DT 30746

68 comments on “DT 30746”

1. That was a terrific exercise with a refreshing collection of unusual words. NE was slowest corner. I suppose 5d is natural and I’m not sure I understand 1a as hypocrites. Thank you Mysteryone and the 2Kiwis.

2. I reckon Wednesday has become the new Friday, as this was an absolute stinker.

   Last one for me was 1a, never heard the word used like that before, and if I’m right with 23a, I absolutely hate the ‘word’, it seems it’s now used by young people at the end of each sentence like a full stop.

   Apart from that slight gripe I thoroughly enjoyed it, and for ages though that I’d never reach the end.

   My two of the day have to be 28a (which I misspelled at first causing one hell of a delay with 22d) and the very tricky 18a. many thanks to our setter today.

   1. It’s a word for the list! As is ’see you later’
      when spoken by someone you are never likely to see again. Grrr.

      1. Can’t stand either comments. Both totally unnecessary. A difficult puzzle today. Little grey cells over exerted.

3. Enjoyable puzzle, reasonably gentle if pleasantly “chewy” in places, and a step up in challenge from the last couple of days. Lovely surfaces for the lurkers, but to be fair most of the surfaces were very good indeed. A nice balance of clue types and plenty of variety. 1a was new to me in that sense, but “had to be” what it was. Honours board to 11a, 13a and 16a.

   Many thanks indeed to the setter (my fiver’s on Twm. again today) and to the 2Ks – thank you for your descriptions of spring, which have brightened up the foggy, damp, grey & uninspiring view in front of me!

4. An anagram-lite puzzle that had plenty of interesting clues to cheer up a miserable Shropshire morning. It was one of the few anagrams, 5d, that I had down as a favourite, alongside 27a.

   Thanks to our midweek setter and the 2Ks.

5. My ‘pick’ of the day is 19d, for how long it took me to realize the definition could be a noun rather than a verb.

   Quite a few words and meanings outside my vocabulary (the two mentioned by Angelov above, plus the 13a flier, the 16a disciplinarian, and the 17d dance), meaning I resorted to electronic assistance about halfway through and it still took me well over twice as long to finish as yesterday’s, and I needed the Kiwis to explain a couple of answers — for which, thank you very much.

   Thank you to the setter. Though 6d is not a phrase I want to encounter while listening to England bat in a Test match!

   1. 🙂 your comment re 6d!

   2. Oh dear 6d – dragged on.
      I blame the setter.

6. Definitely a step up from the last couple of days as befits midweek. Lots of lovely surfaces, one or two clever misdirections and a few unusual words ( not counting the terrible one at 23a which IMO has no place in the English language – there will be comments!) For me the SW held out longest as I had to pull both 17d and 19d from the depths of my memory. Favourite today was 1a for the length of time it took me, with podium places for 18a for the misdirection and 9d which was first in. Thanks to our setter and the 2 Kiwis.

7. A few tricky bits for me too. Completion just edged into **** time principally because (unlike MG) it took an age see last in 1a even with 5 checkers. I actually completed Robyn’s Toughie then went back to it. Can’t say I would have necessarily associated the answer with hypocrisy & I’d also have instinctively thought of it as two words or at least hyphenated. 18a &19d were 2 further head scratchers & not helped by not being entirely sure what the latter was. Got there in the end though my parsing of 7d was awry. 28a was my fav cos it’s a great word 23a.
   Thanks to the setter (T not a bad shout) & to the 2Ks

8. A lovely little teaser. 16a is fun, 6d’s smart and 7d’s delightful. 23a is, of course, horrid! Many thanks to our setter and the 2Ks.

9. This was a nicely balanced midweeker, i.e many straightforward ones to kick things off with a few curveballs to stop you in your tracks.

   Getting 1a immediately is always a good way to get things going. However, it ended up being my LOI as I hadn’t heard of the synonym for hypocrites. ‘About a boy’ being a clue for a six letter word is excellent.

   I love that the setter has included 23a in a crossword. Very funny.

   Plenty of goodies to pick a top three from but I’ll go with 10a (neat), 11a (excellent lurker) and 5d.

   Many thanks to the setter and Le Touquet.

   3*/4*

10. Such a busy morning for the committee! 13a was considered but it was thought that a narrow band of ornithologists would know of it, so it just survived. Equally, it was agreed that some people over a hundred years of age might just about have heard of 17d and therefore it too was excluded.
    However, please welcome to THE LIST 19d. Although students of the Late Mesolithic period would be familiar, the committee voted, with cheers that almost raised the roof, to elect it to THE LIST. 19d has been given a chair between ‘edda’ and ‘litotes’. May it live long and prosper.

    Thanks to the setter for the challenge (© Steve Cowling) and TheTwoKays

    1. You surprise me, Terence! A useful gardening tool (probably not for window boxes, though) and I have a bright orange (so I can’t lose it) one in my shed – excellent for digging holes & trenches, chopping through roots, loosening hard soil etc. Incidentally, should it not sit somewhere after litotes & not before it?

       Tuchel is an interesting appointment – one of your more successful recent managers.

       1. D’oh, I have a 19d but have always wrongly referred to it by a different name but I have now learned the difference between it and ⛏️.

          1. Learnt even!

    2. On Madeira a mattock alongside a small curved hand “scythe” are the main agricultural and gardening tools for tending to the bananas. I’m surprised that the committee overlooked 22a though.

11. A step up from the last two days but still manageable without to much of a strain.

    I’m typing this from row 2 of our flight back from Kefalonia. Looking forward to the English weather – not.

    28A gave me some trouble as I’ve never seen it written before.

    **/**** Thanks to the setter and the 2 Kiwis.

12. This was definitely tougher than the last 2 days, but I really enjoyed cracking it. I was pleased I remembered 13a and for some reason it makes me think of Winnie the Pooh, no idea why unless it was the bit about hefferlumps and woozles. I thought the anagrams and lurkers were excellent. One or two new words which I had to check after My favourite was 28a as I love that word! Like others I was left with 1a at the end and only really got it as the puzzle said my answer which started life was wrong, I still can’t see how the hypocrites bit fits.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2 kiwis for the hints.

13. More challenging than the last two days, but still enjoyable. For me as well 1a was LOI, as I didn’t associate that word with hypocrites. It took me a while to parse 20a, until “doh”. The podium was taken by 8d, 18a and 26a. Thank you for the hints, and to the setter.

14. I found the NE corner tricky, so started at the bottom of rhis highly original guzzle. Thereafter clues went in smoothly, despite unusual synonyms and clever misdirection. I liked the cryptic definition clue at 9d and rge 10a geographical clue but my favourite clue was the 28a anagram, such a lovely word. Thanks to the Kiwis for the hints an to the conpiler for a very absorbing puzzle.

15. A top-notch midweek puzzle – thanks to our setter and 2Ks.
    The clues selected for my podium are 13a, 6d and 7d.

16. I enjoyed today’s guzzle despite find some clues somewhat on the tough side with lots of lateral thinking required. I don’t get the parsing of 20a but as I entered “voodoo” I wouldn’t. The bird at 13a somehow surfaced from the depths of my memory as did the dance at 17d. My COTD is the money belonging to the crew at 7d.

    Thanks to the setter (Tumbledown?) for the challenge and thank you 2Ks for the hints, which I needed.

    1. For me, voodoo fits the clue so much better than hoodoo.

       1. And me fir 20a but it doesn’t affect anything.

          1. Apart from the answer. A vood is not a criminal.

             1. OK I’ll get my coat.

17. 2.5*/3*. I enjoyed this and, as others have said, a step up in difficulty after the previous two days.

    Shame about the vague girl, of course. I detest 23a with a passion, and I don’t understand what role “right” is playing in this clue.

    6d was my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to the 2Ks.

    1. I had “right?” as the definition (including the necessary question mark), and the rest of the clue as the cryptic, Dave, because that’s how the word seems to be used and intended by those who tack it on to the end of their sentences …23a? ;)

       1. Good grief! How on earth has “isn’t it” come to mean “right”? I feel old 🥺

          Yet another word that will never pass my lips, 23a.

          1. “The crossword’s on the back page, right?”
             “The crossword’s on the back page, isn’t it?”

             They’re both asking the other party to confirm the preceding statement. They both seem sufficiently common to me that I can’t work out which of those you haven’t encountered!

          2. Agree, totally dreadful word. I’ve heard it said, but not by anyone in my family thank goodness. I shudder to think what my English teachers would think of this.

             1. Unless you are say to your teacher “I want a career in IT”. 😊

    2. I assumed that it’s a sort of double definition – in yoofspeak it = isn’t it so I’d have been inclined to underline the first 5 words then right? separately. I’m probably wrong mind.
       All gone a bit pear shaped in Pakistan

       1. Good thinking: double definition certainly works for me. Hope Twm/the setter pops in later to clarify their intention behind the clue.

       2. Yep, that’s how I parsed it, too, with “right?” as a definition.

    3. I’ve only used it tongue in cheek, it really is an appalling word.

18. I read 6d as 3,4 and hunted for an expression with the first word. That held me up for a while and the rest was straightforward. Agree that I don’t see 1a as hypocritical and without checkers would never have found the answer

19. A mixed bag for me. I knew the bird and the picky tool but couldn’t get 1a and still can’t equate the answer with hypocrites. Absolutely loathe the 23a word.

    Top picks for me were 13a, 8d and 28a (because it’s such a lovely word).

    Thanks to the 2Kiwis and the setter.

20. I just couldn’t get into this one. I had to reveal three answers just to get started. I managed to answer several more before grinding to a halt. One of those puzzles where I just knew I’d get nowhere, and therefore lost enthusiasm for it.

21. Another accessible puzzle – good luck tomorrow, Huntsman!
    A beautiful day here in Norfolk. Far too nice to be sitting inside and doing puzzles, but I did find time for this one earlier on.
    As others have commented above, 23a is a horrible word, but it is in Chambers. A definite grid-filler.
    I had to be careful with the third letter of 28a and 10a, 12a and 14a are my joint CoDs.
    Thank you setter and the birding Kiwis.
    Incidentally, a small observation about a couple of comments from yesterday. Birders and twitchers are not synonymous. Birders walk in beautiful places with binoculars in the hope of seeing something interesting. Twitchers will jump in their cars and drive ridiculous distances to see a small brown bird, tick it off and then drive back again. Just saying…

    1. Hear,hear

       1. Glad you are enjoying N Norfolk Shabbo. Some years ago we had a white crowned sparrow in Cley. People came from all over Europe to see the tiny bird and it made several thousand pounds for the church. There is a stained glass image of it in the West window in our beautiful church. If it’s wet tomorrow come along to the church as every Thursday at 3 pm there’s a 45 – 60 mins concert, professional players, quite free with tea and cake afterwards. I’m on tea duty tomorrow so would be lovely to see you.

          1. Oh, May I’m come too? Sounds lovely! I wish …

    2. So pleased that you mentioned that distinction, Shabbo, I don’t think enough people are aware of it.

22. Not my favourite puzzle of the week but conquered at last despite a couple of ‘hmms’ along the way.
    Podium places went to 13a winner plus 16&28a. Don’t think I’ve ever been aware of the correct name for a 19d and haven’t had to face actually spelling 28a before today!

    Thanks to our setter and to our 2Ks for the review – nice to hear that your avian friends are thriving.

23. Oh dear! I can’t do this at all! It’s so far beyond me that it’s just not funny.
    It’s not a wavelength problem it’s my brain problem – would have been fine but not now.
    There are lots of good and clever clues that I can see now I’ve seen the answers.
    Among of the ones that I managed I liked 14 and 16a and 7 and 8d. My favourite was 28a.
    Thanks to whoever set today’s crossword and thanks and admiration to the 2K’s.

    1. Maybe 1a in the quick crossword is a clue as to today’s setter?

24. For me, a typical Wednesday with much parsing unfathomable and questionable clueing for some of the answers IMHO. I just don’t sync with Twmbarlwm, whom I am sure is the setter.
    Several unknown words scattered across the grid didn’t help matters either, especially considering they are certainly not words one would use on a daily conversational basis.

    2.5*/2.5*

    However, bright spots were 12a,14a, 28a, 8d & 9d —with winner 9d

    Thanks to Twmbarlwm & 2K’s

25. I thought this seemed fresh and different somehow. Got off to a good start then slowed down. 1a was last one in and I’m still not convinced- but it was problematic from the start as I read 2d as if you put ‘I’ into trade you got tirade which is angry. Had to turn to LesTooKays – thank you. If only I could still wear 9d’s! 28a my favourite. I have had a tough few days so a very welcome diversion – many thanks to Mr Setter. Sun shining and sheets flying. Bliss.

26. Once I sorted out the appropriate ending to 1a and the correct dance in 17d the rest fell reasonably steadily for an enjoyable solve. I never knew 18a was an animal feed, always thought it was a fertiliser so something new to learn. Eyebrows were raised by 23a and to a lesser degree by 28a but they increased the enjoyment factor for the uncertainty they generated. Thanks to compiler and to 2K’s.

27. Definitely chewy in places with several words that I knew..ish but didn’t really know their meaning , although I managed to parse them. 19d was a completely new word , and 1a was a word I wasn’t aware of meaning hypocrites – a great word! 17d was a new dance too. Just looked at the hint for the parsing of 26a – brilliant, so that’s my favourite. Thanks to the setter for the education and a great workout , and to the 2Ks.

28. Swimming in molasses again! I’d never heard of three words, 1a, 19d and 17d, not the setter’s fault I hasten to add, and the dreadful slang at 23a. I was fixated on a “widow’s walk” at 9d, I had to go in for a hint to sort that. I was so pleased to remember 21d that it got a “like”, but fave was 7d as it was one of my first in. Altogether far too many holes, resulting in a DNF.
    Thank you setter. I really appreciated your help 2Kiwis, what would we do without this blog?

29. I found half of this read and write and the remainder very tough – not helped by 4/5 new words, all highlighted above.
    Beaten by 1ac – thank you for the help 2kiwis!
    3*/4*
    Enjoyable non the less
    Thanks to setter

30. Wednesdays are now the new Fridays it seems. Could have been a reasonably enjoyable puzzle, were it not for 1a, 17d, 19d, the bird I’d didn’t know, and the dreadful slang word. Not my cup of tea at all I’m afraid. Thanks to the 2Kiwis and congrats to all whose brain cells could cope with this one. I do hope we are due for a friendly and fair RayT tomorrow.

    1. Unlikely, BL – Ray T was on duty last week.

31. A poor start for me because 1a proved so elusive but gradually the checkers helped – and 3d is a super lurker. Thank you compiler and 2Ks

32. I enjoyed this very much. My selection of clues includes: 13a, 18a, 23a and 6d, 7d, 8d, and 9d.
    Many thanks to the setter for an entertaining lunchtime solve. It cheered up a wet and gloomy day!
    Many thanks too to the 2Kiwis for an excellent review. 1a is new to me, so especial thanks for that. What lovely illustrations! Those of 13a and 27a are really beautiful.

33. Morning all.
    Our guesses about where the sticking points would be have proven to be correct once again. We do try to be extra careful with the hints for these clues but not always successfully. Pondered a long time over 23a, a word that we do not like one little bit.
    Cheers.

34. Lots to like here. Very enjoyable and perfect for a Wednesday. All went in steadily until I came to a grinding halt with just 1a needed to complete the puzzle. Finally gave in and used the 2Ks hint. I’d not come across the term as meaning hypocrite and thought the word play meaning would have been two words. A bit of Googling let me find out that it was in fact a brilliant clue and fairly worded. Clues I liked best were 10, 20 and 26 across, 3, 7, and 9 down. I might have added a few more but I did think a few surfaces were a bit odd – not that it spoiled the enjoyment. Many thanks to the setter and 2Ks for their assistance.

35. Not one of mine today, despite the speculation.

    The totes legit 23a always gets a few complaints when it turns up in a cryptic – has anyone said yet that it gives them partial tinnitus when they hear it? 😉

    1. Like it, Tumbles. Like it.

       I also love ‘totes legit’.

       You’re so down with the kids or should that be ‘Your sooooooooooooo dan wiv der kidz’.

36. Completed about two thirds of this beastie before resorting to revealing the answers.

    Way too many obscure words for my apparent level of ignorance.

    The less said about 23a the better.

    Apologies to the setter, but I didn’t enjoy this one bit.

    Thanks to all.

37. Good evening

    Despite the criticism above, I actually don’t object to the use of 23a as a crozzie answer; to me, it’s all part of the fun.

    By and large, an enjoyable solve from today’s setter, although not without some scratching of the heid; 19d is a word I’ve not seen nor heard in years. My parsing of 26a was a little awry. And 17d eluded me completely, which means I have to declare it a DNF with one solution missing.

    28a is COTD. Many thanks to our compiler and to 2Ks.

38. I am pretty much with Bananawarp on this – too many obscurities + 1a doesn’t seem to work in terms of the definition…

39. I found this challenging but got there in the end.

    I thought “timeserver” was synonymous with “jobsworth” but looking it up online, several sources (eg Collins and Merriam Webster) define it as someone who changes their opinions or allegiance opportunistically, lacking integrity.

40. 4*/3* ..
    liked 9D “What might offer women a lofty view (8,5)”

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