ST 3234 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3234 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3234 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we have had the first occurrence of:

Visible result of mercury becoming invisible? (5) – answer below the hints

For me, and I stress for me, Dada much the same as last Sunday, quite friendly with a soupçon of quirkiness – eight anagrams (three partials), one lurker reversed, and no homophones – all in a slightly asymmetric 30 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.

Candidates for favourite – 15a, 17a, 21a, 2d, 6d, and 16d.

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 Unacceptable being whiter than white? (6,3,4)
A double definition(?) – the first may relate to being outside an area under English control in Ireland.

10a Looking back, entertained by dog, imaginary friend (5)
The reversed lurker (looking back, entertained by) found in two word in the clue.

12a Crawl, or come across doing the backstroke? (4)
The reversal (doing the backstroke) of a single word for come across – I did find the definition/answer combination in an on-line thesaurus, perhaps it is the one Dada uses.

17a Russian author opening revolutionary play (7)
The reversal (revolutionary) of a synonym for opening (for passing items through?) followed by a verbal synonym of play.

20a Epistle writer briefly has hidden behind table (7)
The most prolific of the Epistle writers in the NT with the last letter removed contains (has hidden) a synonym of behind (in time).

26a 5 two away from Mercury? (5)
A double definition (I think?) – the first is one of 5d in nature – the number 5 is coded for underlining, but it is not showing up or is difficult to see.

27a Free Indonesian island to the left in a low area (9)
The reversal (to the left) of a four letter island in Indonesia inserted into (in) the combination of A from the clue and a term for a low area (geographically).

28a Medical recommendation to do with Red Cross abroad: that’s about right (7,6)
An anagram (abroad) of TO DO and (with) RED CROSS containing (that’s about) the single letter for Right.

Down

1d Two jumbos almost touching in slow-moving traffic? (6-2-6)
A synonym of jumbo repeated (two jumbos) and then separated by a two letter word with the whole suggesting closeness.

3d Hand went on ground occasionally (3,3,4)
An anagram (ground) of HAND WENT ON.

7d Pine tree, conifer originally shaken where the ground first shook (9
An anagram (shaken) of PINE TREE and the first letter (originally) of Conifer.

8d Mischief from crook finally breaking into bank, say? (6,8)
The last letter (finally) of crook inserted into (breaking into) a possible term (say?) which describes a bank or its function.

14d All clear of rash, possible item prescribed by vet? (4,6)
An anagram (rash) of ALL CLEAR OF.

16d Under the table, covered (9)
A double definition – the first may refer to a state of inebriation.

25d Sweet candy here, or confection first of all (4)
The initial (first of all) letters of four words in the clue.

Answer to ‘preamble clue’: FROST

Quick Crossword Pun:

PUFFIN + HONOUR + ZIGGY = PUFFING ON A CIGGY.

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British-Irish singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Christopher John Davison better known as Chris de Burgh is celebrating his 75th birthday today.  His most successful song was the 1986 love song The Lady in Red which reached number one in several countries. It seems that the video ‘poster’, while claiming that this is an ‘official music video’, has borrowed scenes from the 1984 film The Woman in Red including a ‘copy’ of the classic scene in Some Like It Hot when Marilyn Monroe stands over an air vent and the skirt of her dress is raised:

62 comments on “ST 3234 (Hints)”

  1. Up fairly early today to watch the Malaysian MotoGP, the first week this season that we didn’t put a fiver on Bagnaia because he started 13th on the grid, and against all odds he wins it!
    Oh well… as for the crossword, a very gentle offering for a Sunday which didn’t take too much brainwork to complete apart from the fact that I didn’t register the fact that 28a was two words, and consequently was looking for a 13 letter word.
    Got there in the end though, my favourite clue today was 5d. Ta to our setter today, good honest fun.

  2. Very enjoyable with the exception of 28a, a phrase I’ve never heard of though it was possible to work out from checkers and fodder.
    I particularly liked 1,12&17a plus 2d with a nod to the linked 26a/5d
    Many thanks to Dada and Senf, I took 1a as a cryptic definition.

  3. Loved the pair at 1a&d. I agree with the double definition in 26a, which is how I read it, the first being one of the ancient Greek 5d’s and the second refers to its relative position in Gustav Holst’s suite, as per the pic. Took a while to remember the synonym for crawl in 12a, though it was obvious. Likewise got 20a fairly early on, but it was my last one parsed. Many thanks to Senf for the confirmation, and to Dada to his contribution to an enjoyable breakfast.

  4. Enjoyable as always from Dada – thanks to him and Senf.
    Top clues for me were 1a, 17a, 2d and 8d with a smile for the Quickie pun.

  5. 2.5*/4*. Typically enjoyable Sunday fare with the RHS proving considerably more challenging than the LHS.

    5d was my favourite, and I particularly liked the four long peripheral answers.

    Isn’t 4d out-of-date now?

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

    1. How quickly everything goes out of date now. One of our major stores will no longer be selling DVDs, but didn’t they just appear an eye’s blink ago?

  6. A good Sunday guzzle, in true Dada style, with some very intricate lego clues. I particularly liked 8d, my COTD, 20aand 17a. Theelement of General Knowledge required made this SPP more sti.emulating than many. Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints. A very cold start to the day here in Oxfordshire, with clear skies and a starry sky just before dawn and ubnclouded blue now, with a touch of frost on a few roofs

    1. Insert a synonym of into the role of into a synonym of xxx. Hope this doesn’t put me on the infamous step.

      1. Well, you do have to go on the infamous step as you put a word needed for the answer in your ‘hint.’

      2. Thanks though Sheila – I get it but I still don’t really like it!

        Good puzzle overall though

  8. Apart from 12a a very likeable Dada. However, I cannot find anywhere something that defines the answer to 12a as Crawl, certainly not in my copy of the BRB. The other one that has me puzzled is 26a. It is not 2 away in the periodical table and the answer is surely 1 away celestially or has there been a discovery I am not aware of.
    All of the above has not detracted from a very enjoyable puzzle.
    Thx to all
    ***/****

      1. Hmmm, I saw your very valid comment but can’t help feeling that it’s not the greatest clue in the world.
        Thx

    2. As I said in my italicised comment in the hint for 12a, I did find the definition/answer combination in an on-line thesaurus. This is the one I used https://www.thesaurus.com – enter the answer word rather than the definition.

      26a has nothing to do with the Periodic Table and you need to carry out a celestial check on, perhaps, Google.

      1. I had no problem with the definition/answer combination in the sense of ‘exhibit an overabundance of’.

      1. Sorry, remove the first eight words, I was going to reply to Brian then got cold feet. Not so headstrong after all.

        1. Your wish is my command. Now, others will have to wonder what the ‘first eight words’ were!

    4. I did put the answer to 12a in my digital Chambers thesaurus – must admit I was unsure.
      For 26a – from Antony & cleopatra “I am fire and air, my other 5ds I leave to baser life”

      I found today’s offering on the gentler side but no less entertaining.

  10. A relatively gentle guzzle today & very enjoyable too. The definition synonym at last in 12a was a bit of a head scratch to justify until I conjured up an image of bed bug infestation which seems to be much in the news of late. The 4 peripherals were my picks today with 8d my fav of them & no golf the likely 28a for me. Interesting to read about the origins of 1a too.
    Thanks to D&S
    Ps I’m not particularly a fan of Chris de Burgh but Senf’s posting made me go back & listen to his 1981 compilation album Best Moves. There are a number of good tracks on it with Crusader the standout – great lyrics even if the history is nonsense & the description of Saladin questionable

    1. In my case, H, I was reminded of my years teaching 7cyearvolds, when the self styled nit-nurse, would describe those children who were infested as
      ______ing with the little beggars!

    2. If you don’t like Chris de Burgh what about swapping for Manfred Mann for their version of 8d! I can’t make it play but perhaps someone will have better luck – I love them!

            1. Oh – what a pain. It’s exactly the two words of 8d which is what reminded me of them. Yes, I really am sure – there are lots (I think) of different versions but can’t remember now. Never mind but thanks for looking – they really are brilliant, well, I. think so anyway! :smile:

              1. There are plenty of versions on YouTube but not by your favourites. And, of course, being a Prize Puzzle none of them can be shown.

  11. This puzzle proved to be a jolly Sunday romp. Held up slightly by rashly putting in the wrong second word in 14d until the solving of 27a set me right. Fave today was 8d, closely followed by the 5d/26a combo. Beautiful day today and a sports fest on TV. Sadly, I have to spend the next hour leaf sweeping and mowing the lawn – surely the grass will stop growing soon! At least I’ll be outside in the sunshine. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  12. Couple of pauses along the way but an enjoyable Sunday puzzle with top marks going to 1a plus 2&8d. Like Huntsman, it was the thought of those bedbugs that made sense of 12a!

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints & video clip. Loved that particular track from Chris de Burgh although I can’t recall many of his other recordings.

  13. Actually finished this Dada crossword without using Senf’s hints which were very helpful in parsing some of my answers. The four outer clues were my favourites today and helped greatly in solving.

    Many thanks to Dada for keeping me inside until the sun had dispelled the cold and frost from the garden in which I will now have to continue with the autumn clearing. And of course to Senf who unlike the epistle writer brought light and joy into the darkness.

  14. I enjoyed this and found it a little easier than some of Dada’s puzzles. Thanks to him and Senf for the hints

  15. For me, and I stress for me { ™ Senf } this was a testing but gettable guzzle, with some clever and amusing glues.

    Of course, it is very much personal taste but there are some musicians that one just cannot abide. I apologise deeply to Mr Davison/de Burgh but whenever I hear his offerings I visualise a huge neon sign with the word ‘BLAND’ blinking rapidly before me.

    It’s Sunday, so guess what… we’re going to the municipal tip, followed by a lovely walk. H doesn’t know but I am hoping to return in time for the rugby (don’t dob me in).

    Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and The Man From Manitoba.

  16. It’s a lovely day for a lovely walk Terence, but sadly I have some minutes to write up from Thursday and ought to get them done. I plunged into this guzzle with gay abandon then got a bit hung up on 15a and 21a. Then came 16d as a possibility and the rest is history – now we just wait for the arrival of the Mythical. I’ll go along with Senf’s choices – possibly 8d being the Best in Show. Many thanks to Dada and Senf. I cannot believe that another week has gone by!

  17. Great entertainment as per normal for a Sunday, friendly but enjoyable throughout. The long peripherals went in quickly and that formed the basis of a rapid solve. No particular favourite, but solid clueing throughout the grid.

    Cheers Dada and Senf. Here’s hoping England can beat the Fijians with some style this afternoon.

      1. A bit of a ‘squeaker’ and it was good to see the Patron of the RFU in attendance!

        I wonder if she will have a beer with team in the after match celebration.

        A further wonder, what sort of welcome will she get from the Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union when she gets home?

  18. I found this Dada puzzle to be at the easyend of his spectrum … not quirky, his personal thesaurus used for a couple of the clues it would seem but in the end all the clues made good sense. Outstanding!
    For me, as I am sure it will be for many, almost a R&W

    1*/5* for me today

    Favourites include 1a, 9a, 22a, 1d, 5d & 14d — with winner a toss-up of the 1’s
    Both excellent.
    Enjoyable puzzle for my Saturday evening.
    Just did the NTSSP as well and my count is 11 for the theme too.

    Thanks to Dada & Senf for hints/blog

  19. All very doable with much amusement.
    Gentle start to the puzzle week
    Many thanks Dada and Senf

  20. Not too many hold-ups for us except 12a, I decided that it had to be the answer and found the synonym in the same on-line thesaurus as Senf. Favourite was 8d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  21. last one in 12a – not the best, but overall a good sunday afternoon crossword especially 1a and 28a. thanks

  22. 2/4. Good fun while it lasted although 12a was a bung in but correct. Too lazy to go and read my BRB. Favourites were the long perimeter answers which gave a great foothold for the rest of the puzzle. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  23. Unusually for me with Dada caused no sweat today and was quite quickly accomplished. Anagram indicators become increasingly far-fetched and there were a couple today. 26a unparsed by me. Not keen on truncation as per 25d. Thank you Dada and Senf.

  24. I’m waiting for my Famous Grouse refuel, so will read the hints and comments later, don’t want to miss the fuel truck!
    Dada at his friendliest for me, though I did have two bung ins, 12a and 21a, two 4-letter words so not difficult to find two words that fit. There were a lot of smiles along the way, 1a, 1d and 28a stood out, but 8d was guffaw of the week.
    Thank you Dada for the entertainment, and Senf for his hints, I’ll get to them later.

  25. A pleasant way to spend a cold Sunday afternoon. Back to Devon tomorrow where it might be a tad warmer. I just hope our journey isn’t 1d!

  26. Did Dada Sign his work at 20a? helped by getting the long ones early on the pesky four-letter ones eventually dropping
    Thanks to Senf and Dada

  27. It was OK but some holdups. I needed the hint (thanks Senf) for 12a. Cross with myself as I did know that synonym for crawl. Had trouble with 20a. Got it with the checkers. I did wonder about the spelling of 7d as there’s an alternative. All in all my favourites are the four round the edge.

  28. All completed, a few synonyms that were new to me but I thought easier than some weeks.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints

  29. A very enjoyable puzzle which was finished unaided apart from 12a and 26a. Presumably Dada was using his personal thesaurus as I found the hints for these no help towards what I had assumed were the answers. Other than that many thanks to Dada and Senf.

  30. A good and enjoyable Sunday stroll on a Monday lunchtime. Special mentions to the four permiter clues, 2d & 8d.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf

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