Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3229 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg, where, while there has still been ‘heat’ to the East of us, it has been quite Autumnal here prompting the question of what jacket do I wear today? How warm/chilly will it be? Is rain in the forecast? Showers or a downpour? Decisions, decisions!.
For me, and I stress for me, Dada both friendly and unfriendly, sort of half and half, but he did give us plenty of anagrams this week – seven (three partials) plus two lurkers, and one homophone – all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 21a, 27a, 2d, 7d, and 14d.
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 Social climber finished jump (7)
A two letter synonym of finished (as in time has run out?) and a synonym of jump (as in when something unexpected happens?).
9a Prince say, hitherto there on manoeuvres (4,2,3,6)
An anagram (manoeuvres) of HITHERTO THERE ON.
15a That chap’s a politician no more! (7)
The possessive third person singular male pronoun equivalent to that chap’s and a ‘blue’ politician (in the UK).
17a Start that’s bad in competition (5,2)
A four letter synonym of bad (sometimes referring to meat?) inserted into (in) a three letter generic term for competition.
19a Go-getter importing goods set off (7)
A five letter synonym of go-getter (possibly from Dada’s personal thesaurus) containing (importing) the single letter for Good twice (goods).
23a Standard, stone (4)
A double definition – the second might be a stone used for patios or pathways.
27a Purchase English house: informed about that (7)
A synonym for informed containing (about that) all of the single letter for English and the two letter abbreviation for house.
28a Continue song and dance (5-2)
A double definition – the second may refer to an unnecessary fuss.
Down
1d Free meal, though not starter, dining on success (7)
A five letter meal with the first letter removed (though not starter) containing (dining on) a term for success (in the entertainment industry?).
2d Corkscrewing flight scariest, pals struggling to catch breath (6,9)
An anagram (struggling) of SCARIEST PALS containing (to catch) a three letter synonym of breath.
4d Wobbly child given low grade in test (7)
A three letter synonym for child followed by a low (letter) grade inserted into (in) a three letter synonym of test.
7d Fair game running stern of clipper into old warship (8,7)
A synonym of running and the last letter (stern) of clippeR inserted into an old (as illustrated) warship.
14d Range, part of the morning? (5)
Written (2.3) the Latin based abbreviation for morning and a synonym of part.
18d Glad whelp finally let out (7)
The last letter (finally) of whelP and a synonym of let out (as in rented).
24d Some butcher’s hooks on your bike! (4)
One of the lurkers (some) found in two words in the clue.
25d Evidence of battle wound, terrifying cut (4)
A synonym of terrifying with the last letter deleted (cut).
Quick Crossword Pun:
KNOB + LEAN + EASE = KNOBBLY KNEES
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The often recorded Groovy Kind of Love began its life in 1965 when it was written by Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager, based on a melody by the classical composer Muzio Clementi, and first recorded by American singing duo Diane & Annita. In 1988, Phil Collins recorded the song which featured on the soundtrack of the film Buster (based on the life of Buster Edwards, one of the Great Train Robbers) which he also starred in with Julie Walters. His version was at number one for two weeks starting on this day in 1988:
Very enjoyable, all coming together smoothly with just the NW causing a bit of extra thought. My podium reflects that with 1a plus 1&2d taking the minor places with the super 15a taking top spot.
Thanks to Dada and Senf
I thought Dada was being fairly friendly this morning until I reached my slow point, also the NW quadrant, with 1a and 1d the last to yield. Most entertaining, with 9a my favourite alongside 15a.
My thanks to the aforementioned, and Senf.
Gentle stuff today & very enjoyable too. Another vote for 15a as COTD – what I suspect most ‘em will be come election day. Temperature rising here on the first tee & thankfully only a couple more days of the heatwave to endure
Thanks to D&S
NW corner the last in for me too. An enjoyable friendly Dada puzzle. Favourite for me was 7d – excellent surface read.
I would recommend Robyn’s Toughie today for anyone who wants to stretch themselves a little; he is also in a friendly mood.
Great music choice Senf! Phil Collins only ever recorded that song once as a demo for the movie – he never ‘officially’ recorded it, even though it was a huge hit.
My thanks to Dada and Senf. Have a good Sunday!
Thoroughly enjoyed this Dada
SPP .
Steady, unaided random
Progress to completion.
Lingered, perhaps, too long
Over 17 and 27a until
Duh moments.
Many thanks Dada and Senf.
An enjoyable Dada puzzle – thanks to him.
Top picks for me were 15a, 1d and 18d.
I’ll second Philbert’s recommendation for the Robyn Toughie which is superb.
The NW corner held me up at the finish, but there was a good mix of difficult and straightforward clues, with some of the four letter ones giving me a start. Iliked the long anagram at22d and the lego clues at 7d, 17d and 1d, the latter being my COTD for its clever misdirection. . Thanks tovDada for another fine SPP and tto Senf for the hints. It’s turned rather cooler, after our mini heat wave and cooling rain is falling here in South Oxfordshire.
2*/4*. Mostly light and all good fun with 15a my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
A good puzzle for what may be the last day of summer in Scotland.
Favourite- 24d.
Thanks to setter and hinter.
Back to wrestling with the Toughie which I am not finding as easy as some commenters.
For me, and I stress for me, {™ Senf} this was a good workout; a delightful accompaniment to my toast, and orange juice with no bits.
Plus a mention (by Manitoba Man) of a movie in which I was involved, a million years ago.
We haven’t learned our lesson after yesterday’s endeavours at Stamford Bridge, for we are about to depart for an adventure in Central London. I am praying for air conditioning.
Daisy – I have one of these
Thanks to DaDooRonRon and The Man From Manitoba
It’s 30 degrees in the shade here so you can imagine how thrilled I was to get an email from M&S telling me that their Christmas shop is now open. Mind you, Sainsbury’s have had Christmas puddings and cakes on display for nearly two weeks
Morrisons is full of mince pies and the like and September has only just begun! Wake me up when September ends or preferably long after November ends if you want me to buy Christmas stuff.
My parents had a grocery shop and every August we had to go to ‘the Christmas Show’ where we walked around a large decorated warehouse picking the Christmas chocolates/ Alcohol etc and other treats available for order that year. It was all very surreal but as it included free samples and there was a toy section I never minded being dragged along! However as seem to remember my parents hated it as it was in the middle of summer.
Sorry. That was a wrong link, supposed to be Wake me up When September Ends by Green Day
Fortunately(?), the shops over here are full of ‘stuff’ for the non-holiday at the end of October!
Maybe I am lucky not to be able to browse shops again!
Just finished after quite a struggle. Maybe off wavelength here?
16a easy solve but not sure of meaning.
Favourite 26a or maybe still hungry even after breakfast.
Thanks to setter
Quite a friendly Dada today with a new word for me in 14d and sorry but I thought 1d was a dreadful clue but no doubt others will differ. Best for me was 19d. Apart from the above a very enjoying puzzle.
Thx to all
***/****
I would agree. I had to resort to (dare I mention it!) Crossword Solver. It was only then the penny dropped!!
Nicely challenging with NW being biggest headache as per other bloggers above. 17a and 27a unparsed by me and not keen on “dining on” for 1d. Thank you Dada and Senf.
D’oh have just looked at hints and seen illustration to Quickie pun. No wonder I couldn’t suss it as I had wrong first letter for 8a.
Wonderful Ladies, sorry, they call it Women’s Final here, yesterday. I’m so glad Coco won. Waiting for the Men’s now. I’m rooting for Medvedev, only ‘cos I don’t like the other one and my faves are gone!
Managed pretty well today. Found 1d and 27a most difficult to unravel but got there in the end…..unusual for me to solve a Dada unaided, so flags are out at Meringue Towers.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Early sunshine has given way to rather grey clouds here in Angus, so it is looking like our Indian summer is over.
I was surprised but delighted to discover that the local food bank was very happy to accept a bag of apples from our garden last week. I thought they only took products with a shelf life, but they greeted me with open arms.
SW last for me. Had xxxxxxxx early which threw me so have to have 28a as my favorite.
As others apparently found, it was a couple in the NW that held out the longest and 15a that took the gold star – with a mention for 14d.
Must have rained a little here overnight but we’re back to uncomfortably hot now – where’s that sea breeze when you need it………
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and great music – think I almost wore out my cd of his No Jacket Required, such a chocolate-smooth voice.
All finished with some head scratching particularly in NW corner but unusual for me to get through a Dads by this time of day. I had to check 14d was a word as it as new to me and my favourite was 2d.
It’s just started to pour with rain here in the Chilterns and feels very thundery at the moment, my water butt will be happy!
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and Phil Collins clip, there is a lot of Phil Collins and Genesis played in this house.
I got there in the end, though not without ‘reveal a letter” help and a hint. Top spot goes to 15A. Thanks to Senf and Dada.
An enjoyable puzzle completed unaided whilst listening to the patter of rain, a relief from the record breaking run of hot September days. Entered for the prize pen for first time ever, hoping for beginner’s luck.
Another fine Dada puzzle for this Sunday with some tricky clues but not too much quirkiness this week, I thought. Almost seems like he left his personal thesaurus at home this week.
2*/4* for me this week.
Favourites include (and there are so many I could choose), 23a, 25a, 28a, 2d, 4d, 17d & 19d — with winner 17d as it just made me laugh.
Such a good puzzle IMHO and I really find Dada never disappoints.
Thanks to Dada and Senf for blog/hints.
Dada is never easy but this is about as friendly as he gets. I needed a little ehelp in the SW to get going again, otherwise all my own work with a page scattered with letters written in circles. I got 17d on reading but couldn’t get the “tilt” part, I think I get it now but pretty weak. Fave is 15a, but lots to like. I’m not sure my 23a is right … no it’s not, I’ve just noticed a letter in 20d is written so badly, I can’t read my own writing.
Thank you Dada and to Senf for your hints and pics. I’ll read the comments later, must get in the pool for my routine!
I’m back, and what a thunderstorm we’re having!
Clear and sunny here…
Nice challenge from Dada today, some nice anagrams to get a start and a few trickier tests
Thanks to Dada and Senf
Lots to like today, but can’t think of a particular favourite, except of course the Quickie pun and its illustration!
Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
Dada on top form for me, all good stimulating fun with just enough easy-ish clues to 17a the solving engine….
Another mixed bag for me, some made sense right away, and some I had to put on my thinking head for, but happily a good few helped along by the checkers. Main problem with that if there were two possible interpretations of the definition, I always managed to pick the wrong one. But it’s a Dada, so I’ll take that as a win. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Ross did it in xxxx [redacted – we don’t discuss solving times – Comment Etiquette #6], all except 17a … xxxxx [redacted]?
Took me rather longer, but got there, with dictionary help only
I quite liked standard stone
Gratitude to all
Oops, apologies. Have read the Etiquette section
carefully, and will comply.