DT 30643

80 comments on “DT 30643”

1. Well, I got there but I can’t say I enjoyed the journey that much. I found some of the parsing somewhat convoluted and I had to resort to Mr. G. for help. Of course, once I did, I saw how the clue worked but it would have taken me ages to work out. I did not think the things in 27a were roots but I suppose they are in a way. I have to go with 5a as my COTD but the rest did not fit my brain today.

   Sorry, setter, not for me I’m afraid but thank you for your efforts. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.

   For some reason the crossword number is given as DT30637

   1. Have just amended Steve. Don’t know why – same thing happened last week & Gazza changed it for me then.

   2. I agree Steve, just how I feel about this one.

2. Well this certainly cheered up a dull Tuesday morning. I was disgusted with myself as my final entry was 5a, and I live six miles from the town in question. Naturally that was my favourite for the name check, although there were several other contenders, most notably the topical 16d.

   My thanks to AP and The Hintsman.

3. A slighter tougher challenge from the prof which made for a pleasant solve.

   5a was a great clue and my LOI, taking me in to the next time zone. 11a does need an indicator though as I don’t agree with Huntsman. I rarely hear it used over here.

   My podium is the aforementioned, 26a (excellent anagram and a splendid word) and 17d.

   Many thanks to AP and Hoots Mon!

   3*/3*

4. I agree with Huntsman’s rating. 26a was a new one on me but as a parsable anagram ok. I didn’t have any particular favourites today but pleasant enough Tuesday fare. Or is it fayre? Thanks Huntsman and the setter.

5. Two stars for difficulty, not in my book, that was tough with a capital T.
   Had to take two goes at this before I finished, with an hour off to clean the aquarium in-between, maybe the fishes gave a subliminal hint by telepathy?
   Can’t say I liked 3d or 23a, but that might just be me.
   Two favourites today were 5a and 26a, my last one in.
   Interested to see who the setter is today, and well done to him for a very tricky puzzle.

   1. Ah, Mr Plumb, can’t say I’m surprised!

6. I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought this was slightly trickier than usual for a Tuesday. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. 26a reads beautifully but I’d expect to see that sort of definition (brilliant) in a Toughie. But I’ve certainly seen this sort of clue before and it made me smile. I do take Tom’s point about 11a. I’ve never heard a Brit use that word but the BRB doesn’t Americanise it and it’s a word we all know. Moreover, the surface doesn’t lend itself to an indicator. I thought 1a’s “with X in” device was very neat. And it all flew in very pleasingly. I must agree with H – 16d is an absolute belter. Many thanks to the setter (was this really AP?) and Huntsman. On fine musical form, as ever.

   1. Unless it has been ‘hijacked’ by another setter, the Quickie grid supports this being an AP production.

      1. Good point, well made!

7. I should not be in the least surprised were this not an AP production – it certainly didn’t feel like one of his, with too many loose and vague definitions. I was clearly not in tune with the setter today for I found this unquestionably the most challenging (it could have been a mid-week Toughie) and least enjoyable back pager for a very long time. COTD my LOI, 5a.

   4* / 1*

   Sorry setter, not one for me but thank you; thanks also to Huntsman

8. Not quite Typically Tuesdayish but still an entertaining slightly tougher challenge from Anthony Plumb – 2.5*/4.5*

   Candidates for favourite – 15a, 18a, and 25d – and the winner is 15a.

   Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

   1. Are you confident it is an AP production? I just sort of assume it is & there seemed to be enough of his style of clueing in there.

      1. See my reply to ALP above at Comment 6.

9. Not relevant to this crossword, but if you haven’t printed off the Toughie yet, beat in mind that three clues appear on page 2

10. Pleasant puzzle (though two 15-letter anagrams are two too many for me) – thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
    I liked 5a, 16d and 22d.

11. Wow, a real variance in difficulty ratings in the comments! I’d put it as a 3.5* difficulty FWIW.

    it took an absolute age to get any traction at all, and there was a brief flirtation with a strop and an abandonment. Also failed to get 5a despite looking at a map of Shropshire and despite there being only one settlement of note! What a wally I am.

12. I loved the guzzle today. It made me both smile, groan as the penny dropped, and think.
    Top picks for me were 5a, 26a and 18a.
    Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

13. I found this difficult and had to reverse ebginee3r some of the parsing, particularly in the NW. Of, course, having figured it out, I couldn’t fathom why I’d made such a meal of it. The clues were well thought out, although I had the same conversation with myself as Steve did about the r’oots’at 27a. The two long anagrams at 10a and 26a were enjoyable and the geographical clue 5a was my favourite. Thanks to Huntsman for the hints and to Mr Plumb for a challenging guzzle

14. For me, this was 2*/4* with 5a, 26a & 16d making up my podium.

    Many thanks to AP (?) and to Hintsman.

    P.S. I too like Chris Stapleton and enjoyed the video of him with Dua Lipa. Poor girl; it looks like the moths have got at her dress.

    1. I’m so out of touch with modern music, I can’t get into it at all. At best I call it “noise”.

15. A nice Tuesday puzzle which I found quite a bit more challenging than normal for this day – and a good thing in my book. Generally good clues and an enjoyable enough solve. Fav: 26a. 3*/3*.

    *No,11a doesn’t need an indicator. Sure, the answer is a word we don’t use much over here but most Brits know/are aware of it. I first heard it when a teenager in the 60s. People who tackle the DT cryptics are pretty canny folk and they don’t need mollycoddling with totally unnecessary Americanism indicators – even on a Tuesday!

    1. Hi J

       I don’t agree about 11a. I have never heard a Brit say it to another Brit. It’s like sidewalk or diaper: we have heard of them but never use them.

       Americanisms like ‘high five’ or ‘bud/buddy’ are used all the time. So, to me, they don’t need an indicator.

       1. But that’s the very point, Tom! Us Brits rarely use words like sidewalk, diaper, the 11a answer, etc – but we all know them very well and that they originate in the US. It’s not about if we use them but that we KNOW them and where they come from.

          *Even RD hasn’t mentioned it – so I must be right.

          1. I think that some clues need an overseas indicator (American, French, German etc) and it looks like you don’t which is, of course, absolutely fine.

             Onwards!

             1. We’re far from being in total disagreement here, Tom. Some more obscure Americanisms do need an indicator, but not the very familiar ones. Same with words from foreign languages – they do often need indicators and that’s fine by me. I’ve just got a thing about unnecessary/gratuitous indicators, that’s all.

                1. I’m 100pc with you, Jose. Makes a nice change!

                   1. Thanks. I’ll take that to mean you’re normally only 95% with me.

                2. You say ‘familiar’ which, to me, plays no part in my decision-making for the requirement of an indicator:

                   If an American word is in common parlance this side of The Pond, like ‘buddy’, then it’s not required. If it’s not, e.g today’s answer that no one ever uses, then it needs it.

                   Knowing the word to me is irrelevant.

                   That’s my take and it looks like I’m on my own, if not, then I’m in the minority and a very small one at that.

                   1. Fairy nuff.

                      Forwards!

                   2. You’re not on your own, Tom. That’s pretty much exactly my take on it.

                      An interesting and fairly frequent example is john meaning toilet. Most Brits will be aware of that but very few, apart perhaps from those who are addicted to American sitcoms and chat shows, would ever use it when speaking. So, for me, if that meaning is required in a UK crossword, it should have an indicator.

                      1. So, quick question for Tom, RD and Jose. What about “shoo-in”? The BRB lists that as US slang but that is definitely summat that I (and other Brits) say. Would that need a US indicator, do you think? I’m thinking absolutely not. But then I am rather indicator phobic!

                         1. Indeed – absolutely not! That one needs an indicator less than most – it’s one we all know and is also one used often enough by Brits.

                            1. Phew! Sneaker is an odd one. Chambers doesn’t list it as American – and it clearly is – but just defines it as a sandshoe. Another (again unattributed) Americanism. As ever, i find myself trusting the BRB about as much as I can throw it. I think everyone is basically right here. Yes, Americanisms should technically be indicated but it’s a grey area – unlike, say, French words, etc. It’s essentially a matter of preference and largely down to the setter’s discretion. John, can, head, etc. We all know what they are and the last two are actually British, I believe. But does anyone actually use those words either? I suppose sailors probably still hit the head, to be fair.

                         2. Hi Alp

                            I forgot to answer this one:

                            Shoo-in is fine with me as I use it all the time. It’s a great expression.

                            But, if someone never uses it and people they are with don’t, they may think it merits an indicator.

                            This is why I’m fairly relaxed about it but sneaker is a big fat no.

                            I’ve never heard it said amongst Brits including on TV shows and in books.

                            1. Hi Tom. I was certainly surprised to learn that shoo-in harks from the US. I do largely agree you re sneakers – it should, technically, have been indicated. Chambers has surely got that one wrong. But, for me, surface is all. And it just irks when indicators jar. Having said that, they can make a clue, as in Donny’s splendid “Kerry’s busy” in today’s Toughie. PS … I think you got your “strict order” spot on!

                      2. So, lets analyse that:

                         1. John = toilet is very well known in the UK, possibly more so by crossword addicts than others.

                         2. We all know that it is of American origin.

                         3. None of us actually use john = toilet, though. (Why would we?).

                         4. Therefore, in a cryptic clue, john = toilet must have an Americanism indicator!

                         I’m not sure I follow the logic of that reasoning? Please explain.

                         1. Sorry, gents. I’ve been oot and aboot.

                            It is most certainly a gray area (I had to).

                            I am truly astounded that the BRB doesn’t have it as an Americanism. Goodness knows how that sneaked through. (intentional)

                            I use John all the time as I think it’s hilarious.

                            It’s all down to how common we think the word is in Blighty.

                            Sidney Strict (RD)
                            Reasonably relaxed Roger (Tom)
                            Anything goes Alfie (Jose)

                            Alpingtons is somewhere between me and J.

                            1. Just for clarity….my ‘astounded’ comment was referring to the shoe not the lav (great word but lavatory is a no-no. We all know it’s loo, anyway)

16. A bit of a curate’s egg for me today. I did enjoy it but found it frustrating in parts. You know I’m not too fond of anagrams but the two long ones did give me an early foothold. The synonym of ‘bolted’ at 19d was not the first that sprang to mind and still seems a little tenuous. I thought some of the surface reads on the more succinct clues were particularly good. Favourite today was the misleading and topical 16d with podium places for 5a and 17d. Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

17. 14d. The hint gives too many letters for the anagram’s content.
    21d. I thought this was ABOUT = ON + abbreviation for SON inside synonym for SECT.

    1. V.

       14d. Just a typo in the hint.
       21d. It’s anagram (about) of son inside (entering) a synonym of sect.

       1. 21d I parsed 21d the same way as Vince. I don’t think ‘about’ (which is not a verb) works as an anagram indicator when it precedes the fodder.

          1. Yes, I think you and Vince are right. Thanks for the technical explanation.

    2. That’s how I read 21d Vince but both work which is interesting.

       I reckon the compiler is in our camp.

       Hopefully, we’ll find out later.

    3. Both amended Vince. Ta.

18. I found this a challenging guzzle, but once solved, many of the glues had a delicious twist to them.

    There is a theme in Andy’s videos and pictures today – bands that we might hope will reconvene but probably won’t. That is, Oasis, The KInks, and the cast of Crossroads Motel. As a young boy I did enjoy the drama of the lives of the eccentric folk that inhabited the Kings Oak area, including the excitable Shughie McFee, dull Glenda and Kevin, suave and smooth David Hunter and his loopy wife Rosemary, and my crush, Miss Diane. If they reformed, they could headline at Glastonbury.

    Thanks to Mr Lead Weight and Andy On The First Tee.

    

    1. I loved Crossroads too Terence. Meg , dear old Sandy in his wheelchair and of course Amy Turtle . Would seem terribly tame to today’s audience no doubt.

    2. T I too had a bit of a thing about Miss Dianne.

       Susan Stranks too but that’s another story

    3. Who could forget Benny!

       1. I forgot about Benny .. but the music brought it all back.

          1. Oh the drama!

19. Not my favourite Tuesday puzzle and I stared at the constituents of the Quickie pun for a long time without being able to join the dots – thank you, Huntsman for helping with that!
    Ticks went to 8,16&22d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb, presumably, and to Huntsman for the review.

20. Another nice Tuesday puzzle this week that was straightforward for the most part. SW last area in.

    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 10a, 11a, 26a, 6d & 25d — with winner 26a
    Smiles from 18a, 28a, 9d & 16d

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman

21. Does 4d in the (small) Crossword contain the apparent error seen in the app version of the newspaper, i.e., that the clue contains the answer?

    1. Yes – it was correct in the puzzles app

22. I spoke too soon yesterday. If this was an AP product it was far from being the fun I have come to expect from him on a Tuesday. North aboard first. I got there but only just with 5a coming in last as for YS. Not sure about either of the double definitions for 23a. Here we go again with 7d French in. Enough said but I will be interested to know if it does in fact come from AP. Thank you to whomever (AP?) for setting and to Hintsman for prompting.

23. Well that took some teasing out. It felt like an eternity to get to completion and, like many others, 5a was last to fall but could be little else by then given the checkers. Can’t say I got any great satisfaction out of this solve, more relief at finishing without resort to the hints. Podium comprises 8d, 18a with 26a in top spot. Thanks to compiler and Huntsman.

24. Most enjoyable and RayTesque with the brevity of some of the across clues.
    26a was my favourite.
    Thanks setter and Huntsman.

25. Comments are interestingly diverse today. I really loved this one . At first thought it was going to be a struggle as read down quite a few clues before things started to fit into place. Just the right amount of challenge for me , and lovely to discover a new phrase at 26a. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

26. What a strange offering this was! Bolted=steamed? I needed nearly all the checkers to get the anagrams at 10a and 26a. I often wonder why they chose that phrase, surely the first word just means suitcase? I needed Huntsman’s hints for 1a and 11a to get me going again in the NW. on the other hand, some fun stuff; 18a and 2d stood out, but fave was 5a, one of my first in.
    Thank you setter for the mangled brain, and Huntsman for sorting out so much.

27. Great choice of music. Most, like me, found it quite difficult (but not impossible) for a Tuesday. Re, 5a, having also lived some 15 miles from relevant town, I actually said it aloud some half a dozen times, but it still didn’t click until the three checkers were in.

28. Well I’m glad that’s over. More of a *** than a **, not helped by some dubious clues. Bit=hunk? If I’m having a bit of a cake, I’m certainly not having a hunk. Bolted=steamed??? And stupidly wasted too much time trying to make an anagram of 26a. Didn’t feel like an AP production to me. Well done to those who solved without help. Thanks to setter and Huntsman.

    1. Quite! 3* I think

29. Agree with *** rating with the bolted synonym tripping me up. Thank you compiler and Huntsman

30. This one has taken me much longer than Tuesdays usually do.
    I like anagrams but I’m not sure that I like them enough to justify having two ones of that length on one day.
    I always get in a muddle whether K’s and R’s are used as Kings in chess or otherwise.
    I appreciated 15 and 18a and 2 and 17d. My favourite by a very long way was 16d.
    With thanks to today’s setter for the crossword and to Hintsman for his hints.

31. I’m beginning to worry I am losing my brain cells. All to frequently now I seem to be unable to get on the wavelength of crosswords.

    This was a massive dnf with only 8 clues probably solved.

    Thanks to all.

32. Good evening

    I’m with Huntsman, ALP, TDS65 and others in thinking that this was a darn sight trickier than the normal Tuesday fare from Mr Plumb (if indeed it was he); I’m bound to say that I seriously contemplated the hoyin’ in of the sponge about 20 minutes ago. As it was, I had to consult our Hintsman to get 5d (the last to fall).

    Nevertheless, a good, enjoyable crozzie with plenty of misdirection. COTD is 26a. Splendid!

    Many thanks to Mr P (?) and to Huntsman.

33. I’m pleased to see it wasn’t just me that made hard work of this. There were 3 or 4 that stretched the bounds of credibility and never heard of a 10a let alone eaten one. I enjoyed more than most though. Favourite was 8d as I had a go at that when I was younger. I had a JAP which, while careering round a friend’s field, broke in half. The half I was on duly dug into the ground and catapulted me 30 or 40 feet through the air and I face planted the ground knocking me unconscious and breaking my nose. Apart from that I got away completely unscathed. I had the front forks welded back on and was back riding it within days. Youth has no fear, only a lack of awareness of danger. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

34. Well this one certainly divided opinion in terms of rating how tricky it was. I just assumed that the reason it took me far longer than usual was because the brain wasn’t in gear & I’m happy to now admit that the Shropshire county town penny took a while to drop for me too. Maybe on reflection a *** rating would have been better. As for the synonyms I thought bolted/steamed ok – the best racehorse I’ve ever seen, Frankel, bolted out of the gate (intentional unindicated Americanism) & steamed into an unassailable lead. I did think hunk for bit a little tenuous though.

35. Oof! Harder than expected for Tuesday. Had a good romp through then ground to a halt. Many thanks to Huntsman for coming to my rescue particularly on 26A, 19D (still don’t understand the clue – help anyone?!), 21D. Thanks to the setter!

    1. Hi A

       A M (a maiden in cricket) is inside steed (horse) and steamed means bolted, eg the train steamed/bolted along the track.

36. Can someone PLEASE explain to dim-witted me the answer to clue 26a.

    1. A portmanteau word is a word constructed from two other words. Motel is an example (from motor and hotel). Another example is brunch (from breakfast and lunch).

       1. Probably the most common and international portmanteau word is: Internet (Interconnected network).

    2. A motel is a combination of motor & hotel so the term is a portmanteau.

37. Very late in the day I join the ‘Rather a Tricky One’ brigade. I started it, unusually, at breakfast as I knew we were going out for lunch and by the time we got home I needed a nap. Looking at it again this evening I eventually got a handle on it. 27a was last one in. I liked the misleading clues, very clever. Our lunch today was in the Elizabethan Madingley Hall where we heard a talk by Frances Christie of Antiques Road Show and Martin Beazor, third generation owner of a beautiful antique shop in Cambridge. George knows him through Rotary. A most interesting day and we raised money for the Sick Children’s Trust. Thanks to the Crafty Setter and Hinty Huntsman. .

38. So late in the day, it is almost tomorrow! I have been too busy to complete this and as I had limited time I barely got going as I could not find many clues that were easy to solve. I will look again tomorrow but having seen some of the comments I realise that this was on the trickier side.

    Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints

39. 3*/2* …. Some synonyms a hunk too stretched for me ….
    liked 26A “We turn to road map possibly to find motel ? (11,4)”

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