Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30767 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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Another grey and gloomy morning brings an enjoyable crossword, with quite a few cryptic definitions, although I will say that it took me longer to realise I had the wrong supermarket in the Quick Pun then it did to solve the Prize Puzzle
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.
Across
1a Amazingly nothing is as amazing (11)
An anagram (amazingly) of NOTHING IS AS
10a Lady‘s learning about bad weather (8)
Traditional learning goes about some bad weather
11a Coming from an anagram tomorrow! (6)
Hidden in words two, three and four of the clue
21a Record spread causing stoppage (3,3)
A record and something you might spread on your toast
22a Promise some witches a set of books (8)
A group of witches, A (from the clue) and a set of books of the Bible
24a Edible fat that might be rubbed into one’s hands? (4,3)
This edible fat does sound like something you might rub into your hands
26a The last place one would expect to go at the end of a flight? (3,8)
A cryptic definition of somewhere you arrive at the end of a flight
Down
1d Country, alas, not in continental area (7)
Remove ALAS (not in) from a large continental area
3d Tot with friar perhaps getting cosmetic surgery (3,3,4)
A small quantity of spirits (tot) and (with) a friar from folklore
4d Clan determined to seize power (4)
Part of a verb meaning determined to ‘seize’ the symbol for Power
6d Pineapple mostly found on a Caribbean island (7)
Most of a small bomb, known informally (especially in crosswords) as a pineapple, followed by A (from the clue)
7d Speed shown by particular canine that collects the papers? (7,4)
A particular canine followed by a high speed
19d Notice during quarrel, one bores (7)
An abbreviated notice inserted into (during) a rowdy punch-up (quarrel)
23d Reportedly took off chimney (4)
A homophone (reportedly) of took off into the air
As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!
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The Quick Crossword pun: GOLD + DEN + ALDI = GOLDEN OLDIE
Nicely pitched for a Saturday I thought. A bit of general knowledge and a couple of head scratchers before the penny dropped but good fun all round. Loads of ticks on my page. 12d must be an oldie, but still raises a wry smile. My podium comprises 24a, 3d and the Lego 5d in top spot. Thanks to the compiler and CS.
Hurrah. The sun has appeared just north of Aberdeen after several gloomy days. This puzzle was also a ray of sunshine despite having a few old chestnuts.
Favourites include the 3d tot with friar and the 12d stiff examination.
Thanks to setter and CS.
Send some of that sun to Sandhurst please, it’s pretty bleak here today.
A pleasant stroll this morning that, to me, seemed like a Chalicea offering but I’m no doubt wrong. I toyed with the wrong flight for a while at 26a and 4d was a new word for me. I liked the record spread at 21a and the tot and friar at 3d. I have two contenders for the top spot – the name of the dog at 8a and the stiff examination at 12d. After due deliberation COTD was awarded to 8a because of the slight misdirection.
Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you CS, for the hints.
No chance for The Mythical this week. There will be too many sending solutions in to Telegraph Towers.
Took the wrong flight with 26a so was held up too. 😕
Does anyone ever win the mythical? If so do they announce it on here?
Oh many have claimed to do so, ATinB!
Ouch! That hurts. You surely do not think I would tell fibs?🤭
You’ve used mass hypnotism us to make us think we are seeing a pen with the words “The Telegraph” on it, DG.
In fact, it is a telegraph pole.
I enjoyed this challenge hugely. I found a lot of humour and penny drop moments in the solving of it. 8a,11a,7a, 12d, were my favourites. COTD for me was 12d maybe reflecting my morbid sense of humour.
So many great clues
The only weak clue I thought was 24a which seemed to have only a very small cryptic element to it.
That was jolly. But I don’t see the need for “particular” (I hope I’m allowed to say that on a Saturday!) in 7d and 11a doesn’t seem quite right. It can’t just be me, surely? Many thanks to our setter and CS.
It’s not an anagram
I know! But there just seems to be some double duty, no?
I suppose some fodder sneaks into the definition but seems fairy nuff to me
You’re right, of course. It’s not an issue at all. Fun clue. How about 7d? Don’t you think “particular” is a tad de trop? Again, not a problem, just a curiosity!
The canine gives its name to an informal term meaning stubbornly persistent or particular
True, true. I just didn’t think it needed it. But, as I’ve said, not a problem at all!
I’m in both camps.
I think it could be argued that the clue works without particular but it makes it quite bare.
It adds some colour to it which I hadn’t spotted (no flies on you CS 👏👏)
11a seems fine to me, what do you reckon is wrong with it?
RD @8 thinks the same!
It must be wrong then.
That was just right for me, I did like the lurkers purporting to be anagrams but lots of others amused
I see we have a busy elk in the grid – preparing to help Santa’s reindeer no doubt
Thanks to Setter and Sue
A busy elk? What am I missing? I remember coming face to face with an elk in a forest once – terrifying.
In the rows just above and below the tangy cider we find a busy elk…
You should visit Estes Park in Colorado Daisy, in September/October. On two visit there we were amazed at how the Elk come down from the Rockies and take up residence on the golf course. Some people time their visit for the annual “Elk Fest” to observe the elk mating… I kid you not. We were there solely for our anniversary I hasten to add 😊 and had no idea all this would be going on. The first year snow arrived early and the same week a year later it was hot and picnic weather. It is quite common to see the elk casually strolling across the main road. Estes is also where “The Shining” was filmed.
Easiest prize one in ages, just all fell into place, no frightening of any horses was involved.
Never heard of 18a, but couldn’t be much else, also thought the clue for 4d was wrong at first, but getting 8a soon put a stop to that nonsense.
My two favourites today were10a (Mrs TC’s middle name) and 9d, not a word I’ve every used in my life.
Many thanks for an easy ride to our setter today, great fun.
1.5*/3*. A pleasant SPP to start the weekend. 4d was a new word for me, and 15d was a new meaning. However both were fairly clued.
I don’t think 11a works because “from” is doing double duty.
12d was my favourite.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS.
RD, thank you!! I couldn’t agree more re 11a.
As you say re 11a, from is doing double duty, and the definition needs a tilde.
11a ends with an exclamation mark (!) … does that have any significance?
If the exclamation mark has no significance, why is it in the clue?
Maybe an “explanation” mark?
Would Coming fro’m work better?
Ha, Twmbarlwm could have worked, no?!
Great shout, Jepi 👏👏
A surprisingly gentle crossword for a prize puzzle. My only pause was to check the clan at 4d. Thanks to the setter and to CS.
<1*/3*
Yes I agree with RD about the 11A. I like the idea of the clue however.
An easier puzzle for me, with 12D tickling my fancy the most.
Thanks setter, and CS.
A relief after the pummeling I got from yesterday’s puzzle! All pretty straightforward, very enjoyable, and over far too quickly.
No problem for me with 11a; I viewed the ‘offending’ part as a sort of internal &lit which was very clever. */****
Ditto 11a
Like Steve, I thought of Chalicea as I solved today’s clues and a very pleasant guzzle itwas too 12d was my stan stand out favourite, with clever misdirection and the element of humour. Ialso liked the 1a anagrm and rhe 19d lefo clue m. Thanks to the compiler for an enjoyable guzzle and to CS for the hints and a colourful photo on yet another gloomy November day..
A jolly romp for a Saturday PP and the inclusion of 4d made me wonder whether this was penned by our lady setter.
I take the point made by ALP & RD over 11a but decided that ‘cryptic definition’ might just about make it allowable.
Tops for me were 25a plus 3d with a nod to 23d just because it made me smile.
Thanks to our setter – Chalicea? and to CS for the hints. Is the pic one of early Christmas decorations going up?
No. Poppies for Remembrance Sunday
I had to enlarge my ipad picture to see that it was a poppy display – very original and I guess reusable.
Does this make it a little clearer?
Thanks Sue, I had in fact enlarged it
This was our WI effort
Sorry, Sue. I’ve enlarged the picture now and can clearly see the poppies!
Splendid
A nice Saturday crossy that didn’t test the grey cells that much but it was an enjoyable solve.
I learnt two new words with 4d and 15d.
7a and 26a aren’t really that cryptic….are they? The first thing I think of when ‘flight’ is in a clue is this meaning but the answer is usually one of the other two but that could be just me.
My podium is 25a, 9d (great anagram) and 12d as this sort of clue is always good fun.
Many thanks to the setter and she of the crypt.
1*/4*
Tom. I wonder if you could have a look at the grammatical issue that’s arisen over on the NTSPP and give us your take on it.
* Also, why isn’t a female manicurist called womanicurist?
Hi J
I guess you have seen my comment about the grammatical conversation.
We like the womancurist shout 👏👏
A bit easier than some Saturday puzzles with a new word for me in 4d (thank you BRB). Last in was the toughest 15d. Best clue for me was 7d. All in all very enjoyable and just about the right level for me.
Thx to all
***/****
1a, 3d and 12d were probably my choice for favourites today in what was a very nicely crafted, not too difficult prize puzzle. Full of humour, I thought and a pleasure to solve. Thanks to all as per usual. 😃
A brisk romp through what was a pleasant & pretty quiptic prize puzzle – solved on a distinctly chilly 1st tee where a nice tot of something warming would be most welcome. 7d (with or without the particular) my fav with podium spots for 8a&15d
Thanks to the setter (Chalicea a good shout I reckon) & to Sue
Whizzed through the North and then slightly slower progress in the South but altogether a lot of fun. A quartet of goodies for me – 2a, 11a (in spite of double use), 7d and 12d. Big thanks Mysteryone and CS (I too went for wrong Quickie pun which made the enunciation difficult).
Should have said “I too went for wrong supermarket chain making pun enunciation difficult”!
Thanks for all your kind comments.
Thanks Cephas for a fine prize puzzle that deceived the commentariat (and me too)
Thank you, Cephas for a very enjoyable puzzle and for popping in. 👍
Many thanks for popping in, Cephas. I don’t think this is the first time your handiwork has been mistaken by some of us for that of Chalicea, I do hope that you don’t object!
Nice to have you back Cephas
Most enjoyable guzzle – 12d my last one in and so funny when the penny dropped. But I also liked 8a and 19d. Thank you.
No NYDK ‘multi’ clues so my shiny new King Charles Loonies stayed in my pocket and while the thought of Chailcea being the setter crossed my mind I see from Comment 19 that it would have been incorrect. A very enjoyable challenge – **/****
Candidates for favourite – 8a, 22a, 25a, 3d, 6d, and 20d – and the winner is 20d.
Thanks to Cephas and thanks to CS.
Very enjoyable and satisfying. I was just about to guess it was Cephas! Thank you and CS.
An enjoyable crossword, not too taxing for a Saturday morning. Favourite clue was 12D, it made me smile!
A nice Saturday solve, held up by marking the grid with a (2,4,4) at 16a before the .. doh! … moment arrived.
Cotd 7d and I don’t think the “particular” in canine is out of place perhaps, superfluous but it is a cryptic crossword.
Thanks to setter and CS for the hints.
See my reply to comment 5. I don’t think particular is superfluous
This wasn’t particularly taxing but I did enjoy the challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed the humour, with 12d my favourite and a nod to 20d as I can see it through the window as I type.
My thanks to our Saturday Setter, who I see has surfaced as Cephas, and to Sue.
What a lovely puzzle with lots of smiles. I’ve marked my page with ticks everywhere but will plump for 8a, 3d, 7d and 12d for my top picks.
4d and 18a were new words for me but easily gettable from the wordplay.
Thanks to CrypticSue and Cephas.
Another excellent Saturday puzzle this week. Two new words in the SE for me as well as an unknown in the NW, but all were easily gettable with cross checking letters.
So many laughs and chuckles in this one including 8a, 11a, 24a & 12d … a LOL answer.
Favourites 1a, the misleading 8a, 21a, 22a, 12d & 20d — with winner 20d.
But honestly there were so many good clues and answers the whole puzzle could be a favourite.
Thanks to Cephas & CS
Haven’t seen Cephas for quite a while. Nice to see him back.
Hear hear to the last bit of the comment!
Good afternoon
I’m relieved to report a full grid this afty after two DNFs in a row yesterday and on Thursday.
An enjoyable solve, nicely pitched, with a couple of additions to the vocab stock, viz. 4d and 18a.
COTD is 8a for its classic piece of misdirection.
Many thanks to Cephas and to CS.
I agree with all of the positive comments and say thankyou to CeeSue!
How lovely to have a ‘doable’ Saturday crossword – thank you to Cephas!
A long time since I’ve managed an NTSPP – I’m not complaining but I’m not good at all these clues all over the place – they wear me out!!!
Quite a few anagrams and lots of other kinds of clues too!
I liked all the four long clues round the outside and 8 and 22a and 3 and 19d.
My favourite was 12d even though I’ve seen it before – loved it!
With thanks to Cephas for his Saturday crossword and to CS for her hints.
A nice steady solve today after 2DNFs in a row
4d an old word with a new meaning. 8a my favourite.
Not a fan of 12d and 26a seems barely cryptic to me.
Overall 4*/3*.
Many thanks for hints and to setter.
Hooray, an enjoyable Saturday puzzle with each clue helping lead me to the next answer. Did need to verify my 4d answer as I have never seen that word before, also for 10a, and was puzzled by 26a as I have never heard it called that exactly. COTD for me was 7d as I always get a puzzled look if I call them that over here. No one knows what I am talking about. Thank you Cephas for restoring my confidence and to CS.
Update: Merusa told me yesterday that she is “possibly” going home today. She is gnashing at the bit.
Good puzzle.
A lovely puzzle, a perfect start to the day before we went out. A couple of new words to me, but they were well clued and so could be confirmed after putting them in. I enjoyed 7d very much.
Many thanks to Cephas and to CS for the hints.
Thank you Cephas and Sue. Did not need the hints but enjoyed after the event. Didn’t understand the speed in 7d. My LOI was 10a and I thought there may have been some complaints about it. Lots of stand-outs 8 21 22 and 25a and 3 12 and 20d. If I had to choose one it would be 3d. Perhaps I found that one easy due to my location.
I thought that was going to be a bit more tricky than the last few weeks. I had very few answers in after the first pass, but it fell into place quite quickly in the end, the bottom half proving the most stubborn.
Podium was 8a, 9d and 12d.
Thanks to Cephas and CS.
A quick start then got stuck, and required some hints here and computational brute force to struggle to a finish — and even with that assistance, it took my longer than yesterday’s Zandio backpager. I only worked out 12d through seeing so many other commenters pick it out as a favourite! (So thank you all for that.)
8a is such good wordplay that it’s always fun to see it. 1a was fun and a bit different. 24a was my favourite. Thank you to Cephas and CrypticSue.
Thanks to Cephas especially for the clever lurkers and to CS for the prompt regarding a specific canine
Only just completed this evening as out all day, Saturday. Very enjoyable. I was amused with 3d. Took me awhile to get 7d! Many thanks to Cephas and CS