Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30832
Hints and tips by Mr K
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BD Rating - Difficulty *** - Enjoyment ***
Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. Today’s offering was an incomplete for me, because I can’t get the Quickie pun and I’m not sure about the parsing of 21a. Trying to solve and hint on a plane was probably not the wisest idea. But I’m sure that the commentariat will assist with both issues.
In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions. Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.
Across
1a Composer with endless determination, for example (5)
GRIEG: All but the last letter (endless) of determination or courage is followed by the Latin abbreviation for “for example”
4a Going after drink European departs frustrated (8)
SCOTCHED: After a type of whisky comes the single letters for European and for departed
10a Fruit in volume American online supermarket stocks (7)
AVOCADO: The single letter for volume is sandwiched by (… stocks) the single letter for American and an online supermarket
11a Experience atmosphere finally in excited ground (7)
UNDERGO: The final letter of ATMOSPHERE inserted in an anagram (excited) of GROUND
12a Worried by criticism, what many old sports stars now do? (10)
COMMENTATE: A synonym of worried follows a word that can mean criticism or explanation
13a Where one might find archaeologists accommodation (4)
DIGS: A double definition. The second is informal
15a Rebels scorn most info broadcast, claiming election's close (14)
NONCONFORMISTS: An anagram (broadcast) of SCORN MOST INFO containing (claiming) the final letter (…’s close) of ELECTION
17a Admire talent and decency (14)
RESPECTABILITY: Synonyms of admire and of talent
20a Joint leader from start discounted (4)
HOCK: A word meaning start or jolt, minus its first letter (leader from … discounted)
21a Interest adult losing heart in educational discussion forum (5,5)
STUDY GROUP: A synonym of interest with a (5-2) word for adult minus two of its three central letters (losing heart). That phrase would usually indicate removal of the central letter in a seven-letter word, so perhaps I have something wrong here
23a Echoing piece from blog, it reveres Hitchcock film (7)
VERTIGO: The answer is hidden reversed in (echoing piece from) BLOG IT REVERES
24a Most unsophisticated way to fall back during retreat (7)
NAIVEST: The reversal (to fall back) of a Latin way or road inserted in (during) a retreat or den
25a Refined young woman pursues copper, extremely touching! (8)
CUTGLASS: A word for a young woman comes after (pursues) both the chemical symbol for copper and the outer letters (extremely) of TOUCHING
26a Composition of South Africa initially, it's said (5)
ESSAY: The answer is a homophone (it’s said) of the initial letters of South Africa
Down
1d Type of blow cutting top of gum first (8)
GLANCING: A synonym of cutting comes after the first letter of (top of) GUM
2d Figure showing rustiness maybe in long-distance triathlon (7)
IRONMAN: The answer split (4,3) could describe a male figure that might show rustiness
3d Discovered lout visiting sadly plagued Eastern Caribbean islands (10)
GUADELOUPE: The inner letters (dis-covered) of LOUT inserted in (visiting) an anagram (sadly) of PLAGUED, all followed by the single letter for eastern
5d Recalling male shopkeeper perhaps getting dog briefly (14)
COUNTERMANDING: An archaic word that might describe a male shopkeeper, followed by all but the last letter (briefly) of an Australian dog
6d Current Spanish accent student dropped (4)
TIDE: An accent found over “n” in some Spanish words has the single letter for a student or learner driver deleted (dropped)
7d Musician playing his part (7)
HARPIST: An anagram (playing) of HIS PART
8d Empty dredger, old ship delivering refuse (5)
DROSS: Link together the outer letters (empty) of DREDGER, the single letter for old, and the usual abbreviation for a steamship
9d Defences protecting island in fact I sort of designed (14)
FORTIFICATIONS: An anagram (designed) of IN FACT I SORT OF containing (protecting) the single letter for island
14d Forefront of controversy possibly when dismissing brand (6,4)
FIRING LINE: Dismissing or sacking and a synonym of brand
16d Criminal type almost has my pity (8)
SYMPATHY: An anagram (criminal) of all but the last letter (almost) of TYPE with HAS MY
18d Passage from right that enters bar (7)
EXCERPT: The single letter for right is inserted in (enters) bar or but
19d Fibres regularly containing certain chemical compounds (7)
ISOMERS: Alternate letters (regularly) of FIBRES containing certain or limited
20d Chaos as hot eggs served up with cold (5)
HAVOC: Put together the single letter for hot, the reversal of a biological term for eggs, and the single letter for cold
22d Advertisement charge (4)
BILL: A straightforward double definition
Thanks to today’s setter. Which clues did you like best?
The Quick Crossword pun: SHACK + TATTY = PUN?
I needed to much help from Mr. G for this to be totally enjoyable. I solved about two thirds before I gave up but it is Friday so no grumbles from me. It was well clued, I thought with some grins appearing. I’m not sure about 10a because “volume” and “American” seem to be the wrong way round. No doubt I am missing the obvious. Anyway, that supermarket does not deliver to our area. My COTD is the very neat 17a.
Thank you, setter for the grilling, Thank you, Mr. K. for the hints. I didn’t get the pun either.
Storm Éowyn is currently battering The Marches. I had to take a long detour to the village shop this morning because a huge tree was down across the usual road. A load of irrigation pipes are being blown round the field next to us. I hope they don’t reach the road.
To all who are going to Little Venice tomorrow I hope you have a great time. I’m sorry I can’t be with you but I will raise a glass to you all from The Marches.
French comedian/director for the pun.
No wonder I didn’t get it – I had “cabin”. 🙄
His Monsieur Hulot films were hysterical
What, no pusskits?
I read recently in a book called ‘Who Knew’ that the owner of Grumpy Cat (real name Tardar Sauce) made nearly $100 million from blogs and the film ‘Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever’ not bad from a kitty whose main talent is looking miserable!
If I had a cat that looked like that, I’d name him Brian! 🤭🤭
Jacques Tati
Welcome to the blog, Avril.
What did you think of the puzzle?
5*/4.5*. My goodness that was tough, but it was really enjoyable too. I would have awarded 5* for enjoyment except for 21a. I wonder if it is meant to be “grown-ups” losing heart (WN) so that the clue should have read “adults”.
Many thanks to the setter for a mighty and enjoyable challenge and to the airborne Mr K.
Good spot RD – that must be right.
But it has also lost its end?
But I agree grown up comes in somewhere
(Train on time and moving away from the storm)
Yes, you are right, SJB. My theory is a load of codswallop.
I need a teenager, though I seem to recall there is some terrible YoofSpeak that has an adult as a “Grup” but that leaves an unexplained O?
I keep on asking the young men in Apple (other brands are available) if they will marry me when they seamlessly solve my problems. They usually demur with something like My wife wouldn’t like it or I’m not the marrying kind so then I ask if I could adopt them. They all think I’m mad but they are very kind to me.
No trains at all from Ilkley all day (cancelled because of expected weather conditions later, which seemed unusually cautious on a short local line), scuppering my attendance at fire marshal training in Leeds this morning.†
After a slow bus journey, I made it to Leeds, and I’m now on a train to London. Not my booked train — that was also cancelled — but they’ve let me on another one, and so far it seems to be moving. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.
† The fire training was a course work booked me on; it wasn’t part of my preparation for Big Dave’s Birthday Bash, in case anybody was wondering.
I’m pleased to hear that. I was not planning to wear asbestos.
😂😂😂
Weather here in Paddington is much better than oop north Sunny and warm but a bit breezy
Did you get my email, Sloops?
A surprisingly/pleasingly gentle guzzle for a Friday & very enjoyable too. Last in & the chief head scratch was 19d – pegging the correct context of certain the problem & NTS I wasn’t entirely sure what the chemical compounds were. The best I could come up with also at 21a was the deletion of WN from the adult synonym & moved on & didn’t think much of the pun even though I saw it straight away for a change. Top 2 for me were 1a&14d.
Thanks to the setter & to Mr K.
Ps Just to echo Steve’s message re the Little Venice bash tomorrow & sorry not to be able to make it.
I too will raise a glass and toast those of you attending the bash tomorrow and, with affectionate remembrance, our founder BD
I was sailing along quite nicely until I hit 4a, 5d, 21a and 24a. These took me almost as long as the rest of the puzzle but I got there in the end. A big chunk of that time was spent trying to figure out the parsing of 21a. You and me both, Mr K.
Notwithstanding 21a, there were a lot of enjoyable and clever clues here. My favourite vote goes to 25a.
As far as 21a is cobcerned, i,m with you on the parsing Mr K. The first word a synonym of interest and the second word a synonym of adult minus W and N (though i would not spell the second synonym as one word). It was a tricky puzzle and it took me a long time to get a foothold in the South. I liked thhe 15a anagram and the two lego clues at 17a and 19d. Thanks to MrK andvthe compiler
Got there in the end, but rather a lot of clues where I’ve guessed the answer because of a certain word in the clue plus the letters already in it, but no idea how the rest of the clue works.
Examples of this are 12, 21, 24 and 26a, so will see what our hinter makes of them.
Can’t say I really enjoyed it, possibly from the reason stated above, but on the upside I thought 5d and 25a were really good.
Off now for enlightenment……..
Just read the hints, three of them are fair enough, but 21a? that’s just too much of a stretch Mr setter😉
After yesterday’s sublime and quite gentle puzzle (for which many thanks, Twm – I did not get the chance to comment last evening), initially I thought this the diametric opposite and double-checked I was not tackling the Toughie in error. But with a few falling in the SE and then in the NW, there was a sudden avalanche and the edifice crumbled remarkably swiftly with a broad smile never far from my lips.
A cracking puzzle other than for 21a which doesn’t seem to parse properly at all, even with Mr K’s generous explanation. Podium places to the excellent 5d, laugh-out-loud 12a, and clanging penny of 20a.
Many thanks indeed to the setter (do hope you pop in to explain 21a) and to MrK
A fine finish to what has been a splendid week in the ‘World of the Crossy’ that smacks of Mr Smooth.
Oop north took me no time but ‘The Home Counties’ was a different kettle of fish (great expression). My LOI was the much spoken about 21a as I needed all of the checkers. If RD is right – and I think he is – that is a tough clue,
I got 6d but have never heard of the Spanish accent. A cute clue.
My pody is 17a, 3d and 16d, my COTD.
Many thanks to Silvanus (?) and Mr K
3*/4*
P.S I can’t help you with the pun, Mr K, and, lord knows, I’ve tried!
Ah, I’ve just seen Sloop’s comment about 21a.
It would be great if the setter clears it up. If it’s Mr Smooth, we have a chance.
A pleasant puzzle (pity about the 21a boo-boo) – thanks to our setter and Mr K.
My ticks went to 12a, 17a and 25a.
I’m afraid that there is no other explanation for 21a other than it is an error on the part of the setter, for which I apologize. The clue is being corrected online, but obviously that is too late for the printed newspaper.
I hope that my early intervention will prevent many solvers scratching their heads and trying to explain the rationale behind the wordplay. Sorry if I’ve made the solving process harder for you.
My colleague Twmbarlwm is quite correct about the Quick pun. I’ll come back later in the day to thank blogger and commenters, as per usual.
Thank you for popping and apologizing for what is for you an extremely rare occurrence. (Most of our politician’s could usefully follow your example and hold their hands up when something goes wrong).
This was a magnificent puzzle and a pleasure to solve. I am delighted to see how often we are graced with Silvanus puzzles, both back-pagers and Toughies.
Many thanks, and please keep them coming.
A reasonably smooth solve, although I was interrupted by carpenters and semi-successfully trying to filter out construction noise. Last one in was 5d, which I have done plenty of in my time but had never thought of as recalling, although I can see it if I squint. Like Tipcat, I found myself throwing in a few answers based on the definition rather than the wordplay, although I’m sure that was partly down to the aforementioned distractions. I particularly liked the clever 12a and 1a. Many thanks to the setter and Mr K. Enjoy the Bridge House tomorrow.
Oh, and many thanks to the setter and Mr K. Very rude of me.
I’ve just noticed that 21a has been amended online to “Interest shown by adult twins occasionally missing educational discussion forum”.
What a grown up puzzle this is ? Completed except for 14d , would have probably have got there in the
end but I’d spent too much time on the rest .A real struggle but some of the clues very stimulating eg 25& 17a.
Thanks to all .
What an excellent puzzle for our end-of-week enjoyment with the starter of 1a persuading me that this must be the handiwork of Mr Smooth getting his second showing of the week. I’m assuming that the 21a adult should have been pluralised but that was a minor blip and it’s sad that some have allowed it to colour their judgement of the entire puzzle. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have given up trying to narrow down my picks for podium places. Top ratings here went to 1,17&25a plus 5&14d. Surprised that the Quickie pun caused problems – Jean-Luc would be disgusted!
Pluralising adult would have given a plural solution. See Rabbit Dave’s post above with the new clue.
A steady and satifying solve. On the whole this week seems to have been a bit easier than normal. I agree with the comments made of 21a, but on the bright side the answer to the clue was gettable without the parsing issue. 17a was COTD for me. Thanks to the setter and to Mr K for the hints.
As we have few cats, this is Spike helping me to do the crossword (in his own funny way) and happens to be my avatar.
I haven’t done the crossword yet, as usual, but this is not a normal day. I was due to fly into London this am but the car wouldn’t start (immobiliser problem) so with no other options had to abandon my trip to the Bash. I am seething and taking it out on a wood pile!
Hope you attendees enjoy yourselves. And I hope you can spot the clue that the cat solved?
My cat Nimrod does exactly the same thing, always biting and headbutting the clipboard by way of helping!
I found that tough, not helped by an erroneous definition fixation for 18d which made a complete horlics of the SW and held me up for an age. Having resorted to Mr K’s hints, sense was restored. Notwithstanding my foolishness, this was a great challenge. I can never see 7d without thinking of a semi-inebriated musician. Childish I know, but it makes me smile so it’s my cotd. Thanks to Silvanus and Mr K.
A good Friday puzzle with fine clues, tricky in places, providing an interesting solve. 21a didn’t parse properly but S has referenced the error above. I have ticked a few clues and will mention 17a and 5d. 3.5*/4*.
Super puzzle, elegant clues that needed some thinking but always fair and made sense when solved up unlike yesterday’s waste of space.
****/****
Thx to all
Wow! Who are you and what have you done with Brian?
He called me a waste of space, so I guess it’s still him.
Did he really?
Surely you jest.
I knew I should have added a 😁. I was jokingly referring to his comment about yesterday’s puzzle @20.
He also gave me **** for enjoyment a few weeks ago and said I’d restored his faith in crosswords when he was about to give up, so I don’t take it personally!
Ah, gotcha.
I’ve just seen that part of his comment from your puzzle on Wednesday was redacted which I assume you saw before it got taken down.
BTW, you compiled a tremendous crossy a couple of Wednesdays ago that I couldn’t praise highly enough.
Your puzzles are a joy to solve.
Keep ‘em coming!
Thank you.
(I meant Brian’s comment @20 above, not yesterday’s (which I missed!).)
So he did call a puzzle a waste of space.
This is why I’ve stopped reading his posts as I can’t bear his rudeness.
Saying that, however, is another level.
Goodness me.
Crikey, Brian – I found that guzzle hard. You are an enigma with many variations. 😊
I’m usually put off by one 14 letter word but 4 of them! Enjoyable except for those.
I found this trickier than other Fridays of late but still very enjoyable.
Top picks for me were 26a, 17a and 6d.
Thanks to Mr K and Silvanus.
Hope everyone who is going tomorrow has a great time. Wish I could meet you all in person but maybe another year.
This is the sort of puzzle I expect on Friday. Definitely the toughest one of the week, methinks.
One word I had never heard of was the last in (in the NW) with all the surrounding letters to secure it. Once I had entered the four long ‘uns in the centre of the puzzle, I was able to springboard the grid.
3*/3.5* for me
Favourites include 4a, 13a, 17a, 25a, 2d & 5d – with co-winners the short 13a that made me laugh and the clever 5d.
Thanks to Silvanus & Mr. K
I struggled. Early elation with both 15a and 9d springing to mind before I’d even got the letters in a circle gradually changed to despair as I began to flounder. Many thanks to Mr K for the hints which helped, I go through and underline the nub of the clue which is usually sufficient for the penny to drop. And also thank you to Sylvanus for stretching the grey matter.
Great puzzle, as one would expect, from the hard-working Silvanus.
I was a bit late on parade today, so the error in 21a had been corrected on my on-line version by the time I got round to solving it.
Too many ticks to list here.
Thanks you Silvanus and Mr K.
Looking forward to seeing some of you tomorrow.
Completed in 2 sittings, a real sense of accomplishment in getting over the line. Not sure i found it all that enjoyable, was certainly getting 4a by the end.
5*/3*
Expecting another hitchcokian reverse lurker tomorrow.
2d and 19 favourites today.
Thanks to Silvanus and Mr K.
I was on the wavelength today so was a steady solve without any real holdups. Thanks RD for the amended clue for 21A . I ll muse on the parsing. I tried to make CUTENESS fit for 25a – as in the definition being ‘extremely touching’ – yes tenuous to say the least ! Thanks to Silvanus , Mr K and also – Twmbarlwm I enjoyed yesterday’s slightly more challenging than todays. You are definitely not a waste of space !
Not for me today. I got four answers at first pass but wrote none of them in until I read the 4 matching hints as the clues just didn’t work for me. Clearly I have my contrary hat on almost everyone else seems to have enjoyed this. Sadly not even any cats to cheer me up, but not complaining. After solving that lot I wouldn’t want to go hunting for pictures either. Thanks to Mr K, but I would have needed far too many hints for any level of satisfaction. Perhaps my brain is frozen as we are in the middle of an exceptionally cold (for South Florida) spell right now.
Thankfully I got there in the end (except for 14d – that stumped me). I found it a rather satisfying, if very slow plod. Despite attempting to learn Spanish for the last 4 years, I can never remember the name of the wiggly accent- perhaps I will from now on? Thanks to Silvanus for the mental exercise, and Mr K for the hints.
Gruelling yet satisfying, like making a proper bouillabaisse. I might need an early G&T to aid my recovery. 4*/4*
Started to lose heart with all the long answers but once a few went in picked up speed and kept to *** time. Thank you Silvanus and Mr K
Regarding the quick crossword pun – Jacques Tatti – seems to fit.
Welcome to the blog, John W.
What did you think of the puzzle?
I thought this was very good. My only slight reservation was the surface of 20d, which I thought had an abrupt ending. If it had read cold starter or something along those lines I would have liked it more.
Anyway, a minor quibble; it’s only my thoughts and I hope Silvanus won’t beat me up for it.
Many thanks to Silvanus and to Mr K
Yes, I know the surface is intended as hot eggs and cold (eggs), but I had to read it a few times to see that.
I really enjoyed this, there were a few where I needed the hints to understand the parsing and my last in, 14d, needed a hint. It was a challenge but a very pleasant one.
Many thanks to Silvanus and to Mr K for the hints.
I had hoped to come tomorrow to meet some of you but unexpected change to family plans mean it’s probably not possible. I do hope you have a very enjoyable time and the storm does not prevent too many people attending.
Many thanks to Mr K and to all those solving and commenting. Sorry again about the original clue for 14a.
I hope to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones at Little Venice tomorrow.
Thanks for another super puzzle. Didn’t peg it as one of yours & having wrongly suspected T’s yesterday had your fingerprints over it I’m resolved to give this attribution malarkey up as I clearly haven’t a clue. Sorry I won’t get to say hello tomorrow & hope you all have a great time.
Sorry, for 14a read 21a. I’m sure you knew what I meant!
Good evening
Finally done! It took a few goes, but I got there in the end. It comes as no surprise that the Brain of Silvanus has been at work here.
Some excellent clueing, as one would expect; I thought the misdirection in 20a was particularly good; 12a gets my vote as COTD. 14d was my last to fall; it kept me guessing. Many thanks to Silvanus and to Mr K.
Apparently one of our number was on a train from Worcester to Paddington this morning and spoke to my wife, who was the Customer Host. Hello, whoever you are!
Have a good meet-up tomorrow.
What an enjoyable puzzle and a marvellous week. That’s because I’ve been able to complete almost all of them! I was delayed over 21a but with checkers in place it couldn’t have been anything else. Many thanks to the setter and Mr K.
Have a great day tomorrow at Bridge House and can we please have some photos of you enjoying yourselves? Wishing all who can attend safe journeys there and back. I shall raise a glass to you all. Are you also going to celebrate Burns night?!
Got there in the end but for me it was a 5star difficulty. There is only so much time I can allot to our daily puzzle and this ran over time which meant cutting corners with other parts of the day. I just could not let it beat me though. Trust the cryptic tomorrow will be easier.Thanks to Silvanus and Mr. K.
Thank you Silvanus and Mr K. The 14 letter words didn’t phase us. The rest fell in neatly around them. Our pick of the clues 17a, 20d, 5d and 14d. COTD 5d.
Have a safe journey and a blast over the weekend! Maybe we shall make next year’s. Excellent puzzle to finish a week of top quality puzzles that stretched our combined brain power.
3*/4* ….
liked 16D “Criminal type almost has my pity (8)”