DT 30756 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30756

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30756

Hints and tips by Falcon

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

Greetings from Ottawa. Yes, it’s me again this week. However, next week you can look forward to the debut appearance of the newest member of the blogging team who will share the Monday blogging slot with me going forward.

On this side of the pond. we are gearing up for Halloween festivities later this week. Unfortunately, those hoping to score chocolate bars in their treat bags may find the pickings slim. It seems the cost of chocolate and other ingredients has skyrocketed this year and the manufacturers have reacted by shrinking the size of chocolate bars to the point that one needs a handful of them to amount to a bite.

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   Follow publicity in the middle of programme (6)
SHADOW — a two-letter term for publicity (which is not PR) inserted precisely in the middle of a TV programme

5a   Dame Edna pursuing large strategic advantage (8)
LEVERAGE — the surname of Barry Humphries’ fictional lady with the wisteria-hued hair follows (pursues) the clothing label symbol for large

9a   They may cause a complaint from Blair etc about to make a comeback (8)
BACTERIA — a lurker hiding (from) and reversed (to make a comeback) in BLAIR ETC ABOUT

10a   Boy needing the web to find bard’s work (6)
SONNET — tie together a relational term for a boy and another word for web

11a   City in Ghana is developing, containing hotel (8)
SHANGHAI — an anagram (developing) of GHANA IS containing the letter represented by hotel in radio communications

12a   Book showing outcome of l x w x h? (6)
VOLUME — the quantity calculated by this maths formula

13a   In case of thievery, someone who embraces violent behaviour (8)
THUGGERY — place someone who likes to embrace others between the initial and final letters (case) of THIEVERY

15a   Cockney trio, we hear, is on the loose (4)
FREE — how a Cockney (apparently) might pronounce another word for trio

17a   Slippery customers, rogues losing face (4)
EELS — remove the initial letter (face) from another term for rogues HEELS

19a   Having an inclination to absorb right knowledge (8)
LEARNING — a word denoting having an inclination or deviation from vertical containing (to absorb) the single letter for right

20a   Low posture that hurts King Charles, at first (6)
CROUCH — an exclamation of pain (“That hurts!”) preceded by (at first) the regnal cipher of King Charles

21a   Smashing dissent, I didn’t take no for an answer (8)
INSISTED — an anagram (smashing) of the two words following the indicator

22a   Show off apartment stuffed with unlimited junk (6)
FLAUNT — another name for apartment containing (stuffed with) JUNK stripped of its initial and final letters (unlimited)

23a   Witness gents, say, with extremely knowledgeable friend of Harry Potter (6-2)
LOOKER-ON — string together what the Gents (or the Ladies) is an example of, the initial and final letters (extremely) of KNOWLEDGEABLE, and the first name of Harry Potter’s pal

24a   Issue created by pride? (4,4)
LION CUBS — a cryptic definition of the progeny of the king of the jungle

25a   Melanie and Theodore became sentimental (6)
MELTED — link diminutives of Melanie and Theodore

Down

2d   Try and try again? Well said! (4,4)
HEAR HEAR — just as it says on the tin, simply two instances of a synonym of try in a court of law

3d   Set off from BoJo’s alma mater in time (8)
DETONATE — place the school attended by the former British PM in another word for time

4d   Importing drug, he saw our rebuilt storage space (9)
WAREHOUSE — the usual single letter illicit drug injected (importing) into an anagram (rebuilt) of HE SAW OUR

5d   Daniel Craig lets loose in newspaper opinion pieces (7,8)
LEADING ARTICLES — an anagram (loose) of the first three words in the clue

6d   Company cutting money supply showing thrift (7)
ECONOMY — the abbreviation for company contained in (cutting) an anagram (supply [as an adverb]) of MONEY

7d   Declare queen with no energy put on some weight (8)
ANNOUNCE — remove the physics symbol for energy from the first queen of Great Britain, then append a small imperial unit of weight

8d   Implores Ken to give away a thousand goodies (8)
ENTREATS — remove (to give away) the metric abbreviation for thousand from KEN, then add another word for goodies (the kind I can expect costumed kids to be demanding at the door this week)

14d   Think creatively, taking top off in very wet weather (9)
RAINSTORM — remove the initial letter (taking top off) from a session of intensive discussion to solve problems or generate ideas

15d   Whimsical supporter heads for Chelsea in fine, unusual leather (8)
FANCIFUL — a supporter or enthusiast followed by the initial letters of (heads for) the final five words of the clue

16d   City where people are very rich or loaded, possibly (2,6)
EL DORADO — an anagram (possibly) of the two words preceding the indicator

17d   English energy company receiving goods – fragile material (8)
EGGSHELL — the single letter for English and a British oil and gas company bookend (receiving) two instances of the coin collectors’ symbol for good

18d   Somewhat antisocial, one so melancholy and solitary (8)
LONESOME — our second lurker, this one concealed (somewhat) in the four words following the indicator

19d   US city with right-winger in charge? That’s not saying much (7)
LACONIC — line up the common two letter name for a large US west coast city, the short label for a member of a right wing political party and the abbreviation for in charge

Today, I will single out 9a for special mention. I initially tried to parse it as an anagram which almost worked. The indicator was present but the fodder was off by one letter.

Quickie Pun: SIM + FUR + KNEES = SYMPHONIES

61 comments on “DT 30756”

  1. What a wonderful start to the week! This had just the right balance of write-ins and the ponderable. I had ticks all over the paper from Dame Edna through the painful King Charles to BoJo’s alma mater. However, my COTD is book at 12a, which took a while for the penny to drop.

    Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you, Falcon for the hints, which I did not need today.

  2. That was a pleasantly encouraging way to kick off the cruciverbal week. No real hassles but rather pleasant challenges. South first once more. 10a is rather broad. Not sure I can parse 17d energy company but didn’t need that. Last in was clever 24a which became my Fav. TVM setter and Falcon.

    1. 24a was my last one in, too. Figuring that one out must have added 50% to my time. Only myself to blame as I’d seen that use of ‘issue’ on more that one occasion, but ze little grey cells were clearly misfiring.

      1. Reassuring to know I wasn’t alone in 24a hesitation but it was pride rather than issue which took while to dawn on me.

  3. Fans of our old Sunday setter Virgilius may wish to know that his alter ego Brendan is in today’s Graun

  4. Always seems strange to me to have 23a written that way round but I’m not doubting its validity. The thought of our ex-PM setting fire to his alma mater rather amused as did Dame Edna’s strategic advantage, my favourite was the case of thievery. Also thought the Quickie pun was a goody.

    Thanks to our setter, Robyn(?) and to Falcon for the review – hope our newest recruit to the blogging team isn’t getting too anxious about his/her debut!

    1. I had the same thought for 23a, it is an awkward phrase – but it still didn’t spoil a super guzzle.

  5. Perfect for a Monday.

    So many surfaces that should be within reach of most solvers with some nice scenarios thrown in.

    Nigh on impossible to chose a podium but I’ll go with 24a, 5d and 19d.

    Many thanks to Robyn and Falcon.

    1*/5*

  6. A very enjoyable puzzle pitched just right for Monday – thanks to our setter and Falcon.
    My ticks were awarded to 13a, 20a and 19d.

  7. Slightly trickier than past Mondays but very enjoyable for all that. A plethora of great clues makes it hard to pick a podium, but I’ll plump for 7d, 15d with 12a in top spot. Thanks to Robyn and Falcon

  8. 12a, just brilliant. Off to lay flat for a while now as I’ve put my back out by avoiding stepping on the cat who darted out of the kitchen like an Exocet missile earlier this morning, great start to the week!

    3. Sounds like Rigsby’s cat in Rising Damp – one glimpse and it’s Goodnight Vienna

  9. A top drawer puzzle for a bright Monday morning. Loads to enjoy, with humour and clever clues throughout the grid. 12a was my final entry and favourite. Great fun.

    My thanks to our setter and Falcon.

  11. A gentle start to the week , finished with no real holdups although I did spend far too long my last on in the lurker at 9a! I started yesterday’s late last evening finding it chewy in places and still have 3 clues outstanding , so it’s good to have some confidence restored. Thanks to setter and Falcon.

  12. A really good start to the week. Just enough lateral thinking involved to give the little grey cells a Monday workout. Lots of contenders for podium places so I’ll choose, in no particular order, 12a, 24a and 7d, with special mention for the quickie pun. Thanks to Robyn and Falcon.

  13. I flew through this one until my last 2 or 3, which took some time to solve, with a little nudge from here.

    Nice start to the week.

  14. I do wish the clues involving lurkers were not allowed to be split over two lines! Took me forever to spot it in 9a having got the answer from the checkers. Two faves, 15 and 19d, with 19d winning by a short head!
    V many thanks to the setter for a funday Monday and to Falcon for the blog.

      1. Aha! So there is still a paper version of the DT! Thanks for the tip, SC, but they don’t sell it round here.

  15. What a lovely start to the week, it seems we have returned to Monday puzzles being reliably gentle but also fun. This gives a confidence boost and a chance for novices to find their feet. My favourite was 17d but 24a was a close second.

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

    3. Error now fixed, thanks for bringing it to my attention. I’ll blame it on having to work later than usual last evening due to the recent time change in the UK which means we are for the time being only four hours behind you instead of the normal five. The time change works to our disadvantage on both occasions because you go to summer time later in the spring and revert to standard time earlier in the autumn than we do.

  17. What an excellent puzzle, just fun from start to finish, if I had to offer a favourite it would probably be 13a and LOI was 12a because I knew what the answer was obviously pointing at but just couldn’t bring the word to mind – kept thinking of cube and root etc then of course the answer quite rightly slapped me round the face!
    Thanks to Falcon and (must be) Robyn?

  18. I agree with all of you that this was a joy. I get tired of defending cryptics to people who say they are too hard. I always say that all the bones are there, you just have to join them up and this was a good example. A favourite was hard to choose, I loved Dame Edna and also King Charles, but I’m plumping for 14d. Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Falcon.

  19. A happy Monday! Great guzzle, 24a favourite.
    Then the good news that a certain manager has departed. Thanks to both setter and hinter.

  20. Good afternoon

    A nicely pitched solve for a Monday, with a cracking lurker at 9a, which is my COTD; and a laugh-out-loud clue at 20a.

    Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon.

  21. What a brilliant crossword – I loved it!
    The first I saw was the ‘lion cubs’ but thought I was pushing my luck and waited until there were a few other ones done too.
    I couldn’t do the 12a book for ages and neither could I see several others in that corner.
    I particularly appreciated 13 and 22a and 6 and 17d. I think my favourite has to be 14d but could be almost any other.
    Thanks to today’s setter and to Falcon for the hints.

  22. 9a was probably the most amusing but for some reason 10a was one of the last in. I was surprised tge difficulty was ** as even I found it easy and completed it with no clues required. Satisfying and now I can get on with some jobs! Thanks to all.

  24. Quelle surprise! I disagree with Brian, I found it a pleasant introduction to the crossword week, As others Dame Edna and Charles lead the way
    Thanks to Falcon and Robyn
    I wonder who the newbie that is stepping into pommers shoes is

  25. Took a few minutes to get the Monday brain into gear, but once I got going the brakes were not required.

    Favourite by a mile for me was 24A. I’m still chuckling about it.

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

  26. A fine start to the rainy/wet non-work week. A typical Monday offering from my POV. Lots to like and nothing to dislike as far as I am concerned.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites today include 12a, 20a, 22a, 24a & 15d – with winner 12a as my last in … when I suddenly had PDM and the whole tea tray hit the deck!
    Very clever and a super clue.
    5a, 17a & 7d all made me smile too.

    Thanks to setter & Falcon

  27. I enjoyed this a lot, got it all sorted without resorting to the hints but it took me longer than usual on a Monday. Thanks Falcon and setter

  28. Late start for me today but a great puzzle to start the week.
    Picking the top ones will be tricky but I’ll go for 24a, 12a and 13a.

    Thanks to Falcon and the setter.

  29. Lovely start to the week 😃 ***/**** Many favourites among them 5 & 12a and 3 & 7d 🤗 Thanks to the Falcon and to the Compiler 👍
    PS surely Ted is diminutive for Edward and Theo Theodore, just saying 🤔

    1. Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt would beg to differ if he hadn’t joined his teddy bear over the rainbow bridge

  30. An enjoyable puzzle with just a few head-scratching moments. Initially, I was slow to get going but after a couple of hours of housework the grey cells were blown away and finished it off nicely. 5a was my favourite clue. Many thanks to the setter and Falcon. Loved the picture of the lioness and her cubs.

  31. All the usual Monday enjoyment from Robyn (I assume) – I do wish he’d start popping back in & confirming. 13a my fav.
    Thanks to Falcon for the review. I wonder who the new Monday alternate might be?

  32. I enjoyed this one immensely. I managed to do about half of it without any hints, and finished it without needing to reveal any answers. It was the first time I felt like I was doing the crossword rather than learning how to do one. 15a was my favourite, as a cockney!

    1. Great feeling isn’t it no matter how many hints you use because you are learning. Hope it continues to go well. This site is very helpful for learning.

  34. Enjoyable puzzling for Monday. Tickled by 2a, initially confused by 12a and 24a but great aha moments on solving!

  35. I found this the simplest crossword for quite some time — far more clues written in on the first pass than I’m used to ­— still with lots of fun. Like so many other commentors, the hardest part was choosing a favourite, but I’m going to go with 23a and Harry Potter’s friend.

    However I feel like I’m missing something about 12a, which several above have picked as favourite but seemed to me both to be both obvious and have a week surface reading: l × w × h is the formula for the answer, such that it couldn’t be anything else, and it feels clunky to me to have the formula in the surface reading, where it can’t be disguised or interpreted as anything else.

    Thank you to the setter for the entertainment, and please keep them like this on Mondays, with a special thanks for repeating Theodore → Ted sufficiently soon that it hadn’t yet fallen out of my brain, after being foiled by that on September 16th. And thank you to Falcon for doing double duty.

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