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DT 30651

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30651
Hints and tips by Shabbo

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

As I approach my first anniversary of writing these hints, a very belated thank you to Gazza for allocating me Thursdays, which is often the best crossword of the week.  I thought this was an excellent puzzle which should perhaps not unduly delay any gardening duties, but you, dear reader, can be the judge of that.  Having said all of that, I marked “tricky” against 1d, 12d and 20d.  What did you think?

In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons.  Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a Disparage staff over flying regularly (6)
MALIGN: three-letter synonym of staff outside (over) every other letter (regularly) of fLyInG.

4a Small crowd welcoming clubs for game (8)
SCRABBLE: abbreviation for small + synonym of an unruly crowd outside (welcoming) abbreviation for clubs (as in cards).

9a Sidekick, unrefined sort of person (6)
MUCKER: double definition – both listed in Chambers.

10a Removing all clothing simply nice, Rita understood (8)
IMPLICIT: remove the outside letters (removing all clothing) of (s)IMPL(y) + (n)IC(e) + (R)IT(a). I thought it was probably wise not to include an image for this clue.

11a Record lasting a long time English student breaks (9)
CHRONICLE: word meaning “lasting a long time” (think illness) + abbreviation for English, join them together and then insert (breaks) the usual abbreviation for student or beginner.

13a Argument with baseball team shortly following game (3-2)
RUN-IN: the number of players in a baseball team (I had to look it up) without the final letter (shortly) after (following) abbreviation for the 15-a-side version of rugby, which I still love, even after two shoulder operations and back surgery.

14a Cat litter, loose, scattered across half of shop (13)
TORTOISESHELL: anagram (scattered) of LITTER LOOSE outside (across) the first half of SHop. The setter wants us to read the first two words of the clue together but, as is often the case, they should be read individually.

17a Fertiliser amounts I tried to vary (6,7)
SODIUM NITRATE: anagram (to vary)  of AMOUNTS I TRIED.

21a Woven cloth, the choice for Yorkshire folk? (5)
TWILL: the single-letter abbreviated form of “the” used in Yorkshire dialect (known as “definite article reduction” apparently) + synonym of choice.

23a Relaxed conditions for racing after squeamish question’s ignored (4-5)
EASY-GOING: a word describing the condition of the ground in horse racing after a word meaning squeamish without the initial QU (question’s ignored).

24a Comforted about journalist covering live broadcast (8)
RELIEVED: two-letter abbreviations for “about” and “journalist” outside (covering) anagram (broadcast) of LIVE.

25a First off Orient behind to Hull? (6)
ASTERN: before you moan about too much sport in the puzzle, this has nothing to do with football – we can ignore both capital letters in the clue.  Take a synonym of orient and remove the first letter (first off).  The resulting word (the definition) means “in or towards the rear of a boat” or behind to hull.

26a Not conscious of some coat being repaired (8)
COMATOSE: a nice straightforward anagram (being repaired) of SOME COAT.

27a Overlook old man having extremely shiftless times (4,2)
PASS BY: two-letter abbreviation for father + the outside letters (extremely) of ShiftlesS + two letter word meaning times in arithmetic.

 

Down

1d Copies manuscript, this writer’s since oddly deleted parts (6)
MIMICS: two-letters separated by an apostrophe meaning “this writer is” and the even letters of sInCe (oddly depleted) outside (parts) abbreviation for manuscript. A tough one to parse and also to hint without giving the game away.  Hopefully the checking letters will help. Tricky.

2d Torn fabric appraised (9)
LACERATED: join together synonyms of fabric and appraised.

3d More ecofriendly Frenchman, say, turns up, tackling Republican (7)
GREENER: the crossword setter’s favourite male French given name + abbreviation for say (as in for example) upside down (turns up) with the abbreviation for Republican stuffed inside (tackling).

5d Firm politician, occasionally being scatty with opponents, makes amends (11)
COMPENSATES: abbreviations for company and politician + the odd letters (occasionally) of bEiNg ScAtTy + opponents on a bridge table.

6d Tempts everyone with solutions Conservative missed (7)
ALLURES: synonym of everyone + synonym of solutions without the initial letter C (Conservative missed).

7d Artist, streaky perhaps? (5)
BACON: double definition.

8d Confuse unintelligent anglers to some extent (8)
ENTANGLE: a hidden word clue (to some extent) with our answer concealed within words 2 and 3.  The definition is not the first synonym I would think of, but it is straight out of Chambers.

12d Credit Holland, typically said to guard individual royal regalia (5,6)
CROWN JEWELS: abbreviation of credit + a homophone (said) of the given name of Mr Holland, the musician who always seems to be on our TVs on New Year’s Eve, both outside (guard) a three-letter word meaning individual. Tricky.

15d Watch ship transport essentially beauty products (9)
EYELINERS: synonyms of watch + ship + the middle letter (essentially) of tranSport.

16d Core site for redevelopment is secret (8)
ESOTERIC: anagram (for redevelopment) of CORE SITE.

18d Fruit established as the least attractive? (7)
UGLIEST: type of fruit + abbreviation for established.

19d Masters here always imposing on head of academy (7)
AUGUSTA: synonym of imposing (an adjective) + the first letter (head) of Academy reveals the golf course where the American Masters is played every year. The image below shows Huntsman looking for his clubs.

20d Office information flipping unknown accountant receives (6)
AGENCY: one of the letters signifying an unknown in maths + abbreviation for accountant upside down (flipping) outside (receives) three letter word meaning information. Tricky.

22d Religion in African country rising around south (5)
ISLAM: four-letter West African country upside down (rising) outside (around) South.

 

Quickie Pun:  HARE  +  FOLLY  +  CALLS  =  HAIR FOLLICLES

60 comments on “DT 30651

  1. I enjoyed today’s guzzle tussle. Not straightforward by any means but it is getting towards the end of the week. There were pennies dropping all over the place, which makes for a satisfying solve. I did need Mr. G for 19d not being au fait with the sport and where it is played. Getting the two long anagrams at 14a and 17a gave me a foothold. My COTD is the credited Holland at 12d.

    Thank you, setter for the brain work out. Thank you, shabbo for the hints and congratulations on your anniversary.

    1. I knew the 19d place but just couldn’t get it off the tip of my tongue, but happily Peter came to my aid.

  2. A goodie.

    It feels like a Silvanus creation but there are a lot of alternate letters with words being flipped which smacks of Zandio.

    Hmm…

    There’s lots to like on a friendly grid. Non-golfers may have a problem with 19d but it’s pretty gettable from the checkers.

    My podium is 14a, 5d and 6d.

    Many thanks to Zandanus and Shabbo.

    3*/4*

    P.S I saw the attached last night in a pub and just HAD to show you all (look at the top).

    Grrr…..

    (apologies for being on its side. Goodness knows why that’s happened. For those that can’t read it, it says EATS as in FOOD)

    1. Bonjour Thomas.
      It appears that iPhone programmers (AI?) think that our summer month does not exist. I sent a message to friends confirming a gathering in that month and predictive text decided it would be in the USA golf course.
      I despair.

      1. Marvellous.

        I was asked this question that may appeal to some of you…

        Aside from the aforementioned month, what three words (there may be more) are pronounced differently when the first letter is capitalised? We often see one of them used in crossies.

        1. I am looking after a dog for some Polish friends who have been to Nice. My friend Said lives in Reading.
          I must polish my nice table, said Pip before reading your question, Tom.

          1. Outstanding.

            I didn’t have Reading or Said.

            Job was my fourth one.

            1. Not sure where the question setter lives but I wonder whether he’s read Plutarch’s Lives?

              1. Is this his Parallel Lives?

                It was a quiz night in London many moons ago.

                1. Yes, his Parallel Lives – as opposed to where me old mucker lives ….

                  And another one for the list: Liver (building) and liver (organ)

            2. After my earlier comment about my iPhone I should have mentioned Steve Jobs (pronounced as written, I believe).
              This is a silly conversation. Mr Slater would have said “Get on with your work, boy, and stop being so frivolous.”

  3. Ray T on Toughie duty with his alter ego Beam and a most enjoyable back pager suggests that the latter is the work of the ‘other half’ of our Ynys Mon’s contributor’s ‘dream team.’ So, my Toonie is on today’s setter being Silvanus. 2.5*/4.5*

    I did have quite a wait for a tea tray sized PDM on 9a.

    Candidates for favourite – 10a, 21a, 25a, 2d, and 12d – and the winner is 21a!

    Thanks to Silvanus, or whomsoever in the unlikely event that my Toonie goes down the drain, and thanks to the ‘youngster’ Shabbo.

  4. I took ages to get started with this puzzle and I only started making headway in the bottom half before gradually filling the rest of the puzzle. I didn’t know that 14A was a fertiliser but the answer could be nothing else.

    I enjoyed the challenge and would rate it 3.5*/4*. Favourite is the lovely 14A.

    Thanks the the setter and Shabbo for the hints.

  5. Great puzzle, just right for a Thursday with a good dollop of general knowledge thrown in.

    Had some confusion over 12d, although it was obvious what the answer was, couldn’t for the life of me see how Holland fitted in. Is Holland somehow thought of a ‘jewel’ of Europe? or something I was missing about cutting diamonds?
    In the end it hit me right between the eyes, silly really, squeeze was one of my favourite bands in the 70s and 80s.

    1. Squeeze – originators of some of the most memorable (to me) music of the very late 70s / early 80s. Thanks for that, TC, great lyrics for the deadpan delivery.

    2. I only got the second part of the answer after seeing your post. Still had no idea what Holland had to do with it though until I read the hint. Not only did I grow up with him on the telly all the time, but I met him just before one of his concerts a few years ago. He is a lovely bloke as well. Gave him a very firm handshake too, which was somewhat daft considering what he does with the piano. Absolute legend.

      I will thrash myself with nettles for being a muppet and not thinking of the most obvious Holland there is.

  6. An enjoyable and gentle Thursday challenge which gave no reasons for pauses given I had decided I just couldn’t be “bottomed” to parse the obviously correct answer to 12d. Having seen Shabbo’s hint I can appreciate the wit behind the clue but feel it was sadly wasted on an answer that I suspect most people will, like me, simply write in. A shame there were three “alternating letters” clues in the first few across & down, but otherwise a lovely range of clue-types, benign anagrams, and generally good surface reads. Hon Mentions to 21a, 25a (what I always think of as being an ISIHAC clue!) and 8d.

    1.5 / 3

    Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo

  7. Oh, 12d for me, all the way. Marvellous. That “typically” was typically sneaky, mind. Many thanks to the setter and Shabbo. Happy anniversary!

  8. For me a bit of a challenge with 1d and 9a holding out longest, but it is Thursday and I would expect nothing less. I could not parse 12d but now see its clever and will give it my first place position, I also liked 14a. I was pleased there were several anagrams to help keep me going.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for the hints and help with parsing.

  9. My theme this week was in danger of stalling as I can’t think of a famous Thursday song. So a lesser known Harry Nilsson song has had to suffice:

    Here’s why the crossword seemed to work today
    Thursday’s such a crazy, lazy day
    Thursday has it’s own peculiar clues I have to say
    No way Thursday makes you want to run away
    Thursday’s such a crazy, lazy day.

    Oh, and I found it was 23a. Also, I did not get clogged up with the Holland connection.

  10. Thursdays don’t get much better than this, with a highly entertaining and rewarding puzzle for a bright and blustery morning. 25a was clever and 19d has a great surface, but my favourite was 12d.

    My thanks to Silvanus for a terrific challenge, and to Shabbo for a year of hints.

  11. Great puzzle and thanks for the tips. But I think you’ll find 18d is a fruit + abbreviation of established not first

  12. Like Eeyore started at the bottom and steadily worked my way up. 1d was my last in and it took far too long to drop. Many good clues, but from a crowded field my podium comprises 1d and 27a in the lower positions with 12d in top spot.
    Thanks to compiler and Shabbo

  13. Rather gentler than we’ve got used to on Thursday – thanks to the setter and Shabbo (and congratulations on your anniversary).
    Top clues for me were 9a, 21a, 12d and 19d.

  14. Oh yes. Terrific guzzle. 9a reminded me of my father as he used it about his mates in the 17/21st Lancers. Loved the cat and 10a, George helped me out with the collide one, and I guessed the Holland connection. Speaking of Holland, just to show you that I am not the only nutter in the family here is Grotefoote my Dutch bear trying to emulate me. I am off now for a jolly ‘games afternoon’ with the Rotary Ladies – still, there will be a cream tea. Many thanks to Setter and Shabbo.

  15. Exellent puzzle, with just the right combination of brain-fodder and simpler contructions. No hints needed for once. Still don’t understand what Huill (or hull) has to do with anything, although I did get the answer fairly easily. LOI was 9a, and overall ***/**** for me.

    1. Regarding your query about hull in 25a – see extract from my hint:
      The resulting word (the definition) means “in or towards the rear of a boat” or behind to hull.

  16. Another nice puzzle for Thursday this week despite it being RayT’s week off. Good clueing and some fun answers.

    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 10a, 14a, 25a, 15d & 18d — with winner 14a.
    Smiles for 9a, 26a, 7d & 18d

    Thanks to setter & Shabbo for hints/blog

  17. Gebrler rhan usual for a Thursdatmy but I lwft the tricky NW corner and worked nmy way back to it , starting at the bottom. I liked tge 17a anagram and the rough assistant at 9a. I don’t follow the game but I kbew tghe vebue at 19d like Daisy’s George. A well balanced guzzle and more enjoyable than many Thursday’s are. Thanks to the compiker and to shabbo for the hints-Happy Anniversary!

  18. This one took a bit of teasing out but got there in the end although I needed the hints to parse a couple. All in all a jolly good guzzle so thanks to the setter (no idea) and Shabbo – well done on your first anniversary. We have Open Gardens here on 29 and 30 June (12 – 4) so if you are up in N Norfolk come and say hello as I’m selling programmes both mornings. Sadly I watch the news/tennis/etc round the country and everyone but us seems to be having lovely sunny weather and we have our sea fret! So if you are coming bring a jumbly.

  19. Looks as though I’ve been granted another dream team day – one very happy bunny here.
    Didn’t realise until I bothered to investigate, that 9a is a unique Northern Irish term, I live and learn even at my age!
    Rosettes awarded to 4,14&21a plus 19d.

    Many thanks to Silvanus and also to Shabbo for the review – congratulations on the blogging anniversary.

  20. What a pleasant surprise for a Thursday, a solvable puzzle 😃 ***/**** favourites 21 & 23 across and 19d 👍 If only I hadn’t chosen “mule” for my long eared mammal 😬

  21. That was weirdly enjoyable. Enjoyable because I didn’t have to use copious help to solve, but weird because I got most of my answers despite the clues, with 12d being the prime example. This was more of a case of checking the hints after I had finished to find out why for many of them. Clearly not Ray T as Her Majesty is not present, and the clues are too long for him. My mother in law had a lovely 14d who dined solely on raw melts and lived to a ripe old age. I believe they are called something different over here, can’t remember what. Thanks to setter and Shabbo. Has it been a year so soon?

  22. It took me a while to get into this one but it turned out to be a lovely guzzle.
    Needed help parsing 12d but as I always turn off his Hogmannay programme he has got his own back!
    Top picks for me were 10a, 2d and 3d.
    Thanks and congratulations to Shabbo and thanks to the setter.

  23. Many thanks to Shabbo (and warmest congratulations on his approaching anniversary in the blogging chair) and to everyone commenting.

    I originally clued “staff” in 1a as “king, perhaps”, but as Charles hasn’t been in many aeroplanes lately, I thought it ought to be changed.

  24. Really enjoyed this. Other than my brain fart on 12d (see my comment above), a much easier solve than yesterday.

    Thanks to all.

  25. I struggled a bit in the NW too and needed Shabbo’s excellent hints to get me over the line. I am ashamed to say that 11a was LOI today as I was an avid reader of said newspaper when visiting Grandma Bee in Jesmond
    Thanks and congrats to Shabbo and to Silvanus too

  26. NW last to fall, 2d unlocking the final two in that corner. Nothing obscure just good clues all gettable with a bit of thought. Hard to pick a favourite but I’ll go with 2d. Thanks to Silvanus and Shabbo.

  27. I loved this one too – good amount of challenge to exercise the brain , but managed to finish without hints. Did check a couple of parsings though. Thanks to Silvanus and Shabbo.

  28. Not straightforward at all! I was lulled into a false sense of security with the first half solve then ground to a head scratching halt! Many thanks to Shabbo for showing me the way and to the setter. Trickiest was 12D.

  29. Lovely guzzle. Another solve in the wee small hours but out all day playing golf (poorly) at Hanbury Manor then out this evening so first chance to comment. A smooth solve other than brain fog on the parsing front at 25a – removed the initial letter from a 4 letter synonym of Orient then couldn’t parse the last 3 letters: plonker that I am the penny only dropped when I awoke this morning. Otherwise a straightforward solve with Jools the runaway fav of a cracking set of clues & with Genesis & Beatles earworms at 8d & 10a. Lively stuff.
    Thanks to Silvanus & to Shabbo & with congrats on his impending blogging anniversary

  30. I really enjoyed this one. Got stuck on top corner. 1d 1a and 9a. Favourite was14a Tortoiseshell.

  31. 3*/3* ….
    liked 14A “Cat litter, loose, scattered across half of shop (13)”

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