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DT 30666

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30666

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

Greetings from Ottawa, where I am enjoying some hot, sunny weather at the lake. Yes, it’s me again as pommers and I have juggled our assignments to allow us each to meet some other commitments. You’ll now see pommers a few times in succession before we get back to our normal alternating rotation.

It took me a while to get a foothold in this puzzle but, once one was established, the solving progressed smoothly, if not rapidly.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Sporting event is expensive, with Chelsea playing (12)
STEEPLECHASE — another word for expensive and an anagram (playing) of CHELSEA

9a   Key worker, say, following product from overseas (9)
IMPORTANT — a six-legged worker following a product brought in from overseas

10a   Coach from Spain is returning to get a drink (5)
PEPSI — a Spanish-born football manager who has made several recent appearances in these puzzles and a reversal (returning) of IS; the Quick Crossword may give you a hint to the football manager’s identity

<p>11a   1960s rockers in UN agency? (3,3)
THE WHO — the initials of a UN agency form the name of a British rock band from the 60s

12a   Mean and dishonest, like Holland and Belgium, say (3-5)
LOW-LYING — link synonyms for mean or humble and dishonest or untruthful to obtain a geographical description of these countries

13a   Combat troops one’s stationed in street (6)
RESIST — start with the abbreviation for some principally noncombat troops, then append a Roman numeral one (together with its accompanying S) in an abbreviation for street

14a   Like a hermit I had to host at such an advanced hour (8)
ISOLATED — start with a contraction of I had, then insert (to host) a (2,4) phrase meaning “at such an advanced hour”

17a   Dismissing one good reason to postpone wedding? (8)
IGNORING — link together a Roman numeral one, the single letter for good, and a (2,4) phrase that might be a reason to postpone a wedding

19a   Nervous playing alongside member of U2 (2,4)
ON EDGE — playing or performing and the lead guitarist for Irish rock band U2

22a   Might this person deliver the mail? (8)
ARMOURER — a cryptic definition of someone who might deliver a suit of chain mail

24a   Inattentive, like old Tory PM moving to the left (6)
ASLEEP — a synonym for like and a reversal (moving to the left) of a nineteenth century Coservative prime minister

26a   Where to see sporting event, a long time back (5)
ARENA — a reversal (back) of a (2,3) phrase meaning “a long time”

27a   Criticise tribute a rap artist receives (4,5)
TEAR APART — the sequence of four words in the centre of the clue hides (receives) the answer

28a   A fast start? (3,9)
ASH WEDNESDAY — a cryptic definition of the first day of a period of fasting in the Christian Church

Down

1d   Less plodding pop singer fronting Queen (7)
SWIFTER — join together a billionaire American pop singer who is the highest-grossing female touring act in history and the regnal cipher of our late monarch

2d   Powerful female crossword compiler uplifted papers etc (7)
EMPRESS — reverse (uplifted in a down clue) a self-referencing pronoun the compiler might use and add a word denoting newspapers and other print media

3d   Buyer of cat’s satisfied sound, getting hold of dog (9)
PURCHASER — insert dog or follow into the sound made by a satisfied cat

4d   Articles from Spain and the UK showing style (4)
ELAN — a definite article from Spain and an indefinite article from the UK

5d   Extract from Macbeth: “O thou serpent in sultry room” (8)
HOTHOUSE — a lurker hiding (extract from) the four words following the indicator

6d   What e.g. Rose has – extremely svelte friend (5)
SEPAL — the outer letters (extremely) of SVELTE and a friend

7d   Pampered pilots flying around (6)
SPOILT — an anagram (flying around) of PILOTS

8d   Throw out starters in grand eatery – diner ate too much? (6)
BINGED — throw out or discard followed by the initial letters of (starters in) the three words following the indicator

15d   Awful scandal with case of Police Constable’s work, perhaps (9)
LANDSCAPE — an anagram (awful) of SCANDAL and the outer letters (case) of POLICE

16d   What may be felt at sea round wet ground (8)
UNDERTOW — an anagram (ground) of ROUND WET

17d   At home and not at home, to a certain extent (2,1,3)
IN A WAY — split the answer (2,4) to get words meaning “at home” and “not at home”

18d   Figure having taken more painkillers? (6)
NUMBER — double definition

20d   Someone who refuses to change pants I’d heard (7)
DIEHARD — an anagram (pants) of ID HEARD

21d   Fellow feeling strange hate about politician said why (7)
EMPATHY — an anagram (strange) of HATE containing an elected politician, all followed by a letter that sounds like (said) WHY; read the definition as “feeling for one’s fellows”

23d   Large range of wall paintings Mike erased (5)
URALS — remove the letter represented by Mike in the NATO radio alphabet from some large wall paintings

25d   Cried aloud, with nothing to keep one’s head warm (4)
BALD — sounds like (aloud) cried or sobbed

I’ll award clue of the day to 22a not only because I like cryptic definitions but this was my last one in.

Quickie Pun (Top Row): ANNA + MOSS + CITY = ANIMOSITY

66 comments on “DT 30666”

  1. I found today’s offering strange. Answers came to me before I had fully parsed the clue and, as a result, I held back on writing them in until checkers came along. I was held up for ages by my LOI, which was 25d. The answer I had made no sense until I changed the first word in 27a. I wonder if anyone else had “take” as the first word? Yes, it felt strange to me but it was enjoyable nonetheless. My COTD is the fast start at 28a.

    My thanks to the setter for the fun challenge. Thank you, Falcon for the hints. That is the first song I have heard by TS and I see I haven’t missed much. The Who and U2 on the other hand….

      1. I thought of ‘take’first but wasn’t totally convinced and held off until I had a few checkers in. It fell into place then .

  2. Fairly gentle as befits a Monday, but a pleasant solve.
    Three clues required some knowledge of pop music and I amazed myself by knowing them all!
    Joint COD to the cryptic definitions at 22a and 28a.
    LOI the pesky 25d.
    Thanks setter and Falcon.

  3. I will join Steve in picking the excellent 28a as my favourite this morning. I found this spot on for a Monday morning; not too taxing but fun to complete. Waiting for the weather Armageddon to hit us in Shropshire around lunchtime.

    Many thanks to our setter and Falcon.

    1. I forgot we have a weather warning in Shropshire and I’ve just put loads of cardboard boxes out for the dustbin men tomorrow. I think they will be picking up papier mâché.

  4. All completed but as Steve says I found it a bit odd and not as easy as some recent ones. I kept missing anagram indicators and spotted lurkers late and also took ages to fathom 22a and 28a, which then became my favourite. A good mix of clues.

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

  5. Solid Monday fare, a gentle introduction to the cruciverbal week; working from S to N, 28a was my FOI (and by a distance COTD) and it felt rather anagram-heavy to begin with, but fortunately became more balanced. Amused to see two members of U2 feature in successive crosswords (Sunday Times and DT). The other podium places went to 17a and the very clever if not very time consuming 5d.

    Many thanks to setter – no idea, and my money stays in my pocket – and Falcon.

    Had to laugh at this absolutely brilliant clue from yesterday’s ST cryptic, a work of genius and possibly the longest clue I’ve ever read in a puzzle, certainly for a 3-letter answer! “Nick’s direct route? Turn off and cross track, ditch and hollowed-out path. Go quickly and ignore lower canal section and detached dock. Make a sharp change in direction and pass through lit-up excavation for railway line and stop!”

    1. Ha, I’m amazed you liked that ST clue MG. I just thought the setter had completely lost his mind! All that for a three-letter word? Can you imagine if a Rookie dared to do that? Prolixic would have a fit..

      1. The setter is actually a Rookie Corner graduate from about 10 years ago.
        I thought he was being deliberately playful and provocative as a one-off experiment, which is fine by me. Next week’s blog should have some differences of opinion!

        1. He is excellent, no question. I was actually very tickled by that clue. Its sheer audacity was outrageous. I love Django-esque long clues and this was in a league of its own. I’m also a big fan of setters bending the rules, whatever the bloomin’ “rules” are. I was just gobsmacked that MG liked it! But you’ve got to feel for the poor soul who has to blog it next week – that’s going to take a few pars..

    2. That clue is bonkers, MG!

      Is it a octuple definition or something?

        1. Great fun though it has some way to catch the word with the most definitions: ‘set’ that has 430!

    3. My admiration for the setter’s genius in writing that clue was for their construction of a coherent surface read (albeit almost a novella) using so many different definitions of the answer – I think I can count maybe 13-14 definitions.

      But as ALP says, such a clue could possibly attract adverse comment in RC, and there’s no way we would ever see such a thing from RayT!

  6. 2*/4*. An excellent start to the week!

    Isn’t the U2 band member on 19a known as THE – – – – ?

    I’ll go with the crowd and select 28a as my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter (Robyn?) and to Falcon.

    1. Hi RD.

      He is definitely more known as ‘The ****’ but some people call him just ‘****’.

      This was a great start to the week with many excellent surfaces. My LOI was 22a which took me an age.

      I’ll go with 11a, 17d and 28a as my podium.

      Many thanks to Robyn and Falcon.

      2*/4*

  7. Fairly gentle and very enjoyable – thanks to the setter and Falcon.
    I had to verify the member of U2 (never heard of him).
    I liked 12a, 15d and 25d with my favourite being 28a.

  8. Very enjoyable with a few head scratchings thrown in for good measure. I’ll go with the flow and choose 28a as my COTD. My ‘other’ newspaper (sorry I do read another one) devoted no less than 22 pages to the football (which I didn’t watch) but just 2 pages to the thriller on Centre Court which I did watch – fantastic entertainment. If Princess Kate gets any thinner you won’t be able to see her but she did look well. I’m going to add a picture of the wonderful hollyhocks outside our Village Hall which are stunning, doubtless due to so much rain. You may have to enlarge the picture to see them though! Thanks to the setter and Falcon

  9. Top draw start to the week, last in was 8d and I had several answers when the three checking letters were in place-eventually the coach dawned!
    Like others 28 a was a favourite as well as 11a and 19a , knew the U2 member.
    Going for a **/****.

  10. Loved this guzzle. Luckily I knew the music artistes involved otherwise it might have been a different story.
    Top picks for me were 28a, 25d, 5d and 22a.
    Thanks to Falcon and the setter.

  11. I tore off like one of the competitors in 1A but had to put the brakes in the SE where my brain switched off. Like Steve, I had TAKE in 27A which threw me for a time.

    The young girl refused to wave the flag when I had filled the grid and I had to re-examine all my answers. 8D proved to be the culprit as I had entered a feasible answer, but one which failed the parsing. Favourite was 17A.

    **/**** for me. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.

    1. I am trying to imagine Eeyore tearing off like one of the competitors in 1A.
      Did he baulk at the first hurdle?
      Ah, just discovered that our friends over the pond don’t recognise the English spelling of ‘baulk’. My entry was altered to ‘vault’ – which Eeyore certainly didn’t.

  12. A slow start but towards the end my pencil could hardly keep up with my brain – 2.5*/2.5*

    The ‘member of U2’ was a bung-in with the checkers knowing that Ms Doku would tell me if I had got it wrong.

    Candidates for favourite – 14a, 17a, 1d, and 8d – and the winner is 1d.

    Thanks to whomsoever and Falcon.

    1. My brain was so disengaged this morning, I solved 1d but couldn’t think of the pop singer! She’s been front and centre for weeks now, I quite despair.

      1. Do not despair, she didn’t spring to mind for me either, despite our granddaughter being a no. 1 fan.

  13. Great guzzle if you happen to be a sporty, rock music and soft drink loving, (lapsed) Catholic.
    So ‘hooray’ all round as I fit into all categories and I was off to a flying start here.

    There was a theme running throughout today’s guzzle, involving pop/rock/crooners music (apart from those named in the glues). An Irish band with Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin. A member of Wham’s backing singers. An American band featuring Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker. An American band whose first album was ‘Comin’ Right at Ya’. A song by Joy Division. A crooner who dueted with David Bowie. A Northern Irish band featuring Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, and Rick McMurray. An English synth-pop band, best known for their hit ‘Einstein a Go-Go’. A track from R.E.M.
    I may have missed some others.

    Thanks to the setter and The Bird Of Prey

    1. The synth pop band you mentioned started life as a jazz rock band – but when you need a hit things have to change 😀 Ooh, there’s also a Genesis track at 16d

    2. 1. Hothouse Flowers
      2. P….. & Shirlie
      3. Low
      4. Asleep at the Wheel
      5. Love will …. us …..
      6. B. Crosby
      7. Ash
      8. Landscape

      The track from R. E. M. defeated me.

        1. Aware of 16d as both an REM & Genesis track but it prompted me to play 2 albums (on the journeys to & from the golf course) that I’ve not played in a very long time: Suzanne Vega’s excellent eponymously titled debut & Dan (The Black Keys) Auerbach’s solo project, Waiting on a Song.

  14. Plenty of smiles for a Monday, good way to start the non-working week.
    As others have also admitted, I had to guess the band member but he was easy enough to find. Top clues for me were 11,12,22&28a.

    Thanks to our setter – Robyn? for the fun and to Falcon for the review.

  15. A good start to a week when I am hoping to relax having got a large lunch for 50 safely behind me and birthday celebrations are now Over. Done. My favourite is 28a, although some might not like the derivation! Now having seen our last guest safely on the train to London and as it has just started to pour with rain I guess it is a good time for a nap. Many thanks to both Setter & Hinter.

      1. Sometimes if I’m feeling particularly peckish I reckon I could manage to eat 2 portions of lunch, or possibly even 2½ — but 50 is really going some!

  16. On first read through, I thought this was going to be tough … then I went a little slower through the clues and it gradually appeared. No problems … a typical Monday offering.

    1.5*/4*

    Favourites 9a, 11a, 28a, 15d & 17d — with winner 15d
    Smiles all over but top four were 22a, 7d, 18d & 23d

    Thanks to setter & Falcon

  17. A fairly straightforward guzzle, with the 28a cryptic definition being my favourite, followed by runners up the 6d anagram and the 22a cryptic definition. Thanks to the compiler and to Falcon for the hints. Glad I left the washing until tomorrow. My mobile phone radar weather forecast shows rain allday today from 10 am until the small hours of tomorrow.

  18. 2/4. Pleasant start to the week which went in at a steady clip. Along with many others 28a was top of the list of neat clues. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.

  19. I couldn’t get on wavelength here, first answer was 28a, the downs were definitely friendlier. I thought this weird, so many that I should have solved straight away took me ages … eg, 1a, what else for “expensive” and it should have given it away immediately, but no, I faffed around for ages. I’m so abysmally knowledgeable about bands and rappers, but a case of “what else can it be?” For instance 19a. Fave is 28a, I realised I hadn’t left the brain in bed.
    Thank you setter, and thanks to Falcon for solving a couple of DNFs for me.

  21. I wondered if she was a female setter 2d? Chalicea maybe
    16d was my fave but from The World According to Garp a top book and film

  22. There is a point to this story!!!
    On Saturday we spent the whole day at our nephew’s wedding – just wonderful, as he is!!
    We got back very late on Saturday evening – had a lazy day on Sunday and watched the Mens’ tennis final.
    I didn’t have time to do either the Saturday’s or Sunday’s cryptic crosswords.
    This morning I started to do the crossword on the kitchen table – nothing seemed to be making any sense at all – thought the marbles had finally given up before discovering I was trying to do the crossword clues in Saturday and Sundays papers . . .
    At last I got around today’s crossword – even though it’s the right crossword it’s still hard!
    I seem the only one to find this a real little piglet! Oh well . . .
    I did like 11 and 17a and 16 and 17d. My favourite was 28a.
    With thanks to today’s setter and to Falcon.

    1. Don’t feel bad Kath. As Peter is recovering from his knee replacement I am temporarily in charge of the making our morning cappuccinos. I forget to put the milk tube into my mug so it spewed frothy milk all over the counter. Live and learn. I guess I will be demoted to toast maker only when he is recovered…

  23. I found this hard-going: very few clues on the first pass, and one of those was the part of the rose in 6d which I didn’t actually know was a word. It took electronic assistance and some of Falcon’s hints (thank you) to get me to a full grid, and even with those I spent a very long time on it.

    I also didn’t know that the coach in 10a was Spanish, though I guessed he must be for the clue to work. Nor did I know what 16d’s answer means; I only know the existence of the word from the REM song, but apparently I’ve never questioned what it means. Maybe because it isn’t particularly a song that I like? I’m a big fan of REM overall, and I like plenty of other tracks on the album 10a is on, just not 10a itself:

    27a was one of the clues that I needed a hint for. I’d considered whether it was a lurker, but dismissed that because I couldn’t see a suitable indicator. I still don’t understand how “receives” does that. Anyone?

    By the end I’d found it too much of a slog to pick a favourite, so I haven’t narrowed it down from 17a’s wedding postponement, 5d’s extract from Macbeth, 28a’s fast start, and 23a’s range of paintings. Thank you to the setter for imbuing the clues with all the musical entertainment to keep me going.

      1. Thanks. Maybe, but even “takes in” suggests a movement rather than a description of the current state — the taking it has already happened.

    2. Absolutely love E-Bow The Letter off that album – definitely in my top 5 of theirs & that’s a list with many contenders.

  24. Slow in the uptake these days but once on wavelength all went smoothly. First name for 10a escaped me. Needed prompt with 19a as knew nothing of U2. Do dislike use of pants in 20a context. So many nicely cryptic clues but podium places eventually awarded to 17a, 22a and 28a. Many thanks to whomever the setter may be and to Falcon for being on hand.

    1. Pants!! I thought I demonstrated admirable restraint as I made no comment about that … one of my pet hates.

  25. I found this rather strange in places. When the penny finally dropped at 28a I did think it was rather good. A lot of the clues did work for me, but struggled with many also. Thanks to setter and Falcon.

  27. Nice Monday offering ***/****😃 Favourites 28a and 23d 👍Thanks the Compiler and to the Falcon

  28. Solved just after midnight so just had to read back through it to remind myself what the clues were. A brisk solve & very enjoyable. A photo finish for top spot between 1&28a which was too close to call even after an enlarged print. Wonder if I can be the only music lover who can’t see what all the fuss is about with TS (& her tour is having an inflationary impact I read) & was never a particular fan of U2 either. The Who on the other hand – now you’re talking…..
    Thanks to the setter (Robyn I’d reckon) & to Falcon – thanks for PW clip.

  29. Thanks for the tips only need one hint today your last one in. Reference 13a Sappers are very much Combat Troops. “Follow the Sapper”

    1. My comment alluded to their primary role being to build bridges, etc. rather than engage in fighting. Perhaps my understanding of their contribution is lacking.

  30. Struggled a bit in the north but the south went in easily despite wanting to put paperboy into 22a. Sorted out the north once I got my head into gear. I agree with 28a being cotd. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.

  31. 3*/3* ….
    liked 12A “Mean and dishonest, like Holland and Belgium, say (3_5)”

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