DT 30416 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30416

by 2Kiwis  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30416

Hints and tips by 2Kiwis

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****

Kia ora from Aotearoa.
Winter seems to have not quite finished with us yet. We have had a return to cold southerly conditions with gale force winds in Wellington that have even caused the cancellation of Cook Strait ferry sailings. Not what many people were expecting for the start of school holidays. We’re hunkered down with the fire lit and forewent our usual constitutional walk today.
Never mind, we still have an enjoyable cryptic to solve and blog.

Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

Across
1a     Joanne getting pregnant? Me too! (4,3,4)
JOIN THE CLUB : The short form of Joanne and a 2,3,4 phrase meaning pregnant.

7a     Summer month with American in state capital (7)
AUGUSTA : A summer month (a winter one for us) plus the single letter abbreviation for American.

8a     Orphan girl in musical, dressed by king, is smarter (7)
CANNIER : The orphan girl who is the heroine of a well-known musical is surrounded by our monarch’s regnal cypher.

10a     Admitting nothing, criminal started trial (4,4)
ROAD TEST : The letter that looks like zero or nothing is in an anagram (criminal) of STARTED.

11a     Woolly beast in mountain area by Canada’s borders (6)
ALPACA : Another word for a mountain, the abbreviation for area and the first and last letters of Canada.

13a     Room where servicemen eat pickle (4)
MESS : A double definition.

14a     Public relations by current “Queen of Pop”, a diva (5,5)
PRIMA DONNA : The two letters signifying public relations, then the physics symbol for electric current and the singer dubbed ‘Queen of Pop’.

16a     Stop things going crazy in evening entertainment venues (10)
NIGHTSPOTS : An anagram (going crazy) of STOP THINGS.

18a     The sound of a hit 1980s pop group (4)
WHAM : The sound of a hit like we remember being written in old Batman comics.

21a     Dealing with team correctly positioned on pitch (6)
ONSIDE : A two letter word meaning dealing with and another word for a team.

22a     Defeat for Charles I, showing courtesy with a Republican (5,3)
CIVIL WAR : A word meaning showing courtesy, then the abbreviation for with, followed by ‘A’ from the clue and R(epublican).

24a     Top expert follows what people browsing the internet do (7)
SURFACE : The word used for the activity of browsing the internet is followed by an expert or adept.

25a     Involve brother, cutting linden tree back (7)
EMBROIL : The three letter short form of brother is contained by the reversal of the alternative name for a linden tree.

26a     People in parliament’s lower chamber unusually seen showing nous (6,5)
COMMONSENSE : A description of the people in parliament’s lower chamber and an anagram (unusually) of SEEN.

Down

1d     Fragmented images in shark film inspiring disgust, occasionally (7)
JIGSAWS : The second, fourth and sixth letters of disgust are enclosed by a famous shark film.

2d     Inuits moving around on site (2,4)
IN SITU : An anagram (moving around) of INUITS.

3d     Written record of time on sprint race almost changed (10)
TRANSCRIPT : T(ime) and then an anagram (changed) of SPRINT RAC(e) with the last letter removed.

4d     Work in a school, but not tons, for a head (4)
EACH : Start with a word meaning work as an educator and remove the abbreviation for tons.

5d     Letter from two lads around New Year (8)
LANDLADY : The repetition of the word lad contains N(ew) and finally Y(ear).

6d     Great country music composer named Benjamin on the radio (7)
BRITAIN : A homophone of the surname of the composer Benjamin.

7d     Macron, drunk around one, promises to pay for bitter (11)
ACRIMONIOUS : An anagram (drunk) of MACRON contains Roman numeral one, then the four letters representing promises to pay.

9d     Breed butterfly for naval officer (4,7)
REAR ADMIRAL : Breed or raise and then a type of butterfly.

12d     Dangerous mutt in Essex keeps being dirty (10)
SMUTTINESS : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

15d     Where to see stallions run into awful mud fast (8)
STUDFARM : An anagram (awful) of MUD FAST contains the cricket abbreviation for run.

17d     Flabbergast Richard, catching kind of flu (7)
GASTRIC : A lurker, hiding in the clue.

19d     Explain to me why house contains old toilet (3,4)
HOW COME : A house or residence contains O(ld) and water closet.

20d     Lofty Scottish mountain is a capital attraction (3,3)
BIG BEN : A synonym for lofty and then a Scottish word for mountain.

23d     Love for tennis from Alcaraz, McEnroe and Becker too, in the end (4)
ZERO : The final letter of four words in the clue.

1a gave us our first chuckle so we’ll nominate it for favourite.

Quickie pun    hare    +    ray    +    zing    =    hair-raising

87 comments on “DT 30416”

  1. It took me a while to get into today’s guzzle for some unknown reason because it was clued well. Once I did get into it, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Of course, I would go and put the composer in at 6d, which threw the NE corner out for a while. I loved the pregnant Joanne at 1a and the king dressing an orphan at 8a. My COTD however, is the lurker because I didn’t realise it was until after I had solved it.

    Many thanks to the setter for the fun and the 2Ks for the hints.

    Wet and windy in The Marches so Mrs. C and I are going out for lunch at The Red Lion in Myddle.

      1. I have never got the hang of “either or” clues, Chriscross. I just sit and wonder which spelling is needed and, invariably, choose the wrong one.

  2. Very enjoyable, a true light delight.
    1a gets my vote today with 19d raising a smile
    Many thanks to the setter and The Ks.

  4. Managed to finish unaided before the hints went up….almost a first for me. Last in was 12d as I was trying to think of towns in Essex. My favourites were 1a and a nicely constructed 14a.
    Thanks to the setter and for the hints (which I didn’t need this time).

  5. Fairly whizzed.
    In perfect harmony with
    Today’s somewhat benign setter.
    The five anagrams helped.
    Good reminder in 7a that
    CR has replaced ER.
    My COTD with a chuckle 19d
    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  6. 2*/4*. This was light and good fun for a Wednesday, with 1a, 20a & 19d making up my podium selection.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

  7. A good fun guess the setter Wednesday puzzle, but I have no idea who the setter might be – **/****

    I did wonder if 15d should be (4,4) or (4-4) but apparently (8) is correct.

    Candidates for favourite – 25a, 1d, and 4d – and the winner is 25a.

    Thanks to the setter and the 2Kiwis.

  8. Another good day for me with this very enjoyable solve which I found to be quite gentle. I was on wavelength from the off with the LOL 1a. That, along the the other peripheral answers, got me off to a good start and I finished unaided. I thought that the surface reads throughout were spot on. Favourite has to be 1a, for putting me in a good mood from the start. I liked 4d which was cleverly misleading and 19d though many of the others are worthy of mention. Thanks to the compiler for the absolute pleasure and the 2Kiwis whose help I didn’t need today but whose sterling efforts are always appreciated. (Grateful thanks and respect for all our bloggers.)

  9. Easiest one this week as far as I’m concerned, even with half of it being done on the train.
    Funny old grid, but didn’t cause any problems. My two favourites were 1a and the deceptive 5d. Very enjoyable.

  10. Fairly straightforward apart from a few head3 at the last knockings. I did enjoy the puzzle, especially the misdirection and a couple of fine luekers. My joint COTDS, in a photo finish were 1a, with its clever wordplay and 12d, a great lurker. 5d was a good lego clue too. I don’t know why I always forget the female version but itcatches me out regularly. Thanks to the Kiwis for the hints and to the setter.

  11. Some polished gems but also a fair number of rough pebbles in what was a very light puzzle for a Wednesday. Top three clues for me were 1a, 1d & the lurking 12d.

    1* / 2*

    Thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

  12. A very enjoyable puzzle.
    My ticks are for 1a, 1d, 19d and 23d, with 1a sneaking onto the top of the podium.
    My electronic version of the puzzle has “usually” instead of “unusually” in 26a, which was a bit disconcerting for a while.
    In 8a, I think this is the first time that I have seen the king clued as CR, but no doubt there will be plenty of examples that I have missed!
    Thank you setter and our friends in Kiwi Land. I hope you are enjoying the RWC and good luck against Italy on Friday evening.

    1. I clued King as CR thus in one of my Rookie Corner puzzles about 6 months ago
      Having adopted trendy exercise king is upbeat (7) ……..CHIPPER

  13. Fairly gentle and very enjoyable – thanks to the setter and 2Ks.
    The clues I liked best were 1a, 1d, 12d and 19d.

  14. Super guzzle. Light & breezy. Great clues at 1a&d to kick off with & they were my picks of a fine bunch. Rewatched the 1d movie for the umpteenth time recently & it still stands up incredibly well with Roy, Richard & Robert all delivering top notch performances. Racked my brain to remember what state 7a was the capital of (knew it wasn’t Georgia) but had to cheat post solve & look it up. Reckon 15d ought to have been enumerated 4,4 but a minor gripe & my immediate thought at 26a was if only the people in there did a bit more often.
    Thanks to the setter & to the 2Ks for a great review

  15. Totally agree, a very pleasant and well constructed puzzle. I especially liked 1a and 9d.
    Off now to a funeral of a very old friend, a 200 mile drive but he was very special. A man who ran up mountains for fun but fell too early to the big C.
    Thx to all
    **/****

      1. Sorry to hear of your friends demise Brian The big C has taken 6 of my aunts and uncles, my dad and 2 dear friends. My commiserations.

    5. Commiserations from me too. I still miss my bestest, oldest friend. Hope you have lots of happy memories stored up.

    6. Sorry for your loss Brian. It’s so sad to lose a best friend. He obviously relished his outdoor pursuits and the challenges it brought. A long way to travel with sad thoughts but hopefully you will remember the good times you shared together.

  18. Brimming with humour and a delight to solve – hope we find out who to thank.
    Impossible to nominate just one for the favourite spot, I handed out rosettes to 1&26a plus 1,9&19d.

    Many thanks to our setter and also to our 2Ks for the review – I’m afraid we’re into the time of year when you won’t get much sympathy from us over bad weather!

  19. A joy to work through this engaging challenge. Initially bunged in wrong pop group for 18a which caused problem with 19d but MrG helped me out. 5d is OK however clue doesn’t really signify solution. 12d is a noun which dirty is surely not. Thank you Mysteron for the fun and the 2 Kiwis for being there in case of need.

  20. Grand guzzle. I missed the bigger lurker, of course.
    Off to Stamford Bridge later. Please remember me in your prayers.

    Thanks to the setter and The TwoKays

    The ‘Queen Of Pop’ is often underrated as a performer, perhaps due to tabloid depictions of her private life; but she has many fine moments (e.g. Papa Don’t Preach, Like A Virgin) and this, one of her very best:

    1. Is she sitting on the cludgie at the start of that video ?
      Just come across your mob clued as a side salad of eel has a slice of cucumber on top 😊

      1. What à great Scottish word that is! :good:
        … and it certainly looks like she is!

        … and I presume the eel was jellied :)

    2. Good call re ‘Playground’. Her ‘daughters’, Kylie & Britney, the Princesses of Pop, also had their moments, the former in particular in her post perm era!

  21. Excellent NW corner start with 1a and 1d , in fact top draw cluing throughout,favourite was 19d followed by 24a- going for a **/****,clever pun in the quickie too.Thanks setter.
    Heavy rain has just started .may go for the Toughie.

  22. A very enjoyable puzzle for me which I managed to solve and parse alone and unaided….without having to check on obscure words either.
    Last one in was 12d ….was stuck for ages until I remembered “if all else fails, look for a lurker”.
    I was tempted to go into a discussion of the meaning of “canny” in different parts of the UK but have decided that this is of interest only to me, so am heeding granny’s often given advice to “ca canny”.

    Thanks to the 2Kiwis and to the setter for a very enjoyable diversion today.

    No sign of either wind or rain here so far….long may that continue.

  23. I misgendered the letter in 5d that made the Queen of Pop a bit harder but it sorted itself out before more coffee was required, Thanks to setter and 2Kiwis
    A moderate Breeze is the worst that Agnes has done so far up in deepest Yorkshire

    1. Thanks SJB – so great to have a reminder of Tom Lehrer’s talent and humour. So far no sign of Agnes down South but fingers crossed she will stay away.

          1. I remember being a fan when I was in my late teens, so 95 sounds about right. What a man, wotta sense of humour.

      2. You get a brief glimpse of someone watching on and it is bugging me that his name is on the tip of my tongue but just won’t emerge.

          1. Oh yes, more great memories as well as Face the Music – Call My Bluff, etc. So sad he died at an early age from the BigC.

  24. I enjoyed this puzzle too. I particularly liked 6D and 19D. I missed the 12D lurker as well and needed the hints to see the parsing. Thanks all and hope nobody gets blown or washed away in storm Agnes.

    1. Agnes is presently bashing the bedroom window. I won’t let her in. Can’t be doing with strange ladies in my bedroom these days! 😎

  25. A tough puzzle to get started for Wednesday. Took forever to get the first couple in to get a bit of a grip. Some of the clues seemed hard, and I wondered why when I eventually got them.

    2.5*/3.5* for me

    Favourites include 1a, 8a, 10a, 26a, 1d, 6d & 9d — with winner 1a

    Thanks to setter and the 2K’s for hints/blog

  26. Extremes recently. After toiling at the end of last week this was the fastest I’ve ever completed the Telegraph Cryptic. I thought this was a cracker.

  27. 1/3. This was the easiest puzzle of the year (for me). I filled the grid as fast as I could write. 1a was my favourite as it got me off to a flying start. Thanks to the setter and the 2Ks.

  28. I loved this, dead on wavelength. I needed the hints to get the “why” of 10a, an anagram, why did I find that so difficult? Brain must be AWOL. I didn’t know the pop group but I just googled it, what else could it be? So much good stuff here, how on earth can I choose a fave? Stuck a pin in at random and hit 14a, could have been any clue.
    Thank you setter, don’t know who you are but would welcome your return anytime. Thanks for the hints and tips 2Kiwis, hope you warm up soon.

  29. A pretty friendly puzzle for a Wednesday. Didn’t know the pop group, and bunged in nightclubs for 16a at first. Clearly I didn’t read the clue properly. COTD for me is 24a. Thanks to setter and 2Kiwis.

  30. As cryptic puzzles go I found this on the easier end of the spectrum and, unusually, found I was able to parse everything, which encouraged me. There was no compromise however on the quality of the clues. A very pleasing crossword in my book. Thanks to the setter and the 2 KS, even if I didn’t need you help on this occasion.

  31. Late in due to Church Ladies Lunch followed by trip to M & S Food and petrol fill up. It has all been said, great guzzle, nice lurkers and useful anagrams. Many thanks to Setter and Hinters. I think I am going for 19d as favourite.

    1. DG, do you ever stop eating?! November is Norfolk Restaurant Week. Check it out on Google, good value and Wells Crab House are participating this year. I think you and George enjoy your seafood. Me too, see food and I’ll eat it!

  32. An enjoyable solve though I was slow getting 1a – one of those Doh! moments. For some reason I completed the left-hand side first. LOI was 12d failed to spot the lurker until completed. It’s such a good feeling when it all comes together with barely any help (had to check it was the Civil war at 22a). Many thanks to the Setter and the 2Kiwis.

  33. Morning all.
    We also did wonder whether 15d should have been enumerated (4,4) but a quick check in BRB assured us that (8) is indeed correct.
    Hope the setter pops in to take a bow. We can be pretty sure it is not Robyn as he has delivered today’s delightful Toughie.

  34. Found this very straightforward which makes a change for a Wednesday **/*** 😃 Favourites were 11a, 25a & 9d 🤗 Thanks to the 2x Ks and and to the Compiler

  35. Fairly straightforward solve, but am I the only one who doesn’t get the answer to 4d being a synonym of “head”?

  36. Felt very tired today for some reason, so grateful for a more gentle one. I enjoyed the misdirection in 5d, but the composer one pips it on the basis of it making me think of some of his lovely music.

  37. Another one that I managed to finish early before we went out, so I am sure I will be in for trouble soon! Pride before a fall and all that. Great fun to solve with 12 d my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2kiwis for the hints.

  38. Good evening
    An enjoyable solve, with some neat misdirection and some witty clues, especially 1a; 4a caused a bit of a headscratch until I twigged “a head” rather than “head”; and two excellent lurkers!
    Many thanks to our compiler and to 2Ks

  39. A number of people have commented on 19d but I would suggest that there is a subtle difference between a “house” and a “home”. The former is merely a building but the latter is what people create within it.

        1. No problem, Grammarian. Mrs C and I have lived in quite a few houses but we made all of them our home.
          We placed our hearts in each one.

  42. It’s all been said as I’m late as usual. Very quick solve and hardly hesitated. 1a made a good quick start. Roughly with the majority on favourites. Strangely I got the two lurkers before I realised they were (lurkers). I also thought the stallion place should have been two words. Thanks Setter I like your style and hinters too although not needed today.

  43. 2*/4* ….
    liked 7D “Macron, drunk around one, promises to pay for bitter (11)” .. amongst others.

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