Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3294 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, yesterday afternoon, we enjoyed a t-shirts and shorts temperature of plus 4 degrees.
For me, and I stress for me, wind the clock back by 314 blogs to November 18, 2018, Dada’s first Sunday, where I wrote ‘I think he has given us something that is closer to one of his Toughies’ and the same applies today – several longish ‘uns, seven anagrams (four partials), one lurker, and no homophones all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14, plus one bonus, hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 9a, 18a, 21a, 8d, 20d, 23d, and the Pun.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!
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.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Chaotic sound wiped off (6,4)
A simple anagram to start – an anagram (off) of SOUND WIPED – so far, so good.
9a Hurrying, get away with jewellery (10)
An informal and imperative synonym of get away and (with) a slang term for jewellry.
13a Run from medallist, hats off really? (2,4,2)
The lurker (run from) found in three words in the clue.
15a Tragic judge, hot on social media? (5-7)
A verbal synonym of judge (in court?) and a single ‘jargon’ word for hot on social media.
21a … spy cryptic clue for “particle” (8)
A synonym of spy (especially one ‘inside’ a rival organisation) and an anagram (cryptic) of clue.
25a Southey with pen composed one of three sides (10)
An anagram (composed) of SOUTHEY and (with) PEN.
27a Newspaper hideously bad, so there! (10)
An anagram (hideously) of BAD, SO THERE – the illustration, that we so much know and love, is an example of the answer.
Down
1d In twilight of life after setting of sun – still on the shelf? (6)
A three letter term equivalent to in twilight of life placed after, oh dear, a three letter anagram (setting) of SUN.
3d Chain reaction that’s spotted? (6,6)
A type of chain reaction, or linked reactions, as illustrated.
5d Something that gets knotted, current and offensive (7,3)
A synonym of (air) current and a term for an offensive especially by military aircraft – probably, one of Dada’s worst and most inaccurate clues ever – be careful what you say in any comment.
8d Full, but sick (8)
A three letter poetic synonym of but and an informal synonym of sick (especially in the morning after the night before).
11d Yarn’s twist in event has worked out – what a relief! (5,7)
A term for yarn that has been ‘twisted’ inserted into (in) an anagram (worked out) of EVENT HAS – it didn’t help that I started off reading Yarn’s as Yam’s.
16d Various deities, about a thousand on a list (8)
An anagram (various) of DEITIES containing the Latin numeral for a thousand.
20d Notice a vaporetto finally leaving port on time (6)
A from the clue and the deletion (leaving) of the last letter (finally) of vaporettO from a (Channel) port placed before (on) the single letter for Time.
23d Last of cushions from a seat (4)
The last letter of cushionS, a two letter synonym for from, and A from the clue.
Quick Crossword Pun:
LETS + BEE + AVE + NEW = LET’S BE ‘AVING YOU
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Irish singer, songwriter, and activist Sinéad O’Connor was born on this day in 1966. Her 1990 album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, was her biggest commercial success, selling over seven million copies worldwide. Its lead single, Nothing Compares 2 U, was honoured as the top world single of that year:
Personally I thought this was a belter of a crossword! Several tough thought-provoking clues, but with enough bang-in solves to keep you going. I really liked the ‘signature’ lurker, the linked ‘clues’, 5d (not sure why Senf doesn’t – but I will not risk the naughty step), and the rare mathematical reference, though my personal COTD goes to 20d – very clever, I thought.
And adding to the conspiracy theory of repeated clues: Is it just me or have 7d and 17d seem to have appeared a lot recently?
Many thanks to Dada for the challenge on a miserable Sunday morning and Senf for the hints.
I know exactly why 5d is inaccurate – I am frightened to say more!!
DG – please try to remember to explain the inaccuracy of 5d when the full review is available in 10 days time.
The answer is a noun for the ‘something that gets knotted’. I’ve never heard this noun and it doesn’t appear in Google but there is a similar noun that describes the result of one particular way of doing what you can do to the ‘something that gets knotted’. Apologies CS if this triggers the naughty step.
Somewhat on the tough side today, I thought, so a bit of a struggle. At 9a, I had the second part of the word but the first bit took a while to arrive. I didn’t think there was such a thing as a 5d – I thought it was something else. My COTD is the chain reaction at 3d.
Thank you, Dad for the challenge. Thank you, Senf for the hints.
I hope everyone is ok after storm Darragh.
Sorry – thanks, Dada. I don’t know what’s happening with my keyboard today!
Hello Steve. Are you related to Gary Cowling from Nuneaton?
Not that I’m aware of, Paul but we Cowlings turn up everywhere! 😊
Unlike you SC I had the second part of 9a dfferently (4 letters rather than 5) which didn’t help.
I thought 5d was something else too! I’m sure that’s what Daisy had in mind.
Totally agree about 5d. I have only ever known this with a four letter second word. Otherwise a very good brain stretch.
You have changed your alias – you were MichaelP before – both will work from now on
I made a comment but it vanished.
I’ll leave it a while then try again.
Oh, it’s just appeared.
Dada showing that he has teeth today. I enjoyed it (but nine anagrams is surely OTT?). Thanks to our setter and Senf for the hints.
The clues that I liked best were 13a, 24a, 5d, 7d and 20d.
Those who don’t normally solve the Sunday Toughie may like to know that Beam has made a surprise appearance as today’s setter.
No one more surprised than me!
I do not have Senf’s esteemed lineage at Sunday Cryptics but I nearly fell off my mouse when I opened Sunday Toughie 150 last night to find a puzzle by Beam. Once I got over the shock it flowed smoothly. It is Beamlite and has all his signatures (5.3 words per clue and his usual sweetheart and Queen)
I am not as familiar with Beam as my usual regulars, as Beam toughies usually come along on my busiest days. If Dada at the tougher end of his spectrum is tricky, Beam at the easier end of his may be a pleasant change. Blog at 13:30
Redacted
I’ve only just opened up the review Brian but if that is YOUR single word comment on the puzzle then it’s rather funny😀
Maybe a case of pre-emptive self-moderation? For comic effect …
If indeed so he should stick with it as we will all get the drift as to his thoughts.
Dear Brian is such a contradiction. He always has us on our toes!
I thought this at about the correct level for a Sunday.
I really enjoyed it. I thought there were some lovely surfaces and the lurker was my koi, as I had to geo some thinking after putting the answer in unparsed.
Thanks to Dada and SenfAnd good to see Brian has recovered from ever malady that had led to him posting a few civil comments over the past couple of weeks
Tough but rewarding. The anagrams certainly helped but a few of the parsings are challenging me so I’ll read Senf’s hints for, hopefully, confirmation of one or two of my answers! My cotd is 14d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A couple of light bulb moments gave me a good start and meant I didn’t have similar problems to our reviewer as the solve unravelled nicely with the exception of the dratted port – where’s Rio when you need it! Top three for me were 15a plus 3&5d (apologies to Senf).
So, Mr T in the Toughie slot, what a nice surprise!
Unable to print my crosswords since yesterday, I just get blank pages. Has anybody found a solution please?
You haven’t got the ink saver slider stuck to the left have you?
No it’s fully on the right. Didn’t have problems before these extra options appeared. DT seem to have a not very bright IT department. It’s frustrating.
No.
There was a suggestion a few days ago, not sure where it came from, of logging out of the app/web site and logging back in.
I have exactly the same problem, and have had since the annoying print options box appeared. When I send it to print, it all appears in print preview, albeit on two pages (grr), but when I trot down to the printer I find two blank pages. I have remonstrated with the DT, and they tell me they are working on it. Are you using Safari like me – I think no one tested it on that platform. The original printing worked perfectly. A case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Our laptop also uses Safari, but luckily we still have an old laptop with Windows and it prints from there. Otherwise I would be crossword less for days now… very frustrating. And no it’s not my printer, everything else prints just fine.
I replied earlier but it disappeared. Thanks for the hint, I have now printed it from my laptop, it is the iPad which is the problem. Annoying.
I use Safari too….I get the grid on one page and the clues on another. I did send an email to the DT and had a reply but it wasn’t much help, sounds like they are still working on the problem. As you say, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Unlike Kim below, I can print from my iPad with no problems.
3*/3*. I enjoyed this puzzle, which I found at the tougher end of the Sunday spectrum.
I believe that 5d really does exist as an item as distinct from the more commonly used phrase that others are referring to in the foregoing comments.
Isn’t “the” surplus to requirements in 6a?
15a was my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
5d does exist. RD but it’s the manufacturer’s name.
Mis-spelt and close to Penzance in Cornwall.
Thanks, Senf – I didn’t know it was a different spelling. I have only heard the name.
I like a good debate and this is such a vital issue. So, I’m going to stick my neck out and side with RD on this one – but only just!. Different companies do sell this as an item with the correct spelling. Also, if it was a clip-on in that (permanent) style what else would you call the item? I may be wrong but if you’re a connoisseur or in the trade then I suspect the item is an established “type”.
*I have striven not to contravene the rules so hopefully no redactions will be necessary. But if so, could I please order some basic Aldi mince pies. Thank you.
A ow start and a steady slog at 3.30 a.m quickly filled in the western half of the guzzle. The east took a little longer but things speeded up as the checkers went in. My favourite clue was the lovely lurker at 13a. Thhere were some good lego clues, notably 17d and 15a. I really enjoyed rhe plethora of anagrams, especially25a. Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints
Not too tricky this week. Got stuck on 5d, but Ross it got straight away, unlocking the grid.
Takes an “ah-ha’ moment to get some the fusion word jams, like 21a, 5d, 15a and 8d. All hinted today by Senf.
I think the latter full but sick vies for the moniker probably, one of Dada’s worst and most inaccurate clues ever, as the setter sits scratching his head…and cosses Senf (and me) off his Xmas card list. (My next job today)
An incorrect submission from me. Heaven knows why but I came up with an alternative golf related chain reaction that fitted with checkers 1&3 then in consequence entered the wrong answer at 12a too. Apart from that horlicks a fairly straightforward solve other than a concern over 5d – liked the wordplay but have never heard of (& suspect never is) the article so called. Enjoyed the puzzle though I agree with Gazza that the anagram count was too high. 20d was my fav from a good number of ticks, some of which were anagrams.
Thanks to Dada & Senf – thanks for the Nothing Compares 2 U cover by Sinead – it’s a cracking song that now has a sadness to it because of the early deaths of the 3 people most remembered for their versions – Prince, who wrote it, & Chris Cornell being the other two.
Jeez that was fard, damn near a DNS for me, but gradually got the hang of it and just seemed to accelerate towards the end.
Some really clever clueing today, with a good dollop of lateral thinking needed.
My two of the day have to be 15a and the brilliant 25a, (can’t decide whether to award this one 3,4, or 5 stars, but think after some calculation it will need to be 5 after all).
Off to console Mrs TC now as her photography day at the falconry centre was cancelled due to the weather, oh well, probably better in the spring after all.
That was such good fun to unscramble. Agree that it’s iffy as to whether 5d actually describes action of getting knotted. 11d twist and worked out confused me for a bit. Took a while to twig 8d abbreviation. Simple 19d Fav. Big thanks to Dada for his gentleness today and to Senf without whom I just managed except to reconfirm and then enjoy fellow bloggers’ Comments.
Tough today.
15a favourite clue
5d and 8d – terrible!
Tanks to Dada and Senf
2*/4*
Another Sunday puzzle from Dada that was at the more difficult range of his spectrum this week. Definitely quirky in spots and usage of his personal thesaurus was evident to me.
2.5*/4.5*
Favourites 1a, 13a, 18a, 24a, 3d & 5d — with winner 5d. Great clue.
Smiles for 1a, 3d & 7d. A couple of old chestnut in here too.
Thanks to Dada & Senf for hints/blog
20d is one of the ugliest words in the English language and I see no reason ever to use it. It should go on Terence’s List or sent into deepest Mongolia. Yuk. 5d is not a 7,3 but a 7,4 as any self respecting gentleman will know. Having had a wee moan ( and why not, it’s a filthy day pouring with rain and I know that is not the setter’s fault but tough) I thought that the lurker was brilliant, 15a my favourite, 25a a close runner up. Thank you so much for taking our minds off the relentless rain on the conservatory roof whilst we had our lunch and to Senf for explaining 20d. Being unable to accept the correct word I was looking for a time. 3 1/2 hours until I can have my gin and tonic!
A late appearance from me today as we had a sixteen hour power cut from 8pm last night, with it only being restored at midday. This was certainly a burst of sunlight in an otherwise miserable day and thoroughly enjoyable, with 15a and 3d my favourites.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Unusually for me, I managed to get through this without any great problems. I too am not happy with 5d, I couldn’t parse it without the hint but decided it had to be what it is.
I thought there was a square and letter missing for 25a but realised I had been corrupted by my time in the US. (I hope that is an acceptable comment.)
I liked 15a and 13a.
Thanks to the setter and for the hints.
Now to press send and see what happens as the puzzle disappears into the ether…..probably nothing.
Tricky, tricky, but I did enjoy the solve. I needed help, I was stuck in the NE and had to ask Senf for help with 13a to get going again. I’m not sure if my 2d and 20d are correct, I suspect not. I also cheated with a solver for 27a, I always forget that. I can’t begin to list my happy list; 9a is definitely there, 3d and 11d deserve mention, and others.
Thank you Dada for the fun, and not forgetting our Senf for his help when mired in molasses. What on earth is the 21a picture?
Just got 20d, yes I’m right just didn’t get the parsing. Isn’t that clever!
21a illustration is the little furry creature that is the synonym for spy with an earthworm partly(?) in its mouth.
Good grief! It looks like it’s got rings on his fingers!
And, no doubt, bells on his toes. 😊
I think there was a Canadian comedy group (4 on the floor cones to mind) they did a song about a funky star nosed version of that creature and they are very weird. They look like they have rings on too
And they are found in Manitoba!
We had the same reservations about 5d as others. There were a few clues we didn’t find convincing. Apart from those the rest were ok. Another vote for 15a as favourite. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Another day when thank goodness ancient windows using laptop came to my rescue as crosswords still won’t cooperate with iPad or Mac. Struggled with this Dada today, although I had no problems with 5d and don’t really understand the objections. This was definitely an exercise of the grey cells today. Thanks to Dada and Senf. My goodness 4C is shorts weather – surely you jest 😊. Down here we are reaching for sweaters, scarves etc. when we sink to 15C, and an extra blanket on the bed…
I have completed this with help from Senf, I am frozen to the core having started the day with 2 hours directing traffic in our road as 3 of our trees had blown over this morning. We were waiting for highways people to arrive to help decide if the road should close completely as the trees were partially across and could go all the way over at any time. No one came and in the end a passing tree surgeon offered help (for a fee of course) and so in the end the trees were chopped up and sorted and highways never arrived. The amazing thing were the drivers who refused to slow down despite the obstacle and insisted on filming whilst driving past on the wrong side of the road. At least our efforts prevented any accidents.
So I was glad to have a puzzle to distract me whilst I tried to get warm under a rug and a cat. I did not get on wavelength easily and needed Senf to help me finish, and I would have said this was a pretty tricky Dada. I was so muddled that I initially started the Toughie and was so disheartened with my efforts I came on here and realised my error as soon as I read a different clue for 1a.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
Beyond the call of duty! I thank you on behalf of the drivers, particularly the ones in such a rush they wouldn’t slow down!
Gosh! Kudos to you both. 👍
Just made us grateful no one was harmed and that if that was what yellow achieved thank goodness we weren’t in red!
An early comment from me today. Tough but enjoyable with many favourite clues. 18a probably just wins. Like others I’m not sure about 5d and it was my LOI. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Excellent crossword! A very late solve due to daughter’s birthday, F1, Chelsea and all of that mixed up with far too much libation!
Many thanks to Dada for a top notch puzzle.
Half way through the puzzle, I feared a rare Dada DNF but 18a unlocked the rest and 11d for that!
Agree 5d is not a good clue.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
Tough but got there in the end. Agree 5d is inaccurate.
3*/3* ….
liked 24A “Originally somewhat nomadic, our wandering drifter? (4)”