Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3295 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we had snow on Sunday and Tuesday, then it was (the somewhat mythical) too cold for it to snow for three days, minus 25 degrees and below, now it has ‘warmed up’ and snow is in the forecast for today and tomorrow!
For me, and I stress for me, Dada very friendly – one longish ‘un, eight anagrams (three partials), one lurker, and one homophone all in a symmetric, not great value for money, 26 clues; with 13 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 – 7a, 8a, 15a, 23a, 1d, 2d, 5d, and 9d.
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
7a Watch what someone says when first of ladies paired off (3-4)
The first letter of Ladies and an anagram (off) of PAIRED.
10a Furious – having lost the first leg? (7,3)
What one would be reduced to for mobility in the event of having lost a leg and how one might feel about it.
12a Put one’s foot down and crush that thing! (4,2,2)
A double definition – the first might relate to increasing speed in a car.
15a Spy a chap going after large drink (6,5)
A from the clue and synonym of chap all placed (going) after a term for large drink of, say, a wee dram.
23a Carpet in use, complete (10)
A small type of carpet inserted into (in) a synonym of use (as in deplete?).
26a Performer in coat and bra, bizarrely (7)
An anagram (bizarrely) of COAT and BRA.
Down
1d Response I publish in red, abridged (7)
I from the clue and a synonym of publish (on line?) all inserted into (in) REd with the last letter removed (abridged).
4d Athletic activity, decathlon’s first in sport (8)
The first letter of Decathlon inserted into (in) a (Gaelic) sport – there are a lot of ‘ins’ for insertions today!
5d Torn – between neighbouring gardens? (2,3,5)
An expression used when one is ‘torn’ between two options (as in undecided).
9d Ground in mess around that place – little bits (11)
An anagram (ground) of IN MESS containing the single word for that place.
13d Meat in risotto with cup that’s drunk (10)
An anagram (that’s drunk) of RISOTTO and (with) CUP – I will readily admit that I had to check the spelling of the answer.
18d Shallow receptacle where trash mixed up, always (7)
An anagram (where . . . mixed up) of TRASH followed by a two letter (archaic?) synonym of always.
24d Flash lit up satellite (4)
A double definition – the first might relate to displaying a part of one’s body that should, perhaps, remain covered!
Quick Crossword Pun:
JOHN + OGRE + OATS = JOHN O’GROATS
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Musician, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur Dave Clark is celebrating his 85th birthday today. He was the leader, drummer and manager of the 1960s beat group the Dave Clark Five, the first British Invasion band to follow the Beatles to the United States in 1964. The very successful single Glad All Over (which I have used previously) was followed by Bits and Pieces which reached number 2 in the charts in 1964:
Enjoyable Dada fun Sunday morning fun but definitely in his easy spectrum, I thought. 5d was a bit of an obscure reference IMHO, and being curious, I had to look it up in BRB. Loved 10a so I’ll make that my personal COTD.
Thanks to Dada and Senf. On seeing the Dave Clark 5, don’t you miss the days when pop stars used to want to dress up smart?
Thank you Dada for a super puzzle that has restored by confidence after yesterdays disaster.
As always with his, the clues are always fair and can be fully parsed from the answer and don’t require knowledge of Mongolian warlords or obscure poets.
Thx to all
***/*****
Dada is very gentle with us today – thanks to him and Senf.
I parsed 24d somewhat differently to Senf.
For my podium I selected 10a, 15a and 6d.
Me too with 24d. Senf’s parsing works but it never occurred to me.
His parsing never crossed my mind!
I reckon Senf’s parsing doesn’t actually work, it might if ‘lit up’ was omitted though.
Me too
Parsed differently surely the ‘up’ is superfluous.
I don’t think it is superfluous but can’t immediately think of a way of saying why without ending up in the naughty corner, and even with a supply of freshly baked mince pies, I have far too much to do this afternoon without ending up there
Thinking about it, both work! And neither of us need to be on the naughty step.
I’m at a loss to parse 24d in any other way than Senf’s revelation.
I’m with you on that José.
I bunged in without completely parsing as I find it hard to accommodate the “lit”.
There are definitely 2 valid ways to parse this, Senf’s + flash in the sense of short period and lit in the sense of functioning….
Yes Omar and I tend toward Senf’s version but having to overlook the lit!
1.5*/3.5*. This was light and fun with 10a my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Definitely on the easier end of Dada spectrum for me today.
15a my favourite.
24d – I parsed this as a double definition but it could be synonyms for flash and lit up?
With thanks to senf and dada.
We had just returned from the supermarket so had to do a quick rummage to get the correct spelling for 13d.
Found this crossword on the tricky side with 7a as my COTD.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I always struggle with the spelling of 13d. I think to myself, “Oh I’ll remember that for next time.”
Never do.
For me, and I stress for me (™ Senf), of course I recognised myself, immediately as the answer to 16d. This gave me a start. There was a brief hiatus as the committee met to induct the last two letters of 18d on to THE LIST.
Busy day for H. She has already been to pick up the tree while the rest of the house slept. She came back, went out to the hairdressers and then shopping. Soon she has a meeting (on a Sunday, for heaven’s sake) the we reunite for the visit of Brentford to Stamford Bridge. The Bees have lost six and drawn one of their seven away games this season, so of course, with seasonal generosity, Chelsea will probably donate three points to them this evening.
Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron, and the rather chilly Man From Manitoba.
T. I suspect you have some influence with the top brass at Stamford Bridge. So, any chance of letting us have Cole Palmer back?
What a player! It’s worth going just to watch him play. Boy were we lucky to get him?
Glad I’m not alone in not yet having put tree and decorations up. The practice seems to get earlier and earlier every year in our village anyway🎄.
This was a genuine light delight with plenty to enjoy along the way. I will add my name to those who liked 10a the best.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
Whew. I found that very tough. Even with the hints 4d escapes me. ****/**
Dada certainly filled with the spirit of seasonal good will – long may it last!
Top of my pile is 9d, such a delightfully descriptive word, and it’s joined by 10a which raised a smile.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints – hard to believe that the fresh-faced Dave Clark has reached such advanced years…….
I struggled with a few patsings, but got there in the end. Fortunately the spelling of 13d was aided by checkers. Like others, 10a raised a smile, but for me, cotd is awarded to 23a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Got held up in the SE corner due to my own stupidity, I’d managed to spell 9d wrongly, so never stood a chance until I twigged what was up.
Had to ask Mrs TC the answer to 13d as she frequents places where this is served (although she herself is a vegetarian), and yes, we also had to check the spelling.
Good fun all in all, my two favourites were 7a and 20a. Ta to Senf and our setter today.
I liked today’s puzzle which made me think.
I love the answer to 9d, such a great descriptive word.
Top picks for me were 20a, 16d and 4d.
LOI was 23a which nearly made the podium.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
Setter in light-hearted mood, with plenty of humour scattered around. Had to smile at the satellite, furious, and the laugh.
Now to the overdue Xmas cards…
Thanks to all
I thought this Dada puzzle was at the easier end of his spectrum this week. No problems or issues.
1.5*/4* for me
Favourites include 10a, 12a, 15a, 5d & 9d — with winner a tie between 10a & 12a
Thanks to Dada & Senf
What fun that was, I had been thinking that the Grinch had stolen my cryptic solving brain but today it has returned. I know it was easier today but it still has restored my confidence. 9d was my favourite and I did have to confirm the spelling of 13d. I parsed 24d like Senf.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf as ever for the hints.
Senf’s parsing of 24d never occurred but reckon it works & loved the pic. A gentle problem free solve other than a brief pause to ensure the correct spelling of 13d. Another vote for 10a as pick of the clues.
Thanks to D&S
Agree this was a more gentle challenge, with the satellite being my favourite simply because it is such a neat little clue. Thank you Dada and Senf
A nice relaxing Sunday morning puzzle. As with others my favourite is 10a. Regarding 24d I prefer the alternate parsing since it accounts for the presence of “lit up”.
After a couple of days of not commenting, Friday’s not finished on the day and yesterday’s just ran out of time, so here we go. We really enjoyed this albeit not overly difficult puzzle. Something for everyone. Favourite was 10a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
We’ve been carol singing this morning in DD2’s village 7 miles away- great fun. Simply must finish my cards so many thanks to Setter & Senf and 7a gets top rating. I could eat a whole packet of 13d!
Still struggling with 6d which should be obvious! Otherwise all fine so thanks to all. Will attach a picture just taken from the kitchen, although my picture doesn’t do it justice.
I enjoyed this whilst taking similar pictures of our sky
Thanks to Dada and Senf (the satellite and accompanying pic my fave today
We have a dark skies policy so no street lights anywhere so everyone needs a torch to go out and about. Quite enjoyable really. Makes for easier photos.
Delighted that Dada found his friendly side today, especially after yesterday. I so very nearly finished without help, but needed for 23a. Not sure why anyone would find 5d obscure, in fact it was my COTD. It was a pleasure to find a lot of phrases typical from my younger years which helped a lot. Thank you for Dada and Senf.
Got a Christmas card this week from distant friends, she celebrated her 90th birthday this week, and her husband is “94 1/2” – their secret – they just try to enjoy every day to the full. Something to remember.
A kindly challenge today although I did have one or two pennies which took a little while to drop particularly where I used another sport to form an activity in 4d. 18d description is quite broad. Fun clues for me were 10a, 15a and 13d. Thank you as always to the perfect pairing of Dada and Senf.
Late on parade because of getting the Christmas tree, putting it up, decorating it and the house. Because of all that and friends visiting I made a mess of the guzzle.
See you all tomorrow! 😊
Been scratching my head over 11a … I can see what it has to be – just can’t see why. Can anyone help please? I want to sleep tonight 😄😄
Hard and overly synonym in reverse
There is a reversal (falling over) of the wordplay. Take a closer look at how overly hard when reversed might fit your solution.
I was trying to avoid the naughty corner!