DT 30419 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30419 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30419 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Another beautiful autumn morning here – it is slowly warming up so hopefully the washing will dry and, more importantly, next door’s tortoise will emerge to enjoy the sunshine and enjoy the food I have put out for her

For me, a typical Saturday Prize Puzzle – if I haven’t hinted a clue you are stuck on, try looking for an anagram indicator or a lurker. I have a feeling I know who set this puzzle so I’ll be interested to see whether anyone else agrees.

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    Released excess energy, and excused second eleven? (3,3,5)
Another way of saying excused, the abbreviation for second and a set of people playing together (eleven)

7a    Strikers’ term? (7)
These strikers use a bat to strike a ball

14a    Advertising worker, one who sticks up for their employer? (10)
Someone sticking up an advertisement for their employer’s products

16a    Stress a cute cat suffers biting new moggie’s tail (10)
An anagram (suffers) of A CUTE CAT ‘biting’ or taking in the abbreviation for New and the ‘tail’ of moggiE

21a    Batting order for cricket, say (6)
What a cricket team is said to be if it is batting and an order

25a    Lounge where ice cream is served? (7)
A formal name for the ‘front room’ (lounge) or somewhere ice cream is served

26a    Fund managers possibly ignoring Republican in trouble (3,3,5)
A facetious phrase meaning trouble is an anagram (possibly) of FUND MANAGErS without (ignoring) the abbreviation for Republican

Down

1d    Light lunch (just the starter) before service (7)
The ‘starter’ of Lunch, a Latin word meaning before and an abbreviated seafaring service

3d    Fussy and unpleasant, removing top after quick one (10)
A synonym for unpleasant, without its first letter (removing top) goes after a word meaning quick and the letter representing one

7d    One class taken by local is educational (11)
The letter representing one and a school class inserted in (taken by) a local

12d    Sheet anchor, perhaps (7-3)
A cryptic definition of something that anchors sheets!

17d    Set sail and leave the Needles behind? (4,3)
A double definition – the capital N of Needles is there to mislead!

20d    Horse to bump off coming up (3,3)
An old chestnut – the clue and the horse – a reversal (coming up in a Down solution) of a verb meaning to bump off split 3,3

23d    Scottish child is initially leaving building (4)
The initial letter of Is leaving a Scottish word for a child

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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

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The Quick Crossword pun: DISS + APP + PIER = DISAPPEAR

98 comments on “DT 30419 (Hints)”

  1. A quite challenging SPPbut quite enjoyable too. I’ve finished it but am still not sure of the parsing of some clues. I think 5d was a bit unfair to some folk, but I ‘d better not say why or i’ll end up in the naughty corner. I liked 7d clue, 14a, 22a and 1a, a nice variety of clues , involving anagrams, lego clues, cryptic definition and a clver pice of double definition. Thanks to the compiler, I’m not sure if it was Cephas and to CS for the hints.

    1. I realise you can’t explain or we’ll both be in trouble … but I’m baffled as to why you thought 5d was a tad unfair! Widely known, I’d have said. It was fun today. Horrible grid, mind. Thanks to the setter, and the ever-industrious CS, of course.

      1. Pray tell me why this is a grimy grid, Alpingtons?

        The ones with the second letters being checkers make me twitch.

        An excellent Saturday challenge: great constructions, some clever clues (12d is a beaut) and very much on the friendly side.

        The aforementioned gets on the podium along with 1d that took just forever and 7a.

        Many thanks to the compiler and The Lady from the Crypt (that one’s not going to fly)

        2*/4*

        1. Dear chap – big, blocked-out corners just give me the fear. Come on, they don’t look very pretty, do they? I’m with you on the second-letter ones though, they’re simply unkind.
          PS – Alpingtons??!!

          1. Oh, us cricketers can’t stop nicknaming.

            I didn’t realize that grids were so forensically analysed.

            The one I mentioned is the only one that gives me the heeby jeebies

            1. Perhaps we can somehow find out if he likes his coffee mafia-style, then he could be Alpaccino

              1. Yep, I’ll take it.

                Do, you have a set of drums in the corner of the room so you can go ‘perdum boom’ after ones like that?

  2. Enjoyable puzzle. 23d was confusing at first. To much watching Vera and the slang for child for that region. Also had the middle word of 1a wrong for a while. But it was fun and 5d made me chuckle so my cotd

    Does anyone ever win this btw?

    1. People do – my wife won on her very first attempt which was especially galling as I’d filled most of it in for her! However, I’ve been doing this for about 30 years and not a sniff, no. And I realise I’m not alone. But the mythical does exist.

        3. There was once a lass named DaisyGirl
          Who saw a crossword, gave it a whirl
          She won the blasted pen
          Not twice but then again
          Perhaps a fourth before abuse we’ll hurl!

          😁😚

    2. A number of the contributers here have won. Some more than once.
      Sadly some have not and feel obliged to resort to casting spells to help.
      It hasn’t so far.

              1. It’s being proofread by the publishers. They’ve been proofreading it for years scared stiff that a non spoonerism will slip through. 😁

  3. Liked it more the further I got (I think that makes sense, it just doesn’t look right)
    anyway, a most enjoyable puzzle with some great misdirection, especially in 12d
    where I was convinced that the sheet meant a sail rope.
    Two favourites today were 7a and the brilliant 1d, many thanks to our
    setter today.

  4. A real two halfer. The bottom half was well constructed and fun. The top however was a different story. Very tricky and I needed the hints to explain 3d which was an overly complex clue. My favs were 20d and 21a.
    The bottom half was the fun, the top was a real dreary slog for me.
    ****/**
    Thx for the hints

  5. Lovely guzzle today, 12d was my favourite when the penny dropped Thanks to Sue and Setter, no guesses from me I’m always wrong back to being a motorist now with renewed respect for the lot of cyclists

  6. Just right for Saturday morning and not too challenging.
    2/3 maybe?
    24a favourite. Thanks to setter.

  7. My last one in today was 3d, as I had put an incorrect word in the middle of my answer to 1a ( as did rp1428 above).
    Many thanks to the setter, and to crypticsue.

  8. A good puzzle with some clever head-scratchers.
    Needed the hint for 12d but otherwise managed .

    Thanks to crypticsue and to the setter.

    Weather not very promising up here in coastal Angus. Overcast, cool, looks like rain. No washing for me today!

  9. Somewhat more tricky than the average SPP, with a slight eyebrow raise at 5d although it was fairly clued and is not an unfamiliar word – 2.5*/4*

    Candidates for favourite – 24a, 17d, and 19d – and the winner is 17d.

    Thanks to the setter and CS.

  10. Seem to remember notices saying multiples of 14a will be prosecuted with later graffiti professing innocence.

    Enjoyable puzzle with 8a, 12d and 17d favourites.

    Thanks to the setter and crypticsue for the amusing hint to 20d

  11. This took some getting into for me and I have no idea why. Most enjoyable once I got going and the slow start became a smooth glide home. Checkers help tremendously. I liked the saucy symphony at 24a sheet anchor at 12d. My COTD is the numbed off horse at 20d.

    Thank you to the setter for a fun guzzle. Huge thanks to CS for the hints.

    Mythical applied for but no acknowledgment email again.

  12. 12 and 17d my favourites from this user-friendly Saturday puzzle. Most enjoyable, and it certainly cheered up a somewhat drab Shropshire morning.

    My thanks to our setter and CS.

  13. Great guzzle. As I am an acknowledged twerp my last one in was 12d. Even with all the checking letters I looked at it in despair for plenty of toast and orange juice with no bits time, until I resorted to going through the alphabet for each letter. Then, of course, it was blooming obvious, wasn’t it?

    It’s a lovely day in England’s finest county so I think a surprise lunch out for H and a lovely walk are the requirements for this afternoon.
    Chelsea don’t play until Monday so they can’t ruin the afternoon.

    Thanks to the setter and PC Security (anag). May her washing and the neighbours’ tortoise enjoy the sunshine.

  14. Lovely guzzle. Spot on for an SPP. Breezed through it with a temporary derailment at 7&15d (transposed the last 3 letters for each) but quickly back on track for what would have been a fast finish we’re it not for brain fog at last in 12d – T wasn’t alone with his alphabetic trawl & like Tipcat I went down a nautical blind alley. Fav was Brian’s overly complex clue at 3d.
    Thanks to the setter & to Sue for the nicely illustrated hints
    Ps majestic performance thus far for Team Europe in Rome exceeding all realistic expectation

  15. 1.5*/4* from me for a very enjoyable SPP. Not for the first time I can’t fault Young Salopian’s top picks of 12d & 17d.

    In my book, 5d should have had a French indicator.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS for her usual beautifully illustrated review.

      1. Sorry but have to disagree re 5d – on any menu anywhere it is referred to as such and very rarely by the English word as it sounds too disgusting! I have eaten them, once, but half way through remembered those little tiny antler things on its head and couldn’t carry on! Please don’t redact CS, I’m not hinting at reindeer.

          1. So you don’t eat vegetables? I pull mine from the various plots kicking and screaming. Sorry just couldn’t ignore the carelessly untrue statement.

              2. Panpsychism is prominent in much of the philosophy and ideas of the East. It is the view that since all matter in whatever form contains sone of the same elements that were present from the beginning of the world share in various degrees, mentality. So it is not beyond possibility that if this is a better theory of life on earth than String Theory or Multiverses that plants have feelings too.

                Since my favourite philosopher, Schopenhauer also had some thoughts on this I look on it favorably.

        2. I have never seen them listed as anything but the French term – and never eaten them either. Would be even more discouraging if listed with the English word.

  16. Not too difficult just a little tricky in places on the parsing front. Enjoyable though. Favourite was 17d. Thanks to the setter and CS.

  17. Quite a few Saturday laughs in this one and my top three are 21a (which may well be a chestnut) plus 17&19d.
    26a in the nicest possible sense and a good opportunity for some to 1a!

    Thanks to our setter and to CS for the hints despite her usual refusal to tell us where she’s placing her stake money!

  18. Enjoyed this guzzle, but held up for ages on the left. Needed to come back after lunch to finish. My lack of knowledge of a certain sport held me back again and those 2 clues were my last ones today. Favourite 3d, fun to puzzle it out. Thanks to the setter and CS.

  19. Nice to be back at the lunch table with such a great guzzle after a miserable but mercifully short stay in Addenbrookes cardiology department. Growing old is such fun, but even better when you have time to guzzle. So many brilliant clues – 1,8,10 &24a and 12,17d.Favourite has to be 17d I think. I also was set to splice the mainstay or something but dear George woke up and spotted the answer. He was such a darling in A&E where it got so busy people were sitting on the floor apparently and the coffee machine was broken. I was alright, I had a bed! Many thanks to the wily Setter and the inexhaustible CS.

    1. Sorry to hear you have needed a trip to hospital, I hope you are feeling better and can take things easy.

    2. So sorry to hear you had to visit the hospital and I hope you’re fine now. I can’t do half what you accomplish in a day, you’re remarkable. Please keep well.

    4. Glad it was only a short visit and you are as well as you can be. The cardiology wards are rather depressing as I know only too well. Good you are still guzzling after your visit.

      1. A and E is like a zoo, Daisy, especially on Friday and Saturday. Asyou say, at least you had a bed. Hope all is well now.

    5. Relieved you are safely back home, Daisygirl and hopefully, all is OK. Please take life at a slower pace for the next few days and let things settle down.

  20. Well, this week my 5/- is on this NOT being a Cephas puzzle today. This was all over the board for me.
    Some clues that gave up easily and others that made me pull out my hair.

    2.5*/3.5*

    Favourites today include 1a, 10a, 21a, 5d, 17d & 20d with winner 17d

    Thanks to setter and CS for hints/blog

  21. All completed, I thought a bit tricky in places and I am not sure of the parsing of a couple but overall I enjoyed it. I have to give credit to my hubby for 12d where I was being particularly dim! My favourite was 20d and 24a made me smile.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints which I will now read.

  22. I really enjoyed this guzzle a lot. I also really enjoyed reading the article in the DT magazine about Jonathan the giant tortoise – glad it had a happy ending. My 2 torties also enjoyed sunbathing and having their necks stroked. They have quite long necks when stretched out sunbathing. If CS’s comes out of her shell for a spot of sunbathing, suggests she gives it a stroke. My Covid arm is still so painful have cancelled dinner with next door at the local bistro. I have an ‘apple’ sized hot pink lump on my arm. Anyway thanks to the setter (no clue who it is) and to CS.

  23. The first 6 clues drew a blank. The wrestler saved me and from then on it was an enjoyable tussle. Not seen 20d down before so thought it highly amusing. Lots of well written and amusing clues. Last in 1d. Couldn’t parse it so thanks to CS. I must remember what “before” can be.
    **/*****

  24. I have a grammatical question:

    Isn’t the equivalent of ‘called’ the answer to 13a but with an ‘a’, eg your friend called last night?

    The answer needs ‘had’ before it as it’s the pluperfect or has the world moved on yonks ago and I am simply miles behind?

    1. The world must be disappointing when you expect the plueperfect in crosswords and you don’t find it. Standards today eh? I blame the non teaching of Latin and Ancient Greek for it and the universities who stopped requiring it for entrance.

      3. This discussion about the pluperfect reminded me of the sentence which uses the word “had” 11 times in succession.

        A teacher was comparing sentences written by two pupils. Bill had written “had had” but Ben had put “had” . The teacher preferred Bill’s choice. So …

        Bill while Ben had had had had had had had had had had had a better effect on the teacher.

        This makes sense when punctuated:

        Bill, while Ben had had “had”, had had “had had”; “had had” had had a better effect on the teacher.

        :wacko:

        1. Splendid.

          I have one which gets kicked into a cocked hat by yours.

          It’s for five ‘ands’.

          The owner of the Rose and Crown is giving their thoughts on the new pub sign:

          ‘’The gaps between ‘Rose’ and ‘and’ and ‘and’ and ‘Crown are too narrow.’’

          Good fun but nowhere near your stonker. 👏👏

            2. I have only just got your ‘had’ comment. You tried your best to make sure I didn’t miss it by putting it in speech marks but to no avail.

              I hang my head…..or should that be hung?

              Why did someone create the ridiculous term ‘inverted commas’ when speech marks is more than adequate?

  25. I really enjoyed this, any problems were self-inflicted. I know I can’t spell and should look up spelling before writing in, eg 3d, or at least read the clue carefully. It took ages to get 14a, until I decided to revisit 3d. Lots to like, agreed 20d was tricky until I had the checking letters for the second word, then I had my epiphany. I liked so much, 20d and 24a were high on the list, but fave has to be 20d, what wonderful memories.
    Thank you setter for the fun and CS for the hints and tips. What happens to your tortoise in the winter?

    1. It’s our neighbour’s tortoise, I only look after her when they are away

      She hibernates over the winter

  26. Very generous SPP
    Whizzed but then
    Got stuck on a down clue
    Until I realised that literally
    Any but any word in the
    English language can be an
    Anagram indicator.
    21a and 12d outstanding clues
    Amongst a pleasant and varied
    Sprinkling.
    Thanks setter and CS

  27. Some difficult parsing in places, including 11a and 19d, but no trouble with 5d. There were plenty of potholes in which to fall, but I got there in the end. A bit trickier than most Saturdays. Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.

  28. A relief to have an enjoyably manageable exercise today after my poor performance yesterday when I actually threw in the towel. Thought 21a a bit contrived. Lots of natty clues including 14a, 24a, 5d and 17d. Mention of 20d always gives me a twinge. I am useless at identifying setters but slightly reassured to note no one seems to have stuck their neck out yet on that so thank you Mysteron and CS as always.

  30. Oh dear – just written a comment and managed to ‘rub it out’ or anyway not sent it.
    A quick one now – a good crossword but one that I found quite tricky.
    10a turned out to be difficult but because I read the first letter as an ‘E’ – seriously not helpful.
    I liked all the long answers round the outside and 8a and 17d.
    Thanks to whoever set this one and also to CS for all the hints.

  32. I got off to a really good start. Was hung up for a bit on 12d thinking ‘nautically’ and got delayed over the ‘cricketing’ clues! Thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle. Many thanks to the setter and Crypticsue. Did the tortoise come out to sunbathe and eat the food you put out?

    1. She did. Ate a whole little gem lettuce and some cucumber. The washing dried too so a successful day all round

  33. My problem is why a puzzle is referred to as a “guzzle”. Is there something cryptic here ? If so it is more cryptic than our prize puzzle this weekend which seemed fair and fun. Apologies if I am asking a stupid question but at least it shows an enquiring mind.

    1. There’s nowt cryptic about it – it was a Chriscross typo that just seems to have stuck with many of us. It’s even explained in the latest FAQ entry.

  34. First crossword I’ve had time to do this week, muchos fun. 24a got all the guffaws and honorary mentions to 1a and 12d. Cheers all 🥃🥃👋

  35. Back in the early 1980s, Ian Botham went into his favourite restaurant in the West Indies and ordered the turtle soup.
    The Head Chef came out of the kitchen to apologise personally as they couldn’t make him any turtle soup.
    “WHY NOT????” asked Botham, “I come here every time we’re on tour and I love your turtle soup so much that I’ve been telling people all over the world about it”
    The chef replied: “The problem is, Mr Botham, that we cannot get them to put their heads out of their shells so we cannot cut off their heads and boil them. As soon as they know we’re coming they hide away and there’s no getting them out.”
    “Ah, I see your problem” replied Botham, “leave it to me” and he goes out into the kitchen. picks up a turtle, and sticks his finger swiftly up its bum. the turtle’s head shoots out, eyes bulging, Botham chops his head off and then proceeds to the next one.
    When he’s done 5 or 6 of them he passes them over and says “now you can make my turtle soup”
    The staff are amazed and ask where he learned to do such a neat trick.
    “Oh, it’s easy,” says Botham.

    “It’s the only way we can get an MCC tie on Gladstone Small.”

    1. Good one.

      A banner is usually a nice play on words or funny. But, when I was watching the Ashes highlights when he was playing, I saw a banner at the SCG that said…

      ‘Small has got no neck.’

      That must have taken a while to think up!

  36. I had a very busy day yesterday, so only attempted this a day late.

    I couldn’t even get started. Maybe my brain has evaporated, but this was way beyond me.

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