and I thought it was on the trickier side, although admittedly I was not on wavelength at the start. My favourite was 4d and like others I just put in a word that fitted for 9a which thanks to the hints I think is correct. The lurker was brilliant.

    I am glad you are better Senf.

    Many thanks to Chris L for the crossword and to CS for the hints.

32. Enjoyed today’s puzzle and getting the long clues in early gave me a good start. Was held up with 19a and 16d. I detest Spoonerisms and 9a was my last one in. Many thanks to our eminent setter Mr Lancaster and Cryptic Sue. Having invited a friend round to join us for supper I must go and get on with the food prep. Why did I decide to do a Mediterranean meal when the weather forecast predicted rain for the cricket! Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone.

33. I see nobody has recommended Shabbo’s excellent NTSPP – a light delight & perfect accompaniment to this one.

    1. Yes, rather sad to see so few comments, it was a delightful puzzle.

    2. I agree. Shabbo has produced a wonderfully entertaining guzzle 👍

       1. I’ll print it off for next Friday.

34. Not too bad an effort except for the appalling Dr Spooner. Like others, my brain freezes when he is mentioned..
    I don’t really think 27a is exclusively American . In my early married days in Cleltenham I depended on one.
    Lots of welcome rain here in South Devon…not so good for the holiday makers though. I’m glad I’m not camping!

    1. Me too when we moved house years ago but I think the argument is that here they are called laundrettes.

35. The quickie pun is appalling…and on George’s birthday too !

36. A tricky but enjoyable puzzle with just 1D defeating me so I was grateful for the hint on that one. My penultimate one in was 9A which, contrary to popular opinion it seems, I enjoyed as a devilish bit of misdirection. All’s fair in love and crosswords!

    Thanks to the blogger and editor/setter.

37. Really enjoyed this with the exception of 9a. Need the hints to solve and parse. Took a while of saying the answer for the penny to drop, quickly followed by a loud groan. Good job I had no witnesses.

    Having lived in Canada for a couple of years, Americanisms don’t bother me, indicated or not. However, anyone using burglarise in my presence can expect a bonk on the nose!

    Thanks to all.

    1. Forgot to mention the quickie was a dnf. Not having the luxury of a classical education, 1d is impossible. Even when I heard the answer it didn’t ring any bells. This is the second time I have a dnf on a quickie due to obscure answers.

       Am I wrong in thinking the name implies they are easy(ish)?

       1. I think it is supposed to be a quick test of general knowledge/knowledge of words and synonyms

       2. IMHO, the Quick Crossword is always much more difficult than the cryptic puzzle.

          1. Agree with that, can probably count on two hands the times in my life where I’ve finished the whole back page.

38. Only looked at this this morning. I needed CS’s help with 9a. Had no idea until I saw the illustration and still don’t get the first part of the homophone. CS must have been exhausted as allowed a new? contributor to include two answers in one of his comments although one was spelt wrongly. Has he not read the instructions? Thanks Chris for the exercise. Oddly 17a held me up. Thanks CS

39. I am a very latecomer having been very busy all day yesterday. So many comments – I rapid read them but don’t have the energy to enter the debates. Suffice it to say that I did a bung in with 4a ‘cos that was all it could be and no amount of muttering the word in all manner of accents brings me near to a spoonerism. Win some, lose some. I’ve completed the grid and that’s the main thing. I thought 16d was brilliant, my favourite of the day. I also noticed the repetition of the Christmas theme, we’ll be saying the nights are drawing in soon. Many thanks to CL and CS.

    1. Like so many other solvers you made the mistake of thinking the clue had something to do with a Spoonerism

40. Really enjoyed today, 2*/4* for me. 4a not much problem, it said spoons so I’ll think of spoons! Always expect the bluff. 18d my last one, brain block, wine ran out and too many s’s. Really loved 12a. Have we had an almost identical 2d already this week?

41. My laptop conked out last Tuesday and is still languishing at the repair shop, so I’m belatedly catching up with the comments on here via a library computer. Re 9a: I’m usually a big fan of Spoonerisms, but this one has got be completely bemused – can’t make head nor tail of it!

    1. It’s not a Spoonerism.

42. Good puzzle apart from 9a – which we got fr
    Om the context but my wife is still spluttering!

Comments are closed.