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DT 30799

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30799
Hints and tips by Huntsman

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty */**  Enjoyment **/***

A pretty dull & miserable looking morning here in Harpenden but it’s not raining & not cold. I’m off up to Tigh Mor in the Trossachs tomorrow for Christmas so no doubt it’ll be a darn sight colder up there.

I can’t in all honesty say that I’d rank today’s puzzle up there with AP’s best. Perhaps it’s just me but I felt it lacked some of his witty surfaces so it’ll be interesting to see what others thought. It was, as you would expect, precisely clued.

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 This could be written by lad in penury (5,3)

BADLY OFF: AP has kicked us off with this type of clue before & can’t remember what Gazza called it. Anyway this could be written signifies an anagram of BY LAD. Append a basic anagram indicator to give you the definition synonym. A perfect excuse to play Warren & Derek rehearsing a great Allman Brothers tune in the dressing room.

5a Leads from the English market for each pet (6)

TEMPER: the initial letters (leads from) of the 3rd,4th &5th words in the clue + a synonym for each. Nowt to do with cats or dogs.

9a Taxi-driver mostly grows old vegetables (8)

CABBAGES: a truncated (mostly) term for a taxi-driver + a word meaning grows old.

10a A worry, like this clue?

ACROSS: A from the clue + a word that could mean worry, as in we all have one to bear.

12a Former lover Eve isn’t awfully large (9)

EXTENSIVE: the usual for former lover precedes an anagram (awfully) of EVE ISN’T.

13a Typical university snub regularly ignored a student (5)

USUAL: the single letter for University + the alternate letters (regularly ignored) of SnUb + A from the clue & the usual letter for a student.

14a Cheers knight with good taste (4)

TANG: another informal exclamation for cheers/thanks + the chess letter abbreviation for a knight + G(ood).

16a Sales talk ahead of new model (7)

PATTERN: A term for a sales pitch or spiel precedes (ahead of) N(ew).

19a Scent from South American country keeping female almost satisfied (7)

PERFUME: insert F(emale) into the South American country that Paddington came from then append a truncated (almost) synonym of satisfied.

21a Certainly take legal action against grasping Republican (4)

SURE: place a word meaning to take legal action (the first name in Private Eye’s fictional law firm along with Grabbit & Runne) around Republican.

24a Stagger primarily around complex system of paths (5)

AMAZE: the first letter (primarily) of Around + the word for a labyrinth of paths such as may be found at Hampton Court or memorably at the Overlook Hotel in Kubrick’s The Shining.

25a Fashionable event (9)

HAPPENING: a double definition.

27a Hotel next to river with small lodges (6)

HOUSES: the letter Hotel represents (NATO alphabet) + a North Yorkshire river + S(mall).

28a Prisoner, tired, full of guilt (8)

CONTRITE: one of the usual terms/abbreviation for a prisoner + a synonym of tired in the sense of hackneyed or old hat.

29a Prime minister’s after second figure-hugging dress (6)

SHEATH: a one term Conservative PM preceded by the single letter for S(econd).

30a Adult chatted about getting married (8)

ATTACHED: A(dult) + an anagram (about) of CHATTED.

Down

1d Quarrel about being caught by cyclist (6)

BICKER: insert the cricket letter abbreviation for Caught into (about) a word of a cyclist.

2d Scoffed after ingenue’s argument (6)

DEBATE: another word for scoffed/devoured is preceded by an abbreviation of a synonym for ingenue. The Queen Charlotte Birthday Ball remains the most prestigious social event of the London season for these young ladies.

3d Long period of time before November (5)

YEARN: the period of time shortly coming to an end + November (NATO alphabet).

4d Price put on fish makes sense (7)

FEELING: a word for price/charge + any type of long-bodied edible marine fish.

6d Meet Parisian in bar (9)

ENCOUNTER: one of the two French prepositions for in + a synonym of bar.

7d Made for Mussolini by Germany (8)

PRODUCED: a synonym meaning for + the term adopted for the National Fascist Party leader (derived from Latin for dux) + the IVR code for Germany.

8d Making a judgement about street’s lower crime? (8)

RUSTLING: insert (about) the abbreviation for street into a word for making a (legal perhaps) judgement. Neat definition.

11d Spy’s drive around Spain (4)

PEEP: place a synonym for drive/energy (often clued preceding talk in wordplay referencing Man City & much in need at present) around the IVR code for Spain.

15d A source of artist’s impression chaps initially teased for fun (9)

AMUSEMENT: A from the clue + the source of artistic inspiration (usually a woman) + another word for chaps & the first letter (initially) of Teased.

17d Drops whips after horses stop, finally (8)

SPLASHES: a synonym of whips/flogs is preceded by (after) the last letter (finally) of the 4th&5th words in the clue. Nowt to do with jockey error.

18d Rare and cute wild animal (8)

CREATURE: an anagram (wild) of RARE + CUTE.

20d Italian novelist retains hard copy (4)

ECHO: insert (retains) the single letter for Hard into the surname of the writer best known for The Name Of The Rose & Foucault’s Pendulum.

21d Carry two drinks (7)

SUPPORT: two drinks required here. The first is a verb & the latter a cracking tipple with cheese guaranteed to give you a filthy hangover if you over indulge.

22d Varnish smelt, perhaps, outside home (6)

FINISH: perhaps tells us smelt is an example of something (from the Osmeridae family). Insert the usual for home. Here’s a clip of a famous one at Aintree.

23d Admitted a craving (6)

AGREED: A from the clue + craving/avarice.

26a Run in spandex tracksuit (5)

EXTRA: hidden (in) for a cricket term.

 

This puzzle peaked early for me with 1a my clear favourite. 8&17d can join it on the podium. Please let us know which clues ticked your boxes.

 

Today’s Quick crossword pun: CUR + TUN + RAZOR = CURTAIN RAISER

Today’s blogging music has been some Elles Bailey, who I’m looking forward to seeing again at The Stables early next year. Here’s a cracking version she does of a Levon Helm song

42 comments on “DT 30799”

  1. I found today’s offering a bit of a struggle especially in the top half. Does 5a mean to pet, I wonder? I suppose I should consult the BRB. I kept try to fit in the river Ure at 27 until I realised there are other rivers. My COTD is Germany making things for Mussolini at 7d.

    Thank you, setter for the challenge. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.

    1. ‘Pet’ is a dialect word from oop north meaning ‘strop’. “Ee bah gum, ‘e were in a right pet when ‘e got home from t’pub.”

      1. Now you mention it, Anorak, I have a vague recollection of my Yorkshire aunt using it. Thanks 👍😊

        1. Thanks, Senf but the answer does not, necessarily, mean a tantrum. You can be in a good 5a.

  2. I thought Huntsman’s rating bang on. A slightly delayed submission to the blog as chatting to a fellow DT crossword solver! A steady solve where my COTD was 8 down which raised a chuckle and the sublime 10a. Thanks to our hinter and setter for this pleasant Tuesday fare.

  3. Typically Tuesdayish with the usual indications that it is an Anthony Plumb production – 1.5*/4*

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 7d, and 8d – and the winner is 7d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

    P.S. A very enjoyable and accessible Floughie Toughie from Chalicea for which, and it must be pure coincidence, she has used the same grid as Mr Plumb!

  4. Unlike our blogger I rather enjoyed this light but fun Tuesday puzzle. 7d was my runaway favourite, although I also ticked 8 and 20d.

    My thanks to AP and The Hintsman.

  5. Gentle fun and immaculate surfaces. I particularly enjoyed 1a’s reverse anagram, 29a, 7d and 8d. As Senf says, Chalicea’s non-Toughie is well worth a look if you’re looking for any excuse to put off Christmas wrapping, etc. Many thanks to our setter and Huntsman. Very taken with Elles Bailey’s voice.

    1. First saw & chatted to her before a gig at The 100 Club – she was still struggling to get her first album, Wildfires, out & had only released an EP. She put on a cracking show & have seen here a good few times since – last time as an unannounced warm up for Marcus King atThe Forum in Kentish Town.

  6. A pleasant Tuesday puzzle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
    I liked 28a, 8d and 22d. My favourite was 1a.

  7. 1.5*/3.5*. Light and enjoyable, as we’ve come to expect on a Tuesday.

    1a and the Quickie pun were my top picks.

    Many thanks to AP (?) and to Hintsman.

  8. Can I echo the recommendations of Senf and Alp and urge folk to have a go at today’s Toughie by Chalicea? Never before on a Toughie have I solved sixteen clues on the first pass. If you don’t normally tackle the Toughie try today’s. It’s a delight. 👍

    1. And if anything it’s even gentler than either Robyn yesterday or AP today so an opportunity to nail a first ever Toughie finish for those who don’t go there.
      It’ll also likely be a first for commenters agreeing with ALP’s difficulty rating – he usually gives beasts only one or two *s…..

  9. No problems to report beyond the fact that I needed to think twice about a couple of the required synonyms – always associate the person in 1d with a motor bike rather than a bicycle and the necessary ‘tiredness’ wasn’t the first thought that came to mind.
    Nevertheless, all done and dusted in fairly short order with my stand-out favourite being 8d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb, I assume, and to Huntsman for the review – enjoy your Scottish festivities.

  10. Apart from 1a, was my last in, I enjoyed today’s offering. Thanks to Huntsman for explaining it. Cotd was the aging cabby at 9a.
    I hope Huntsnan enjoys his Trossachs Christmas. I’m always amazed people coming to Scotland voluntarily, especially at this time of year. My advice would be head as far south as possible into warmer climes.

  11. I thought this was pretty good; a nicely crafted puzzle. 1a/1d were the last couple to be written into my grid.
    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
    1*/4*

  12. A lot trickier than yesterday’s puzzle. Needed the hints to explain some of the obscure wordplay. For me just an OK puzzle.
    Thx for the hints
    ***/**

  13. It took me some time to get my brain into gear this morning but once I got going, everything fell into place quite smoothly.

    Lots to like but the audacious 10A gets my vote.

    Thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints.

  14. I found some of the surfaces obscure but the answers sprang to mind so I didn’t dwell on them. ***/* In my opinion whereas the toughie,as someone said was excellent today. */****.

  15. Again this week a Tuesday puzzle on par with the Monday offering. A few head scratches required, but overall a problem free solve. I did find the top half tougher than the bottom.
    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 9a, 10a, 24a, 29a, 4d & 22d — with winner 24a
    Smiles for 9a, 10a & 29a

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman

  16. Lots to like about this one.

    Saying that, 1a got things off to a terrible start as I didn’t have an idea what to do with it. It ending up being my LOI as those pesky reverse anagrams can take an age to get.

    There were many beautifully crafted clues, some being so very neat, e.g 6d, 7d, and 23d.

    My podium is, indeed, two of the neaties, 6d and 7d with the gold going to 30a, a beaut.

    Many thanks to the prof and Hoots Mon!

    2*/4*

  17. I took some while to get onto AP’S wavelength today but, once properly tuned in, it progressed nicely to a conclusion. 7d is my cotd. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  18. 3*/3*
    I agree with Huntsman on this puzzle – it lacked the fun I normally associate with Tuesday. Is it the same setter as last week?
    I did like the reverse anagram for the penny drop moment and 7d was clever.
    Thanks to setter and huntsman.

  19. An enjoyable solve , a notch up from yesterday’s I thought but still relatively gentle with no real holdups. Thanks to setter and Huntsman

  20. Enjoyed today’s offering and was surprised to see a BD 1 star rating for difficulty because some of the clues were not totally straightforward. Ticked 7 and 8 down. 3 down has made an appearance very recently. Do setters read each others crosswords ? Expect that they must and then pick up on a word. Thanks to Huntsman and Mr. Plumb.

  21. A nice Tuesdayish puzzle, ***/*** I found some words just fitted in so nicely but why 🤔 e.g. 5a and 20d. Favourites 10a, 7d and 22d 👍 Thanks to AP and to the Huntsman

  22. I seem to be at odds with the difficulty ratings this week. A recent *** seemed way easier than that, and this *, while not difficult, did creep into **, IMHO. Started off at a steady pace, but bottom half put up more of a fight. The only hold up in the top half was 11d as I could have stared at it all day being Man City ignorant. And of course my dearth of knowledge re Italian authors made 20d another hold out. Otherwise thoroughly enjoyed with thanks to Messrs. Plumb and Huntsman. Of course I could out my difficulties down to celebrating Peter’s 80th yesterday evening…

  23. A steady solve for me coming to it late in the day.
    Top picks for me were 25a, 8d and 17d.

    Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

  24. Tuesdays are usually the most relaxed cruciverbal days for me but I agree with Hintsman that this didn’t really come up to AP’s usual appeal. Struggled a bit to begin with with 5a due to pet. 17d was stupidly unparsed by me. Tired as per 28a escaped me. Fav crafty 7d. Re 6d at least Hintsman confirms there are two French prepositions for in – my go to thought is always the four letter one which doesn’t usually help! Many thanks AP and Hintsman for filling in my gaps. …… now back to the present wrapping.

  25. I found this harder than many recent Tuesdays, I got stuck in the south east for ages. I needed a hint to get going again and had to check a couple of parsings. I rather suspect my brain is a bit off as there is so much to do at the moment, my favourite was 8d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints

  26. Good evening

    All done, but not without the odd hiccup here and there. For example, 17d. That’s actually my last to fall, because I had to keep going back to it – of course, with hindsight, it’s bloomin obvious!

    5a – “pet” was a particularly good piece of misdirection, as was “lower” in 8d. These are joint runners-up for COTD; and my winner is 1a. A superb piece of what I suppose you would call reverse psychology; or, I dunno, maybe an arse-about-front anagram. The sheer length of time it took me to twig it was unbelievable!

    Many thanks to Prof Plumb and to Huntsman.

  27. I’m afraid I was on completely the wrong wavelength today and made really hard work of this. Never heard of a 29a in that context or 17d for that matter or the Italian novelist. Well done to everyone who found this ‘light’, I cannot count myself amongst your number. I’ll go with the reverse anagram at 1a as favourite, when the penny finally dropped out should that be splashed. Thanks to AP anyway and Huntsman.

  28. Well it seems the majority were more enthusiastic about the guzzle than I was. Unusual to not see a comment from any of the great triumvirate -T, DG or MG. Off to Bedfordshire as an early start tomorrow. The state of the internet up in Tigh Mor will determine if I can reliably commit to the Christmas Eve blog & if not back New Year’s Eve to see out another year.

  29. I found this quite hard with 25a causing a dnf. I needed to reveal the answer because i was obviously never going to get it.

    Thanks to all.

  30. What a wonderful clue at 1a – definitely COTD for me. A very enjoyable crossword, with many thanks to Mr. Plumb and to Mr. Hintsman for his always interesting comments.

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