DT 30557 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

DT 30557 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30557 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A beautiful Spring morning (provided you’ve got your coat and gloves on!) brings an enjoyable Saturday Prize Puzzle actually on the back page of the newspaper

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.

Across

1a           Doctor training causes misery (4)
An abbreviated doctor and some school ‘training’ – the misery here is a person

3a           Traveller of sound mind in Glasgow? (5)
Split this traveller 2,3 to get a Scottish way of saying of sound mind

13a         Polish Romeo getting black eye (6)
A verb meaning to polish and the letter represented by Romeo in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet

19a         Strange as sheep could be, but not goats (8)
Sheep can describe just one of them or many; goats on the other hand has to be more than one goat

21a         Completely fashionable dog taken to Oz? (2,4)
One of the ‘usual’ words for fashionable and the dog that accompanied Dorothy to the Land of Oz

25a         Heidegger here and there showing bite (4)
The even (here and there) letters of the first word of the clue

 

Down

1d           College managed somehow to admit the French (9)
The name of a Cambridge University college is obtained from an anagram (somehow) of MANAGED with the French definite article inserted (to admit)

2d           Klebb maybe lurking inside shot pedestrian (7)
The forename of a fictional Russian spy ‘lurking’ inside an abbreviated photograph (shot)

4d           Seasonal staff needed for traditional celebration? (7)
A staff used as part of a celebration of spring

6d           Imitation easily accomplished with SIM inserted (9)
SIM (from the clue) inserted into an adjective meaning easy to accomplish

7d           Following on, batting during day (7)
The usual two-letter ‘on the subject of’, and what a cricket team is if it is batting inserted into an abbreviated day of the week

20d         Refuse to be carried in this cruise ship? (5)
An insert for something used to carry refuse or a cruise ship

 

Could new readers please read the Welcome post and the FAQ before posting comments or asking questions about the site.

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.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then save yourself (and me) a lot of trouble and don’t leave a comment.


The Quick Crossword pun:   Top Row: SIMPER + THIGHS   = SYMPATHISE

Bottom Row: ESTHER + LADDER = ESTEE LAUDER

77 comments on “DT 30557 (Hints)”

  1. Completed it apart from 23a & 16d before your post, any chance of a hint on these? Ooh I just got 16d.

    1. Welcome to the blog

      23d – the definition is the last three words of the clue. The first letter is the ‘no’ and the rest is an involuntary twitching

  2. To quote Richie Benaud….what a splendid day’s crossword, that was. (I’m sure he would have enjoyed 9a).

    I particularly liked the grid, with three smallies across the top and bottom. 5a is hilarious! Lots of excellent surfaces with all the classic techniques on display.

    A real scrap for the medals but I’ll go with 1d (always love a reference to our old muckers, the other side of La Manche), 18d for its humour and 14d for its cleverness.

    Many thanks to the super Saturday setter and she from the crypt.

    2*/5*

  3. My first impression was Help! However, a strong coffee and a decent breakfast unlocked a few grey cells and with Mrs Bs aid, it very gradually it came together as a joint effort. Tough as they are, the clues are brilliant in their structure. My favs are def 8a (no surprise there having seen the answer in action many times) and 13d and 14d.
    Not sure how to sum it up, perhaps the best adjectives are satisfying and exhausting.
    Thx to all
    ****/****

    1. I agree with you 100% Brian. On a first read through I just got 9 and 17a. Then gradually got into my stride and it was a first class guzzle. You have saved me saying anything else except thanks to you, the Setter and Sue!

  4. I wish to complain in the strongest possible terms to the highest authority! This was the most dificult crossword I have encountered this year and yet this so-called ‘hinter’ provides no help for any of the clues I could not solve.
    I demand a full apology and an immediate refund of…. Oh… wait a minute… oh yeah…

    This was a tricky fellow indeed, and left me gaping in wonder. I wondered whilst I gaped. The neighbours were twitching their curtains.

    A big DNF for me before I took to Google for assistance.

    As dear Steve Cowling says – thanks to the setter for the challenge. Also thanks to Super Sue, I hope you are feeling much better after your recent spell under the weather.
    That’s a peculiar expression isn’t it? We are all under the weather all the time. I should be lecturing in philosophy at one of our finest universities.

  5. 8a absolutely made this for me. A lovely linked clue and very funny. All in all this was a delightful way to spend some time waiting for the sun to show itself here in Shropshire, and I thought this was one of the best SPPs for some time.

    Many thanks to our setter and Sue.

  6. There was a really fresh feel to this enjoyable and witty puzzle – thanks to the setter and CS.
    I liked 3a, 11a, 7d and 18d but the gold medal must go to the old bat.

  8. Wot Gazza said including his picks. Beautiful day here on the first tee but warm it ain’t.
    Thanks to the setter (5 bob on Donny) & to Sue.

  10. Very amusing indeed. I’m cursed with the opinion that 8A as a bat was exceptional, but otherwise an insufferable bore, so I had a fall-off-chair moment humour-wise with that one. The link with 6A worked particularly well for me. 3A was great too, and there were a raft of others (no palindrome for 24A, for example). Wonderful stuff, thanks Sooty and Sweep. No, strike that: setter and Sue.

  11. A great way to kick off the weekend before moving onto a fest of the Six Nations and then tennis from Indian Wells USA. In retrospect I can’t believe I had to seek help for 8a but perhaps I wasn’t alone with that. 12a number alternative catches me out every time. Didn’t fully parse 7d. 20d carrier is somewhat broad. A trio of Favs from so many canny clues – 8a (after tip off from MrG), 11d and 19d. Thank you Anymouse and the omnipresent CS.

    1. Definition is following (noun) and day refers to the abbreviation for a day of the week. I hope that doesn’t put me on the naughty step.

      2. As you only rewrote my hint, while missing out a vital part, you are safe from the NS

  12. What fun that was, some fantastic clues, certainly not easy but very satisfying to finish. I do not see the connection between 6 and 8a but I am sure it will become clear when the full explanation comes out. It’s bound to be obvious I am sure.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints.

    1. The only connection between 6a and 8a is that when linked together the two clues provide an interesting surface read. However, when it comes to solving them, the two clues stand independently.

      1. … moreover, linking the clues in this manner adds an element of misdirection regarding the meaning of “bat” in the second clue.

  13. An entertaining and enjoyable NTSPP which the double unches did not spoil, I suspect that we have another NYDK production – **/****

    Candidates for favourite – 6a, 15a, 23a, 2d, and 4d – and the winner is 2d.

    Thanks to NYDK, or whomsoever if it is not he, and thanks to CS.

  14. 1.5*/3.5*. This was light and good fun. I am not enamoured by the use of 1a as a noun but, to be fair to the setter, it is in the BRB.

    8a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

  15. A lovely, humorous start to the weekend with the sane Glaswegian and the old Yorkshire bat taking the honours.

    Thanks to our setter – my five bob’s going on the Doorknob alongside Huntsman’s – and thanks to CS for the hints.

  16. The top half went in fairly fast but a bit more pondering required in the South. I am supposed to favour 8a but as Jeanne V said he mayhave been skilled with the willow but his tact and diplomacy less so.
    Thanks to CS and setter
    Currently waiting in queue for carwash as I have been splurged by a rogue tractor and my new car is beshi?$ed 61

  18. Lots to like today. Starting with 3a (reminds me of my uni days ‘up north’! Had almost forgotten 13a – haven’t boxed in 60 years! Surprised to find the ‘member’ in 18d is large enough to qualify!
    Tried desperately to parse 22a as even more of an anagram, but needed to find a boy named Ann (not Sue as in the song). Finally got round to actually reading the answer and the missing bits were lurking in the middle!
    I’m nominating it (22a) as fave.
    Many thanks to the setter and of course to CS.

  19. A lot of comments about 8a but both 8a and Fred Trueman are perfect examples of most Yorkshire people : (redacted in accordance with comment etiquette no 2 – and before there’s a riot)

        1. I think the two comments below yours suggest some others do not feel the need for rioting. And when is telling the truth a matter of etiquette?

    2. Thankfully I am a Geordie by birth but Yorkshire by residence – your generalisation (unread by me) like most generalisations is generally wrong but in this case…

    3. As a Yorkshireman by birth and having returned 40 years ago I am permitted to be as rude, insensitive and undiplomatic as the rest. Having lived in Lancashire, Kent, Devon and Birmingham and travelled all over the North East I can confidently state that you are very unlucky if you have found somewhere where in England where folk are worse than those in Yorkshire you have my deepest sympathy.

      The most friendly people I have met are from north of the North Yorkshire boundary to where I would have moved if it were not for the excellent cardiology department of Castle Hill Hospital.

  20. I found this Saturday puzzle a step up in difficulty this week with some rather tricky clueing. Took a while to get going, but things gradually came to light.

    2.5*/3.5* for me

    Favourites include 9a, 18a, 22a, 2d, 12d & 13d — with winner 19a … very clever.
    Smiles for 13a, 21a, 2d, 12d & 13d

    Thanks to setter & CS for hints/blog

  21. This was a breeze in parts and decidedly tricky for the remainder. Took ages for the penny to drop in 19a then felt decidedly sheepish when I twigged the wordplay. Still unsure of the parsing of a couple, but will have to await the full review for enlightenment. Thanks to the compiler for an enjoyable and challenging puzzle and CS.

  22. I thought this a bit tricky but fun. I knew the old bat from long ago, when my cricket mad brother was still with us. I liked so much, the sound mind from Glasgow was a hoot, but I think 9a takes the gold.
    Thank you setter for this super Saturday fun and CS for her hints. Keep warm and well.

    1. Can someone help an untechie old woman? My iPad now has my keyboard in the left-hand corner and it’s very small. How do I get my old keyboard back in the right size and right place.

      1. I am on Android not iPad but on the keyboard, there is usually a button to toggle between different modes on mine it is either 4 arrows pointing out or a row of dots and dashes that resemble a keyboard

  23. This would appear to be required viewing for aspiring cruciverbalists and Django fans

    1. Thanks for posting John. Liked his analogy about not necessarily having to unpick the lock (ie fully parse it first to get the answer) it’s ok to shoulder barge open the door – certainly the case for me with his convoluted wordplay.

      1. I noticed that too, I confess to a lot of shoulder barging on Sunday Toughie’s and hopefully see the parsing before the blog is published I hope ST 111 isn’t too crickety as I will have to blog it hopping on one leg

  24. I found this a bit more of a slog than most above, and I can’t even claim it is down to lack of sleep this time. Thankfully even with my little knowledge of cricket I did know the 8a gentleman. Likewise half of the answers. The other half took some work, and contrarily were those sans hints. But a good start to the day, and hope to fit in some watecolor painting after making a batch of chocolate chip icecream. Thanks to the setter and CrypticSue.

  25. Quite a slog but
    Satisfying, though.
    Some very clever
    Clueing, eg 6, 9 and
    24a.
    Great big smile at
    8a.
    Praise setter and
    CS.

  26. Quite a slow start but eventually everything fell in place. Favorite 14d.

    As a Yorkshiremen, if you think we are blunt and undiplomatic, you should meet Berliners – they get their retaliation in first!

  27. Isn;t there a second quickie pun in bottom line – think skin care business woman

    1. I discounted this originally because of the pronunciation of the second word, but I’ve now added it to the post

    2. It took me ages to sort out the bottom line because I had the answer to 24a as ‘Psalms’. Don’t understand the answer given.

    2. 30557 in the DT and 28721 and counting in the Thunderer is getting on for 60000 crosswords, the chances of similar or verbatim clues and answers appearing seems highly likely
      I wonder if the character in question will still be remembered in the next 60000 crosswords

  29. Don’t understand 12d although I can see where the letters come from.
    Is the answer a number??

  30. A good, enjoyable & testing challenge – I found this more brow-furrowing than any of the last week’s backpagers. 8a was my last one in with a loud groan when that penny dropped, very clever. Good mixture of clues, and I liked the grid with its several unches. Podium places to 6a, 21a and 14d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS.

  31. Outed by Senf. Thanks Sue and the Grand Order of Crosswording Commenters.

    Glad the old bat didn’t offend, well not too much at least :D

    Cheers
    NYDK

    2. Thanks for a super puzzle & for popping in & confirming that we can join the queue at the payout counter.

  32. Oh dear – after yesterday I was looking forward to a crossword that I might have a fighting chance of getting a few answers but maybe not . .
    Thanks anyway to the clever setter and an equally clever CS for all the hints!

  33. Rather glad that this was rather more challenging because there is more chance of a win if completed and submitted. Loved 19 a. and as many more 14 d. Jolly fine crossword. Thanks to setter and CS.

  34. I started this late and am still working through. However, there are cr****t related clues. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that I despise this sport (i didn’t before starting crosswords…).

    I am likely to not complete much more that two thirds of this today.

    At least I have had a great day with my daughter.

  35. We are hosting a gigantic murmuration this year in Crick, Northants. It’s lovely but…two months of sunset spattering. I couldn’t parse 12d so thank you to crypticsue for the pointer.
    Talking of which Crufts is just finishing. I’m doing the ST a day late and I’m off to the pub.

  36. Came back to this one after a couple of weeks. Still very difficult but frustratingly straightforward when helped with answers. Garth. Onwards and upwards

Comments are closed.