Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30793
Hints and tips by Huntsman
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty */** Enjoyment ***
Another fairly gentle puzzle to ease us into the new week. As ever with an AP production it was well clued throughout & with some nice touches of humour.
The wind has died down & at least it’s not raining here in Harpenden but still pretty miserable. A day for coats and woolly hats if venturing out. Alternatively stay warm & have a bash at Dada’s puzzle in the Toughie slot.
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 A few putting right after Spanish golfer, then almost everyone (7)
SEVERAL: start with shortened first name of Spain’s greatest & most charismatic golfer then add (putting after) the single letter for Right & a truncated (almost) synonym for everyone.
5a Get rid of the French chateaux (7)
CASTLES: a word meaning get rid of or shed + the French article used with nouns that are plural.
9a Adult party without women? Gutted! (5-2)
GROWN-UP: take the exterior letters (gutted) of WomeN & insert them into a nounal synonym of party or gathering. Put another way the answer without the WomeN leaves you with the party synonym. Either way it’s a great clue.
10a Salesman with pork pies comes back (7)
REPLIES: the usual for salesman + what pork pies are in Cockney rhyming slang.
11a Plainly I had entered competition before start of last year (9)
EVIDENTLY: insert (entered) the contraction of I had into a synonym for competition (a sporting one for example) then append the first letters (start of) of the last two words in the clue.
12a Complain leader’s lost spark (5)
ROUSE: remove the opening letter (leader’s lost) from another word for complain. Not the first definition synonym to spring to mind maybe.
13a Get satisfaction holding back judgement (5)
TASTE: hidden in reverse (holding back).
15a Bags of noble female left inside (9)
COUNTLESS: insert L(eft) into one of the five ranks of female nobility.
17a I dress up kinkily, admitting king’s shocked (9)
SURPRISED: insert the regnal letter for king into an anagram (kinkily) of I DRESS UP.
19a Those meekly following the woman keep ignoring the odds (5)
SHEEP: the singular, feminine third-person pronoun for the woman + the alternate letters (ignoring the odds) of kEeP.
22a Chew cold meat quietly (5)
CHAMP: C(old) + cured/uncured leg of pork + the musical letter for quietly.
23a Porter might give you this pot (4,5)
BEER BELLY: nowt to do with fetching & carrying. Porter here is a type of hoppy dark ale & the likely result of drinking too much of it on a regular basis.
25a Parrot from India? It’s found in China (7)
IMITATE: start with letter India represents in the NATO phonetic alphabet then add what China is in Cockney rhyming slang into which you insert IT from the clue. The definition nowt to do with Polly.
26a Curse comb damaging coiffure, finally (7)
SCOURGE: a synonym for comb/search rigorously + the last letter (finally) of the 3rd & 4th words in the clue.
27a Articulate invitee made a prediction (7)
GUESSED: a homophone (articulate) of a synonym for invitee.
28a Son breaking into satisfactory bloodline (7)
DESCENT: insert (breaking into) the genealogical letter for Son into a synonym for satisfactory/fair.
Down
1d Recommend us eggs, scrambled, with first bit of toast (7)
SUGGEST: an anagram (scrambled) of US EGGS + the opening letter (first bit) of T(oast).
2d Six lions fighting – they could be found in the pit (7)
VIOLINS: the Roman numeral letters for six + an anagram (fighting) of LIONS. Nowt to do with mining.
3d Fury about new stove (5)
RANGE: place a synonym for rage around the single letter for New.
4d Make-ups stays on cheek? On the contrary (9)
LIPSTICKS: on the contrary tells us that it’s the synonym for cheek/insolence that is placed on (down clue) another word for stays.
5d Trite description of growths on foot?
CORNY: the wordplay here is an adjective relating to or having thickened areas of skin on the plates of meat (might as well throw in a bit more rhyming slang). I suppose it could be said to be a double definition. Take your pick.
6d Primates picked up speed on small branches (9)
SEPARATES: reverse (picked up) a term for primates + a synonym for speed + S(mall).
7d Allowed time off? One certainly gets it! (7)
LEISURE: remove T(ime) from the end of another word for allowed + the Roman numeral letters for one + a synonym for certainly or verbal indication of assent.
8d Some assist ER surgeons? (7)
SISTERS: hidden (some).
14d Greeks perhaps could make Nero pause (9)
EUROPEANS: an anagram (could make) of NERO PAUSE.
16d Nude fun – I’d removed tops and transgressed? Not half!
UNDRESSED: delete the opening letters (removed tops) of the 2nd & 3rd words of the clue then add 50% (not half) of transgRESSED. Clever clue even if it unfortunately makes me think of a TV personality much in the news of late.
17d Getting rid of large bag in golf (7)
SACKING: a large bag such as the one Santa uses to carry the presents + IN from the clue + Golf (NATO alphabet). Who’s next in the Premier League ?
18d Be aware of each student entering lift (7)
REALISE: insert (entering) the usual abbreviation for EAch + the letter for a student into nounal synonym for lift or incline.
20d Bulge near leg wound (7)
ENLARGE: an anagram (wound) of NEAR LEG.
21d Remuneration talk upset this writer with set of books (7)
PAYMENT: reverse (upset) an informal word for talk/rabbit + how this writer may refer to himself + a biblical set of books.
23d Dough and what it makes? (5)
BREAD: double definition – the former another slang word for money.
24d Cries of displeasure surrounding bishop’s mistakes (5)
BOOBS: cries of displeasure/catcalls around the chess abbreviation for Bishop.
I think I’ll plump for 16d, just pipping 9a, for my pick of the clues. Please let us know which clues ticked your boxes.
Today’s Quick crossword pun: PAY + PUB + HACKS = PAPERBACKS
Today’s blogging music has been Richard Hawley’s Live at Halifax Piece Hall. Unfortunately I was unable to nab a ticket to see him at Hackney Church last Friday so have been working my way through his discography to make up for it. Hopefully we won’t be saying this for a while
I needed Mr. G for 26a because I just could not work it out. I’m still not sure how it works so will need to look at the hints. Other than that, a pleasurable solve but trying to enter “Distressed” at 17a without thinking messed up the southeast for a time. I liked those meekly following the woman at 19a and the lions fighting in the pit at 2d. My COTD is the parrot from India at 25a.
Thank you, setter for the fun. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
Just seen the hint for 26a – simple really. My brain must be frazzled. 😳
As to be expected at the beginning of the week a fairly simple puzzle. I did however think some of the clues were very well constructed and there was a nice thread of humour running through. Podium places for 9a, 15a and 23a with 23a as my COTD.
This was perfect fare for a Tuesday.
Lots of straightforward yet beautifully crafted clues on a very friendly grid. The prof at the top of his game.
Some of you may not know that the first entry for 18d in my OED has the sixth letter as a z which was the original spelling (from Greek). Many people assume it’s an Americanism (or should that be Americanizm) but it ain’t. Organize and authorize are two more examples.
Anyway…
My podium is the ‘Ooh matron!’ trio of 9a, 17a and 16d.
Many thanks to The Prof and Hoots Mons!
1*/5*
As Typically Tuesdayish as ever although I was having a few problems in the South until I had a PDM of realisation that I had put 23d in 24d and vice versa – 1.5*/4.5*
I was pleased to see that the ‘guess a golfer’ was ‘qualified’ with a country.
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 19a, and 2d – and the winner is 19a.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
I did exactly the same with 23d and 24d.
Not too nasty at all, 5d last one in and made me laugh once it fell. Thank yous to Messrs P and H.
Glovely guzzle, right at my level.
Generally, I avoid National Trust properties as I feel James Lees Milne’s original vision has been danced upon, set fire to, and buried under the rubble of dumbing down, bland populism, and cafes that have run out of food by 1pm.
However… yesterday we spent a lovely afternoon as guests at Petworth House where the efforts to transform the old place into a Christmas wonderland had been undertaken with great taste and artistry. It’s only a small property in terms of public rooms, but when it isn’t busy (as yesterday afternoon) it is rather charming. It is worth a visit for the breathtaking work of Grinling Gibbons in the ‘Carved Room’.
…and we passed a member of Queen in Lombard Street, in Petworth, on our way to the House.
Thanks to the setter and Andy On The First Tee (ace music choices, as ever)
No doubt he recognised you, Terence!
1*/4*. Very light but great fun all the way.
Many thanks to AP {?) and to Hintsman.
Great fun. Smiles for 9a, 23a and 16d. Many thanks to our setter and Huntsman. Cracking clips, as always.
I cannot get a fag paper between 25a and 16d so they are my co-favourites from this very pleasant, well-clued and pretty straightforward Tuesday offering.
My thanks to AP for the fun and The Hintsman.
Gentle and great fun. Thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
My ticks went to 12a, 5d and 16d with my favourite being 9a.
The usual Tuesday fun from the prof. although I’m slightly surprised that the censor allowed 24d to pass through in light of recent events. Gold medal here awarded to 9a with 2d close behind and a nod to the charismatic Spanish golfer.
Thanks to Mr Plumb for a pleasurable solve and to Huntsman for the review.
I briefly thought of inserting a clip of the individual I suspect that you’re alluding to then promptly thought the better of it
Wise man!
Thanks Huntsman and setter. Favourite was 23a which, as somebody who used to have one, and for the reason hinted at by Huntsman, I got right away.
Does this comment explain why The Fat Controller has this name? What a lovely sense of humour.
I used to work as a manager in a large bakery. Due to a fondness for Guinness and easy access to some rather tasty baked goods I was at the time somewhat overweight. One of the wags who worked for me commented that I looked like Sir Topham Hatt (of Thomas the Tank Engine fame), christened me ‘The Fat Controller’ and the name stuck. I’ve retained the name as I liked the humour of it, though these days I’m nice and slim, but ‘The Skinny Controller ‘ just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Very enjoyable as everyone has said. Nothing to cause any angst apart from the parsing of 6d when I needed the Hintsman. 9a was favourite. As it was another miserable morning I thought I would make a tomato galette for lunch. It came out of the oven smelling and looking divine, tomatoes, pesto, cheese, garlic, I threw in a few olives. Made the pastry with butter and eggs. “Nice short pastry”was all I got, “otherwise it didn’t taste of much”. He is getting the silent treatment, which could go on for days. What would I do without the guzzle?
Many thanks to all.
I would suggest that “he” makes the galette next time so that you can see where you (apparently) went wrong. That should make him think twice next time for not appreciating your efforts which sound delicious to me.
Your tale, DG, reminded me of an incident long ago.
The mother of a close school friend of mine was a wonderful cook, but her culinary efforts were never appreciated by her husband. One day when I was enjoying a delicious meal there, my friend’s father was conspicuous by his absence from the table while his plate of roast beef and all the trimmings was getting steadily colder.
When he finally showed his face, the lady of the house made her displeasure very clear, telling him in no uncertain terms that he should show her the courtesy of sitting down with everyone else to meals that she had taken the time and trouble to cook. He tried to defend the indefensible by replying that her food was always too hot for him to eat. The rest of the meal was eaten in an atmosphere of stony silence.
The next week, when the father had actually managed to arrive at the table on time, he found no food in his place. His roast dinner was in the fridge … He was never late again!
Girl power!!
This puzzle drove mad!!! I found it very friendly and enjoyable and I finished in what I thought was a proper Monday/Tuesday time. However, the young lady refused to wave at me.
Assuming I had just made one of my regular typos, I scanned through the answers, but could find nothing amiss. So I went through every clue again checking the parsing, but still could not spot a mistake. I had to wait until the hints were posted before I could find my error. I am apparently incapable of spelling 6D correctly and my so called check of the parsing was in error. Grrrrr.
Too many excellent clues to pick a winner.
Thanks to the setter and my namesake on the course for showing the error of my ways.
A normal sort of Tuesday puzzle this week. On par with Monday for the most part for me.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourites 5a, 11a, 2d, 17d & 18d — with winner 2d
Smiles from 10a, 23a, 21d
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
A lovely puzzle with lots of smiles.
Top picks for me were 23a, 19a and 2d.
Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.
An elementary error of putting the answer to 1d in 5a held me up until I saw how stupid I had been. A couple in the SW also held me up, but otherwise it was a pleasant diversion on a dull day. My cotd is 23a for the smile factor alone. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Very gentle, even by Tuesday’s standards but enjoyable, as ever.
Like others above, I will go with 9a for my CoD.
Thanks to our setter and to Huntsman. Lovely memories of the great man in that clip for 1a.
I found this a little tricky in a couple of places, but it was just me being obtuse as there was nothing really mind bending. I had a couple of bungins but I’m happy to see they’re right now that Huntsman has explained them. I liked 25a, glad I remembered the “China”, but fave was 23a.
Thank you setter for the Tuesday enjoyment, and, of course, Huntsman for explaining so much.
Short of time as is usual. Should I cancel Zumba or the crossword ? Did the +word in double quick time and then went to lecture by Peter Butterworth’s son. Fascinating . Peter was a prisoner in Stalag Luft III and was involved in the Great Escape. His wife was Janet Brown.
Four of us then had to produce a meal for 65 people.
Tick today for 23 d and a big smile for the misdirection in 2 d. Looking for snakes led me up a gum tree.
I prefer crosswords to cooking and Zumba but must help with meals before a Carol concert tonight. Thanks to everyone involved with the crossword . It literally gets me through the more boring but necessary bits of life.
Thank you for the Seve clip, Hoots, that I will most certainly watch.
”I know you’re nervous but I am too.”
Brilliant.
The biggest character golf has had since Walter ‘The Haig’ Hagen. Arnie ain’t a patch.
Another enjoyable crossword although I do confess I found it trickier than usual in a few places, including 12a where I had the answer but found it an awkward parse. Same with 6d, and took me too long with 21d. Otherwise a lot to like as usual. So two good days in a row, which helps take my mind off a spasmodic back right now. Thanks for Mr AP and to Huntsman.
I’m playing catch up again as I’ve been away. I haven’t done yesterday’s yet but thought Sunday’s Dada was brilliant with things slowly falling into place. Today’s was a gentle and also satisfying solve . I’ve just got back from dog walk where I chewed over the final few clues. Loved 23a. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
7d got me for some reason thus taking this into *** territory – thank you setter and Huntsman once again you supply my music for the rest of the week!
Very enjoyable, any crossword that I can complete without assistance is enjoyable 😃 This one was the real Mc Coy 😬 **/**** Favourites 23a & 25a and 2d & 24a 👍 Thanks to AP and of course to the Huntsman
Good evening
Despite a few hiccups in the SE quadrant, which took forever to unravel, I have made it through today’s crozzie.
26a was my last to fall; I was just on the point of peeking at today’s hints when the answer came up my back.
7d was a little tricky when it came to parsing.
The amusing 23a is COTD.
Many thanks to the Prof and to Huntsman.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman for a nice Tuesday Test
16d my favourite too but from a long list of chasers
A nicely challenging exercise with very fair clues. Surprisingly I was again slow to parse china in the 25a context given the number of times it appears in DT cryptics and 13a was bunged in as it didn’t occur to me for getting satisfaction. Fav was 7d which was fun to decipher but 23a also amused. Thanks to both AP and Hintsman.
A lovely treat for a Tuesday as usual. Lots of possible favourites but I think 9a has taken pole position. I spent quite a while trying to force vipers into 2d!
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints
Top half went in with barely a pause for breath, I slowed down in the south but on completion I found it was one of my fastest ever, that didn’t detract from the enjoyment though. LOI was 26a just because it was. Favourite was 2d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Another great puzzle – a step up in difficulty compared to yesterdays i though.
2*/5*
All in one my fav today but hard to pick any one clue. Podium goes to 2 clues that reminded me of an unfortunate, minor celebrity in the news of late – 9a and 16d.
With thanks to all
2*/4* ….
liked 17A “I dress up kinkily, admitting king’s shocked (9)”
There are a few clues in this which resonate with those of a certain fortnightly satirical magazine. Could the setters be related?
Bit floundered (sorry !) here, I am afraid …. which clues please ?