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DT 30750

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30750

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where summer has has graced us with an encore performance – sunny skies and daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.

For me (and Senf’s standard disclaimer applies), this was likely the easiest backpage cryptic I have ever encountered. Should you wish to introduce someone to cryptics, I think this would serve as an ideal entry point. In fact, the Quick Crossword (including deciphering the pun) took far more time to complete.

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   Options in Arsenal tie TV broadcast (12)
ALTERNATIVES — an anagram (broadcast) of the third, fourth and fifth words of the clue

9a   Empty trader has meal, but no starter, in club (9)
TRUNCHEON — remove the interior letters (empty) of TRADER and append a formal midday meal minus its initial letter (but no starter)

10a   Unfortunately following lead of guilty parties (5)
GALAS — an exclamation of grief or adversity following the initial letter (lead) of GUILTY

11a   Parisian is attending English house and grounds (6)
ESTATE — a charade of the French word for is, a short word denoting in attendance, and the single letter for English

12a   More work finished by Mike wearing cravat, say (8)
OVERTIME — finished or ended followed by all of the letter represented by Mike in radio communications inserted in (wearing) another word for cravat

13a   Going through Kansas and Alabama, one goes on foot (6)
SANDAL — a lurker hiding (going through) the three words between the indicator and definition

14a   Very loud red tint’s in need of modification (8)
STRIDENT — an anagram (in need of modification) of RED TINTS

17a   Drinking litres, Charles and Edward had a laugh (8)
CHUCKLED — familiar names for Charles and Edward wrapped around (drinking) the symbol for litres

19a   What bare-chested people have, spinning round? Exactly! (4-2)
SPOT-ON — reverse (spinning around) a (2,4) phrase describing the state of dress of bare-chested people

22a   Running main race – the National? (8)
AMERICAN — an anagram (running) of MAIN RACE

24a   Dealt with duet, oddly, in kind of jazz (6)
TRADED — the odd sequence of letters from DUET injected into a 1950s revival of jazz from the 1920s

26a   Tennis champ leads in easy victory, emulating Rafa’s tennis (5)
EVERT — the initial letters of (leads to) the final five words of the clue

27a   Artist I’m converting admits love for impressionists (9)
IMITATORS — an anagram (converting) of the first two words of the clue admitting the score represented by love in tennis

28a   Influential people are inclined to welcome right compilers (12)
TRENDSETTERS — a word denoting to have the inclination or disposition containing (to welcome) the single letter for right and followed by another name for crossword compilers

Down

1d   Unskilled, like Paul Simon after going solo? (7)
ARTLESS — a whimsical description of Paul Simon’s solo state

2d   Barbed comment about Somerset town (7)
TAUNTON — a barbed comment or gibe and one of the usual short words denoting about or concerning

3d   Queen with great song in sports venue (9)
RACETRACK — string together the Latin abbreviation for queen, great or excellent, and a recorded song

4d   Offerings in a pub – English and French articles (4)
ALES — an English indefinite article with a chaser of a French definite article

5d   Maintain no VAT exempt stores think up new ideas (8)
INNOVATE — a lurker concealed in (stores) the first four words of the clue

6d   Composer left in fury, upset (5)
ELGAR — the single letter for left in a reversal (upset) of a fury or fit of temper

7d   Like some mountains in area with large tree (6)
ALPINE — link together the symbol for area, the clothing label designation for large, and a coniferous tree

8d   Climb first section of Appalachian Trail (6)
ASCENT — the initial letter (first section) of APPALACHIAN and a trail or spoor

15d   Key worker perhaps supporting product from abroad (9)
IMPORTANT — one of the usual worker insects follows (supporting in a down clue) a product originating outside the country

16d   Romeo getting together with Joy in story (8)
RELATION — the letter represented by Romeo in radio communications and joy or delight

17d   Caught bird that’s black or yellow (6)
CRAVEN — the cricket notation for caught and a noisy black bird

18d   Sinner poking agitated nun, which is irregular (6)
UNEVEN — the first person to disobey the will of God in the Bible contained in (poking) an anagram (agitated) of NUN

20d   Youthful swimmer‘s top deal when swimming (7)
TADPOLE — an anagram (when swimming) of TOP DEAL

21d   Policeman’s stopping crazy people taking their kit off (7)
NUDISTS — a senior investigating police officer (accompanied by his trailing S) inserted in (stopping) crazy or insane

23d   Season abandoned by women’s football club in Italy (5)
INTER — the coldest season with the clothing label designation for women’s removed (abandoned by)

25d   Heads of financial institute bought succulent pork pies (4)
FIBS — the initial letters of (heads of) the four words sandwiched between the indicator and definition

My favourite clue – because it raised a smile – was the policeman interfering with the naturist at 21a.

Quickie Pun: DEAL + EARS + MYTH = DELIA SMITH

45 comments on “DT 30750”

  1. A lovely, well balanced, guzzle to start the week. I had a different answer, which was a bit cheeky, for the bare-chested people at 19a but then I saw the correct one. The meal at 9a took me a while because I don’t think many call it that these days – apart from Terence, of course. My COTD is Mike wearing his cravat at 12a.

    Thank you, setter (Robyn?) for the fun challenge. Thank you, Falcon for the hints.

    A shout out for The Quickie pun! 👍

  2. A great start to the week with this Puzzle. Managed to complete this one just before the blogger blogged!

    Only needed help (Chamber’s) with my final two answers. No reveals.

    I thought 1d was clever.

  3. Falcon and I clearly find different sorts of puzzles easy, then! This one took me longer than most recent Monday backpagers have done, and over double the times of the ones I’ve found most straightforward.

    I’m still missing something in 16d: I got the answer from the wordplay, but I haven’t worked out in what context it can mean ‘story’.

    Thank you to Falcon for blogging and the setter for setting. I particularly liked the spinning bare-chested people in 19a and Paul Simon solo in 1d.

      1. Thanks, Jenny. I eventually got it — my first thought on reading ‘something that is related’ was still “What has something that is connected got to do with a story?” … but I then realized what you meant.

    2. I agree, there were many poorly clued answers such as 17a, 19a, 18d and 21d.
      Lots of anagrams which I like and one good clue in 1d. On the whole somewhat mediocre.
      **/**
      Thx for the hints

      1. I’m not sure what you’re agreeing with, Brian, but I didn’t find any of the clues you mention (or indeed any clue in the entire crossword) to be poor.

  4. This was very enjoyable. Robyn in fine form with plenty of nice surfaces.

    My podium is 1a, 22a and 21d.

    Many thanks to the aforementioned and Falcon.

    1*/4*

  5. Reckon this pretty much 19a for a gentle intro to the new week. Though never a huge fan of the band 3d’s surface immediately reminded me of Queen’s stunning 20 mins set stealing the show at Live Aid all those years ago.
    Thanks to Falcon & to Robyn presumably – he also has another gentle puzzle in the Graun’s Quiptic slot.

  6. A nice, gentle introduction to the crosswording week that held no terrors and was well clued throughout. 12a for the namecheck, and 1d for the laugh it produced, were my co-favourites this morning.

    My thanks to Robyn and Falcon.

  7. An enjoyably comfortable ease into the cruciverbal week. 1d is fun clue as is 17d using “that’s black”. 11a had to be but “attending” passed me by. Not sure about story for 16d. Thank you Mysteryone and Falcon.

  8. This was just right for a Monday, but, for me, certainly not “the easiest backpage cryptic I have ever encountered”. Like Smylers I am struggling with the synonym for story in 16d and I suspect that the “familiar name” for Charles in 17a is an American one, not in common usage on this side of the pond – I’ve led a sheltered life! Favourite today was 1d, supported by 24a and 21d. Thanks to our setter and Falcon.

  9. We have a cracking puzzle today which, as Falcon says, would be ideal for someone starting out in the world of cryptics. Thanks to our setter and Falcon.
    Ticks from me for 9a, 11a, 19a, 1d, 3d and 21d.

  10. A gentle easygoing start to the week , much needed for me as I laboured over yesterday’s . Thanks to setter and Falcon.

  11. A Monday puzzle full of charm and wit. Many ticks on my page including 19a, 8d and especially the witty 1d. Thanks to Robyn, presumably, and Falcon

  12. Would have to agree with Falcon, it’s certainly one of the easiest puzzles I’ve done in a long time and one of the fastest solves as well, but that’s not meant to be a criticism as I thoroughly enjoyed it with quite a few smiles and yes it would be a superb introduction for someone new to cryptics.

    Thanks to Falcon and surely it must be Robyn

  13. A lovely puzzle to start the week which I thoroughly enjoyed. I think 17d was my favourite but I also liked 1d and 9a.

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

  14. I didn’t find it quite as easy as Falcon but thought it thoroughly enjoyable – bright, witty and with a modern feel…

  15. Hmm. I posted quite a time ago but my comment seems to have disappeared into the ether.

    To be brief this time, I’ll just say that this is a fine example of the new Monday normal – very light and great fun.

    Many thanks to Robyn (?) and to Falcon.

  16. Just what the doctor ordered for a Monday back-pager with plenty to amuse. Ticks here went to 9a plus 1,2,6&21d.

    Thanks to Robyn, presumably, and to Falcon – make the most of summer’s encore, it might have to last you a while!

  17. other than the NE that really held me up putting me into extra time. Was about five words I just could not grasp.

    1.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 9a, 10a, 17a, 19a & 1d — with winner 1d
    I got a smile or chuckle from 17a & 25d and last in was 10a that I could not see until I filled it in and then the PDM hit with bloody loud CLANG!! on the floor.
    That one was almost my favourite.

    Thanks to setter and Falcon

    Thanks goodness our “atmospheric river” we have had since Friday has finally ended … up until late Sunday we had over 291millimetres of rain in my direct area of the West Coast called the Coquitlam Burke Mountain area. It was the most in the entire area covered by the atmospheric river. Lots of flooding, kids in kayaks on the street, overflowing ditches. Doesn’t help that we are at the base of the mountain either.

    1. Missed the first line …

      “For the most part I found this a regular Monday puzzle “

  18. First answer in was 1d. Happy memories of Paul Simon who was going solo in Europe. He came as a regular to a folk club in Romford where he met my school friend Cathy. Remember Cathy’s song. We knew he was a great musician but none of us knew just how great. The puzzle couldn’t go wrong after that. And favourite answer had to be 1 d. Thanks to Robyn and Falcon.

    1. When at school I decided not to go to the folk club one week because I had never heard of the singer. The next day all my friends were raving him.

      It was, of course, Paul Simon.

        1. Story of my life, TDS. When staying with friends in Toronto they asked if I wanted to go to Niagara Falls or to a music festival. I chose Niagara Falls.

          I missed Woodstock.

  19. Yessir a very nice crossword, I was going to agree with the Falcon but a slight hiccup in SE corner with the bird that I convinced myself was Chough and that the tennis star was Graff, I should have learnt by now to read the clue 😬 **/****. Favourites: 19 & 26 across and 1 & 17 down 😃 Thanks to the Compiler and to the Falcon

  20. Great start to the week! Nothing to hold me up here and all smiles. I liked Paul Simon going solo, the club at 9a, and Charles and Edward having a laugh.
    Thank you setter for the fun, and Falcon for your hints. I hope you like winter, I can’t think of anything worse than knowing I’ve got five months of deep freeze in front of me, but then I’m such a wuss.

  21. Light and fun
    1*/4*
    I wouldn’t say easiest ever but agree a good one for novices
    21d my fav as well
    Thanks to all

  22. Oops got sent to the spam bin for some reason, here is what I said earlier;
    I didn’t find this quite as easy as Falcon, and I bet I am not the only one who mucked up the NE by putting Grave in 10a
    16a for Smylers The narrator was responsible for the 16a of the story..

    Thanks to Robyn and Falcon

  24. Good afternoon

    A pleasant solve for a Monday afternoon. 1d is COTD.

    Many thanks to our compiler and to Falcon.

  25. Greetings from Edmonton, AB. Bit of an ego boost today – solving the whole puzzle without having to refer to the hints for an explanation. Happily, it’s a busy morning, so just right for the time required!

    1. Welcome to the blog, Doug. Well done.
      Now that you’ve introduced yourself I hope that you’ll become a regular commenter.

  26. A lot to like about the puzzle which was just as well as I was late to the party today.

    The email is again showing all the answers uncovered. I do wonder what has changed for it to start doing that.

    Top picks for me were 19a, 28a and 1d.

    I wondered if Manders saw Cley on Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing last night.

    Thanks to Falcon and the setter.

  28. I found this a bit more than a * like some others, although I did start off great, then slowing at the half way mark. Quibbled with 22a, as IMHO the definition should be nationality, but I’m sure others will disagree. Also found 16d story to be a bit strange, even realising it was narrative we are talking about. Otherwise lots of nice clues and enjoyment. Thanks to setter and Falcon. Unlike Merusa, we are reveling in our upcoming winter months. Time to plant out the winter plants, geraniums, petunias, impatiens etc – all the usual English summer annuals in fact. Just cooled down enough for comfortable pre-breakfast walks. As most of the US north of us are already in the grips of icy weather, I love our mild, when the outdoors is so much more enjoyable.

  29. Definitely at the easier end of ‘as straightforward as they come’. I could trot out that my biggest hold up was breaking my pencil but I’ll resist the temptation. 😁 That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it as I did. Another vote for 1d as favourite. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.

  30. Still a couple of clues left last night, looked at it afresh this morning and all clear. Particularly enjoyed 1d & 3d!

  31. 1*/3* ….
    liked 25D “Heads of financial institute bought succulent pork pies (4)”

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