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DT 30804

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30804

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

Greetings from Ottawa, where we are enduring a spell of very cold weather. What Senf reports he is experiencing in Winnipeg arrives here a couple of days later, so I can pretty much say “Ditto” to his weather report – although the weather system does arrive here marginally warmer than when it left Winnipeg.

The photo above is of the Christmas Tree in Boston, Massachusetts. Each year since 1971, the people of Nova Scotia have gifted a tree to the people of Boston in thanks for their assistance after the 1917 Halifax Explosion. This gesture commemorates one originally made in 1917, when Nova Scotia had donated a large Christmas tree to the city of Boston in thanks and remembrance for the help the Boston Red Cross and the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee provided following the explosion.

On December 6, 1917 shortly after 9:00 am, a munitions ship collided with a second ship in Halifax Harbour resulting in the largest non-nuclear explosion of all time which severely destroyed much of the city. Boston authorities learned of the disaster by telegraph, and quickly organized and dispatched a relief train around 10 pm to assist survivors. A blizzard delayed the train, which finally arrived in the early morning of December 8 and immediately began distributing food, water, and medical supplies. Numerous personnel on the train were able to relieve the Nova Scotia medical staff, most of whom had worked without rest since the explosion occurred.

Today we are gifted with a seasonally themed puzzle that should not detain you long from preparations for the big day on Wednesday but is, nevertheless, a very enjoyable diversion. It could be the work of Robyn but I also would not be surprised to be informed that our editor has slipped one in. As Smylers will be with you for the next two weeks while I busy myself as a volunteer at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship which is being held in Ottawa this year, I will take this opportunity to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Eccentric items which often contain jokes (8)
CRACKERS — we start off with a double definition – the first an adjective, the second a noun …

6a   Unpopular film one roasted at this time of year? (6)
TURKEY — … and immediately follow with a second double definition – both nouns

9a   A-lister beginning but not ending (4)
STAR — a word meaning beginning from which the final letter is dropped (not ending)

10a   Rogue recalled catching popular panto (10)
CINDERELLA — an anagram (rogue) of RECALLED containing (catching) the usual popular or trendy

11a   Female pal redesigned national emblem (5,4)
MAPLE LEAF — an anagram (redesigned) of the first two words; it would have been shameful if I had not twigged to this immediately

12a   Sailors holding small rulers (5)
TSARS — one of the usual terms for sailors containing (holding) the clothing symbol for small

14a   Season with European football club (6)
WINTER — the abbreviation for with and an Italian football club

16a   Cancels party, tucking into Guinness every so often (6)
UNDOES — the usual brief party contained in (tucking into) an alternating sequence of letters (every so often) from GUINNESS

19a   Skint person‘s urge to enter pub (6)
BEGGAR — a verbal synonym of urge contained in (to enter) another term for pub

20a   Decoration made of metal and odd bits of steel (6)
TINSEL — a shiny metal and an alternating sequence of letters (odd bits) from STEEL

22a   Hans unwrapped styling product for good person (5)
ANGEL — remove the outer letters (unwrapped) from HANS and follow with a hair styling product

24a   Describe dealing with seasonal offering (9)
REPRESENT — dealing with or concerning and a seasonal offering that will be found under many a tree on Wednesday

27a   Don’t touch a kind of meat eaten by extremely lovable individual (5,5)
LEAVE ALONE — A from the clue and a kind of meat bookended by (eaten by) the outer letters (extremely) of LOVABLE and individual or single

28a   Perhaps a drift south, at this time (4)
SNOW — the single letter for south and a word meaning at this time; you are probably looking at the answer falling as you read this

29a   Former ruler’s penning article journalist deleted (6)
ERASED — our late Queen’s regnal cipher (together with the accompanying S) surrounding (penning) a grammatical article and followed by the usual abbreviated journalist

30a   Important people liking pinstriped clothes (8)
KINGPINS — a lurker hiding in (clothes) the two words separating the definition and indicator

Down

2d   Ceremony suitable for everyone in criminal trial (6)
RITUAL — the cinematic designation for a film suitable for everyone inserted in (in) an anagram (criminal) of TRIAL

3d   Roughly swaying and singing songs (9)
CAROLLING — the shortened Latin indication for roughly or approximately followed by another term for swaying (as boats in choppy waters)

4d   A castle’s reconstructed around gold staircases (10)
ESCALATORS — an anagram (reconstructed) of A CASTLES wrapped around the heraldic term for gold

5d   Maybe worker admitted to charming quality – a deliveryman? (5)
SANTA — one of the worker insects contained in (admitted to) a shortened charming or seductive quality

6d   Figure kicking out husband is Holly, perhaps (4)
TREE — remove the genealogical abbreviation for husband from a small prime number

7d   Pieces of film showing dances (5)
REELS — double definition – both nouns

8d   General ordered first of depots to get blown up (8)
ENLARGED — an anagram (ordered) of GENERAL followed by the initial letter (first) of DEPOTS; think photography, not demolition

13d   Person who smuggles drug during prohibition, or a vegetable (6,4)
RUNNER BEAN — a person who smuggles followed by the usual single-letter illicit drug buried in (during) a word meaning prohibition or embargo

15d   Climbing hill is rubbish (3)
ROT — a reversal of a hill in southwestern England

17d   Press Sue to change after daughter puts on finery (7,2)
DRESSES UP — an anagram (to change) of PRESS SUE following the genealogical abbreviation for daughter

18d   Dancer, say, in Rolls Royce crossing a German river (8)
REINDEER — the common abbreviation for a Rolls Royce enveloping (crossing) a German indefinite article and the name of a river (of which there are at least two in the UK)

21d   Order Joanna to divide number up (6)
ENJOIN — a diminutive of Joanna is contained (to divide) the reversal (up in a down clue) of a number (that happens to be the square the prime encountered earlier in the puzzle)

23d   European is fond of ignoring old folkloric creatures (5)
ELVES — string togethr the single letter for European and a word denoting is fond of from which the abbreviation for old is removed (ignoring)

25d   Something to peruse close to nature reserve (1-4)
E-BOOK — the final letter (close) of NATURE and a verb meaning to make a reservation

26d   Conveyer of seasonal greetings displaying wit (4)
CARD — having started with a double definition (two, in fact), we conclude with another (thereby wrapping this gift of a puzzle in double definitions

There are so many worthy contenders for favourite clue today but I know I am expected to narrow it down to one, so I have chosen the deliveryman at 5d who well represents the theme of today’s puzzle.

Quickie Pun: MORE + TIFF + EYED = MORTIFIED

53 comments on “DT 30804”

  1. What a seasonal delight! Not that difficult but very enjoyable with a huge grins arriving at 1a and 2a. I thought the lurker at 30a was well hidden and I liked the metal and steel decoration at 20a. My COTD is the very short and neat drift at 26a.

    Thank you, setter (Robyn?) for the festive fun. Thank you, Falcon for the hints and all your work over the year. Your post is not titled – not that it matters. 🎅🏻

    1. I see that one of my fellow bloggers appears to have corrected my oversight. Thank you to whomsoever fixed that.

    2. Glad you had a safe and shorter than expected trip to the airport yesterday. Hope you both have a lovely Christmas with your daughter.

      1. Thank you, BL. She has just about got over the jet lag now so the festivities will start tomorrow. 🎉🍾🎂😱🥃🎊

  2. Like our reviewer I’ve a feeling that this may not be by Robyn, which means it probably is – he’s on Quiptic duty in the Graun. Very seasonal & perfectly enjoyable for the short time it lasted. 18d was my fav.
    Thanks to the setter & Falcon – rather you than me with those temperatures

  3. I thought this was a cut above the usual Christmas-themed puzzles and was all the more enjoyable for it. Light and good fun while it lasted, my favourite was 18d.

    Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon.

  4. Splendid festive fayre to kick off the Christmas week.

    My LOI was 24a which took longer than it should have done to work out.

    My podium is 16a, 30a (great lurker that had me foxed for a while) and 2d.

    A merry Christmas to Robyn/Lancs and to you Falcon and thank you for your efforts throughout the year. It’s hugely appreciated.

    2*/4*

  5. Lots of answers on the first pass, the theme certainly helping, and I was wondering if this would all be over very quickly, then I slowed right down and ended up finishing in a very typical sort of time — while being glad it was Falcon blogging today, as I needed assistance with parsing a couple (thanks).

    A decent puzzle to share with those just getting into cryptic puzzles, though the crosswordese of 5d’s charming quality and 12a’s sailors (both straightforward for regulars here) are likely to be unknown to beginners.

    My favourite was 25d’s “close to nature reserve”, which is a fantastic spot. Thank you to the setter.

  6. Neat guzzle. The committee overseeing THE LIST were not troubled today.

    We are away for a few days so may I wish everyone a Gappy Gristmas.

    Thanks to the setter, and The Bird Of Prey undertaking his hockey duties.

  7. 1*/4*. What a joy to get the festive season underway. The answers flew in and I was anticipating be thinking (but not writing!) the proscribed phrase. However, a few clues in the SE held out a little longer.

    With ticks aplenty, my podium comprises 30a, 2d & 18d.

    Many thanks to Robyn and to Falcon.

  8. Early start this morning to avoid the scrum at the brussel sprout counter so finished early. I now await with dread a job allocation from Mrs Eck. Roll on January.
    I nice themed solve with more than half completed on first pass. My favourites were the turkey and reindeer.

  9. Lovely and very gentle (all bar two on the first pass) with tight clueing and a nice variety of clue types and seasonal references. COTD 18d, runner up 25d.

    Many thanks to the setter and Falcon

  10. Loved it, not hard by any means, but hugely entertaining.

    I think there might have been a theme running through most of the clues, but for the life of me I can’t put my finger on it 😉

    My standout favourite was 18d, I brilliant bit or misdirection, took me a while that one.
    Many thanks to our setter today, great fun.

  11. A very enjoyable start to the week of festivities – **/****

    I did slow myself down a little by writing 23d in the 25d lights!

    Smiles for 10a, 29a, 2d, and 5d but the stand-out favourite has to be 11a!

    Thanks to (presumably) Robyn and to Falcon.

  12. A lovely start to the week with many great glues. I thought 14a was tricky at first until my brain got into gear. The result at Old Trafford yesterday maybe didn’t help my thought processes. My favourite was 13d. Thankyou to both setter and hinter and a happy Christmas to everyone.

  13. 2*/5*
    This was excellent themed festive fun!
    I thought the south slightly trickier than the north.
    Favourites today 18d and a very well hidden lurker at 30a.
    Happy Xmas all.

  14. A nice blance of different clue types and a moderate llecel id difficulty made this a very enjoyable guzzle. I liked rhe 3d lego clue and the anagrams pluss the cryptic 6a. Rhanks to the compiler and to Falcon for the hints

  15. Top notch festive entertainment. Started at a canter and thought that this was going to be a breeze, but a couple in the S held me up so I finished at a gentle stroll, but smiling all the way. My podium comprises 22a, 6a and the 30a lurker in top spot. Seasons greetings one and all, but especially Robyn and Falcon.

  16. A thoroughly enjoyable gentle puzzle, just a little anagram heavy for me. Off to a flying start then slowed just a little in the SE. My overall favourite is 18d and I liked the clever misdirection of 29a and 25d. Thanks to our setter and Falcon.

  17. A lovely themed puzzle enjoyable from start to finish. No stand out favourite for me, all just good fun.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for your hints today and throughout the year, Merry Christmas to you.

  18. I found this a bit more testing than others seem to have done, but enjoyed the seasonal theme….very cold yesterday in New York, but a wonderful visit to the Met which has a fascinating exhibition focused on Tibetan mandalas, cryptic puzzles in visual form…

  19. A round of applause for the setter who managed to compile a Christmas puzzle that was far from trite.
    I enjoyed it… many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the write-up. Merry Christmas to you both.

  20. A splendid themed puzzle to kick off the festive week – thanks and season’s greetings to our setter and Falcon.
    My ticks went to 30a, 3d, 18d and 25d.

  21. A lovely themed puzzle with lots of smiles.

    Top picks for me were 18d, 23d and 30a.

    Thanks to Falcon and the setter.

  22. In agreeance (as a dear, long departed PC Chairman would have said) with everyone else, 16d being the winner. I have no ideas what 14a is all about so shall have to go back and have another look at the hints. 11a had me thinking of a rose, I wasn’t thinking of crossing the Atlantic. All in all a satisfying seasonal session. Many thanks to Messrs Setter and Falcon for all you do to entertain us.

  23. A joy of a puzzle today.

    Thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

    Best wishes to everyone for Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

  24. Enjoyed the well themed Monday puzzle and fairly romped through it. Fun and what I needed.

    1.5*/5*

    Favourites are all related ….1a, 11a, 22a, 28a, 5d, 18d & 23d – they all win today.

    Thanks to Robyn(?) & Falcon from the other side of this 11a country.

  25. Short break in the family mayhem gave me time to look at this and what a delight it was – full of festive cheer with just a couple of clues in the SE demanding some extra cogitation. Not playing favourites today, just awarding a gold star and extra piece of Christmas cake to the compiler for a perfect seasonal offering.

    Many thanks to both him (Robyn?) and to Falcon – best of wishes to you both for all your hard work this year.

    1. A gentle and enjoyable Christmas themed puzzle. Best get on with some Christmas wrapping now. Thanks to setter and Falcon.

  27. Just what the doctor ordered as we enter the last straight leading to Christmas, festive and not too taxing. I wandered into a hole for a while at 6d when I wrote in the real name for Holly, which made the north east corner truly puzzling, until the light bulb went off. Similarly when I was convinced Joanna had something to do with piano at 21d. 13d made me yearn for freshly picked ones from our garden in England. Never see them here. Thanks to the setter for setting the perfect tone, and for not keeping us too long at the table as we scramble to complete our Christmas preparations, and to Falcon.

  28. Splendid stuff to start the festivities. Not going to pick a fav as it was all great.
    Off to Benidorm tomorrow for three days so someone else can do the Xmas cooking so, in case I don’t get back on here, it’s a Merry Christmas to all commenters, bloggers, setters and lurkers.

  29. I struggled with this wavelength and found some of the clues to be rather contrived hence parsing didn’t come easily e.g. 29a, 3d and 21d. 14a was an uncomplicated Fav not requiring in-depth football intelligence which isn’t my forte. Hope for perhaps more seasonal fun tomorrow. Thank you to whomever may be the setter and to Falcon.

  30. Splendid stuff to start the festivities. Not going to pick a fav as it was all great.
    Off to Benidorm tomorrow for three days so someone else can do the Xmas cooking so, in case I don’t get back on here, it’s a Merry Christmas to all commenters, bloggers, setters and lurkers.
    Thanks to the setter and Falcon

  31. An enjoyable festive puzzle, as is quite right.
    My thanks to the compiler and Falcon.
    I am an avid lurker here but rarely post.
    Senf wrote in a recent blog that he would be blogging the Christmas Day back pager.
    Is there such a thing?
    I subscribe to the printed version and only have access to that. Can’t be doing with new fangled electronic gadgets. Very considerably less than 20/20 vision precludes such, that’s my excuse anyway. Two additional extras are that I thoroughly enjoy occupying the kitchen table to read it from cover to cover (not that the news at mo is much) and that the paper then goes through two more lives before being used as bedding for a herd of creatures which made an appearance in a very recent puzzle.

    I am very proud to be the recipient of four prizes from DT. 2 x 1st and 2 x r/u. That has taken more than forty years but I am still immensely proud of them. YES, the proverbial does exist. You just have to persevere and, one day, the elves at Telegraph Towers will pick you.
    My best wishes to all at BD’s blog for a very merry Christmas and a preposterous new year.

    Thanks,
    Nick.

    1. How delightful that Saint Nicholas himself has paid us a visit. I hope we see you again soon.

      Merry Christmas to one and all

      1. Oh dear… I wish you hadn’t commented!
        My family are giving me very strange looks as I keep breaking out into uncontrollable guffaws of laughter!!

    3. Hi, Nick. Welcome!

      Senf actually mentioned yesterday that he’d “be blogging the Christmas Day ‘back pager,’” complete with scare quotes — it won’t really be on the back page. As Christ Lancaster wrote in yesterday’s Telegraph Puzzles newsletter:

      While there is no print edition of the newspaper on Christmas Day, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get your daily puzzles fix. Telegraph Puzzles online, along with the Telegraph and Puzzles apps on your devices, will have a full set of puzzles, many with a Christmassy touch.

      So there will be a backpager-like puzzle that day. Maybe if you’re lucky, Santa will email you it to print out yourself?

    4. I also use the dead tree Telegraph but on Christmas day you can use this wonderful blog to work your way through the puzzle. Many thanks to all those who work so hard to keep it in existence and a very merry Christmas to all.

  33. Assume the setter thinks our brains are addled by festive excesses, so unlikely to cope with anything more taxing. Marvellous all the same and love the seasonal theme. Graymattinha will like this as she had been complaining the quickie crossword hasn’t been embracing the upcoming festivities enough (Mortified – just not Christmassy). I guess the quickie might get more jolly on the big day, however nowhere open to buy the paper on Wednesday. Might have to dust off the pc and go online…..hmm

  34. What a great puzzle to do in the Christmas period! Thanks to Falcon and to whoever set it, and the faithful setters and bloggers over the past year. You are all much appreciated- thank you all.

    1. I’ve edited your alias to the one you’ve used before to prevent confusion with the original Brian.

    2. I’m afraid I fail to see its relevance to this puzzle, but the answer to your question lies in Clement Clarke Moore’s classic 1823 children’s poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (more popularly known as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas).

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