Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30821
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 11th January 2025
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A fairly straightforward and entertaining Saturday puzzle from NYDK that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and valuable response.
I wanted to know more about the idiom or rather the proverb ‘Curiosity killed the cat’, the answer to the clue of the combined 12a/22d/5a and so visited the net. Its earliest reference was in an Irish newspaper from 1868: “They say curiosity killed a cat once.” An early printed reference to the actual phrase ‘Curiosity killed the cat’ is listed as an Irish proverb on page 34 of ‘A handbook of proverbs: English, Scottish, Irish, American, Shakespearean and scriptural’ written by James Allan Mair. In the 1902 edition of ‘Proverbs: Maxims and Phrases’ by John Hendricks Bechtel, the phrase ‘Curiosity killed the cat’ is the lone entry under the topic ‘Curiosity’ on page 100. O. Henry’s short story ‘Schools and schools’ of 1909 includes a mention that suggests knowledge of the proverb had become widespread by that time. The phrase itself was the headline of a story in ‘The Washington Post’ in 1916 about a cat who had climbed the flue of a chimney and died after falling down to a lower floor.
Swift, the author of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ and the answer to the clue of 24a, was the surname of the Anglo-Irish writer and clergyman whose full name was Jonathan Swift. I learnt from the net that the original name of the book was ‘Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World’. The English dramatist John Gay once remarked, “It is universally read, from the cabinet council to the nursery.” The book has been adapted into films, movies and theatrical performances over the centuries. The book was an immediate success, and Swift claimed that he wrote ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ “to vex the world rather than divert it”.
Barring Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken, people from the remaining countries of the South American continent and most of the countries in the southern region of the North American continent speak Spanish. The full name of Diego as the first name of the Argentinian soccer legend and the answer to the clue of 3d is Diego Armando Maradona Franco. In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Maradona and the second or maternal family name is Franco. Not only was Maradona regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th century, alongside Pelé.
T representing the symbol for temperature as part of the wordplay to the clue of 23d and another T as the symbol for time as part of the wordplay to the immediate next clue i.e. 26d are both used in physics. However, in reality, the use of capital ‘T’ for temperature and small ‘t’ for time is basically a practice in the contexts of science and engineering. Capital ‘T’ is widely recognised as the symbol for temperature in many scientific disciplines, particularly in thermodynamics in physics. Time is measured in seconds and small ‘t’ is used to represent time in equations and formulae. The need of the difference arises, especially in equations where both temperature and time are involved, where the distinction between capital ‘T’ and small ‘t’ helps clarify which variable is being referred to as temperature and which as time.
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Across
1a Monk‘s high point joining order (8)
BENEDICT: The definition of the Italian Catholic monk who founded the Benedictine order at Monte Cassino in Italy in about 540 AD is reached from a charade of BEN (high point) as a mountain peak, especially in place names, in Scotland and Ireland, for example, Ben Lomond and (joining) EDICT (order) as an order issued by a king or lawgiver
5a See 12 Across
9a See 14 Across
10a Rudimentary state condemned by Rome (6)
EMBRYO: The definition of a rudimentary state or the beginning of anything is arrived at from an anagram (condemned) of BY ROME
12a, 22 Down and 5 Across Why it’s risky being a peeping Tom? (9,6,3,3)
CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT: The definition of a proverb that is used to warn of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation and also to imply that being curious can sometimes lead to danger or misfortune is arrived at from the fact that a peeping tom or a person who derives sexual pleasure from secretly watching people undressing or engaging in sexual activity might land into serious trouble if caught, where, cryptically, Tom represents the male cat, peeping for unnecessary investigation indicating the curiosity and the response to why it’s risky could be the possibility of getting landed into serious trouble including getting killed
13a Russian girl in despair in Akmolinsk (5)
IRINA: The definition of the name of a Russian girl is part of or hidden inside (in) [DESPA]IR IN A[KMOLINSK]
14a and 9 Across Fabled curative discovered in lab coat? (4,2,3,3)
HAIR OF THE DOG: The definition of a morning drink of the alcohol that caused the hangover as a cure for it found (discovered) in lab coat or coat of the lab i.e. hair or coat of the Lab, a shortened version of Labrador, referring to Labrador dog or a big yellow, black or brown dog with short hair
16a Spoken greeting to woman providing sanitation (7)
HYGIENE: HI JEAN! (greeting to woman) as an exclamation used as a friendly greeting i.e. HI to a woman named JEAN serving as homophones heard by the audience (spoken) provides the definition of sanitation or overall conditions or practices conducive to maintaining public health and preventing disease, especially through cleanliness and provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal
19a Emperor enjoyed revolutionary new tune (7)
HADRIAN: The definition of the Roman emperor who ruled from 117 AD to 138 AD and was also regarded as an exemplary soldier, athlete, philosopher and scholar is arrived at from HAD (enjoyed) as a verb in the past tense denoting possessed and benefitted from or gave the use or enjoyment of and a combo of N (new) as the abbreviation for new and AIR (tune) as a tune or short melodious song coming from the other end or revolting (revolutionary) as reversals in the across clue
21a Char in Scottish stream (4)
BURN: Double definition; the second being a noun referring to a Scottish term for a small brook, rivulet or stream that leads to the first a verb meaning to char or become charred, that is to undergo or cause to undergo damage by or as if by fire
24a Travels writer perhaps flying? (5)
SWIFT: Double definition; the second being an adjective denoting moving or capable of moving at high speed, an example of which is flying that is moving or able to move through the air with wings that leads to the first a noun referring to Anglo-Irish writer, Jonathan Swift who is celebrated for ‘Gulliver Travels’, his best-known full-length work and a classic in English literature
25a Spell with test in race against clock (4,5)
TIME TRIAL: A charade of TIME (spell) as a while, spell or a rather short period and (with) TRIAL (test) as a test of the performance, qualities or suitability of someone or something guides to the definition of a race in which the competitors compete against the clock over a specified course, especially in cycling
27a Entirely enthralled by leaders in The Observer (2,4)
IN TOTO: The definition of an adverb meaning entirely, totally or as a whole is reached from INTO (enthralled) as an informal preposition denoting interested or enthusiastically interested in having alongside (by) the leading or initial letters (leaders) in T[he] O[bserver]
28a Kilts set to swirl in game (8)
SKITTLES: An anagram (to swirl) of KILTS SET takes to the definition of a game played with wooden pins, typically nine in number, set up at the end of an alley to be bowled down with a wooden ball or disc
29a Choose not to use key cut roughly (6)
ESCHEW: The definition of a verb meaning to shun or avoid something intentionally or deliberately i.e. to choose not to use something is obtained from a charade of ESC (key) as referring to the Esc key, short for ‘Escape’, a versatile little button on a computer keyboard with different uses depending on the context and HEW (cut roughly) as a verb meaning to make or shape something large by cutting roughly hewn timber frames
30a Sharp tooth – end must be reshaped (2,3,3)
ON THE DOT: The definition of an informal phrase meaning exactly on time, an example of which is the adverb sharp denoting precisely, used after an expression of time is fetched from TOOTH – END that must be subject to an anagram (reshaped)
Down
1d Begin to speak about British fish (6)
BROACH: The definition of a verb meaning to raise a difficult subject for discussion or begin to speak about a subject that is something difficult is obtained from a charade of B (British) as an abbreviation for British and ROACH (fish) as a silvery freshwater fish of the carp family, with pale red ventral and tail fins
2d Quality scientific journal (6)
NATURE: Double nounal definition; the second being the name of a British weekly scientific journal founded and based in London that takes to the first denoting a distinguishing quality or characteristic or an essential attribute of someone or something
3d Maker of impression on game: Maradona? (5)
DIEGO: DIE (maker of impression) as an engraved metal piece used for impressing a design onto a softer metal, as in coining money placed upon (on) GO (game) as a Japanese board game of territorial possession and capture in the down clue takes to the definition of the first name of the Argentinian soccer legend Maradona who was widely regarded as one of the best players of all time
4d Staff from down under featured in Herald (7)
CROZIER: The definition of a ceremonial staff carried by a bishop or an abbot, hooked at one end like a shepherd’s crook is fetched from OZ (down under) as a colloquial way of referring to Australia that, alongwith New Zealand, is also known as ‘Down Under’ seen inside (featured in) CRIER (Herald) as an official who made public announcements, especially in a town or court in the ancient times, an example of which is a herald denoting an official who formerly charged with making royal proclamations and bearing messages of state between sovereigns
6d Lulu longing to entertain married princess (9)
HUMDINGER: The definition of an informal term for a humdinger or remarkable or outstanding person or thing of its kind is reached from HUNGER (longing) as a longing or strong desire or craving to take inside (entertain) a combo of M (married) as the genealogical abbreviation for ‘married’ and DI (princess) as a diminutive of the female given name Diana and also the informal way how late Diana, Princess of Wales and the first wife of Charles III, the present King of the United Kingdom was referred to
7d Having decorative frame, attractive, secured with string (8)
CORNICED: The definition of an adjective denoting having or decorated with an ornamental horizontal moulding or frame used to conceal rods, picture hooks or other devices, especially in architecture is reached from NICE (attractive) as delightful, attractive or charming taken inside (secured with) CORD (string) as a string or thin rope made of several strands braided, twisted or woven together
8d Do we act wrongly holding folio to be false? (3-5)
TWO-FACED: An anagram (wrongly) of DO WE ACT taking inside (holding) F (folio) as an abbreviation for folio or typically standing for following page to be turned into the definition of an adjective denoting false, treacherous or deceitful
11d Ptolemy thus embraces misconception (4)
MYTH: Part of or hidden inside (embraces) [PTOLE]MY TH[US] guides to the definition of a noun denoting misconception or a widely held but false belief or idea
15d Philosopher of noble title, renouncing it (9)
ARISTOTLE: The definition of the ancient Greek philosopher and polymath whose writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology and the arts is arrived at from ARISTO (noble) as an informal term for an aristocrat who is a noble or a person of high rank and birth and T[IT]LE from the clue devoid of (renouncing) IT
17d County church quiet in Ireland (8)
CHESHIRE: The definition of a ceremonial county in North West England is deduced from CE (church) as the abbreviation for the Church of England followed by SH (quiet) as an interjection used to tell someone to be quiet placed inside ÉIRE (Ireland) as the Irish language name for Ireland
18d Triad dispersed among spies capsized in sea (8)
ADRIATIC: An anagram (dispersed) of TRIAD placed inside CIA (spies) as the abbreviation for the Central Intelligence Agency that is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States involved in gathering, processing and analysing national security information from around the world overturned (capsized) as turned upside down as a reversal in the down clue leads to the definition of the name of the sea or a body of water that separates the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula
20d Food for monkey – bananas? (4)
NUTS: Double definition; the second being an informal term for an adjective meaning mad or crazy, an example of which is bananas, another informal term denoting wildly enthusiastic or crazy, e.g., be or go bananas meaning to be or go crazy that takes to the first a noun referring to a very nutritious, high-energy food that monkeys love to eat, examples of which could be peanuts, almonds, walnuts, hazels, brazils, pecans etc
21d Awkward rustic’s impact on family (7)
BUMPKIN: The definition of an awkward simple rustic person is the consequence of BUMP (impact) as an impact or collision placed upon (on) KIN (family) as one’s relative or family in the down clue
22d See 12 Across
23d Stifling temperature in cupboard (6)
CLOSET: A charade of CLOSE (stifling) as uncomfortably humid or airless, an example of which is stifling that is suffocating or oppressively close and T (temperature) as the symbol for temperature as in physics guides to the definition of a recess or cupboard off a room, especially in North America
26d Someone short of time with constant desire (5)
TITCH: The definition of an informal and humorous term used as a way of talking about or addressing a very small person or someone who is short is arrived at from a charade of T (time) as the symbol for time in physics and (with) ITCH (constant desire) as a restless or strong desire to do something
Some of the clues that I liked in this puzzle were 1a, 10a, 12a/22d/5a, 14/9a, 29a, 6d, 17d, 18d and 26d; 12a/22d/5a being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to NYDK for the entertainment and to Gazza for the assistance. Looking forward to being here again. Have a nice day.
Thanks, Rahmat.
On Saturday Huntsman suggested a variant clue for ‘Swift’. By co-incidence, that was the subject of a Guardian cluing contest for which the results were announced on Monday, with the winner being “Dean Martin lookalike”. For the rest of the entries, click on the ‘cluing conference for SWIFT’ link in that page then scroll down to the comments; mine has “NSFW” in it.
And Tom Disappointing, don’t forget your fascinating fact about Hadrian!
Well remembered, S! I am impressed.
Here it is:
The footpath that runs alongside Hadrian’s Wall is 84 miles long and here’s a way to remember that fact: 8 letters in Hadrian’s and 4 in Wall.
You know it’s a goodie.
Thank you for the review, RA, and the fascinating information about Curiosity killed the Cat and Gulliver’s Travels. I can see why they changed the original prosaic title!
Staying with curiosity a bit longer….why do we spell humour, colour, honour and the like with a u as they derive from the Latin color etc that has no u? Just to confuse things further (not ‘farther’ – a classic boo-boo), we drop the u when we lengthen these words, e.g curiosity, humorous, honorable.
Gotta luv the English language!
Thanks. I can’t imagine when I’d need to know how long Hadrian’s Wall is, but if I did that’s a top way of remembering it.
I grew up north of Hadrian’s Wall, though in England — which gives a rather different perspective on any use the wall may have had.
This is true.
It would be a good challenge to walk it in a week, especially as the number divides by 7!
Thank you so much, tomdisappointingsturges65, for liking my review and the information about the idiom ‘Curiosity killed the Cat’ as also the satirical novel ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ that is far more germane as a title than the original, long one.
Thank you so much once again, Smylers, for liking my review. I just saw Huntsman’s. That was a beautiful deduction!
Thank you, Rahmat. I always struggle with the Sunday setter, and did so particularly with this one, so your explanations were especially helpful.
Thank you so much once again, jan, for liking my review.
Happy New Year to you all.
I struggled with 17 down as I had the last letter as an “h”.
This was a result of my answer for 29 across being “hacked” (double definition) and not eschew.
Took me ages to crack.