Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3300 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, on Friday morning, we had blizzard conditions with winds of 56 km/hr gusting to 90 km/hr, that’s 35 mph to 55 mph, plus or minus, in old money, but most of the snow being blown around was already on the ground and not in the process of falling.
For me, and I stress for me, another challenge from Dada this week with some of the short clues holding on to their answers for as long as possible. Four long ‘uns, six anagrams (two partials), two lurkers, and no homophones, all in a symmetric 32 clues; with 16 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 – 17a, 26a, 27a, 2d, 7d, 13d, and 20d.
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 and the blog’s Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog!
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
1a Underwear on a leg twisted – problems to solve? (7)
The abbreviated form of an item of ladies’ supportive underwear placed after (on) A from the clue and, oh dear, an anagram (twisted) of LEG.
5a Panel, Tory one (7)
The abbreviation of the formal name for a Tory and a synonym of one.
9a The letter I fancied I redrafted (8,7)
An anagram (redrafted) of LETTER I FANCIED I.
15a He has sliced through a pie, basically (2,5)
HE from the clue inserted into (sliced through) A from the clue and a synonym of pie.
17a Pretty skirts and stuff as nightwear (7)
The outer letters (skirts) of PrettY, and a synonym of stuff and AS from the clue.
22a I for one promise help at the centre(5)
A three letter synonym of promise and the the middle letters (at the centre) of hELp – a big groan when the tea tray sized penny dropped – the best clue of the year so far or the worst clue of the year so far?
27a Clothing manufacturer’s back in the commercials (7)
The last letter (‘s back) of manufactureR inserted into THE from the clue and the abbreviated form of a synonym of commercials – don’t forget that it is pluralised.
28a Love affair with Latin and English church (7)
A synonym of Latin and the two letters for the ‘normal’ expression for English church.
Down
1d Country with two rivers in Oman, oddly (7)
A synonym of with followed by the single letter for River repeated (two) inserted into (in) the odd letters of OmAn.
5d Wheel around old ship (7)
A type of wheel (often attached to large items of furniture) containing (around) the single letter for Old.
7d Low low point reached after swimming in ocean, not very often (4,2,1,4,4)
A synonym of (the first) low (when one is dispirited), a synonym of (the second) low (for an animal sound), and the single letter for a (compass) point all placed (reached) after an anagram (swimming) of IN OCEAN.
8d Always time in New York for biggest challenge? (7)
A synonym of always and abbreviated form of the time zone in New York, or anywhere else on that side of the USA.
17d Beat bread with butter (3-1-3)
A four letter bread and a small serving of butter.
18d Those who demonstrate washing devices (7)
A double definition – the second are alternatives to using a bath.
20d Roll up wrapping for each present (7)
Another one of those that depends on the pronunciation of the definition – a single word for rollup (as in arrive) containing (wrapping) the Latin based term equivalent to for each.
25d Religious education in the morning papers (4)
The abbreviated form of Religious Education inserted into (in) and the abbreviated form of the Latin term for in the morning – thanks to jimbob.
Quick Crossword Pun:
HIDE + RANGER = HYDRANGEA
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Actor, comedian, and singer Michael Patrick Smith better known as Michael Crawford is celebrating his 83rd birthday today. Well known for playing the inept Frank Spencer in the BBC Sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em he also had a successful stage career including in Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Phantom of the Opera. This is from Phantom but it might be a ‘special’ video as I don’t think that he and the silent Sarah Brightman were in the film version made in the 2004:
A lovely offering from Dada today with some terrific epiphanies. I have ticks all over the paper starting with the problem underwear at 1a. This followed by the pretty skirts at 17a, the joke at 26a, the attack at 2d and the breads and butter at 17d. Out of those I will award COTD to 26a.
Thank you, Dada for the fun challenge. Thank you, Senf for the hints.
Like Senf, it was the short clues, especially 13d and 22a that held me up for an age. Overall, I thought this at the trickier end of the Dada spectrum but amongst that were some gems including 5a, 19a and 26a which is my cotd as well. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I agree entirely. The shorties added spice to an otherwise easy and bland offering.
I particularly liked the five letter “ promise help” clue, the four letter “ bed” clue, and the four letter “ drink” clue with nice misdirection. Thanks again to this erudite community,
I found it far from bland, I loved it!
Me too, TC.
Me three!
A frosty morning and untreated roads put paid to our trip up to Dufftown this morning so we breakfasted in the local garden where Shonagh works during the week.
An enjoyable puzzle with a mixture of tricky and amusing answers. Favourites are the 8d challenge and the 13d nuts.
Had an excellent skiing holiday in 1d – a recommended alternative to the Alpine resorts.
Incidentally, the Forsythia shrub is named after an ancestor of the illustration for the 20d hint. He was born just up the road in Oldmeldrum.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Nice to know that
To know that nice😁
Minor Quibble – the hint for 25d surely should be Religious education followed by the abbreviated Latin for morning. I too thought the Religious Education should be in at first read.
Anyway much enjoyed and thanks to Dada and Senf.
PS I still work windspeed in Knots!
Thanks for the comment on 25d, now corrected – I think my brain was operating on one and a half cylinders by the time I reached writing that hint.
On speeds, Canada went metric in the late 1970s. I would like to believe that there was an element of annoying our Southern neighbours who, when they come north, have to observe speed limits in km/hr and buy their ‘gasoline’ in litres.
Thanks for the tips. As the late great Robin Williams quipped: “One nation united under Canada”
Thanks for that. I’m collecting all quips in preparation for the upcoming unwelcome pressident
I think I mentioned this before but if you turn a picture of Donald Duck upside down you get Trump.
I must make a placard!
Excellent! We’re going to need some humour to get us through the next 4 years.
A lovely puzzle and for me much more accessible than yesterday’s. I was unable to parse 20d and 22a defeated me but was a superb clue. Solutions that are parts of speech or grammatical terms referring words on the clue are always a struggle for me. Thanks to setter and blogger.
Really enjoyed todays puzzle – yesterdays I found tricky compared to today – thank you to both setters though and more importantly perhaps Senf and Crypticsue
2.5*/2.5*.
19a requires an American indicator – the BRB agrees. I think 27a does too – the BRB disagrees, although Collins says mainly US.
Can anyone make any sense of the surface for 21a?
My top picks were 22a, 26a, 7d, 8d & 17d.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf.
It’s a good question, RD
I think the surface is a designer’s response to the question…
‘In this new range of different coloured suits, what is the thing that doesn’t look quite right: the cut, stitching or 27a?
This could be complete rubbish as, truth be told, I don’t really know what I’m talking about.
As I would have expected from you, TDS65, your reply is certainly inventive. However, I’ll settle for the complete rubbish option. 😉
Extremely fair.
I just love the challenge of trying to get into the setter’s head which I have clearly failed to do here.
Disappointing, Mr Sturges.
Onwards!
….or a fabric maker’s reply to what is the most difficult thing to get right with suits and, in particular, what colour.
Oh, leave it, Tom, will you.
21a easy – definition is (answer to) 27 Across, wordplay is first letters (primarily) of four words in the clue.
I think they are discussing the meaning of thr slightly contorted surface – when would someone say “those on green suits primarily”
Overall a lovely puzzle and for me much more accessible than yesterday’s. I was unable to parse 20d and 22a defeated me but was a superb clue. Solutions that are parts of speech or grammatical terms referring words on the clue are always a struggle for me. Thanks to setter and senf.
Senf, that’s an excellent decryption of the clue, but it doesn’t explain the nonsensical surface reading.
But typical of Dada’s ‘first letter selection’ clues!
Usual v clever puzzle from Dada. Most clues are very fair but thought 22a was v sneaky. Also 19a is a nasty Americanism, well below par for Dada, he is usually better than this.
However, that aside an enjoyable puzzle with 8d being my fav.
****/****
Thx to all
Good Sunday fare from our setter with the usual two or three that didn’t quite work for me but a lot that did. I can do no better than to agree with our blogger’s choices for top positions.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and music – hard to equate Mr Crawford’s excellent singing voice with his role as Frank Spencer!
Enjoyable, the long clues being easily knocked off leaving some nasty short ones. 8d my cotd.
Dada’s on good form today – thanks to him and to Senf for the hints.
I ticked 17a, 22a, 26a and 20d.
A great puzzle that almost gets top marks.
It’s makes a nice change to have four longies that aren’t whole anagrams, the usual go-to strategy for 15 letter jobbies.
I had a splendid night’s kip which showed as I powered through this one in no time, including the dreaded five letter ones. To quote RogB, I was clearly on the right wavelength.
I didn’t know the term in 19a for clobber (great word) and now I see why.
Not easy to pick a pody but I’ll go with 26a, 27a (excellent surface) and 7d (clever).
Many thanks to Radio and The Big S.
1*/4*
Isn’t life strange? I got almost no sleep last night for some reason, so clicked on the ST with trepidation as my brain was definitely not firing on all cylinders – but what joy? Virtually everything just fell into place. Only needed a hint for 27a. Didn’t know the US definition of 19a … but I do now!
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
The brain is a funny old organ. Goodness knows how it functions.
Lanzalily is a tremendous alias. Is there a good story behind it? If not then make one up.
I hate ‘backstory’, btw. It has yet to pass my lips.
Not really – I spend half my time in Lanzarote enjoying the sun and grandchildren – and like alliteration! Sorry it’s not more exciting…
Nonsense. I love it as it rolls off the tongue beautifully 👏 👏
I adore alliterations and use them at every given opportunity.
For once I have guzzled early as we are going to lunch with DD2. I thought this was quite gentle for a Sunday and the nice long clues were a great help. Nice anagrams too. I particularly liked 2d! I am quite upset as I am beginning to think I shall not be able to make the Big Bash on Saturday as the line from Cambridge to Kings Cross is closed completely. My alternative is the coach (3 hours) or driving to the line which goes to Liverpool Street and I have yet to find out if there are escalators or lifts to the subway. And a dear, darling Knight in Shining Armour had offered to meet me at King’s Cross and help me to the venue. Not that I’m exactly disabled just slow and old! If I were not a Lady I would be typing some very rude words (if I knew any). Many thanks to Messrs Setter and Senf for the guzzle.
If you can’t make it that would be a real shame, I seem to recall that British Rail, or whatever passes for the organisation of trains, made a right Horlicks of travel to several Big Birthdays in the past.
My own journey down on the Friday seems ok, but the return on Sunday is from St P via Chesterfield and twice as long!
Rant over – back to Dada
Yeah, that King’s Cross closure is inconveniently timed. I’m imposing on a friend till the Monday morning, to wait for everything to re-open before travelling back north.
But the good news is that I think you should be OK coming via Liverpool Street: the Elizabeth Line has lifts and escalators at all its stations (it is “step-free from street to platform” in the official jargon), and it calls at both Liverpool Street and Paddington. Hopefully you can still make it via there — I’m looking forward to meeting you!
Good luck with both trips Daisy. A dear friend advised us shortly before we retired to “travel as much as you can early on, because you won’t want to later on”. Great advice. We’re still amenable to domestic travel, but I think this summer’s trip across the pond will be our last. A trip to Bermuda last year was a bit of a shock in that so many restaurants were reached by a steep flight of stairs (we cancelled reservations twice).
Ouch. I know the feeling, my good knee is now the bad knee! But my K in S A has offered to meet me at Liverpool Street so I have perked up! People are so kind🥰 when I think of the way I used to bomb around London, why am I now so timorous?
Taught myself to drive in a 16a, bought it half shares with a friend (£6 each) and we shared it on alternate days, you could drive one on a bike license in them days, wonder if you can now?
Late posting today as its Mrs TC’s birthday, and had to round up enough people from our road to give her the bumps, 63 of them, I think my back’s had it for the week now.
Oh yes, the puzzle, thought we were in for a pangram with the early appearance of some of the lesser used letters, but not to be after all.
My two favourites today were 22 and 27a, and the very clever 8d, brilliant! Many thanks to us setter and to Senf.
Amazing how much of a boost it is to solve both the weekend’s prize puzzles in one sitting. Lately I’ve been wondering if my recent (23/12) 72nd birthday has tripped a switch towards mental decline.
Many thanks to Dada for a most benign but enjoyable puzzle. The only referral to a dictionary was to confirm 19a.
I agree with Tom’s rating of 1*/4*.
This Sunday puzzle from Dada, was, as Senf often says, was not so friendly this week. Copious use of his personal thesaurus was evident as well as his penchant for being quirky too. Several lego clues that I liked were in the mix.
Definitely at the tougher end of his spectrum for me.
2.5*/4* for me even so.
Favourites abounded in the end once the fog had cleared.
1a, 22a, 26a, 2d, 7d & 13d — with winner 13d, followed by 1a as runner-up.
Smiles from so many like 15a, 17a, 26a & 18d … just to mention a few.
Thanks to Dada & Senf
Excellent puzzle all very fair and clever -possibly with the exception of 19a.
My two favourites 7 and 17d
**/****
Thanks to Senf and Dada
I found this tougher than many on here, for some reason. Had to resort to the interwebs for the LOI at 20d, which was annoying because – as so very often – the answer is quite obvious when you know what it is.
Biggest smile came when 22a dropped so, given Senf asked, I’d put this in ‘clue of the week’ territory rather than dismissing as a groaner. 2.5*/3.5*
An approachable guzzle feom Dada and made more so by the four long clues. I liked the lego clues 1a, with the underwear and 1d, the geographical one with two rivers.1 9a reminded me of a term used for a good hidingvinthe East End of London of my childhood. Thanks to Dada for a thoroughly enjoyable SPP and to blizzard bound Senf for the hints..
An enjoyable and gentle puzzle, a couple of odd surfaces but otherwise no grumbles from me about any of the clueing or answers. COTD 22a.
Thank you Dada and Senf
An excellent puzzle.Favourite and last one in 22a .Not sure about 27.Thanks to all .
The most straightforward I can remember finding solving a Dada crossword — possibly there were fewer anagrams than usual or something? 22a was my last in, and instantly became my favourite.
Thank to you to Dada and our Canadian weather reporter.
As straightforward as they come for us today with no real hold ups. Favourite was 22, there were other contenders. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Thank you Dada for a great puzzle. I had not heard that use of 19a despite living in the land of the lamented Americanisms, and took me a while to read the clue properly for 17a, although I had corrected bunged it in. A tie for COTD , 7d and 26a. Thanks to Senf too.
22a is a terrific clue in my book. Thank you Dada and Senf
A straightforward & enjoyable solve – thought it one of the stronger of his recent Sunday puzzles. Hadn’t realised the context of 19a was an Americanism – I often use it describe having been comprehensively walloped on the golf course. Liked all 4 of the long ‘uns but clear fav was 22a.
Thanks to D&S
Thanks to Dada and Senf,
Liked the long ones, groaned at some of the short ones. Almost beaten by 23a because of an erroneous bung in but got there with Senf’s help
** / **** Another top puzzle, loads of excellent misdirection throughout, but finished surprisingly quickly. Not sure why the negative comments about 19a, I’ve heard and used this for many years and would have said it was northern slang.
Thanks to Dada and Senf
I usually like Dada, I think mainly ‘cos he comes after two diabolical days, Fri/Sat. This one was on the tricky side for me, luckily I had many checking letters, so my word search was much on demand. I did need Senf’s help with the final few clues. He is a champion, his explanations are always clear. I liked so many, the long ones in particular, and I thought 22a came up trumps … hold on a minute, I promised myself not to use that word until after Tuesday.
Thank you Dada for the fun, and of course Senf for all his help.
Only just home from a birthday family celebration weekend, I managed some of this easily and then struggled with a few (mainly short) clues. I thought this was harder than some weeks but I got there in the end. 22a was my favourite, very clever.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
As newcomers to the blog can someone please explain what is meant by “surface” in context of crosswords. Val was delighted to see three multiple word clues! Her challenge is to solve them before any checkers appear. Short ones proved tougher.
Favourites 2d, 7d and 26a 19a.
Thank you to Dada and Senf
Gary and Val
Hi, both. The surface reading of a clue is what it would sound like as a phrase outside the context of being a crossword clue.
So, for instance, in Django’s “Crown and Anchor content to leave a pint every now and then on the counter (5)” (from Toughie 3234), the clue’s surface is about a pint on the bar of a pub, even though neither the answer nor the wordplay has anything to do with that.
A comment on how good a clue’s surface is generally means how much the clue sounds like a plausible real-world phrase.
surface reading the way that the setter intends that the clue be read: the best clues either lead the solver in the wrong direction, or sometimes in no direction at all.
From Big Dave’s Crossword guide found here;
For reasons i don’t fully understand this fairly flew in for me – completed before the plane had taxied to the runway
1*/4*
22a favourite
Thanks to Dada and Senf
3*/3* …
liked 22A “I for one promise help at the centre (5)”