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DT 30773 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30773 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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Looking out on a beautiful November morning while I ate my breakfast, I wasn’t expecting to have to wait for the car to defrost itself before I could go and get the shopping and the all-important newspaper.

No doubt whatsoever as to who set this Saturday Prize Puzzle – I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, particularly the links between some of the solutions

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           University clubs keeping old vessels (1-5)
The abbreviation for University and some clubs, the latter ‘keeping’ the abbreviation for Old

5a           Object after wild cat put out (8)
Two anagrams – one (wild) of AFTER and the other (put out) of CAT

9a           Charming Charlie taken in with guile (10)
The letter represented by Charlie in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet inserted in WITH (from the clue) and followed by some guile

19a         Quintessentially English girl made progress (4)
A name given to a quintessentially English girl or part of a verb meaning made progress

21a         Henchman crossing road – is it Ramsay? (6)
US slang for a hired thug (henchman) ‘crossing’ an abbreviated road

23a         Ruddy duck that’s a wader? (8)
An informal word meaning furious (ruddy) and the letter used to indicate a cricket score of a duck

28a         Wise man in wine store (6)
Hidden in the last two words of the clue is a name frequently appli3d to the oldest and wisest man of a class or company

Down

2d           Blessed? He’s a very naughty boy! (5)
The forename of a very shouty actor (Blessed) or someone described in a Monty Python film as a very naughty boy

5d           Advertising Standards Authority unimaginative really (2,1,6,2,4)
The abbreviation for the Advertising Standards Authority and a three-word phrase meaning unimaginative

8d           Writer to attend female relatives did you say? (9)
To get the surname of this famous Spanish writer, you need homophones (did you say) of a verb meaning to attend and some female relatives

14d         Beefy hearts in Manitoba pickled (3,6)
One for cricket fans who know their nicknames – the abbreviation for Hearts inserted into an anagram (pickled) of MANITOBA

16d         Is an ungrateful Frenchman so unfeeling? (9)
An ungrateful Frenchman would be without his word for thank you (ungrateful)

20d         Keep desiring person of easy virtue? (6)
Split 4,2, this person of easy virtue would change to a way of saying keep desiring

24d         Lizard good on City floor? (5)
The abbreviation for Good, the area of London where the city is fund and an abbreviated way of saying cause someone to fall to the floor

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!

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then please don’t leave a comment.

The Quick Crossword pun: HEARTY + CHOKES = ARTICHOKES

90 comments on “DT 30773 (Hints)”

  1. A little on the tougher side I thought but full of amusement and teasers. I had solved about half a dozen on the first pass then came to a halt for a while. Then it gradually revealed its secrets to become a satisfying solve. I absolutely loved the city floor in 24d and that would have been my COTD but that has to go to 2d for obvious reasons.

    Thank you, setter, for the challenge. Thank you, CS for the hints.

    The answers to the Quckie pun do not reveal, CS.

  2. Good luck to anyone not of these shores with a few of these, that’s all I’ll say for fear of the dreaded redaction.

    Apart from that minor advisory, I thought this puzzle was by far the most entertaining in a very long while, something for everyone here, and general knowledge by the bucketload, I loved it.

    Don’t see how 10a works, but the answer can’t be much else, hope its included in the hints today.

    My two of the day have to be 5a (my last one in) and the brilliantly clever 8d.

    Many thanks to the setter today, a masterpiece!

  3. Struggled to get started until I picked up on the theme of the linked clues.

    Big tick for 16d and an even bigger one for the amusing 2d.

    Off to take Lila to the dog activity park where she can run around like a mad thing instead of destroying the back garden.

    Thanks to the setter and CS.

    1. Thank you for the reminder of the linked clues:I put in 13a from the wordplay on my first pass, before I had any of the answers it mentions; then by the time I’d finished the puzzle, I’d forgotten to go back and check its definition from the linked clues, so had completely missed the theme!

      I’d heard of 13, but didn’t know it had anything to do with 7 21, so I’ve learnt something, too. Thanks.

  4. I loved this. Cracking theme and a lovely chunk of quirk. 2d’s hilarious! Some fun definitions (14d, etc) and 22d tickled me. 8d might not suit everyone but I thought it was brilliant. Many thanks to our setter and CS.

  5. I thought this an absolute belter, lots of ticks and some clues a little esoteric (2d, 13a, 14d). Favourite is 16d once Sue had explained it. Still puzzling over 3d. Thanks to whomever and CS.

  6. 2*/4*. This was a lot of fun for a cold, grey Saturday.

    My only grumble is the utterly non-homophone in 8d.

    Many thanks I would guess to NYDK, and thanks too to CS.

      2. Being in my case a northener ensconced down south for many decades is definitely a bonus when it comes to homophones :)

      3. I presume it isn’t 8d itself which Rabbit Dave pronounces differently but the female relatives. There’s a Roald Rahl poem which explains the difference (and which I object to!), but I can’t say any more till Friday.

    2. Not a fan of homophones in general but I got this … works fine .. maybe if you’re from Dorset of Zummerzet it won’t!
      Cracker of a puzzle today .. thanks yi setter and CC for the hints .. but none needed 🥳
      Cotd 25 across .. only because years ago I had to explain “last” to the kids.
      However 2d was fun .. my favourite all time movie .. “a bomb” .. how was that for a homophone?!!!

  7. What fun, I tittered a bit when 2d dawned on me but the laughter increased as more answers went in
    The GK required was fine by me but I don’t think it was too UK (or Yorkshire) centric and I am sure this will get a lot of submissions (Sorry Steve) but maybe a few will be disqualified by putting the alternative spelling of 5a

  8. A little too heavy on celebrity GK for my personal taste. I had to Google 28a, but I did get the film references almost immediately, which made the solve a lot easier. Some amusing clues but as an engineer who spent a good deal of his life dealing with very tiny cracks I decided to make 18a my COTD.
    Thanks to the setter and to CS.

  9. A cracking puzzle with laughs galore. This setter has certainly brightened up the Saturday puzzles – thanks to him and CS.
    I really liked 8d, 16d and 22d but favourite has to be the brilliant 2d.

  10. A most enjoyable guzzle withthe element of General Knowledge, which I really enjoy making for delightful clues like 8d, 21a and and 21a. I liked the links to 13a. Thanks to the compiler for a very entertaining SPP and to CS for the hints

  11. I thought this was a brilliant puzzle. Frustrating as half a dozen flew in then it was quite a struggle but some great PDMs and clever clues. I had to rely on my other half’s biffing talent and knowledge of old cartoons to get close to completing. So many good clues but 5,8, 20d all terrific. Defeated by 9a despite considering all definitions of Charming and having seen something similar before…

  12. Just in case you didn’t see it in my post at #1, CS – the Quckie pun answers do not reveal.

  13. Wow! That was tough even for a Prize P. 28a was a new to me (thx Google), 7d didn’t seem to quite the right definition at least according to the BRB and just can’t see the monkey in 27a although the definition is fine. My favs were def 13a and the best was 26d.
    Too tough to be classed as enjoyable but certainly satisfying to complete.
    ****/***
    Thx to all

  14. A bit challenging for Mrs F and I. However, we cannot link the interperted second part of the clue with the solution for 13a.

  15. Perfect for a Saturday: straightforward constructions, lots of fun, some gentle GK and an excellent cross-clue dooberry.

    I think some solvers need to accept that homophones are here to stay and that they won’t work for certain people due to different pronunciation. Everyone needs to go with the flow and stop saying ”It does/doesn’t work for me”.

    Also, a lot of GK is UK-themed which makes sense as 95% of us (or whatever the figure is) are over 50 who live in Old Blighty It’s a case of knowing the audience. I’m sure people overseas appreciate that as we rarely, if at all, see them complain about it. If we bin UK GK we lose nods to legends like The Goons, Eric Morecambe etc that always put a smile on my face – a trip down Memory Lane and all that.

    Impossible to choose a podium but I’ll go with 9a, 22d and the brilliant 2d which is my COTD.

    Many thanks to the super setter and the even more super Sue.

    2*/5*

  16. OMG! This must be one of my favourite guzzles of all time! Full of laughs and memories! (Left UK 50+ years ago).
    Too many ticks to choose a favourite (2d maybe?).
    Boundless thanks to the setter and have a lovely day to CS. Same weather here too :-)

  17. Theme? Linked answers? Passed me by but still plenty to enjoy. Biggest ticks went to 5a plus 8,20&24d.

    Thanks to our setter and to CS for the hints.

  18. A really enjoyable, full of fun puzzle, with many chuckles along the way. High on my list of favourite clues were 8d, 14d, 16d, & 23a. [redacted -although blog-specific, it was definitely an Alternative Clue!] In all, a most enjoyable solve. All due thanks to setter and CS

        1. Oddly enough Steve, I’m just waiting for a lemon drizzle loaf to finish baking – fancy a snack?, lol.

          1. If you’re taking it to the Naughty Step, SB I might be tempted to transgress and give away all the answers! 🤣

            1. Lol, Though I say it myself, it does look rather tasty, especially so now that it has drizzled lemon icing all over it. As for all the answers – they were in place well before the cookery began :-) :-)

  19. Almost a DNF for me – two in the SE would not cooperate with my brain. 13a solved, well written in, before 7, 21, and 10 even looked at!

    Candidates for favourite – 3d, 5d, and 7d – and the winner is 5d.

    Thanks to whomsoever and CS.

  20. I found that one tricky and needed help from CS for 8d but still thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. 2d was hilarious and my favourite, but so many others made me smile.

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

  22. Interesting guzzle, but for me: H A R D!
    Needed to rely on Super Sue to get me rebooted.
    The committee arranged an emergency meeting this morning and one answer was voted on to THE LIST, but as it is a Prize Crossword day, I fear the consequences of revealing which glue and answer are involved. I have always thought that being redacted sounds quite painful and may require medical treatment.

    I was amused to see one of my very dearest of the dearest here listened to my voice and found it unlike the character I inhabit in Big Dave. I realise that THE LIST and my curmudgeonly reports of life and incidents may give the impression I live under the darkest of clouds. H and The Youngster would confirm that I am aggravatingly cheerful and that I drive them doolally by wandering through the day singing snatches of pop songs from the sixties; prog rock anthems; advertising jingles, and the works of Hildegard von Bingen. I am insufferably upbeat.
    I have said a couple of times – never take what I say here seriously, especially THE LIST. It’s all a caper.

    Thanks to the setter and PC Security (anagram)

    2. As, presumably, one of your nearest and dearest may I say I was actually rather charmed by the unexpected persona revealed. What about Bits in Orange juice though? May I assume that under certain circumstances you would entertain them?🥰

  23. Agree with Gazza as to the sprinkling of magic dust on the SPP. I guess it’s that the whole thing tends to hang together rather well, even with the mini-themes etc dotted about. Today’s no exception, a great mix of frivolity and fine clueing.

  24. Most enjoyable. 2D was a laugh out loud solve, and the linked clues were really clever. Perhaps a tad heavy on real names, especially for cricket haters. I’d vaguely hear of 28A but had to check with Mr G.

    Thanks to the setter for the entertainment and CS for the hints.

  25. All has been said in praise of this corker of a puzzle. The linked clues just made me roar with laughter in the manner of 2d. Another Russian fighter can lead to a complete dead end in 13a as it did with me initially until reason prevailed. My podium has to be all of the film related clues, so everyone will have to snuggle up. A doff of the hat to, presumably, NYDK and CS.

    1. Think default on or go back on (a promise). It is then an alternate (older?) spelling of the usual way you’d normally see it.

    2. If you have all the checking letters in 19a, it should be possible to find the unchecked letter required for a synonym of default

  28. Cracking guzzle. Ticks all over the shop too numerous to mention though the 8d homophone was one of ‘em.
    Thanks to Donny (presumably) & to CS

  29. This was another good Saturday puzzle. It had its hiccoughs for me in spots, but overall a pleasant solve. A couple unknown words/names, but all easily fathomable.

    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 9a, 15a, 21a, 27a, 5d & 17d — with winner 27a
    Smiles and chuckles for 18a, 21a & 25a
    A couple of chestnuts in here too, but all are good.

    Thanks to setter & CS for hints/blog

  30. Hello. Many thanks for all of your comments, and the usual big doffing to Sue.

    That cinematic presentation is rather fun isn’t it? And the soundtrack, well.

    Cheers
    NYDK

    1. As for the homophones btw, what I’ve learned over the years is that you can never be quite sure that everyone will agree with the pronunciation. These days, as a result, I’m very much into using indicators such as ‘did you say?’, or ‘do we hear?’. It’s a cheap get-out clause, but at least it allows some leeway.

      1. I think the homophone debate is mainly about how the female relative is pronounced, some take a Jeevesian stance and others a more northern one.
        (Alternative clue redacted)

    2. Thank you, NYDK for a great puzzle. As for homophones, they either work or they don’t and I never worry overmuch about them.
      Thank you for popping in – it is greatly appreciated.

  31. Well, of course I agree with everyone and everything. Especially chuffed as one of the glues I was stuck on (or upon which I was stuck) was a SeeSue hint. 2d just has to be the favourite although it seems to have passed over one person’s head – it is nevertheless very funny.
    Many thanks to our clever Setter and to the 28a of hinting.

  32. We are gifted the most engaging puzzle today. The weather may be dreary but this one shines. My husband is drilling holes in walls but do I care. Total puzzle engagement. 2 ticks for 16 d. but there were ticks everywhere. Did it unaided which means that I can submit it. A round of applause to all involved. Oh yes , my name is Rosemary . As Molesworth would have commented “ Nuff Said “

  33. 2d made me laugh!

    I wonder if today’s setter has been on the receiving end of one of our 2d’s ridiculously negative comments in the past?

  34. That was a lot of fun. Thought it was going to be brutally hard at first, then the penny dropped for the linked clues and it mostly fell into place. Still can’t quite justify 3d yet though.

    Thanks to CS and NYDK.

  35. Very enjoyable but I never saw the link at all! Had to have another look at the completed guzzle to spot it. Anyway thanks to all – I think the lizard is my COTD. I’ve actually been to 3d, a rather depressing place but at least the sun was out which is rare apparently.

  38. Oh dear….I’m afraid I did not do very well on this one….only managed about half.
    With the help of the hints and the electronic gizmo, I did eventually complete the grid…..and thought the clues were great. Very amusing indeed. Just too hard for me.
    I am claiming being on the sick as my excuse…..I had my 2 big toenails removed last week ( to be fair, very skilfully) and have an absolute stinker of a cold kindly donated to me by my dear Mr Meringue.
    As it is November, cold and damp and due to get colder, going out in open toed sandals, the only footwear I can get on, is not an option.
    So thanks to CS and to NYDK from a stuffy-nosed, sore-toed miserable OM.

    PS haven’t been checking the blog every day…..how is Pommers ?

  39. Nicely challenging, but I was never going to finish unaided because of the sports related clues, plus I needed hint to unravel 8d which was my LI. Never come across 28a before. It matters not one wit, as I would not qualify for the mythical as apparently the DT cannot afford the postage to send said item across the pond. Enjoyable nevertheless. Thanks to setter and our trusty CS – venturing out on a cold morning to get the newspaper 😊.

    1. I only buy the paper on a Saturday, mainly for the television section. I’ve been going early ever since the lockdown days when we had to queue round the car park when they only let a few people at a time. I still go early as it is fairly quiet and I get home in good time to solve the crossword and prepare the hints.

  40. A cracking puzzle with a lot of smiles. 28a was new to me but easily gettable.

    Top picks for me were 24d, 2d and 23a.

    Thanks to CrypticSue and NYDK.

  41. A fun start, which happened to include the themed clues. As with so many other commenters, 2d is by far my favourite. Then I got stuck, and it was a struggle to get a full grid, and I was grateful to CrypticSue for hinting the intersecting 20d and 28a.

    That sluggishness was probably down to me, though: I’ve been out to gigs two nights in a row (The Saw Doctors in Leeds, and Bellowhead in Harrogate), and now appear to be suffering for it!

    Thank you to Sue for the assistance and to Doorknob for the entertainment.

    1. Is saying “just the right level of difficulty for a Friday” on a Saturday a compliment or a complaint?!

  43. I found this very hard. A dnf with a third unsolved – much of the east side.

    May take another look tomorrow, but I doubt I will have time.

    The last of one of one the hardest weeks I can remember. Shame it couldn’t have been next week when I will be abroad.

    Thanks to all.

  44. For me this was one of the strangest puzzles I’ve encountered in 50 years of solving. I found some of the clues to be the funniest most engaging I’ve ever tried to solve mixed in with some that I found to be very average. 1a was such a write in it didn’t set the tone well for me. The knowledge required of celebrities annoys me but in this case I was aware of all the characters I was required to know so it’s probably unfair to complain.
    Having said all that, this on the whole, was one of the best and most enjoyable crosswords I have completed. Thanks to the setter and for the hints and a belated thanks to the two kiwi’s for their help. 18a, 23a, 25a, are superb clues. COTD 8d because the homophone works for a tyke.

  45. I couldn’t get started last night (too tired perhaps) but this morning was another story. What an excellent and enjoyable puzzle!

    1. Welecome to the blog, John.
      Crypticsue’s reply at comment #37 should help.
      How did you like the puzzle?

      1. I am very much a novice when it comes to these puzzles. I very much resort to my crossword solver for help but still enjoy the challenge.
        Didn’t know there was a port with that name, one to remember for the future!

  47. Having past the closing DTG of this morning, hopefully I can’t be accused of alternative clues now, as one of my favourites was 11a.
    In a previous DT crossword of many moons ago, the clue was much simpler.
    “Secret American resort” (2,6)
    I don’t know who the setter was, but I always marvel at the simplicity of it….

    1. If you look at comment 30 you will see.who set this crossword. He’s also mentioned in my full review which was published this morning

      1. Thanks CrypticSue for this.
        Was NYDK the original setter for the clue that I mentioned then, in the form of “secret American resort”? Sorry to be a pest.

    2. The first appearance of the “Secret American resort” wordplay that I could find was in Guardian Cryptic 23002 by Rufus (Roger Squires), published on 1st December 2003.

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