Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3287 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we are beginning to wake up to sub-zero temperatures.
Following on from part of my comments on Thursday and yesterday, starting tomorrow I am going to be off-line for ten to twelve days as I will be in the UK for important family matters. Initially, when planning started in June, it was going to be a pleasant family and friends social visit for my Big Sister’s 80th birthday next Saturday and I would have been able to keep blogging and commenting. However, the plans have had to be changed significantly as she has been in hospital since the last weekend of August and a couple of weeks ago had some major surgery, with more to come, related to complications from a hip replacement completed several/many years ago. So, next Sunday the ever versatile Shabbo will be substituting for me. I hope he remembers that he only has to solve half of the clues for a Sunday blog!
For me, and I stress for me, I am going to put one of my shiny new King Charles Toonies on there being nothing ‘sinister’ in last week’s pun – perhaps Dada has a ‘thing’ for Julie Andrews although she didn’t participate in the singing of the song ‘suggested’ by the pun in the musical. Anyway, Dada continues to be about as friendly as he has ever been (I hope the bubble doesn’t burst on Shabbo next Sunday) – four excellent long ‘uns, one of them included in the six anagrams (two partials), two lurkers, and no homophones all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints, ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 21a, 3d, 11d, and 13d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Playing of requiems interrupted by a very short note (10)
A from the clue and the single letter for Very all inserted into (interrupted) an anagram (playing) of REQUIEMS.
9a Cash: silver promptly returned (5)
The reversal (returned) of all of the chemical silver for silver and a synonym of promptly.
12a Ready to go? (6-7)
Very amusing – a description of a toddler who has reached a certain stage in her or his development with particular reference to the smallest room in the house?
15a Capital on river east of Bristol, ultimately (6)
ON from the clue and a river that rises in the Pennines and joins one of the Rivers Ouse at Goole all placed after (east of) the last letter (ultimately) of Bristol – of course, Dada may have been thinking of either of the rivers in Ontario or in Russia of the same name.
21a Run without deviation, even (8,5)
A single word for without deviation and a synonym of even.
25a Drop a little lower? (5)
Slightly crude with the use of drop – the term for the ‘arrival’ of a new animal that lows.
27a Drunken lads rating battle (10)
An anagram (drunken) of LADS RATING – one of the most famous battles on the Eastern Front.
Down
1d News broadcast stitched together (4)
He does like his short anagrams – an anagram (broadcast) of NEWS.
3d Masters, say, in condition (13)
A double definition – the first is academic.
7d Medal finally won, picked up (7)
Hands up all those who thought homophone when they saw ‘picked up’ – the last letter (finally) of medaL and a synonym of won.
11d Old American dancer is dancing round Canada! (7,6)
IS from the clue and an anagram (dancing) of ROUND CANADA.
16d Party whip upstanding given introduction of lady, dimpled little thing (4,4)
The reversal (upstanding) of all of the abbreviated form of a UK (political) party and a verbal synonym of whip followed by (given) the first letter (introduction) of Lady.
18d Attacker, one walking out? (7)
A double definition – the first participates in the round ball game.
23d Cardinal’s shut in a study (4)
The colour frequently described by cardinal contains (shut in) A from the clue.
Quick Crossword Pun:
KINGSTON + NINJA + MAKER = KINGSTON (IN?) JAMAICA
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Singer Kathy Kirby was born on this day in 1938. Her popularity peaked in the 1960s, when she was one of the best-known and most-recognised personalities in British show business. Kirby was also reportedly the highest-paid female singer of her generation. She is best known for her ‘up-beat’ cover version of Doris Day’s Secret Love, which reached number 4 in October 1963, and for representing the United Kingdom in the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest where she finished in second place:
A bit tricksy today, I thought. I only had six after the first pass but that is often the case with Dada for me. I did not know the water in 24a but it was quite gettable. Neither was I aware of the term at 9a – I know of many terms but I’ve never used that one. Plenty to like with ticks all over the paper again. My COTD is the brilliant 12a.
Thak you, Dada for the fun challenge. Thank you, Senf for the hints and I hope all goes well for your sister.
Pleasant puzzling on a dreary Sunday morning, with Dada still in a very friendly mood IMHO. I laughed out loud at 12a which makes my COTD. Though I couldn’t help wonder if it wasn’t intended to be a ‘linked’ clue to 21a!
Thanks to Dada for the challenge and Senf for the blog. I hope your sister gets better soon.
Fairly friendly fare from Dada. I did like 12a.
Thanks to Dada and Senf. I’m sure Shabbo will behave himself.
The puzzle app I think has a typo in 24a…”Kenya as amazing” should be “Kenya’s amazing” for the clue to work. What does the paper version have?
Paper version for 24a is the same, Philbert, i.e. wrong!
For my piece of mind with 24a I had resorted to a partial lurker with an amazed “as”.
That’s how we parsed it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this – am not very good on dancers but do know a bit of Bugatti history.
I too smiled at the link between 12a and 21a.
Thanks to Dada for a bit of cheer on a drear day and to Senf – hope your UK trip turns out well
2*/3*. Not too difficult and enjoyable despite two hmms from me today.
There is an extra letter in the lurker fodder in 24a; and Masters in 3d should read “Master’s” to make a sensible surface.
12a was my favourite.
Many thanks to setter and hinter. Very sorry, Senf, to hear about your sister. Worrying times for you and your family.
RD, surely the degree has no apostrophe.
I have a Master of Endodontology degree but I earned a master’s in endodontology. 😁
✅
Angelov, Master’s is short for Master’s Degree.
RD, I always thought it was capitalised when describing the degree as ” I have a Master of Biology degree” but lower case when saying “I gained a master’s degree in biology”.
Not that it matters that much! 😊
Solved both this & Robyn’s excellent Toughie in the warmth of my bed rather than in a buggy on a windswept & soggy 1st tee – the weather having predictably led to a raft of cancellations. Enjoyed the puzzle though I didn’t think it matched either his Tues Toughie or yesterday’s prize puzzle. Another vote for 12&21a as the two standouts.
Thanks to D & S – very sorry to hear of your news & fingers crossed for positive outcomes.
Ps Madcap’s NTSPP though not straightforward is well worth a look if only for 22d/29a
Of the two I think Robyn’s Toughie was easier but subjective as I have had more practice with his lately
Dada at his more tricksy. Loved 16d almost as much as I hated 12a! What a dreadful clue.
Too difficult to say it was enjoyable but satisfying to complete.
*****/**
Thx for the hints
Blimey, that was the hardest Sunday one in a long while, nearly gave up twice!
A couple just had to be stared at hard enough until the inner mind saw the answer, and the working out had to be reverse engineered.
Last one in for me was 11d, and what a pain in the neck it turned out to be.
Only one gripe, does anyone else have a problem with 24a it doesn’t really work does it?
My two of the day were 3d and the very cute 12a, many thanks to our sadist today.
Just read other’s comments on 24a, yep, the clue’s up the spout!
As others have said, a bit trickier today but still enjoyable. LOI was 12a which brought a smile.
Top picks for me were 19a, 12a, 25a and 11d.
Thanks to Senf, hope all goes well for your visit, and of course to Dada.
A very busy weekend for the committee. Whilst some felt that 24a was a straightforward entry for THE LIST, others argued that it was easy to find from the clue. The jury was split and the chairman refused to use his casting vote, so judgement has been deferred.
For me, and I stress for me (™ Senf) this was trickier than suggested by our excellent hinter. Additionally, a BD Gold Medal to be awarded to anyone under fifty years of age who solved 11d without resource to the hint or search engines.
With Chelsea away, somewhere ‘up north’ this weekend, the plan was to potter about and tidy up the garden. We have bulbs to plant. Yet the relentless torrent of rain has curtailed our plans. Yesterday we had a horrible lunch at a golf club in Surrey. Today we shall rely on H’s excellent culinary skills and watch the wind swirl and the rain continue its deluge.
Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and very best wishes to The Man From Manitoba and his sister.
I was about to say thank you Terence for my gold medal when I ssw the age qualification. My mother admired the dancer so it was a name with which I as familiar. I just knew you would be calling the committee out on a Sunday morning for this guzzle, 9a – for goodness sake !
9a – one of two ‘ugly’ words in today’s puzzle, the other being the relative in 26a.
I only knew of her (age 62) because of the Karel Reisz film starring Vanessa Redgrave & co-written by Melvin Bragg of all people – resolved there & then never to sport a long scarf when riding in a open topped sports car….
19a’s a fun surface and I rather liked 25a. 12a’s an oldie, but still a goodie. Thanks to Dada and Senf. Truly sorry to hear your news. All the very best for you and your sister.
This was a very enjoyable puzzle apart from 11D. There must be a limit to the depth of general knowledge required to solve a clue and for me this went beyond that. Having said that somewhere in my brain was buried an awareness of this obscure dancer.
COTD was 12A. When the penny dropped I laughed out loud.
I do like a nice anagram to start the puzzle and 1A came up trumps. The remainder flowed quite well, the only hold up being the confusion caused by the error in the clue for 24A.
Favourite by a mile was 12A, followed by 25A. I’m not sure I like all the proper names appearing in cryptic crosswords these days (15A, 11D, 24A, 27A), they belong in GK crosswords IMHO. What a horrible word 9A is. 🤢
**/*** Thanks to Dada and Senf (sorry to hear of your family issues).
I beg to differ with some commentators above as, as is often the case, I found Dada far from friendly and surprised myself by finally getting there. 9a a new one on me. IMHO 10a and 14a only just work. 25a didn’t occur to me although the little lower noun. Thank you Dada and Senf (do hope all will be well with your sister). Presumably Merusa will have no problem with reading the Quickie pun!
Should read “…. although the little lower noun did”.
No I didn’t! I so often fail on the pun, such a treat to get one finally!
I had to resort to help from Ross for 25a As Senf remarked, a bit crude and tenuous. However, everything came rapidly together after that. As others, I enjoyed the “theme“ linking a couple of the water closet clues. May have to wait till Christmas for more of these. (Present, snowman, holly, sleigh, elf…..)
Normally I abhor dropped apostrophes, but the missing one in 24a was unforgivable.
Appreciation to all, and best of luck to Senf with your travels/travails.
PS there must be a coder somewhere who can fix the cookie bug here
Re 25a, during my teen years I worked in my holidays with a vet who was doc to cattle, and “drop” is the correct nomenclature for what the lower does. I’m trying so hard not to get banished to Siberia.
As much as I try just not a fan of Sundays
2*/2*
Without wanting to end up on the STEP – 24ac appears to be partial lurker and then anagram of as?
Not a fan of 12 and 25 ac
Will go with 13d as Fav
Thanks for hints and to Dada for the workout
Fairly friendly as others have said (pity about the 24a cock-up) – thanks to Dada and Senf.
My rosettes were pinned on 12a, 25a, 8d and 18d.
I missed the cock-up in 24a just ‘seeing’ enough of the clue to know what the answer was.
me too
I have had an interesting start to the day. A very late night after a family party yesterday evening. I started the crossword an after an age and only 4 clues done I was about to throw in the towel when I popped on and read Senf’s comment. I was astounded and thought my brain had left me, then I found I was doing the prize toughie!
I have now completed this but found it harder than sometimes, I did not have a clue about 11d. 16d was my favourite. I agree with others that in 24a the last word is important otherwise it is pointless? I can’t say more.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints, I do hope you have a successful trip and that your sisters surgery goes smoothly.
I found this at the trickier end of Dada’s spectrum. Started over coffee, put it down and came back to it after lunch. Must have been off wavelength as, overall, I found it a bit of a slog. My cotd is 1a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
As said above this is a bit trickier than Dada of late but apart from needing a reminder of the scarf wearing dancer I got there in the end
Thanks to Dada for the exercise and best wishes to Senf and family
Well, for me, I found this Sunday Dada offering toward the easier end of his spectrum … with minimal quirkiness.
2*/4* for me
Favourites include 12a, 15a, 17a, 24a & 16d — with winner 12a
Smiles from several in the favourites as well as 19a, 26a & 1d
Thanks to Dada & Senf
Hope things go well for you in the UK Senf and that the family matters can be resolved and things look up for you.
We enjoyed this guzzle despite the lavatorial bent. I Googled 9a, it had to be but I had fortunately never come across it. There were some very clever, crafty clues – naturally I liked the spirited spring, became fixated on kebabs with 19a and although I am not a sporty type I am going for 16d as my favourite. Toadying up to Hintsman. Sorry to hear about your sister Senf. Older sisters are special – I know, ‘cos I am one! Thanks for the tips which I read after completion and to Mr. Setter. It is funny weather – rain, sun then sudden violent gusts of wind. Not conducive.
Good afternoon
I’ve not attempted a Sunday crozzie for a couple of weeks. Ironically, although I have no work on a,Sunday, it’s a busy day.
All done this afty, and so thank you to Dada and to Senf – I wish your sister well 🙏
Enjoyable and not too difficult. Thanks Dada.
I thought 24A was a fair clue.
Not heard of 11D but the anagram helped.
Fave was 25A.
Found this one to be something of an oddity and it didn’t really float my boat. Having said that, I did award several ticks – 1&25a plus 13,16&18d were worthy of mention.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and the clip of Kathy Kirby – I’d forgotten all about her! Safe trip back to the ‘old country’ – I’m sure your sister will be delighted to see you.
Dada at his best for me! So much to like here. Almost an unaided solve, I used word search to get 16d; I’ll bet Huntsman got that first time round. I’d never heard of 9a, but so well clued I worked it out and googled. The little lower didn’t fool me one bit, and the sticky food has to be a fave, if I didn’t get that who would? Top of the pops for me was our dancer at 11d, she must have been larger than life, what a tragic end.
Thank you Dada, loved it all, and thanks to Senf for unravelling a few for me. I send all best wishes to your sister, and I’m sure we all do so for her speedy recovery.
Well that was an enjoyable treat from Dada, one of the friendliest puzzles this week so perhaps I will keep paying my sub, at least for now. Never heard of 9a, and cannot satisfactorily parse 10a, but otherwise all made sense. I’d even heard of 24a. LI was 10a, but very nearly 3d. Thanks to Dad and Senf. Good luck with the trip Senf, and here’s hoping you find your Big Sister recovering, and that she is able to enjoy her birthday. Getting old is such hard work.
Spring as a verb made from a common crossword word meaning making a speech containing a drinkable spirit.
We also failed to spot the typo in 24a so it didn’t hold us up. Most of the rest we didn’t find that easy with some we just didn’t like. Favourite was 16d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Is it a typo, or is “as” amazing? 😉
V straightforward for Dada.
Late in the day for me to comment but thoroughly enjoyed this fun puzzle, despite the typo, and with the outrageous 12a the clear winner.
My thanks to Dada and Senf. Best of luck with your trip over here.
I thought this was brilliant, with 12a and 25a as stand out clues showing Dada’s sense of humour! Sorry to read about your sister’s complications Senf … there have been a few stories recently in the UK press regarding faulty hip replacements and only hope things go well.
15a ….. or in Scotland!
I found this one quite hard going today but not quite sure why in hindsight. I had a big case of word blindness on several occasions and felt like bashing myself over the head when the pennies dropped. Anyway I got there in the end , and actually enjoyed the ride. Thanks Dada and Senf
Have a safe trip and happy time albeit a bit limited. I miss my sibling so much so am a bit envious.
Sent. Best of wishes to Senf but it would’t take because i shake.
Almost a R & W for me till I came to 11d. Not heard of her so had to look her up. Thanks to the setter and Senf.
4*/4* ….
liked 12A “Ready to go ? (6-7)”