Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30763
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty */** Enjoyment ***
A pleasant and not overly demanding puzzle to brighten up a dull start to the day here in Harpenden. As ever nicely clued & with a couple of gently misleading surfaces. About on a par with yesterday’s puzzle in terms of difficulty. Anyone who breezed through this one & is looking for a further challenge should have a bash at ALP’s excellent puzzle in Rookie Corner yesterday.
In the following hints, definitions are underlined, indicators are mostly in parentheses, and answers are revealed by clicking where shown as usual. Please leave a comment below on how you got on with the puzzle.
Across
1a Dress Oscar in the woman’s footwear (4,4)
DECK SHOE: a synonym for dress or adorn (as in boughs of holly in the hall at Christmas) + a feminine third person pronoun into which you insert the letter Oscar represents (NATO phonetic alphabet).
5a Seasoned Conservative glimpsed on the periphery (6)
SPICED: the single letter for C(onservative) is surrounded by (on the periphery) another word for glimpsed or spotted.
10a Cream can tour a lot and sing 1968 hit (15)
CONGRATULATIONS: an anagram (cream presumably) of CAN TOUR A LOT & SING. Our entry in that year’s Eurovision Song Contest – here’s another tune from 68.
11a Feeling old, one breaks two legs (7)
OPINION: O(ld) + two different types of leg (one of the body the other a side in cricket) divided by (breaks) the Roman numeral letter for one.
12a Devotees hugging queen’s companions (7)
FRIENDS: a synonym for devotees or addicts with the Latin single letter for Queen inserted (hugging).
13a Made with rare, refined sugar (8)
DEMERARA: an anagram (refined) of MADE + RARE.
15a Elegance from good people (5)
GRACE: G(ood) + a synonym for people.
18a T-Rex traditionally eats more than necessary (5)
EXTRA: hidden (eats).
20a Keep quiet, respecting tennis player’s first shot (8)
PRESERVE: the letter for quiet/soft in music + a two letter preposition for respecting + the opening shot in tennis.
23a Term almost enthrals every schoolmaster? (7)
TEACHER: insert (enthrals) another word for every into a truncation (almost) of ter(m) from the wordplay.
25a I regularly clean church after Cardinal finally gives permission (7)
LICENCE: I from the clue + the alternate letters (regularly) of ClEaN + the Protestant church abbreviation all preceded (after) the last letter (finally) of CardinaL.
26a Bikini? Mum’s is wet and coming off (8,7)
SWIMMING COSTUME: an anagram (off) of MUMS IS WET + COMING.
27a Zooms around sea in ship (6)
SPEEDS: a reversal (around) of a term for the sea or ocean is contained within the usual two letters for a ship.
28a Keep on cutting short person? These could protect wounds (8)
PLASTERS: insert (cutting) a synonym for keep on or endure into a truncation (short) of PERSon from the clue.
Down
1d Quack from teal on river, initially, after fish turned up (6)
DOCTOR: the first letter (initially) of the 3rd,4th&5th words of the clue + a reversal (turned up) of a fish that’s great with chips.
2d Comfortable houses in Europe? (9)
CONTINENT: a synonym for comfortable or satisfied placed around (houses) IN from the clue. The question mark signifies definition by example.
3d Sermon only half wrong? You might experience this in church (7)
SERVICE: 50% (only half) of SERmon + a word for a wrong or failing.
4d Nothing fine on X on a regular basis (5)
OFTEN: the letter than signifies nothing or nil + F(ine) + the number X represents in Roman numerals.
6d What one’s doing at golf club? Parking (7)
PUTTING: I’ll plump for a double definition with the former what you get to do on the greens (if you haven’t already lost the ball or picked it up in exasperation) & the latter in the sense of laying down.
7d Fool around with blue note (5)
CLOWN: the usual single letter for around + a synonym for blue or unhappy + N(ote).
8d Penny is sitting on plant – catastrophe! (8)
DISASTER: the letter for an old penny + IS in the clue + a perennial flowering plant.
9d Former lover getting on with female? Hard to believe (3,5)
OLD FLAME: a synonym for getting on (in age) + F(emale) + a term for hard to believe – like most of my 21d.
14d Presumed father’s upset with mother? (8)
APPARENT: a reversal (upset) of a diminutive for father + what a mother is to her child.
16d Excitement from organising nude rave – about time! (9)
ADVENTURE: an anagram (organising) of NUDE RAVE with T(ime) inserted (about).
17d People who check crowns – different kinds – test if king’s scratched (8)
DENTISTS: another anagram (different) of kINDS TEST (chess abbrev for King scratched).
19d Article not genuine? Editor’s embarrassed (7)
ASHAMED: A(rticle) + a synonym for fake/not genuine + the usual abbreviation for editor.
21d Forgives previous girlfriend, say, then swears Romeo’s vanished (7)
EXCUSES: the usual for a previous girlfriend or 9d + a synonym for swears minus (vanished) the letter Romeo represents (NATO alphabet).
22d Divulges missing end of tea parties (6)
REVELS: another word for divulges less the final letter (missing end) of teA.
24d Tolerate a US president? Not quite(5)
ABIDE: A from the clue + the abridged (not quite) surname of the not for much longer current incumbent of the Oval Office. A rather apt surface for a momentous day over the pond. Can’t resist the chance to include a clip of the closing scene at the end of The Big Lebowski.
25d Some alcohol a colleague picked up for a boozer (5)
LOCAL: hidden in reverse (some/picked up) between the indicators.
The gently misleading 10a was my clear favourite – I think the trio played their final farewell gig that year at the Royal Albert Hall. I thought the other long ‘un a good fodder spot too. The surface reads at 4&24d were both very topical. Please let us know which clues you liked best.
Today’s Quickie crossword pun: PEN + ALL + TEASE = PENALTIES
Today’s blogging music was Coltrane’s Blue Train album. Here’s the opening track off it.
After the first pass I had solved just two both of which were down clues. I thought that was it and was about to give up. Fortunately, I had a mug of hot coffee by me so I carried on and it began to reveal itself slowly. It turned out to be an enjoyable solve so I’m pleased I persevered. I did need Mr. G. for a couple one being, to my shame, 17d. I liked nothing fine at 4d but my COTD is which US president will need to be tolerated at 24d.
Thank you, setter for the brain workout. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
That was fun. A bright top and a breezy bottom. Cracking indicator at 10a and a great surface in 11a. Many thanks to our setter and Huntsman. I’d have laid money on seeing that splendid 10a clip from you. Especially fine tunes today, ta. And Blue Train? Yes please!
Somewhat similar to yesterday, by recent standards for a Tuesday puzzle, it took me longer than usual to ‘get going’ but once I did it was ‘off to the races’ – 2*/3.5*
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 15a, 2d, 3d, and 8d – and the winner is 8d.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and thanks to Huntsman.
I found this slightly harder than one might expect for a Tuesday, although it was fairly and expertly clued throughout. I thought 10a was beautifully conceived and was my clear favourite.
Many thanks to our setter for a most enjoyable solve, and to The Hintsman.
I thought this was a little tricky in places.
My last one in was 22d, where I couldn’t think of a 7 letter synonym of divulges with the a, nor a 6 letter synonym of parties (with the 3 checking letters in place).
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
Isn’t the ‘say’ because he’s specified GIRLfriend? If he’d put ‘partner’ then ‘say’ wouldn’t be necessary.
Have you never heard the expression “ex-girlfriend”?
Another solid crossy for The Prof hits the back of the net.
His surfaces hit ratio is always so high with hardly a dud in sight.
I have a couple of questions that someone can hopefully answer for me:
1. Is the word ‘say’ necessary in 21d as it spoils the surface? I thought ‘previous girlfriend’ on its own is enough for the synonym.
2. I thought ‘cutting short’ was taking off just one letter or can it be two?
There’s lots of commotion at the base of the podium with clues jostling for the silverware. But, I’ll go with 10a, 24d and the superb 26a which was my COTD.
Many thanks to The Prof and Hoots Mon!
2*/4*
Hi Tom. I agree with you re 21d. I guess it’s there because of the specific “girlfriend”, ie not a generic “lover”, etc. But it does seem hyper-correct, yes. Cutting is an insert here. Short can, of course, suggest a one-letter deletion but it can also indicate, as here, a diminutive. XXXX is listed in Chambers as an abbreviation. As Huntsman says.
Thanks Alpingtons.
I can’t recall seeing two letters being omitted. So, that is one to note.
Your answer to my first question backs up what I was saying last week. ‘Say’ and the like are overused. Having it in 21d completely mucks up the flow of the surface. In fact, it makes it grammatically rubbish because it would never be said in a sentence like that. If a setter is going to weaken the surface, only do it when it’s a must as opposed to making it, to quote your good self, hyper-correct.
Why are you always doubting, Thomas?
‘Say’ is in parenthesis, enclosed in commas.
Makes sense to me (and probably pommers).
A nice piece of work, Pippers…as always.
In my opinion, it serves no purpose and is therefore not required. Why spoil the surface?
Don’t worry, one and all, I will get over this soon. Bear with me.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people write ‘Bare with me.
Oh no. That’s made me think of ‘barely’.
Nurse!
Thanks — I was also wondering about the 2-letter deletion thing, but the shortened term being in Chambers makes sense.
I can’t recall seeing it used, though, and I note Oxford only have it in their US English dictionary, though, not The OED.
Yep, it’s a new one on me.
Every day’s a school day and all that malarkey (top word)
TDS65, 21d. I agree, the ‘say’ isn’t necessary. Not only is it unnecessary, it’s rather ridiculous. But it is a Monday puzzle …
You’re right. A Monday puzzle on a Tuesday is rather ridiculous.
I’m so childish.
I’m glad you agree, J. Setters need to use ‘say’ and the like wisely.
Ah, you beat me to it! I’ve lost a day somewhere …
Or is it Tuesday. What do I know?
Tomorrow is the day before tomorrow. 😊
🤔 Steve did you make this up to confuse us ?
Like Steve, I only got a few on the first pass, but slowly it began to yield solutions. I thought cream was a slightly odd anagram indicater, but once accepted, the clue became clear. I got 1a wrong by one letter😬. Thanks to the setter, and for the hints.
I thought it odd too hence presumably. I thought of creaming mashed spuds & whisking ‘em about
To thrash/trounce?
To cream in baking terms is to thoroughly mix butter and sugar (usually).
Yep, absolutely. I didn’t give it a second thought as it seemed an obvious anagram indicator.
A not too demanding puzzle, just right for a Tuesday.
Top picks for me were 27a, 17d and 7d.
Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.
Requiring a tad more thought than the usual Tuesday puzzle, this was still a swift and most enjoyable interlude. Highlight of the morning has to have been the lively bit of Ska/2-Tone, leading me to playing a (rather Specials-dominated) 45-track Ska playlist on Youtube – thanks indeed Huntsman!
Honours to the amusing 18a, clever 17d & lovely surface of 1d.
Thank you to setter & Huntsman
Didn’t flow as easily as some Tuesday puzzles but enjoyable nevertheless. Think my favourite was the former lover.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review.
The committee was extremely busy yesterday (action points, health and safety reports, points of order) and would like to apologise for the late welcome to yesterday’s 25a (Kind of rock, somewhat kitsch, is tacky). Voted on to THE LIST unanimously, it has been invited to take its place in the grand hall between ‘festal’ and ‘subjoin’. Visitors are reminded that the exhibition hall is open daily; free parking.
Firstly, hats in the air for Hintsman and his fine music choices. I did not find today’s guzzle easy. I think my memory had done me a favour and frozen out an immediate recollection of 10a, and I needed a few checking letters before its full awfulness returned to what remains of my brain. Nontheless I rather admire the singer. My father took me to see one of his films (London bus involved) when I was a wee boy and it has a special place in my heart.
Thanks to the setter and Andy On The First Tee
I guess Terence will never read this, but excommunicating schist, really! I guess it comes with living in a country without REAL mountains. Unlike Kiwiland. So, if you ever read this “get you and your committee’s schist together “ !
Never mind the crossword just listen to the clip on the answer to 10a, the worlds greatest band of all time featuring God! Nothing else matters.
**/*****
And it just keeps on giving, another clip of God with Robert Cray who I have seen live a number of times and is amazing.
Good man Brian – absolutely love Young Bob & have seen him many times – he impressed me the most at the Royal Albert Hall gig with Eric & Buddy Guy. Reckon I first became aware of him on The OGWT playing The Last Time (I Get Burned Like This).
Indeed. I was/am a big fan of Cream and still listen regularly to my Best of Cream album. The very first rock “supergroup”? I never saw them live, they only lasted a couple of years or so. But I did once see Ginger Baker’s Air Force at a 48 hour rock festival at the Pavilion Gadens in Buxton. In 1970, I think that was.
This was the usual Tuesday 1*/4* for me – light and fun.
Many thanks to Mr P and also to Huntsman, with a particular mention for the great music choices including White Room, which would certainly be one of my Desert Island Discs choices. 1968 what a year – for so many reasons.
Well up to the standard we’ve come to expect on Tuesdays – thanks to the setter and Huntsman,
For my podium I’ve selected 11a, 2d and 9d.
It took me some time to get on wavelength today, but once I realised I would need my Lego head, things progressed smoothly.
It took me a couple of goes to spell 13A correctly. I’ll nominate 17D for first prize today.
**/*** Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
Slow to get going today – had to check it was only Tuesday, but slowly got onto the setters wavelength and all fell into place quite rapidly on second pass. Standout clues 10a for excellent misdirection and 26a for making me laugh!
**/****
Thanks to setter and Huntsman
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
I managed to answer 8 on my first trip around the grid, with the others coming in steadily as I progressed.
My last one was 22d where I became fixated on the wrong end of the clue. When it finally hit me, I scolded myself.
Agree with the blogger’s ratings for this one.
For me a typical Tuesday puzzle that was perhaps a touch easier than Monday’s puzzle this week.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourites include 10a, 20a,1d, 3d, 9d & 24d — with winner 10a
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
A gentle Tuesday – hooray no dementia yet again today. I must admit I too did wonder about ‘previous girlfriend say’ thinking it a tad clumsy. Anyway I think I may take a look at the rookie corner. Thanks to Huntsman for the heads up and hints and thanks to the setter.
I found this trickier than some recent Tuesdays but still got there in the end. There were a couple of parsings that I needed to check with the hints. My favourite was 10a with 26a in close second.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints
Right up my rue. Thank you setter. And Huntsman! (Although thankfully I didn’t need your assistance today 😀).
My determination to fit ‘fans’ somewhere into 12a (as the devotees) meant I struggled with a few crossing answers in the top-right. Thank you Huntsman for being there — I thought I was going to need you, but I just got there in the end.
My favourite was 11a (“Feeling old”), for cleverness. Thank you to the setter.
And thank you also to Huntsman for the music in 10a. In the 90s I watched the music TV programme The White Room, presented by Mark Radcliffe and Jo Whiley — but I hadn’t realized until today what the title was a reference to. (It was explained in the programme’s publicity as being because the musicians performed in a white room, free of other distractions, making it all about the music.)
Mostly straightforward and expect some posters may have found folding the paper tricksier than the crossword. 🤷🏻♂️ Although no excuses after Sun/Mon origami was also required!
Enjoyable Tuesday fare 😃 ***/*** Favourites: 1a, 4d, 8d and 19d 👍 Thanks to AP and to the Huntsman
Have I been black-listed for some reason my comments are not “sending”?
Oh! for some reason that worked but I don’t think I have the energy to try again to send my harmless comment!
I’m in the slightly tricky camp today as I made hard work of parts of this. 10a is one of my least favourite songs of all time, thank you Huntsman for not posting a clip of it. That apart good fun. Favourite was 9d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman. I’ll go back and watch the music clips now.
Had a vague recollection of Cliff crooning it during that rain delay impromptu singalong at Wimbledon but even that would have been a step too far 😀
A *** for difficulty, finding the 1968 hit to be as elusive as the appeal of Eurovision (apologies to fans). Thank you compiler and Huntsman for the ZZ Top clip
Good evening
Well, after a shaky start when I couldn’t find a way in, the clues began to fall as what passes for my brain began to stir into action.
All in all, a nicely pitched crozzie for a Tuesday evening; what with one thing and another, I didn’t even start until half 8…
Little bit of a hiccup parsing-wise with 11a: cricket metaphors always elude me, because I know the square root of bugger-all about cricket! So thanks to Huntsman for sorting thst out, and for the hints in general. Thank you also to our setter.
3*/3*
liked 9D “Former lover getting on with female ? Hard to believe (3,5)”