ST 3270 (full review) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3270 (full review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3270

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 23rd June 2024

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A nice, straightforward puzzle from Dada this Sunday that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and significant feedback.

I wanted to know the etymology of ‘Cheshire cat’, the answer to the clue of 15a. I learnt from the net that the first known appearance of the literary expression could be traced back to the 1788 Second, Corrected and Enlarged Edition of Francis Grose’s ‘A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue’, wherein an example of the conspicuous feature of the Cheshire cat ran thus: He grins like a Cheshire cat; said of anyone who shows their teeth and gums in laughing. The phrase appeared again in the 1792 print of John Wolcot’s pseudonymous Peter Pindar’s ‘Pair of Lyric Epistles’: Lo, like a Cheshire cat our court will grin. The phrase also appeared in print in William Makepeace Thackeray’s novel ‘The Newcomes: Memoirs of a Most Respectable Family’ published in 1855: That woman grins like a Cheshire cat. Of the numerous theories pertaining to the origin of the phrase ‘grinning like a Cheshire cat’, a possible origin of the phrase is one adorned by the people of the country of Cheshire, which boasts numerous dairy farms; hence the cats grin because of the abundance of milk and cheese. The Cheshire cat as a fictional character known for its distinctive mischievous grin that Lewis Carroll penned in his novel, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ that was published in 1865, therefore, came much later to the original appearance of the phrase in 1788. While the feline of Lewis Carroll had the ability to disappear until only its smile remained, the phrase is believed to have originally referred to cheese made in the county of Cheshire and molded roughly to resemble a grinning cat. That’s the opinion of the Brewer’s Dictionary of 1870 publication: ‘The phrase has never been satisfactorily accounted for, but it has been said that cheese was formerly sold in Cheshire moulded like a cat that looked as though it was grinning.’ The cheese was cut from the tail end, so that the last part eaten was the head of the smiling cat. With the passage of time, the Cheshire cat has transcended the context of literature and become enmeshed in popular culture, appearing in various forms of media, from political cartoons to television, as well as in cross-disciplinary studies, from business to science. Often it is shown in the context of a person or idea that is purposefully confusing or enigmatic. One distinguishing feature of the Alice-style Cheshire cat is the periodic gradual disappearance of its body, leaving only one last visible trace: its iconic grin.

Fingernail, the answer to the clue of 5d, took me down memory lane. One day, in my twenties, I suddenly observed remarkable differences between my fingernails and toenails. I pondered for quite some time and wondered whether they were universal. To my utter surprise, I noticed the same differences between the fingernails and toenails of other persons. Many years later, I put a question to several of my friends, “What are the striking differences that you can see between your fingernails and toenails? None could give the answer to my satisfaction, but when I told them the differences, they agreed with me. Incidentally, despite having travelled a lot, I missed to note the differences between the fingernails and toenails of people outside the city I live in, what to speak of those on the other side of this continent. But while guessing that the differences will still be the same and more particularly since none earlier gave me the correct reply, I am now having the nerve to ask the same question to both the oriental and occidental readers of this review: What conspicuous difference do you notice between your fingernails and toenails? Maybe, in a very short time before I relook, many will have provided the answer what I am looking for! Maybe some others will produce differences unknown to me that I will cherish and take them as my learning!

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

7a          Empire, unreasonable country? (7)
OTTOMAN: A charade of OTT (unreasonable) as an abbreviation for ‘over the top’ and denoting excessive, unreasonable or highly extreme and OMAN (country) as a country in West Asia that is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and overlooks the mouth of the Persian Gulf takes to the definition of the empire that spanned much of Southeast Europe, West Asia and North Africa from the 14th to early 20th centuries and was historically and colloquially known as the Turkish Empire

8a          Inuit as lost in part of Africa (7)
TUNISIA: An anagram (lost) of INUIT AS guides to the definition of the northernmost country in the continent of Africa

10a        Technocrat’s tailored garment (6,4)
TRENCH COAT: An anagram (tailored) of TECHNOCRAT (Technocrat’s) takes to the definition of a usually double-breasted raincoat with deep pockets, wide belt and often straps on the shoulders

11a        Horse, some stayer, gallantly getting round (4)
GREY: The definition of an animal, especially a horse, that is grey or whitish is arrived at from part of or hidden inside (some) [STA]YER, G[ALLANTLY] coming from the other end (getting round) as a reversal in the across clue

12a        Eruption reported, fragment catching head of reporter (8)
OUTBURST: The definition of an explosion or eruption is reached from OUT (reported) as into public notice or knowledge or revealed, made public or reported for news media followed by BUST (fragment) as to fragment or break or cause to break into pieces taking in (catching) the beginning or the leading letter or the leader (head) of R[EPORTER]

14a        Manager’s back in the commercial line (6)
THREAD: The letter at the terminus or end (back) of [MANAGE]R (manager’s) placed inside (in) THE from the clue followed by AD (commercial) as an informal term for an advertisement, a type of which could be commercial, that is an advertisement included with another broadcast as on radio, television or a podcast takes to the definition of a literary term for a long, thin line or piece of something

15a        Character with a cheesy grin? (8,3)
CHESHIRE CAT: A cryptic definition of a fictional character of a feline penned by Lewis Carroll in his novel, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ that was based on a mild cheese formerly made and sold in the county of Cheshire and that was moulded like a cat and looked as though it was grinning

19a        Eat around a fire (6)
LAUNCH: EAT (lunch) as to lunch or have a meal placed about (around) A from the clue brings the definition of an informal verb meaning to fire, hurtle or propel

20a        Help Persian perhaps with cut lip (8)
LIFELINE: FELINE (Persian perhaps) as possibly suggesting the Persian cat that is a long-haired domestic cat of a breed originating in Persia, having a broad round head, stocky body and short thick legs preceded by (with) LI[P] from the clue shortened with the removal of its last letter (cut) leads to the definition of something which provides help or support that is needed for success or survival when in a difficult or dangerous situation

22a        Disco hit (4)
CLUB: Double definition; the second being a verb denoting to hit, strike or deal a blow to that brings to the first a noun referring to a disco, nightspot or an establishment open night, offering food, drink, floor shows, dancing etc

23a        Biscuit make, violet when turned over (6,4)
BRANDY SNAP: The definition of a crisp sweet biscuit, rolled into a cylinder after baking and often filled with whipped cream is obtained from BRAND (make) as a make, kind, sort or model of something followed by PANSY (violet) as a deep to strong violet colour when changed position (turned over) as a reversal in the across clue

25a        Quiet place, sign really empty (7)
LIBRARY: The definition of a quiet place in which reading materials, such as books, periodicals and newspapers and often other materials such as musical and video recordings are kept for use or lending is reached form LIBRA (sign) as the seventh sign of the zodiac and R[EALL]Y that is devoid of all the inner letters (empty)

26a        Part of kettle, one of those on a table? (7)
ELEMENT: Double definition; the second referring to one of the 118 elements that are arranged on the basis of their respective atomic numbers in a Periodic Table that takes to the first denoting the heating part in an electric kettle

Down

1d          Winger breaks the whole bone (7)
STERNUM: TERN (winger) as a small black and white sea bird with long, pointed wings and a forked tail gets inside (breaks) SUM (the whole) as the full amount or the whole guides to the definition of the flat bone that articulates with the clavicles and the first seven pairs of ribs

2d          Day to file a complaint (4)
MOAN: MON (day) as a written abbreviation for Monday, the second day of the week to have inside (file) A from the clue yields the definition of a complaint or lamentation

3d          Bacon slipped into burger, as he requested (6)
RASHER: Part of or hidden inside (slipped into) [BURGE]R, AS HE R[EQUESTED] leads to the definition of a thin slice of bacon

4d          It appears in fine caption (8)
SUBTITLE: IT from the clue seen inside (appears in) SUBTLE (fine) as an adjective meaning fine or delicate in meaning or intent guides to the definition of a noun meaning caption, as in silent motion pictures or translation of foreign dialogue of a movie or TV program, usually displayed at the bottom of the screen

5d          Inn, if regal, needs decorating — something to paint or varnish? (10)
FINGERNAIL: An anagram (needs decorating) of INN, IF REGAL takes to the definition of a horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits that usually the female folks like to paint or varnish for beautification

6d          Cocktail is served up with dash of cognac in honey (7)
SIDECAR: IS from the clue going upward (served up) as a reversal in the down clue followed by (with) the first letter (dash) of C[OGNAC] placed inside (in) DEAR (honey) as a noun meaning beloved, love or honey used as a term of endearment or affection gets the definition of a cocktail combining brandy, an orange-flavoured liqueur and lemon juice

9d          Sturdy fabric I brought in from a different Scottish town (4,7)
FORT WILLIAM: A combo of TWILL (sturdy fabric) as a sturdy type of fabric that’s woven in a distinctive diagonal pattern and I from the clue placed inside an anagram (different) of FROM A takes to the definition of a town in Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands, located on the eastern coast of Loch Linnhe

13d        Where landlords are confined (6,4)
BEHIND BARS: Double definition: the second denoting captured and confined to prison that takes to the first being a cryptic way of describing behind the counters in pubs, restaurants or cafes where landlords and other bar staff are seen standing when serving drink to customers

16d        Maestro with chest rub for treatment (8)
SCHUBERT: An anagram (for treatment) of CHEST RUB guides to the definition of the Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras who, despite his short life, left behind a vast oeuvre, including more than 600 secular vocal works, seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music and a large body of piano and chamber music

17d        Paper redesign a bit old (7)
TABLOID: An anagram (redesign) of A BIT OLD leads to the definition of a newspaper about half the page size of an ordinary newspaper containing short often sensational news stories and many photographs

18d        Weird wasting money? (7)
UNCANNY: The definition of an adjective meaning eldritch, eerie, weird or unearthly is reached from a cryptic construction of UN-CANNY (wasting money) as not canny or not knowing how to spend money to make money, i.e. not prudent, far-sighted and capable of protecting own interests, particularly in matter of finance or business

21d        Scammer or musician on it? (6)
FIDDLE: Double nounal definition; ‘scammer or musician on it’ can well be expanded to mean ‘scammer on it or musician on it’ and the clue relates to the expression ‘on the fiddle’ with both the scammer and the musician ‘on it’, i.e. on the answer, where the pronoun ‘it’ of the wordplay provided is used for the noun ‘fiddle’ of the definition arrived at and where scammer on the ‘fiddle’ may refer to a person in an office engaged in scamming or getting money by doing dishonest things usually at work, for example, stealing from employer, making false claims for expenses etc and the musician on the ‘fiddle’ may refer to a person engaged in playing especially folk or country music using a violin or an instrument of the viol family

24d        Some house miniaturised — half of that? (4)
SEMI: Part of or hidden inside (some) [HOU]SE MI[NIATURISED] leads to the definition of a combining form meaning partially, somewhat or half, for example, semi-annual, semi-barbarism, semicolon, semi-detached etc

There were many clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 7a, 12a, 14a, 15a, 20a, 23a, 1d, 3d, 6d, 9d, 13d and 21d; the best of the lot being 23a. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Dada for the entertainment and to Gazza for the assistance. Looking forward to being here again. Have a nice day.

13 comments on “ST 3270 (full review)

  1. Fingernails and toenails are both made of the same protein called keratin and serve the purpose of protecting the sensitive skin underneath. However, there are a few key differences between the two. Fingernails tend to grow faster than toenails, with an average growth rate of 3 millimeters per month compared to 1 millimeter for toenails. Fingernails are also generally thinner and more delicate, while toenails are thicker and stronger due to the constant pressure they endure from walking and wearing shoes. Additionally, fingernails are often more exposed to external factors such as chemicals and trauma, making them more prone to damage and breakage. Overall, while both fingernails and toenails play important roles in protecting our digits, they have distinct characteristics and face different challenges. (From Mr G!)

    1. I thank you so much, Jan, for being the first to highlight the varied differences between the fingernails and the toenails, but regret that I did not find the differences that I was actually looking for. I expect that there will be more replies to this question of nail differences by other readers. So, I will wait for a few days and hope to provide the answer on Sunday.

  2. Great Explanation as always Rahmat. Did many mistake when I was solving. 12a, 23a, 6d, 13d, 13d are totally new for me. Enjoyed & learned a lot. Thank You. Love from Kolkata (India).

    1. Thank you so much once again, Arka, for your kind comments. Life is a continuous learning experience. We learn from each other and one another. We must not, however, unlearn all the good things that we learn in our life. Love to you and all my readers. This time, I have put up a question for my readers and expected to receive a lot of replies from all over the world. Sadly, only one person has replied so far. But I will wait till tomorrow 5.00 pm GMT. So, I am going to post tomorrow, after 5.00 pm GMT, my answer on the conspicuous differences between the fingernails and toenails that I have observed which please read.

  3. There are basic differences between the two such as fingernails are thin but toenails are thick and the growth of fingernails are faster than that of toenails.

  4. The most noticeable differences between fingernails and toenails are:

    1.Size: Toenails are generally thicker and larger than fingernails.
    2. Shape: Fingernails are typically curved while toenails are straighter and more rectangular.
    3. Thickness: Toenails are thicker and harder than fingernails due to the constant pressure and friction from walking, running, and wearing shoes.

    These differences are mainly due to the different functions and environmental conditions of the hands and feet.

  5. To Jan, Sudipta and Arka from the bottom of my heart, “Thank you so much.”

    Here is my answer:

    The nail of the thumb toe (i.e. pertaining to the leg and also called the first toe, big toe or great toe) is bigger in size than that of the thumb (i.e. pertaining to the hand and also called the first digit), whereas the nails of the toes other than the thumb toe (i.e. pertaining to the leg and also known as the index toe/pointer toe, middle toe, fore toe and baby toe/little toe/pinky toe/small toe respectively) are all smaller in size than those of the corresponding fingers other than the thumb (i.e. pertaining to the hand and also known as the index finger, middle finger, ring finger and little finger/pinkie respectively).

  6. Wow, it is so simple & infront of our eyes but haven’t thought that way when answering it. Well explain Rahmat, Thank you a lot.

      1. Yes, amazingly, in front of my eyes. I had read the answer yesterday but couldn’t reply as I was feeling very sleepy. But the answer kept me thinking as to why I couldn’t observe this within the allotted time frame. Thank you to everyone.

  7. 4*/3* …
    liked 6D “Cocktail is served up with dash of cognac in honey (7)”

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