Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30900
Hints and tips by Falcon
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Ottawa, where, as I write this on Sunday evening, we have been basking for a brief spell in some gloriously warm and sunny spring weather that Senf has so generously forwarded from Manitoba.
The clock indicates that the puzzle could not have been as difficult as my gut reaction told me. I think my gut was unduly influenced by a handful of tricky parsings that held out to the very end. The high number of anagrams and lurkers allowed speedy progress to be made early in the solve. However, despite their large number, the anagrams were so well constructed that (for me, at least) they did not detract from the puzzle.
I only identified one pun in today’s Quickie but there could well be a second that escaped me.
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 Small fruit – but these could kill you! (6)
SPEARS — the clothing label symbol for small and the plural of a type of juicy fruit; she so enjoyed her visit yesterday, she returned today with her friends
5a In favour of pipes and other manufactured items (8)
PRODUCTS — link synonyms of “in favour of” and “pipes and other” (where other could be anatomical structures, for instance); “other” may be included primarily to enhance the surface read and I considered including it in the definition but opted not to do so
9a Supporter with only a little alcohol or sugar in window (8)
FANLIGHT — a supporter (e.g., of a sports team) and a word used to describe food or drink containing only a little alcohol or sugar
10a This could be blinking English idly muddled about Spain (6)
EYELID — the single letter for English followed by an anagram (muddled) of IDLY containing the IVR code for Spain
11a Iron pot’s cooking something very small indeed (8)
POSITRON — an anagram (cooking) of IRON POTS
12a Creative type: inside, heart is troubled (6)
ARTIST — a lurker hiding (inside) the final three words of the clue
13a Give one international player extra golf strokes (8)
HANDICAP — concatenate give or pass, the Roman numeral for one, and the headwear emblematic of a player who represents their country in international competition
15a Drunkard catches cold, a Glaswegian, maybe (4)
SCOT — a drunkard containing (catching) the water tap symbol for cold
17a Stupid work in airless dairy (4)
DOPY — the abbreviation for a musical work contained in (in) DAIRY after AIR is removed (airless)
19a Great praise of fruit found all over Australia (8)
APPLAUSE — a common fruit containing (found all over) the IVR code for Australia
20a Spliff in jacket (6)
REEFER — double definition, a marijuana cigarette and a short thick coat often worn by sailors
21a Knight getting drunk: blame on lord? (8)
NOBLEMAN — the chess symbol for knight and an anagram (drunk) of BLAME ON
22a Crimes admitted by atheist society (6)
HEISTS — another lurker, this one hanging out in (admitted by) the final two words of the clue
23a Dancers prepared to consume ecstasy to make it to the top once more? (8)
REASCEND — an anagram (prepared) of DANCERS containing (to consume) the single letter name for the recreational drug ecstasy
24a Stiffness? I had it, visiting doctor with back in agony (8)
RIGIDITY — start by linking a contraction for “I had” to IT from the clue; then embed the result inside (visiting) a charade of doctor (as in fudge or fiddle) and the final letter (back) of AGONY
25a Punters at zoo maintaining, “It’s not the real thing” (6)
ERSATZ — our third lurker, which the first three words of the clue are concealing (maintaining)
Down
2d Mountain climbing: something that enlivens a sort of relationship (8)
PLATONIC — a reversal (climbing in a down clue) of a European mountain followed by a stimulating drink
3d Kind of parliamentary sitting, entirely disorganised thing (3-5)
ALL NIGHT — a synonym for entirely and an anagram (disorganised) of THING
4d A pun with grass? Ridiculous – it’s a sort of pea! (5,4)
SUGAR SNAP — an anagram (ridiculous) of A PUN and (with) GRASS
5d This could provide power in the future, corruptly, or get penalty in holding first of elections (9,6)
POTENTIAL ENERGY — an anagram (corruptly) of OR GET PENALTY IN containing (holding) the initial letter of (first of) ELECTIONS
6d Excursion requiring ID to be organised with party (3,4)
DAY TRIP — an anagram (to be organised) of ID and (with) PARTY
7d Moon ring is also finally hidden (8)
CALLISTO — add together ring on the phone, IS from the clue, and another word for also from which the last letter is removed (finally hidden); the moon is named after a nymph who found out the hard way it doesn’t pay to mess around with the king behind the queen’s back
8d Steed lay, after exercising gently (8)
SEDATELY — an anagram (after exercising) of the first two words of the clue
14d Indicate in advance a stupid American standard (9)
ADUMBRATE — A from the clue, an originally US word for stupid, and a nounal synonym for standard; methinks a meeting of the list committee may be imminent
15d One who seeks bowman from the home counties? (8)
SEARCHER — were one to split the answer (2,6), the result might be well described by the wordplay
16d Gift made from iron: item worn on the finger (8)
OFFERING — link together a word denoting “made from”, the chemical symbol for iron, and an item of jewelry that was once usually worn on the finger (although today they seem to be appearing on or penetrating virtually any body part imaginable; here is a very small sampling)
17d Maybe removes barriers as means of protection (8)
DEFENCES — slightly alter the emphasis and the answer could somewhat whimsically mean to remove protective barriers
18d Northern university absorbed in exercise isn’t able to provide source of protein (5,3)
PECAN NUT — place abbreviations for northern and university inside (absorbed in) a word sum of the usual exercise class at school and another contracted way of saying “isn’t able to”
19d Warned Ed later gets upset (7)
ALERTED — an anagram (gets upset) of ED LATER
There are so many great clues today, I can’t choose a favourite. The lurker at 25a nearly defeated me, it was so well concealed. The answer at 14d is a word I never before encountered and never expect to meet again – at least outside Crosswordland. I pieced it together from the wordplay and was then amazed to actually find it in the dictionary.
Quickie pun:: PAR + KAY + FLAW + WRING = PARQUET FLOORING
On This Day …
… in 2009, former Beatle George Harrison was honoured with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles. Hundreds of fans and friends, including Sir Paul McCartney, attended the unveiling outside the landmark Capitol Records building, joining Harrison’s widow Olivia and son Dhani. Here is one of his best.
This guzzle had enough of a challenge with some of theparsing to keep you on your toes and lots of lovely anagrams ao it was good fun. I liked the clever wording in the 10a and 11a anagrams but my favourite was the Lego clue at14d (such a lovely word, it rolls off the tongue. Thanks to Falcon for the hints and to thecompiler
Well, once again, I proved conclusively that multi-tasking does not work especially when the tasks are trying to solve a Monday back pager and watching Rory McIlroy almost doing his best to not win the Masters. Although, I would have been almost as pleased if Justin Rose had won. At least I didn’t have to stay up until zero-dark-thirty to watch it.
So, I cannot assess difficulty or enjoyment of today’s puzzle; I didn’t even notice the double unches until looking at the grid before commenting. The only comment I can make is that 14d should be committed to an oubliette; is there one adjacent to the Great Hall of The List?
But, I do have some candidates for favourite – 5a, 17a, 7d, and 17d – and the winner is 17a.
Thanks to whomsoever and Falcon.
Well I can’t say that 14d is a word I regularly use (er… never…), but I certainly knew of it and, like ChrisCross, I love the way it rolls off the tongue. I propose that it should be removed from the oubliette and placed on a plinth to be admired, and henceforth brought into widespread usage…
I had heard this rumour before, and now believe it to be true. Some words find out the home addresses of compilers and knock on their door begging for a place in a guzzle with the hope of reaching the highest accolade – a place on THE LIST.
That was the case with 14d today. My understanding is that it travelled throught the night, before appearing at the compiler’s front door at dawn. It then made its case, successfully it seems.
As a result 14d may now be found in the newly built oubliette, alongside obeli and subjoin. Visitors may wish to know that audio guides are available. The overflow car park is open during busy periods.
Lovely guzzle, right at my level. Thanks to the setter and The Bird Of Prey.
Today’s crossword soundtrack: The Pearlfishers – ‘London’s In Love’
Terence, did you post a picture of a bluebell wood back in May, 2021? I saved that picture and have finally got around to starting a watercolor of it. I usually tackle pictures 9d houses so this 8s a bit different for me.
Gosh, BL, I don’t remember but it is very possible. I should love to see your painting when it is completed.
This all went in smoothly with LOI being the hilarious 14d. Why isn’t this word in common parlance as its etymology makes complete sense? I will try to use it as much as poss.
Talking of ‘try to use’…..one of the most common grammatical mistakes I see is people saying and writing ‘try and use’. It’s a classic boo-boo.
Surely 11a is a made-up word that is only said in Star Trek? 23a is another of those words that are only seen in crosswords.
My podium is 17a, 24a and 15d.
Many thanks to the setter and The Big F.
2*/4*
11a becomes a reality if you are sent for a PET scan in hospital – but I would check to see if the radiographer has pointy ears 😂🖖😂
A nice Monday crossword. Thank you to all involved.
Undoubtedly the after effects of following Rory’s emotional roller coaster will kick in after lunch 😴
It was a very hard watch.
Even though I love Justin, I’m so pleased because the last 10 years have been torture for him, especially last year’s US Open which was a big ouchy.
He said in yesterday’s press conference…What are we going to talk about next year?
Great stuff.
And what about the terrific Cambridge performance on the river? Half a page at the back of the sports section! 🙁
That is poor.
The victory tasted that much sweeter when Oxford got three PGCE students banned from the race. Cambridge tried to talk to Oxford about it but they ignored them. They also didn’t reply to the press enquiries about it.
If it’s an issue, then maybe ban them from next year’s race. But, not just before it as it’s very unfair on the three who have trained for months and waited for this moment for years.
Having lived in Wimbledon for years, I often ventured down to Putney as it’s such a great day……hic!
I went to school in Wimbledon! How I travelled there from Cheam I cannot imagine. In the summer the Lower & Upper Sixth girls
were allowed to go down to the Tennis |Courts where we had an arrangement, together with the Rutlish boys (where my brother went)
and as the Debs and their mothers left the ‘posh’ seats to go home and get ready for the dinners and balls we schoolgirls as long as we
were in uniform were allowed to take their tickets and watch the end of the matches. We saw some cracking games.
First, confession time. After doing wordle in 2 today (pure luck as my seed word was train), I checked my stats and I am only now at 46 for those, so when I said 48 the other day it must have been only 45. Second, yesterday I didn’t solve until 6, a phew moment.
I wordled in three today for the fourth time in succession.
George hates me.
Four 3s on the bounce is a fine effort. Like Bizzus Lizzus, I too got it in two with no letters after my first guess. Pure luck.
Love your Wimbledon tennis story 👏👏
A 2* difficulty made a 3* because of 14d. I will say no more. ***/**
Typically Mondayish, which, despite the proliferation of anagrams, was most enjoyable and pleasingly tricky in places. I particularly enjoyed 14d, (sorry Terence), and my favourite, 7d.
Many thanks to our setter for a fine start to the crosswording week, and to Falcon.
Once again I found the Monday exercise quite demanding and didn’t really enjoy it. Both 7d and 14d were new on me but thanks to MrG they came to me. As usual, I look forward to starting the cruciverbal week with Tuesday’s offering. Thank you mysteron and falcon.
You went into moderation for a while because of a typo – ‘F’ as the first letter of your surname – now corrected.
So sorry – thanks for sorting it. Actually second half of email address is not my surname but a village where I lived. My stroke hasn’t helped my concentration!
A swift completion with little reason for delay at any point, a gentle quick-tic with which to start the week. Ten anagrams in only 29 clues is ridiculous, though, let alone with 5 in a run of only 6 down clues – I’m surprised this got through editorial control. One or two ‘odd’ surfaces, but conversely today’s honours go to 14d & 25a, both helped by their excellent surface readings.
Thank you setter, but much more variety and far fewer anagrams next time, please; thanks also to Falcon, of course – enjoy your fine weather!
I enjoyed this challenge very much and didn’t really twig the number of anagrams, but they certainly aided completion. My podium comprises three of the clues that provided a high smile factor; 15d, 17a and 25a. I hope The LIST committee provide good quality accommodation for 14d as it’s a superb word. Thanks to compiler and Falcon.
Quite enjoyable Monday fare although not overly taken with 5d. Ticks here went to 13,19&25a plus 2&15d, with a nod to the Quickie pun.
Thanks to our setter and to Falcon for the review.
Well done, Rory, the coaching from young Poppy obviously paid off!
A pleasant enough puzzle but, as you might imagine, I struggled to get past the sea of anagrams. Of course they help with the solve but, for me, they take away from the overall challenge. 14d was a completely new word for me but easily attainable with all the checkers in place. Podium places for 13a, 2d and 18d. Thanks to our setter and Falcon.
Just one question, why do people complain so much about anagrams?
I don’t know, I enjoy them! 😄
Me too. Great fun, butt then I really don’t enjoy the linked clues . We’re all different and it’s horses for courses.
There’s nothing wrong with anagrams, and I for one enjoy them – I challenge myself to solve them without writing out or crossing through any of the letters in the clue, and only consider anagrams “below the belt” when being used to clue extremely obscure words. A good anagram within a smoothly-constructed surface read can be a delightful addition to and part of a puzzle, whether it’s a normal or reverse anagram, whether one has to add or subtract letters/words to/from it etc.
However … there are many different clue types a setter may deploy in a standard 28-32 clue grid, and in this instance, to use anagrams for fully one-third of the clues, in my view detracted from rather than adding to the enjoyment of solving the puzzle.
Were there 10 lurkers or 10 acrostics in a single grid, I would be making a similar observation.
I can’t bear to write anything at all except the letters in the grid. My aim is to get a filled grid with no wrong letters or writing around.
I think it might be harder but it’s the challenge I set myself. I wonder if anyone else doesn’t write or cross out etc??
Nice Monday puzzle thanks to all.
I love ‘em. I especially like the ones which make me laugh like Australian being saturnalia not to mention Notlob being a Python anagram of Bolton.
Nothing touches ”Flowery Tw*ts”, Day Zee.
I preferred Fatty Owls.
It was a goodie, Two-a, but I’ve gone with flowery as it uses all of the letters of Fawlty Towers.
Despite being slightly sluggish after staying up to watch Rory and Justin slug it out last night – thankfully only one extra hole was needed – I didn’t have too many problems with today’s guzzle apart from the obvious LOI at 14d and struggled more than I should have with 19 &21a but enjoyed the whole affair thoroughly.
**/****
Thanks to setter and Falcon
A lovely puzzle (with a couple of nice physics references) which I completed while having the Mini’s aircon reboosted. Just as the warmer weather slips away again, of course…
1.5* / 4* Enjoyable puzzle and a steady solve.
14d also a new word to me, though easy enough to work out.
Thanks to setter and Falcon
1.5*/4*. Excellent Monday fare with ticks galore on my page.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
I hadn’t come across 14d before and needed help parsing 24a.
Top picks for me were 2d, 15d and 19a.
Thanks to Falcon and the compiler.
I enjoyed this very much apart from 14d which I had never heard of, but I can see I am not alone. I enjoyed the anagrams and the well hidden lurker.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the hints.
As an ex-civil servant 14d was a blast from the past. – having engaged in this activity a number of times in my career. Sir Humphrey in Yes, Minister would be happy with this one.
This Monday puzzle was definitely not at the easy end go the scale at all. Definitely not the Monday setter we had a few weeks back. Started in the NW and words I thought might fit did not as the puzzle went on. Took an age to get the NW all fitted and then moved on through the rest. Several words/answer I did not know at all.
3*/2.5* for me today
Favourites 10a, 11a, 19a 22a, 5d & 17d — with winner 5d and 11a close second
Thanks to setter & Falcon
`14d gets a mention as noun in Betjeman’s East Anglian Bathe ;
‘On high, the clouds with mighty adumbration
Sailed over us to seaward fast and clear
And jellyfish in quivering isolation
Lay silted in the dry sand of the breeze’
Thank you London University English ‘O’ Level 1963.
That is tremendous recall, Corks!
Yes I remember the poem because I wrote an essay in your usual 15yo anger at the world which basically said Betjeman is a pompous, middle class class prat whose poetry represents the choking of the lives experienced by most of the country’s ordinary people. I got an ‘A’ for it and the master, a Mr Peter King known as China, wrote a comment that also said that many critics believe that. I have somewhat mellowed not about his poetry in general but he was a good friend of Philip Larkin which means he couldn’t have been all bad. A stand out moment in m career at Wyggeston Boys School in Leicester from which I was asked to leave some time before the exams but allowed to return to sit those exams I wanted to.
Before meeting the girl who became my wife some 6 years later I was a complete disappointment to all who knew me and in retrospect it was true but also inevitable.
Asked to leave?
What was your behaviour:
1. Truly shocking
2. Mischievous
3. Truancy
4. Cheeky and then some.
Love Mr King’s nickname!
I suppose by the norms of the time 1 and 2 would be the charge sheet. I got away with a lot which they obviously knew but couldn’t prove – I was rather like Macavity in Eliot’s cat poems. I just wasn’t there when the trouble blew up.
Yes China was a great teacher whose work with me meant that when I got over the worst excesses of adolescence I had sufficient education to give me a basis for a career. I remember being punished for something I hadn’t done and complaining to the the Deputy Headteacher, a Mr Russell aka Bertie, who told me to put up with it or they might look at the swimming pool incident or the calcium carbide smoking milk bottles among other matters. He also said when I left that the school had failed in its primary function of making a gentleman of me. I was worried for some time afterwards that I would feel a hand on my shoulder in the Gents demanding why I thought it was a place I could use.
I think it’s safe to say that you were number 2.
I was cheeky and distracted others a tad but never got in trouble.
My school used to have the ferrula (a leather belt) and boys got six of the best,
The room where it took place overlooked the playground on the third floor, meaning we could see the teacher’s arm being raised and the noise which was a smart deterrent.
Different times.
One thing I do remember not to do with mischief was the Speech Day in 1962 I think. The speaker was David Attenborough and both he and Richard had attended Wyggeston Boys. He opened his Speech by apologising for not being Richard whom he felt we would have preferred. I cannot remember anything else he said nor anyone else who came on Speech Days.
How superb to have them as old boys.
Looking at Wiki, William Wyggeston was so wealthy that in 1522 he paid 22% of the tax levied on Leicester!
Not surprisingly, I see that the spelling has been a headache for all concerned…
Wyggeston is one of the figures honoured by Leicester’s Clock Tower which spells his name ‘Wigston’.
There is a pub in Wigston named after him spelt “Wygston”.
Very nice guzzle with which to start the week. I liked 1 and 25 d, we had 25a the other day didn’t we? Funny how some words turn up like busses, none’l come and then a lot ‘l. Good pun also.
Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Falcon.
Your mention of Nita Prose “The Maid” as one of your Book Club reads inspired me to purchase, DG. Thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you.
Oh, I am so glad you enjoyed it. Latest read to be discussed tomorrow is Songbirds by
Christy Lefteri. Didn’t enjoy it, the subject, Cypriot habit of eating baby songbirds – horrid!
Good afternoon
An object lesson in never taking the Monday crozzie for granted: it may be, on the whole, a touch easier on the braincell than eg a Friday grid, but there’s enough going on to keep what passes for my grey matter alert! Especially as I’m away for a couple of days and I have neglected to pack my Lucky Green Pen…
Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon.
OK, so too many anagrams – except for those that like them! And 14d sparked an interesting discussion (I’ve known the word for years; though never used it in conversation)…but then, if we setters were only allowed to use “everyday” conversational words in our grids, we’d be hard pressed to set so many puzzles! See you again, quite soon…
Can never have too many anagrams. They are a huge help when you are stuck.
An enjoyable Monday, and could mostly figure it out on my own. I just love clues which can be resolved with logic and a bit of concentration. But I cannot claim to have ever heard of 14d, and my inattention during science classes proved my downfall at 11a. But the rest all made sense, even after a night when I woke far too early. Thanks to X-Type and Falcon.
A nice start to the week with a couple of new words at 11a & 7d 😃 **/**** Favourites 19a, 20a & 15d 👍 Thanks to the Compiler and to the Falcon
Whizzed through this until the dreaded 14d! Thank you X-Type and Falcon
An enjoyable solve but got a little stuck in the SE corner, so had to refer to the hints. That first unaided solve still eludes but getting close.
My favourite clue today was 12a, not because of any difficulty, but for some inexplicable reason I was reminded of this particular artistic genius, a certain KDB!
2 days of watching Rory to the conclusion of play followed by 5.15am alarm calls for a 7am start at the golf club & still there now. Quite how my eyes remain open remains a mystery. Enjoyed the puzzle – nice & gentle & about right for a Monday. Knew 14d was a word but not sure I’d have been able to define it without the clue & 11a also needed a post solve check with Mr G. 15&16d my top two.
Thanks to X-Type (& for popping in) & to Falcon
At first glance I wasn’t too sure if I could get a foothold and then everything just fell into place quite easily though I hadn’t heard of 14d before and had to check it out. Many thanks to X-Type and for dropping in. Personally, I like anagrams as they can give one a lift up when struggling with the grid. Many thanks also to Falcon. After 2/3 weeks of dry weather I think rain is heading our way in the NW.
Started raining here yesterday evening and hasn’t stopped since then – wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it’s heading your way. I’m sure the gardens are enjoying it and the weeds are doubtless ecstatic………….
Anyone idea who the setter was? Happily on my wavelength.
Welcome to the blog, Fifo.
Scroll up through the comments and you’ll see that X-Type popped in to claim authorship @ comment 24.
I’m afraid, like others, 14d didn’t do it for me, if you’ve never heard of the word you’ve never heard of it and not particularly fairly clued. I suppose I have now but I’m forgetting it as I write, it deserves its place on ‘the list’. I needed the hint to parse 24a and needed to check 4d, horticulture is not my strongpoint. The rest were more Mondayish than recent offerings but not by much. I don’t usually pick an anagram as favourite but 5d was worthy. Thanks to X-Type and Falcon.
Hi, Taylor. 4d is at least as much culinary knowledge as horticultural: they’re sold in the veg section of supermarkets, often next to mange tout.
Got there in the end. Happy with this Monday challenge. Lurkers, anagrams…… all fun to me! Thank you Falcon, needed a little help today. And setter, my some-time puzzle visitor, Graymattinha, wondered if you were reminiscing your student days (ref. 5a, 11a, 20a, 23a, 4d)? 🤡.
After a busy day I fitted this crossword in before bedtime, but reading everybody’s comments waited till this morning. This was a medium-difficulty puzzle for me: lots of answers going straight in, but I was held up by having so many anagrams. Thank you to Falcon for explaining the 9a window and the 20a coat. I don’t think I’ve heard 18d in full, and its second word seems redundant to me, but the full phrase is in dictionaries, so completely fair.
My top few were 17a’s airless dairy, 5d’s future power, and the 15d home counties bowman.
14d was also new to me, but I enjoyed learning of its existence, so I’m glad of its inclusion and I’ll try to use it in conversation. Now that the head cook has retired (see last Monday’s Grange Hill clue), as of next week the 10-year-old’s school dinners will be coming from an outside provider, and the pupils will have to indicate their choices in advance — so I was wondering if I could use it there. But checking dictionaries, it seems to be ‘indicate’ as in outlining in a general way, not selecting from a list.
2*/4* …
liked the improbable surface of 2D ….
“Mountain climbing: something that enlivens a sort of relationship (8)”