Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30407 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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A friendly pangram, just right for solving (and blogging twice) on what is supposed to be the last hot and sunny day for a while so I’m keen to get away from the computer and enjoy being outside while it lasts
If I haven’t hinted the clue you can’t solve, try looking to see if it is an anagram (there are quite a few of them in the grid) or a hidden word.
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 Point during speech about America (10)
A preposition meaning during and a manner of speaking into which is inserted (about) the abbreviation for American
6a Replacements for buttons? Nothing succeeded (4)
An originally American slang word meaning nothing and the abbreviation for succeeded
12a Most foolish, getting sick during brief nap (8)
A synonym for sick inserted into a truncated (brief) afternoon nap
21a Relatively paltry young bird heard (7)
A homophone (heard) of a young bird
28a Period to pass in a leisurely way (5)
A period of time or a verb defined by the last six words of the clue
29a Gin, say, some sent back (4)
A reversal (sent back) of a portion (some)
30a Informer turns up in prairies, perhaps (10)
A slang informer and part of a verb meaning turns up
Down
1d Smooth club (4)
A verb meaning to smooth or a type of golf club
2d Worthy of esteem if gin potentially passed around (9)
Passed away goes around an anagram (potentially) of IF GIN
4d In consequence of that article concerning Times … (7)
The definite article, the usual two-letter ‘concerning/on the subject of’, and another way of saying ‘times’ in a multiplication sum
20d Diligent worker to patch up round centre of machinery (7)
To mend or patch up goes around the letter at the centre of machinery
21d Gives task to king, good for first of leaders (7)
Take the name of the King and replace the first letter of Leaders with the abbreviation for Good
25d Latest deals oddly missing in column (5)
Something recently made (latest) and the even (oddly missing) letters of dEaLs, the column being an upright post at the end of a stair rail
26d Black Sabbath’s opening for gang in West Side Story (4)
A rich black colour and the opening of Sabbath
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The Quick Crossword pun: STAY + BILL + EYES = STABILISE30
A wonderful SPP once again although there were a few that needed the synapses to work hard. I’m not sure of the parsing for 6a but I can’t see it being anything else. My COTD is the foolish 12a.
Many thanks to the setter for the fun and, of course, CS for the hints, which I will now read.
Just seen the hint for 6a – I didn’t know the American connection.
Me too with 6a. Answer came to me straightaway but did not know the derivation.
I didn’t have time to see the blog yesterday, but having read it now, I see that Mrs C is improving…..that is such good news. All the best to you both.
Thank you, Ora. 👍
Is it me or was this just a little harder than an average Saturday?
Just finished without assistance but the grey cells earned their keep.
I did know the US version of diddly- squat!
Thanks to setter for a nice mix of anagrams and lurkers etc.
Enjoyable but perhaps
Rather mild for a SPP.
Of special note 1a and
2d.
Very well hidden lurkers.
New meaning for me
In 6a.
Thanks setter and CS.
My rating for today’s puzzle is 1*/3*. As CS says, this was a friendly pangram.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS.
Very enjoyable. Cotd 25d. Learnt new word and ingenious clue
A bit of head scratching involved but got there in the end. Didn’t realise it was a pangram until I was finished.
No real favourites today – just a puzzle of nicely puzzling clues.
Thanks to Setter and crypticsue.
I hope Emma is still doing well.
Emmy is still well thank you. Shonagh was struggling to keep up with her on the evening walk. 🙂
Very enjoyable.
Something for everyone: reasonably short clues, therefore not too many dark alleys, and some excellent techniques.
The 25d/28a comby held out the longest with the former getting on my podium along with 12a (Roger Hargreaves – totes ledge) and 27a which I loved.
Many thanks to The Crypt and setter.
2*/4*
I found this not too bad for a prize puzzle, although the hints are still most welcome and I have some yet to complete. I was most chuffed at having solved 26d without any help but when I read Sue’s hint, I had arrived at the answer in the most roundabout and convoluted way. It involved previous bands etc, but I’ll not say anymore as the naughty step is ever present. Sometimes not thinking too cryptically is the way to go.
COTD is 25d having had to replace one recently, it’s a faff!
Definitely a very absorbing puzzle, which seemed more difficult to me than to some of our elite solvers. It was nonetheless enjoyable for that and full of superb misdirection. I liked 1a, whch was well disguised and 4d, which I thought, at first, had a different answer,. However, 30a, my COTD, made me laugh and was well disguised again. Thanks to CS for the hints and I hope you get some time outside. Thanks to the compiler too for avery interesting guzzle .
On the whole I found this reasonably straightforward until I hit the SE corner. I needed the hints to get 25d and 28a. Still can’t fully parse 13a.
Enjoyable and well clued.
Thx to all
***/****
If you look at your solution for 13a can you see that you’ve got a synonym for change with the abbreviation for Time moved to the end of the word?
Thanks this was useful for me too – I hope i got the word and from your suggestion I think i understand the rationale. (Is the synonym for change [redacted – please read the instructions in red at the bottom of the post – and the answer to the bit I’ve removed is No!]
Oops sorry didn’t realise it was more suggestive than the comment I was replying to! But apologies. Will have to wait for the explanation later in week.
Just about right for a SPP. I was on pangram alert with solving 6a and 15a quite early on – **/****
It appears that any of our setters can create a pangram SPP these days so my two half-crowns are staying in my pocket.
Candidates for favourite – 30a, 2d, 4d, and 21d – and the winner is 30a.
Thanks to the setter and CS.
At first time through I thought this was at the tougher end of the SPP spectrum, the bottom half was okay but it took a second brew and looking at the letters I needed for the pangram to crack the top
4d was last one today, i always forget the meaning of “times…”
Thanks to Setter and the ever-busy Sue
Off to pull the trigger on a fancy red Fiesta
Are you not heading for T.Albion v Chester which is on TV just now?
Got to sort out a new motor before my niece needs hers back
Nice little pillar box red one has caught my eye (and wallet)
We have a red Fiesta. Ours is the eco-friendly model which means we don’t have to pay any road tax
Busy car shopping but it seems they started well in the first half, not so well in the second though
I was also confused by “times” in 4d, especially as it was capped. When will I ever learn?
Satisfying Saturday puzzle and I’ll now have a West Side Story earworm for the rest of the day – loved that film when I first saw it at the cinema many moons ago.
I’m guessing that this is a Cephas production so thanks to him for the enjoyment and thanks to CS for the hints.
Enjoyable guzzle today. Only got 6a as I was missing one vital letter from the pangram but don’t understand it at all even with SC’s hint. Thanks to all.
Agree
6a is very dubious in both meanings.
But I would not even dare to argue with the BRB.
It’s not in my old BRB in any form.
Hi Manders, your home town is definitely in great demand with TV crews! This last week the focus was on The Crab House.
Yes, I saw it Jane and enjoyed the programme a lot. We have still to go to that restaurant although it has been on our list for ages but I think sooner rather than later after that publicity though.
For what it’s worth, Manders, I’ve used the term for the last 30 years, having picked it up when I worked in the money markets, giving it large, son, and all that geezer stuff.
Av it!
I would love to provide the hints, Manders but tis not me but CS. 😊
I appreciated the gin theme! Fun crossword
Jolly grateful to Br. Ian and SuperSue for their exchange above as I couldn’t parse 13a and it was driving me doolally. Other than that a cheery guzzle on a bright and sunny day here in the heartland.
I do miss seeing Robert here. On the passing chance that he or his partner glance this way, I do wish Robert the very best.
Thanks to the ol’ setter and to PC Security (anag)
Yes, I often think of Robert. Do hope he is getting better – we all went though such a lot together during lockdown!
Hear, hear! 👍
I do send an e-mail to Robert every week but quite often get nothing in return. He did manage a short sentence a couple of days ago in which he said he’d write soon but I don’t have any other info to pass on. I’ll certainly post something on the blog if and when he does write but I think he’s got a lot of demons to fight at the moment so all we can do is hope that he’s winning the battle.
All I can say is ‘Keep your chin up Robert, you can’t keep a good man down’. A lot of folk on this side of the pond are rooting for you and wishing you well.
👍👍👍
Just about right. Last one in was 6a as did not know the American expression. You don’t see many buttons there nowadays (not that I look). No real holdups but did need a few checkers before the penny dropped on some. Favourites 28a and 2d. Thanks setter (Could it be Cephas?) and to CS for the explanation for the answer to 6a.
My wife has a very strange phobia as does her mother …..loose buttons.
No problem if they’re attached but on their lonesome gives her the heebyjeebies.
Does anyone else have this most random fear or do you know of someone who does?
I leave one around the house occasionally to creep her out.
I am so childish.
I seem to recall Eddie Izzard did an inspired off-the-cuff routine when a button came off one of the frock coats he was wearing, although i suppose those pronouns are now non-PC, as she has changed to Suzy Izzard now
Gosh! I had no idea Eddie was a Suzy now.
Amazing what you learn from this blog.
Thanks SJB
Further investigoogling reveals she is not a stickler on pronouns;
“And I prefer she/her but I don’t mind he/him. So no one can really get it wrong unless they call me Kenneth or Sabrina.”
That was terrific fun with just enough bite to it. It amuses me to come across setters’ varying ways of indicating anagrams – wont be more specific for fear of naughty corner although the potential of CS’ goodies should tempt me there! Thank you Mysteron (however it has just occurred to me that this is not PC) and CS, our trusty hinter.
If we are going to be PC I guess we should say M’ron. No, that’s not right either. Perhaps it is just ‘M’ and it is Bond’s boss
Moonlighting.
😀
A brisk problem free solve other than a failure to see the parsing at 1a for some reason – it’s not as though it was particularly tricky wordplay. No particular favourite but very enjoyable
Thanks to the setter (Cephas presumably) & to CS
Great crossword – for me, challenging but doable. Thanks to CS and setter.
Thought this may be a pangram from the get go when I solved my first clues, 6a and then 27a
So for me this was 2.5*/3*
Favourites include 6a, 12a, 17a, 21a, 8d & 21d with winner 6a
Never heard the word in 25d.
NO idea of the setter today so my 5/- is staying in my pocket today … not a flippin’ chance it is coming out.
Thanks to setter and CS for hints/blog.
The buzzing of vintage aeroplanes overhead accompanied the execution of this fine guzzle. It is a display weekend at IWM Duxford, all very nostalgic for me with memories of jumping up and down on the chicken shed in Banstead cheering on the spitfires until the roof caved in and cousin David and I fell through. However, I digress. 6a was new to me also but as I was on early pangram alert (a J and a K turn me on) it was a bungin. A nice mixture of clues, anagrams help me of course – I don’t think I have ever heard a young bird called 21a but I am not an ornithologist. I got the sporty one 👏 but I honestly do not think I can nominate a favourite, like Dame Edna – I loved them all. Many thanks to Mr Setter and Madam Sue.
DG – do you know it’s Mr. Setter (as per my Comment 18)?!
I see it is in fact a Chalicea product hence my “Mysteron” is definitely inappropriate!
1/3. Enjoyable while it lasted. 17a was favourite closely followed by 12a. Thanks to the setter and CS.
I really enjoyed this and did complete it unaided, although after I had to check a couple of synonyms which were new to me but it turned out my answers did fit so I am pleased with myself. Some really great clues I can’t really choose a favourite.
Many thanks to the setter and CS for the hints.
It’s a beautiful summers day here today, I hope others of you are similarly blessed.
As straightforward as they come today, no hold-ups. LOI was 24a just because it was. Favourite was 4d. Thanks to the setter and CS.
Tricky one today, tempted to look at hints late morning, but resisted. Up at the seaside this weekend and still sunny and warm, so had a dip in the sea followed by lunch, then solved unaided over a cup of tea. Sense of achievement for persevering. Amazing how with a break things can become clear! Unlike most, 6a was first one in, immediately clear. Favourite 2d today. Thanks to the Setter and CS.
We are currently on holiday in Zakinthos so don’t always get round to downloading the paper. But I did today and was pleased to have done so. I found it pretty plain sailing with the obvious help offered by spotting a pangram early on. No real favourites but 26d came close.
Thanks to our Saturday setter and CS.
I think this was a little trickier for a Saturday but very enjoyable. I sussed out the pangram early, a huge help. I think my 8d has to be right, I get the observers but not the top actress. I used 10a as my seed word for Wordle and it was a winner, so thanks for that setter. I liked lots so a bit difficult choosing a fave but 30a did stand out.
Thank you setter for the fun and, of course, our very own CS for her hints and tips.
BTW, our setter never did pop in to take ownership of that gem yesterday, pity.
There’s an anagram indicator in the clue for 8d
Rats! Sometimes I think I’m regressing, so obvious but I missed it.
Setter popping in to admit to doing a rather naughty ‘not my thing’ pangram again. Oh dear Senf, I keep hoping you will bet your five bob and win one of these days. Not quite so much CL tweaking this week and I am delighted that the word ‘enjoyable’ keeps coming up. It was great fun to set.
You’re a STAR! Such a pleasure, thanks for that.
Well I reckon they ‘are your thing’, I’ve enjoyed your last few pangrams, thank you!
Chalicea! I had an inkling it was my favourite setter. Thank you for the fun. 😊
It all came together nicely except for 6a. Having read a few of the comments recently I then had a penny drop moment! Many thanks to the setter and Cryptic Sue. Thankfully we have had a dry day to get the washing out and lawns cut but would have appreciated a lot more sunshine. Quite chilly at times in NW.
I’ve simply got to have a whinge and it’s nothing to do with the puzzle. My new passport arrived today. I am now ‘Disgusted of Cley’. I was expecting/hoping to be proud of my new British navy blue passport of the old quality and design. What has arrived is an extremely cheap and shoddy, plasticky version in black. After a quick google, find our British Passports are made in Poland! WHY? Are we so short of money spending millions on extremely debatable projects and saving the world, we have to have our proud passports outsourced?
Scandalous Manders. Whoever is responsible should be sent to the Tower!
Skip the sarcasm, it’s another example of dumming down fabulous Britishness at its best. It is really cheap and tacky.
Cheap and tacky refers to the passport, not your comment.
Oh, don’t get me started!
A very enjoyable puzzle for me today…though like others here I found it a bit harder than usual for a SPP….but definitely none the worse for that, quite the reverse actually.
Spotted the pangram which I often don’t .
Thanks to Chalicea and to Crypticsue.
After rain all last night and a bit this morning we have had a lovely, sunny, if cool, day here. Sadly I see that the weathermen say that it won’t last past tomorrow. Sigh.
Late to the party today having been to the IWM and The Lowry at Salford Quays.
A steady enjoyable solve. The pangram helped at the end to fill a missing Z 👍
Thank you Chalicea and CS. (more Mr Men, yay!)
An enjoyable puzzle and a bit of a challenge in places, it felt rather like a shipping forecast: 😁😁
Northerly good, filling rapidly at times, confidence rising, smooth.
South-westerly moderate, cloudy at times, filling steadily, good.
South-easterly very rough becoming cyclonic, confidence falling, moderate hints taken, now good
Thanks Chalicea and the Syptic Crew 😁👍
You made me laugh with this wonderful take on the shipping forecast. Thank you AgentB.
Nice! 😀 Although spooner’s rendition of CS’s name seems to have resulted in a new word?!
Many new words emerge after a couple of pints of cider 🍻🤪
😆
Nice one. 👏
Great call, AgentB! 👏👏
Another good puzzle from Chalicea. Scrupulously faithful to the BRB, so if I have any complaints, they are about that! Like others 6a didn’t come to mind. It’s never used in the second sense in my area. As CS says it is marked as ‘originally’ US in the BRB, so fair enough, but in my OD it’s just marked as N. American. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I am not sure how much the Americans use it in the second sense these days. Still, CS to the rescue. I also see the OD marks 21a without the comparative suffix as N American. I don’t particularly like the way the meaning of that word is becoming vague, although again it’s in the BRB, so fair enough. But the crossword itself was enjoyable. I think my favourite was 16d for the smooth surface read. Learned a word in 25d, which there is an outside chance of being able to use one day! Thanks Chalicea and CS.
In the second sentence by ‘that’ I meant the content of the BRB. I do like scrupulous adherence to it though, nonetheless!
Not been doing cryptics for too long and this was a really enjoyable stretch for me but managed to achieve it without any help, which is unusual for me
Last one in was 8d because I always panic at the mention of actors/actresses/authors etc as I’m weak in that area of general knowledge. Thankfully didn’t flummox me for too long
Came to the blog for a hint on 23d (run more than expected) which had solved itself but I couldn’t parse. First word (run) made no sense to me
Congrats Dayonedisc! It was indeed a lovely crossword for a Saturday. If you haven’t seen it already, there’s a link above (under home, cryptic crosswords) to a page called “usual suspects” which is well worth bookmarking if you’re a relative beginner. It’s like learning a whole new language, especially the sporting terms you alluded to! 😁🧑🎓