DT 30886 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30886

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30886

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** -  Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday. The use of every letter but X in the grid fill suggests that today’s fine crossword is the work of proXimal. Thanks to him for a smooth and tightly-clued puzzle that was a pleasure to solve and to hint. 

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. In some hints hyperlinks provide additional explanation or background. Clicking on a picture will enlarge it or display a bonus illustration and a hover (computer) or long press (mobile) might explain more about the picture. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

 

Across

1a    Substantial food servings are mass fed to rats (6,5)
SQUARE MEALS:  ARE and the physics symbol for mass inserted in (fed to) rats, informs, or sings

7a    Frenchman's trousers (5)
JEANS:  A male French name with his S from the clue 

8a    City crest seen on taxi carrying male (9)
CAMBRIDGE:  A crest of a hill comes after another word for taxi containing (carrying) the single letter for male 

10a   Sweet-talk wife with attention and love on vacation (7)
WHEEDLE:  Link together the single letter for wife,  attention or mind, and the outer letters (on vacation) of LOVE

11a   Test two articles against variable in London university (7)
ANALYSE:  Two grammatical articles are followed by a usual letter for a mathematical variable inserted into the abbreviation for a particular London university 

12a   Fodder for herbivores: tons consumed by marsupials (5)
ROOTS:  The single letter for tons is contained by (consumed by) the informal name for some Australian marsupials 

13a   Emperor's last letter received by Mum with a note that's enciphered (9)
MONTEZUMA:  The last letter of the alphabet inserted in (received by) an anagram (that’s enciphered) of MUM A NOTE 

16a   Put on fake cast as tease (4,3,2)
POKE FUN AT:  An anagram (cast) of PUT ON FAKE 

18a   Old  saw (5)
DATED:  A double definition. “Saw” as in “went out with” 

19a   Branded mobiles - I rejected hire purchase types (7)
IPHONES:  Concatenate I from the clue, the reversal (rejected) of the abbreviation for hire purchase, and a synonym of types

22a   House in Indiana regularly abandoned by North American (7)
IDAHOAN:  An abbreviation for house is inserted in alternate letters (regularly abandoned) of INDIANA, and that’s followed by the single letter for north 

23a   Part of vehicle equipment joined with glue (4-5)
GEAR-STICK:  Synonyms of equipment and glue (as a verb) 

24a   He sculpted head of Roman god (5)
RODIN:  The first letter of (head of) ROMAN with a Scandinavian god 

25a   Hermit hadn't arranged to see classic film (3,5,3)
THE THIRD MAN:  An anagram (arranged) of HERMIT HADN’T 

 

Down

1d    Argued about look at end after health resort preparation (9)
SPADEWORK:  Putting all the bits in order, glue together a health resort, the reversal (about) of argued or fought, and the last letter (… at end) of LOOK

2d    Benefits wrongly used to maintain Greek character (7)
UPSIDES:  An anagram (wrongly) of USED containing (to maintain) a letter in the Greek alphabet 

3d    Salad plant found on island is hit for John (6,3)
ROCKET MAN:  A green leafy salad plant is followed by a usual island located in the Irish Sea 

4d    Mother circumvents black snake (5)
MAMBA:  Another word for mother contains (circumvents) the pencil abbreviation for black 

5d    A Conservative keen to promote right measure for land (7)
ACREAGE:  Follow A from the clue and the single letter for Conservative with a synonym of keen in which the single letter for right has been moved to the front of the word (keen to promote right)

6d    Unfortunately speak about case for dismissal (5)
SADLY:  Another word for speak containing (about) the outer letters of (case for) DISMISSAL 

7d    Astonishing being in decline after bit of vice (3-8)
JAW-DROPPING:  “in decline” or falling comes after a part of a vice that you might find in a workshop 

9d    Sometimes appearing in nice veranda, nonchalantly (4,3,4)
EVER AND ANON:  The answer is hidden in (appearing in) NICE VERANDA NONCHALANTLY 

14d   One criticises leaders of the police interview being taken in by thief (3-6)
NIT-PICKER:  The initial letters of (leaders of) THE POLICE INTERVIEW are inserted in (being taken in by) a word that could, whimsically, be a thief 

15d   Pristine books Pole used in university study (9)
UNTRODDEN:  Some usual abbreviated biblical books and a pole or staff are sandwiched by (used in) the single letter for university and a room that’s a study 

17d   Penalties: conclusions to matches require skill (7)
FINESSE:  Some monetary penalties are followed by the last letters of (conclusions to) MATCHES and of REQUIRE

18d   Schematic of mine incorporating a piston (7)
DIAGRAM:  Mine or excavate containing (incorporating) A from the clue is followed by another word for piston 

20d   That man painting organ (5)
HEART:  A pronoun for “that man” with a generic word for painting 

21d   Be quiet hiding with German forger (5)
SMITH:  An interjection meaning “be quiet” is containing (hiding) “with” in German 

 

Thanks to today’s setter. My favourite clue is either 10a or 16a. I also liked how the quick crossword pun appeared in one of the long answers. Which clues did you like best?

The Quick Crossword pun:  FLOOR + RENTS + PEW = FLORENCE PUGH

64 comments on “DT 30886”

  1. This needed two visits and two cups of tea to complete, and no prizes for guessing who set it today.

    Never heard the term at 9d before, but couldn’t be much else really, and for me strangely 1a was almost the last one in, as looking at it now it seems fairly obvious.

    Off now to test the new solar filter I’ve made to see the partial eclipse tomorrow, £26 for an A4 piece of astrofilm seems steep, but you only get two eyes, so no corners cut here.

  2. This was not too bad, I agree about 9d, never heard of that. I was held up with 29a as I put shift instead of stick. I am not american so I have no idea why I did that.
    What has happlened to Chris Cowling I liked his comments.

    1. I presume you mean Steve Cowling. His beloved wife died recently and he is, quite naturally, taking time away from commenting for a while. Although, saying that, he did comment with a lovely photo of her late in the day on Wednesday’s cryptic crossword blog

      1. And many of us have sent him good wishes. I think
        he might be aware that we are all thinking of him.

      2. Sorry about the name but I did mean Steve Cowling. Sorry for not getting back earlier. Best wishes and sympathy to Steve.

    2. I’ve often hired cars in America, and when the person on the desk hears your accent the first thing they say is “can you drive stick?” as they’ve generally got a manual outside that they want to get rid of.

      1. The same is true when we come back for visits, they assume we can only drive automatics.

      2. You need to be careful with that: if you confirm you can drive “a stick”, you might end up with a very different sort of, erm, transport:

  3. An excellent finish to what has been a very enjoyable week in Crossyland.

    I had to work at it but managed to get over the line, reasonably unscathed, with my LOI being 21d (my German is a disgrace)

    I loved my tussle with 1d which I got when I realized it was a compound word (I need to remind myself of ‘think compound when struggling’). I always say the word ‘revenge’ when I hear 13a which tickles me. 25a is indeed a ‘classic’ which Hoots! will no doubt confirm.

    My picks for the pody are 1a, 10a and 18a.

    Many thanks to Mr X and Mr K.

    4*/4*

    1. You’ll never guess!! I liked your list of words, made a note of them. I use raise or arise during the week and adieu on Saturdays and Sundays. I am a sad case. This morning I thought I would use your Miaou – it came up blank and I thought rude words, serves me right for deviating. Then I thought well there must be an ‘e’, mused a bit, made a guess and blow me down, I got another one in 2!!
      I AM a genius. George wants to file for divorce but he did say I should buy a lottery ticket!

      1. 2?????????????????????? That’s outrageous! What a week you’ve had.

        Do me a fave: WhatsApp me a screenshot of your Wordle stats and I’ll work out your average.

        You are clearly stiff competition.

        Don’t knock miaou, btw, as it eliminated a bunch of letters for you.

        I still can’t believe you got it in two after that guess. My ‘okay’ three now looks rubbish.

        Gorgeous George is right: get your sweet derrière down to the bookies, sharpish.

  4. An excellent cranial exercise from pro_imal to end the (non-)work week – 3.5*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 16a, 22a, 24a, 6d, and 17d – and the winner is the creator of my avatar 24a!

    Thanks to pro_imal and Mr K and here’s a pusskit to support 20d:

      1. He did indeed. He looms large in my legend.
        By the way, love the hearty cat – I do hope he is real and not AI.

  5. I hope Jean-Luc has got his trousers back, Does proXimal on a Friday foreshadow a follow up on Sunday?

    Thanks to proXimal and Mr K

  6. A steady solve this morning. Like Tipcat 1a was my final entry and I’ve no idea why it held out. I was trying to make an anagram where there was none. Therefore, 1a is my favourite today with 13a, 1d and 15d vying for podium places. Thanks to Proximal and Mr K.

  7. What a super end to the week. Nicely but not overly testing, and MrK puts it perfectly, as ever: “a smooth and tightly-clued puzzle that was a pleasure to solve” – spot-on with the ratings, too.

    Top honours to shorter answers today: 22a, 24a, & 21d, with runner-up my LOI, 1d.

    Many thanks to Proximal and Mr K

  8. At first I thought this might be very tough as, on first pass I had but one answer. I had to confirm the phrase in 9d, being new to me. 7a raised a smile. In the end this was a very pleasant solve as it all gradually resolved. Many great clues from which I’ve chosen 7a, 24a and 10a in top spot. Thanks to ProXimal and Mr K.

  9. A challenge and then some, but got there in the end. All beautifully crafted – a real master of his art. Thank you setter and also to the hinter – thanks for the amusing pics!

  10. Spot on for a Friday with plenty of clever clues and some nice misdirection to lengthen the solve. The very simple 18a was my favourite of many. What a delight.

    My thanks to both proXimal and Mr K.

  11. Will comment on guzzle later as so fiddly on phone. Message to Shabbo. At present eating baked potato at front of the super picture window at Cley Bird Reserve! What a view! Maybe you are here too right behind me?

      1. I think Peter would even consider an international flight to have that on his plate 😊.

    3. Sorry, Manders, we left Wells this morning and are now back home. Didn’t manage to fit in Cley this time.
      A lovely 5 day break, as ever. Back in October.

  12. Just the right level of difficulty for me. I was surprised that 19a is one word, but duly noted. My LOI was 1a, and also my COTD. I agree with comments above that it now looks obvious. Thank you to the setter and Mr K for hints.

  13. First half done over coffee ( no breakfast ) and then to book club. Finished on return and will now have breakfast instead of lunch. Great crossword. Loved 7 across greatly added to by the pussy cat picture. Held up because I thought 13 across was a king. You do learn a lot with the crossword.
    On the way home my friend and I were accosted by an elderly gent who asked why we were both holding books and talking when we should be at home doing the housework.
    Great thanks to proXimal and Mr. K for keeping me from drudgery.

  14. A top-notch Friday puzzle – thanks to proXimal and Mr K.
    I have loads of clues ticked including 1a, 10a, 18a and 7d.

  15. 3*/5*. This X-less pangram was nicely challenge and a pleasure to solve.

    I think “types” is a bit of a stretch for the meaning needed as part of the answer for 19d.

    As I had so many ticks, I am going to have an across podium (10, 18, 24) and a down podium (15,17,18).

    Many thanks to proXimal and to Mr K.

  16. As per normal a tougher puzzle for Friday that I struggled with for whatever reason.

    Favourites … 7a, 16a & 25a … with no winner … nothing stood out for me.

    Thanks to proXimal & Mr K.

  17. How nice to have the x-man on parade and also Mr K’s felines – particularly liked the one struggling to fasten his French trousers! A few sticky moments to overcome in this one, all of my own making, but a most satisfying solve. Top marks going to 10&16a plus 17d.

    Thanks to proXimal and to Mr K for the review.

  18. Nicely challenging today. Saw the emerging pangram then thought the X isn’t going to arrive, must be proXimal! Also never heard the phrase in 9d; surprised 19a as one word has made the dictionary but then again, I suppose why not after all these years! Marked likes against 1a and 21d with TOTP to 14d.

    Thanks to proXimal and to Mr K.

    1. I don’t think brand names such as 19a would need to be in the dictionary to be used in a crossword — same for other proper nouns, such as the 13a emperor, 3d song, and 25a film.

      It doesn’t feel like one word, but it has to be, because its manufacturer doesn’t put any spaces or punctuation in its name, with the syllable break indicated by an internal capital letter. But that isn’t something that can be conveyed with enumeration. Well, not less unless you think it should’ve been written as (1Six)?

      1. Good point about proper nouns and brand names. I don’t think I’ll propose ‘enumeration of capitalisation’, it’s quite enough for me to be getting back into cryptics in their current guise ☺!

        1. I think proXimal as he likes to style himself is quite handy with internal capitalisation 😀

  19. A great puzzle. The NW held out longest with LOI being 1d.

    Top picks for me were 14d, 1a and 18d.

    Thanks to Mr K and ProXimal.

  20. Challenging but very satisfying to complete with some particularly well disguising anagrams. I too had not heard of 9d and did for quite some time try to make it an anagram. 1a was my favourite. I did need the hints to understand the parsing of a couple.

    The sun is now out so off to do lawn edging

    Many thanks to proximal and to Mr K for the hints and pics.

  21. A very fairly clued guzzle with just the right level of challenge. I liked the 9d lurker, my first one in, the 27a geographical Lego clue and the 1d Lego clue. Many thanks to the compiler for a really enjoyable Friday backpager andto Mr K for the hints and pusskits.

  22. Completed either side of the earthquake which hit Bangkok today. We were eating our dessert when the room started to shake. Not something I’ve experienced before. I think the adrenalin helped for the second bite at solving, as I was finding the puzzle an uphill struggle, before the tremors. A very enjoyable puzzle. 7a made me grin.

    1. Blimey, ATIB!

      That is certainly not a nice thing to have experienced.

    3. Glad to hear you’re safe, Tyke. As much as it may have helped on this occasion, we probably shouldn’t start recommending “Try encountering an earthquake” as general advice to those stuck on crosswords.

      1. Can ‘quake’ be used as an anagram indicator?

        If so, how’s this…….Centre of an earth quake (5) (I’ve left a space between the words which is probably not allowed)

        MG’s got competition!

        No really as he’s in a different class and is destined to be a setter…..should he so desire.

        1. Quake is a valid indicator, but earthquake is a single word and as you say, Tom, I suspect you may neither separate it, nor leave it as a single word subject to a “lift and separate” instruction.

          I wonder if a slightly different construction might work: “Earth’s quaking centre” or “Earth quakes to the core”?

          What a ‘shock’ for Tyke – relieved all OK, and admire the insouciance, returning to the crossword after the tremor: reminiscent of Carry On Up The Khyber!

          1. Good call.

            What fun those films were.

            I just tee these clues up and you whack ‘em down the middle.

            Bravo!

  23. Grimaced as I read 1a, as we have the rodent people here as I write, having recently discovered same lodging in our attic. Only indication was occasional noise overhead. A very expensive fix, $$$. But at least we have discovered them before they became a big problem. Probably affecting my concentration today, but I can rarely get far with a proXimal, so no surprise that most of my answers came from checkers or ignoring the clues. Perhaps 8d is American as I have seen it written many times. At least there are the cat pictures today. Thanks to proXimal and Mr K.

    1. Hi BL,
      If you are referring to 9d (there is no 8d), I would say it is one thing the Americans would be hard-pressed to take credit for. The phrase was used prior to 1600 by Shakespeare in at least two plays, Love’s Labour’s Lost and Henry IV, Part 1.

      1. I thought I knew it long before we crossed the ocean, but read in the comments that this was not known in the uk… I should stick to first thought and not be so easily swayed,

  24. I got 25a without even writing the letters out, then I entered ‘adage’ at 18a and it began to get tricky. The Q at 1a and J at 7d put me on pangram alert and eventually we got there with hints only needed for 18d. Fancy anyone questioning Dyslex about women carrying books and not being tied to a sink! Golly. You must have been very restrained in your response. 9d is an old fashioned expression used by my grandmother, she also said T’was often thus! Many thanks to Messrs Proxy & Kitty. Have a good weekend everyone

  25. This flowed nicely, I think my fastest grid entry all week (after I found Monday’s quite taxing and didn’t manage to finish Tuesday’s). Thank you ,proXimal — so many great clues in there.

    My favourites were the 12a marsupials and 18a, which for me definitely wasn’t a dated saw.

    And thank you to Mr K, especially for the 1a pic, which it definitely is.

  27. Annoyingly still below par following my stroke but managed North however bottom half was a different kettle of fish and I dnf. Thank you proXimal and MrK.

  28. Went through this at a decent pace, for me, though like others I hadn’t heard of 9d. Lots to like and enjoy with a number of pdm’s. Favourite was 1d. Thanks to ProXimal and Mr. K.

  29. Good afternoon

    Far be it from me to disagree with our esteemed blogger, but really, Mr K – a threeser? Nudging into the five zone, I’d say!

    This really has taken me all afternoon. A definite challenge from the off, with 4d going in first. Then, slowly, the solutions began to reveal themselves, until I hit a dead stop in the SE quadrant. With hindsight, 24a was bleedin’ obvious. 15d took some unravelling, as did 13a, my COTD this afty. I definitely didn’t have 9d figured as a lurker, and 22a, my last to fall, was more straightforward than I’d imagined.

    All in all, an excellent solve. Many thanks to proXimal and to Mr K.

  30. Despite not getting 1a I got off to a good start and was (I thought) getting along really well. However, 1a kept niggling at me and whilst I was quite confident about the second word it wasn’t until I checked the hints at the end that I finally got it! Same can be said for 13a as I was taking the last letter of emperor and mum/ ma. Never considered looking for the name of an Emperor. So didn’t finish perfectly! Many thanks to Proximal and for calling in. Thanks also to Mr K and for the Kitty pics and the efforts involved. Have a nice weekend everyone.

  31. Started this late today after a day out but I was totally on wavelength as it all flowed nicely. Really enjoyable. Thanks to ProXimal and Mr K.

  32. Smooth, tightly clued & a pleasure to solve – Mr K sums it up perfectly. Unfamiliar with the 9d phrase but otherwise straightforward. 1a my fav with a host of ticks elsewhere- 10,18&22a plus 1,5&7d other particular likes. Nice also to see Carol Reed’s masterpiece film at 25a & well remember riding my bike to the record shop in the Cheylesmore parade in Coventry to buy T Rex’s Metal Guru & Reg’s Rocket Man, number 1&2 in the charts.
    Thanks to proXimal & to Mr K

  33. Certainly not easy, but the answers kept coming and only real hold up were 1d and 2d. A superb puzzle and the best of the last few weeks.
    3* / 4*
    7d top of the podium
    Thanks to proximal and Mr K

  34. Late on parade after a day in town at the Courtauld followed by a bibulous lunch but got there in the end.
    11a utterly brilliant. Not often I get Friday done so rather chuffed.

  35. Solved almost all, steadily and enjoyably, with some help from my wife (Rodin) and daughter, who knows German, (Smith) but could not solve one: 1d, so needed the hints for that. Liked Idahoan for its construction and Jeans for its neatness. Thanks to proXimal, Mr K and the commentators. ***/****

  36. 3*/4* …
    liked 10A “Sweet-talk wife with attention and love on vacation (7)”

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