Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30903
Hints and tips by Shabbo
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty **** – Enjoyment ****
I don’t know about you, but I found this quite tricky, requiring my full attention throughout. That is not a bad thing, of course, particularly on a Thursday and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Perhaps the slightly unfriendly grid didn’t help, but more likely I was just being a bit slow to unravel some beautifully written clues.
Much to my granddaughter’s disgust, I had never heard of the film franchise at 2d, but the answer was gettable without this knowledge. The England cricketer at 17d of course posed no issues to this sportsman (retired!). For once, I will opt for the Spoonerism at 21a as my CoD – very amusing!
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Thank you, setter for a very decent challenge.
Across
9a Secretly listened to concerning mass broadcast (9)
OVERHEARD: synonym of concerning + homophone (broadcast) of a synonym of mass (think animals).
10a King typically with power supplanted by new relative (5)
NIECE: take the generic term for an item on a chess board (king typically) and replace the P with an N (power supplanted by new).
11a Failing to finish single exam, supposedly (2,5)
ON PAPER: synonym of single without the final letter (failing to finish) + synonym of exam.
12a Various green views regularly rejected by American student (7)
SEVERAL: take the even letters (regularly) of gReEn ViEwS, join them together, turn it back to front (rejected) and then add the abbreviations for American and student (or Learner).
13a Steeplechaser, maybe he cares desperately to claim gold (9)
RACEHORSE: anagram (desperately) of HE CARES outside (to claim) the heraldic abbreviation for gold.
15a Vindicate completely (5)
RIGHT: double definition.
17a Criticise Polish cleric ignoring work (7)
RUBBISH: synonym of polish + a senior cleric without the OP (ignoring work). The capitalisation of the P in polish is a perfectly legitimate technique by our setter to lead the poor solver up the wrong garden path.
19a His struggles, acutely feeling the cold (7)
SHIVERY: anagram (struggles) of HIS + synonym of acutely.
20a Warnings succeeded after females head off (5)
OMENS: abbreviation for Succeeded after a synonym of females without the initial letter (head off).
21a Rich individual seen in Spooner’s copies of Playboy? (9)
MONEYBAGS: I’m pretty certain that Rev Spooner would not have been a subscriber to Playboy magazine, largely because he died 23 years before its first publication. Anyway, let’s not worry about that detail, as this clue is great fun. Make a Spoonerism of how one might describe copies of Playboy magazine to find a rich individual.
24a Cringed in fear emerging from fiasco – we’re doomed! (7)
COWERED: a hidden word clue (emerging from). Our solution is hiding in plain sight within words 6-8 of the clue. Don’t tell him, Pike!
26a Tongue occasionally has pink groove, on reflection (7)
TURKISH: take every other letter (occasionally) of HaS pInK, add a three-letter synonym of groove and turn the whole lot back to front (on reflection).
28a Round end of term season, about to reach conclusion (5)
OMEGA: letter implied by “round” + final letter (end) of terM + a synonym of season (or mature) reversed (about). The solution is the final letter of the Greek alphabet which is also defined as “conclusion” in Chambers.
29a Doctor and sister delay turning up (9)
TARDINESS: anagram (doctor – a verb in this instance) of AND SISTER.
Down
1d Influence of firm line associated with us (6)
COLOUR: two-letter abbreviation for firm (or COmpany) + abbreviation for Line + synonym of “associated with us”. I struggled a bit with the definition, but the current Mrs Shabbo came to the rescue. Think along the lines of “influence one’s judgement”.
2d This writer quits film franchise, deserving contempt (10)
DESPICABLE: this writer here is ME and this needs to be removed from the name of an apparently well-known American media franchise to reveal our solution.
3d Old ship’s cat? It leaves with tiny sum of money (4)
WHIP: remove the middle two letters from “with” (it leaves with) and add the smallest coin in our currency.
4d More impartial footballers right to suppress anger (6)
FAIRER: abbreviation for the governing body of association football in England + abbreviation for Right outside (to suppress) synonym of anger.
5d Goodbye sister’s oddly missed, hosting posh hero (8)
ODYSSEUS: the even letters (oddly missed) of gOoDbYe SiStErS outside (hosting) a single-letter meaning posh (Upper class).
6d College, one in France, it is very organised (10)
UNIVERSITY: are a college and the definition synonymous? Discuss. I suppose that now most former colleges hold this once exalted status, anything goes, provided it brings in the cash. One (or a) in French + anagram (organised) of IT IS VERY.
7d PM, not half keen Blairite at heart (4)
KEIR: take the first half of KEen and add it to the heart of blaIRite.
8d Extremism of unknown European many track (8)
ZEALOTRY: a Lego clue. Letter signifying unknown + abbreviation for European + two-word synonym of “many” + abbreviation for (RailwaY) track.
14d Around middle of April, Katie rash to swim butterfly (10)
HAIRSTREAK: anagram (to swim) of KATIE RASH outside (around) the middle letter of apRil.
16d Dangers abroad touring popular Eastern Caribbean islands (10)
GRENADINES: anagram (abroad) of DANGERS outside (touring) synonym of popular + abbreviation for Eastern.
17d Swede, say, having hairstyle of England cricketer? (4,4)
ROOT CROP: synonym of hairstyle after England’s highest run scorer in Test cricket. The definition is a vegetable, not a Scandinavian.
18d Damp smell, one evident ultimately during home improvements (8)
HUMIDITY: synonym of smell + I (one) + final letter (ultimately) of evidenT placed inside (during) three letter abbreviation for “home improvements”. Damp here is a noun, not an adjective.
22d Countryside character (6)
NATURE: double definition.
23d Break in Switzerland is to visit son Mike (6)
SCHISM: two letter country code for Switzerland + IS inside (to visit) abbreviations for Son and Mike.
25d Fresh uprising outside Haiti’s capital? At what time? (4)
WHEN: synonym of fresh upside down (uprising) outside the first letter (capital) of Haiti.
27d Reluctant to overlook a fine for attack (4)
RAID: synonym of reluctant (or apprehensive) without (to overlook) the first two letters, namely A + abbreviation for Fine.
Quickie Pun: OFF + FAST + HIKE = OFFA’S DYKE
“Hey Hank, the guy put a U in 1d” sorry, just can’t resist it every time this comes up!
Great crossword with the short ones giving most trouble, last one in was 3d, which I reckon I’ve got right, but can’t quite work out the second bit of the clue, so will have to see the hints.
Too sunny outside to write too much here, so my favourites today are 26a (I originally had ‘eorkish’ but can’t have been the only one) and the brilliant Dr S clue at 21a.
Ta to setter today, great fun.
You weren’t the only one with eorkish!
Add me to this list!
Not only ‘eorkish’, I also tried ‘winegal’ for 12a — which sounds like it should be something!
A little tricky in places, but a very enjoyable puzzle.
I had not heard of the butterfly, but with the checkers in place, the anagram fodder led me to the correct answer.
21a made me smile (which is rare for a spoonerism).
Many thanks to the setter and to Shabbo for the write-up.
3*/5*. I thought this was truly excellent: nicely challenging, a lot of fun, and smooth, smooth surfaces throughout.
I didn’t know the butterfly in 14d but it was easy enough to work out from the anagram fodder and checking letters.
Unusually, I am going to opt for our favourite reverend as my favourite today.
Many thanks to Silvanus presumably, and to Shabbo.
Is there an echo in here today?
Cracking puzzle, which on first glance at the NW corner threatened to be more challenging than it was. Started at 10a, though, and rattled through quite speedily, finishing at 3d where the parsing to justify my naval cat held me up a little. All in all, by the end felt it had been quite benign for this late in the week. Did wonder at 8d whether we were on for a pangram, given 7d alongside, but was not to be; the “film franchise” is one I’ve managed to avoid; knowing the butterfly helped.
Loads of ticks, so will limit to 21a, 8d & 3d, with 7a runner-up for the surface read.
Many thanks indeed to the setter, and of course also to Shabbo
Not sure I agree with the explanation for 21 across. Is it not ‘individual’ inside the spoonerism? Even then don’t think the spoonerism is particularly good.
Welcome to the blog, PRL. I hope you get lot of enjoyment from it.
The definition element of 21a is “rich individual”. I won’t elaborate further for fear of spoiling the fun for others.
My problem with interpreting the spoonerism was that, looking at the letters rather than sounding it out, I swapped them and then pronounced the first ‘half’ incorrectly (think skeleton). And, yes, I *know* that’s not how spoonerisms work!
Agree, only after reading this did I think to pronounce it so the Dr S works!
I confess I did the same thing. The initial answer was something that appeared to be plausible British vulgar slang for such a periodical and the thought of its usage in the DT certainly raised my eyebrows!
Thanks. I get that too, but either way it’s the spoonerism I don’t really get but maybe my understanding of a spoonerism isn’t correct. Having said that I did solve the clue first but was looking forward to the explanation to satisfy me 😀.
A really enjoyable puzzle – thanks to our setter and Shabbo.
I’d never heard of the film franchise or the butterfly.
I really liked 21a, 3d, 8d and 17d.
I see that Mrs Shabbo has made a major contribution to the blog once again. Would she be interested in becoming a blogger in her own right?
I have asked her, but predictably she prefers to make the odd interjection rather than taking on the task of writing a full blog.
She is, however, very flattered that you asked!
A very enjoyable smooth Thursday challenge slightly spoiled by my having to get Rocinante out of the stable again for another Quixotic tilt at the three letter anagram, move one letter, in 19a – 3*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 17a, 24a, 28a, 3d, and 17d – and the winner is 17a.
Thanks to Silvanus, it must be him or to whomsoever in the unlikely event that it is not he, and thanks to Shabbo.
I enjoyed this immensely, it’s been a while since a puzzle has raised so many smiles. Favourites 3d, short and sweet, a big lol for the 21a spooner, but COTD for me was the superb minion clue at number 2. Thanks Shabbo and setter.
A very tricky set of clues, most of which I parsed retrospectively, having found the answer using the checkers and the sefinition rather than the wordplay. I too liked the funny Spoonerism at 21a, the Lego geographical clue and the crickety clue at 17d. Thanks to Shabbo for the hints and to the compiler.
Another belter from Mr Smooth hits the back of the net.
Aside from his smoothness, his trademark is definitely an alternate letter lurker or rekrul. He can’t get enough of ’em.
I obviously had no idea about the butterfly but, having three dustbin lids, I knew the film franchise. I initially had ‘cook’ as the second word of 17d but soon realized I chose the wrong cricketer. My LOI was, like many others, 3d.
My podium is 21a, 29a and 6d.
Many thanks to The SAS.
3*/5*
Quite splendid, but I was defeated by a butterfly! I particularly enjoyed assembling 8d, though that was post-solve, and the surface of 26a. And I initially found the definition of 1a a bit off, but having read the hint that was just a ‘me’ problem. All-in-all, a perfectly-pitched Thursday crossie, though feeling a tad nervous about what Friday will bring! ****/****
With apologies to lepidopterists, the entire committee (no apologies for absence received) voted 14d to be included on THE LIST this morning. It is to be housed, temporarily, in the conservatory until more suitable accommodation is found.
Super hard guzzle. For me, and I stress for me (© Senf) I had to refer to Shabbo a couple of times to help me reboot.
Off to Stamford Bridge later. Even Chelsea couldn’t let a three nil advantage slip from their grasp… could they…?
Thanks to the setter and Shabba-dabba-doo
Today’s crossword soundtrack: Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour (selected track: Slow Burn)
You could easily lose that 3 nil advantage if we lend you Onana for tonight!
Very true Tipcat!
Phew, so relieved to see I wasn’t the only one that found this tricky.
This was pleasingly tricky with a goodly number of really excellent surfaces and some clever misdirection. I cannot separate 17 and 21a so they are my co-favourites this sunny morning.
Many thanks to our setter for a great challenge, and to Shabbo.
I found this tricky but got there in the end. I knew the butterfly and the films which helped.
Top picks for me were 17a, 21a and 8d.
Thanks to Shabbo and the compiler.
I found this decidedly tricky. Put it down on a couple of occasions to reboot the grey cells. However perseverance paid dividends only held up by the pesky ship’s cat, which makes my podium alongside 17d and the highly amusing spoonerism at 21a. Thanks to Silvanus (?) and Shabbo especially for the nudge on 3d.
We’ve been treated to some excellent back-pagers this week with this one being no exception. Has to be the work of Mr Smooth given the wonderful surface reads although he’s obviously far more up to date on film franchises than I am! Like YS, I couldn’t separate 17&21a when it came to awarding honours so they’ll have to share the prize pot between them with 11a hard on their heels.
Many thanks to Silvanus for another great compilation and to Shabbo plus Mrs Shabbo for the review.
As this was an off week for RayT I knew it would be another setter.
Can’t say I enjoyed it at all and gave up half way through as answers I got made no parsing sense to me.
Maybe I was having an off day, but nothing was clicking.
Not for me this one, and I abandoned ship.
No favourites in those I found either.
4*/1*
Sorry setter … not my cuppa today
I loved it. A quick finish compared to some Thursdays
Clue of the day definitely 21a
Can see why others wouldn’t like it but it’s a **/**** for me.
Well clued Mr Smooth.
I got there on my own but had to put question marks for parsing by so many answers and was exceedingly grateful to have the explanations from Shabbo. Initially it felt as if what was left of my grey cells had up and left. Grateful for the challenge.
I didn’t find this one too bad once I got started , finding it a really enjoyable solve without any holdups and the right amount of challenge. I didn’t know the butterfly but with enough checkers the anagram sorted itself out. I usually hate spoonerisms but this one made me laugh out loud – thought it rather clever. I couldn’t parse 1d at all thinking the definition was a word meaning a small sum of money derived from a name of an old ship’s cat – one called Whipit maybe ? 🙄 Of course seeing the hint , as always it’s obvious . Thanks to the setter and Shabbo
Certainly a spread of opinions today. I found this more comfortable than most Thursdays. I’ll join those calling out the super-smooth surfaces, e.g. 13a, 17a and 20a to name just 3! Loved the spoonerism once I read the blog to justify it by pronouncing the first vowel correctly. Thanks bloggers.
My favourites were 13a for the surface and 17a just because it’s such a great clue.
I also started pangram watch at 8d and it got close but no cigar.
Thanks I presume to Silvanus and Shabbo.
Well I just thought I found this difficult because it’s been a while since I’ve done a cryptic. Glad to drop in here and find it wasn’t just me being out of practice! Needed your lovely helpful hints for many answers. Sorry, I didn’t like 21a across because the unspoonered spoonerism is just a horrible grubby phrase. Top marks to 5d.
Setter here, many thanks to Shabbo (and Mrs Shabbo!) and to everyone solving and commenting.
May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Easter. See you all again soon.
Happy Easter to you too. Very enjoyable puzzle today. 21a has had me chuckling 🤣. A nice, if a little naughty, link to Easter 🐇
Not sure whether my comments are appearing scorching Alicante today, freezing Mallorca yesterday. As I packed wrong charger for my Kindle Reception kindly charge this every night so I can access the paper and hence the guzzle. Great guzzle today and many lately but my emails are getting lost somewhere. V annoying. Will see if this post appears!😁
Eureka, but last 10 days seem to have vanished!
Sorry, didn’t find this a “bit of fun” today, clearly above my pay grade. Not helped by not being a Spooner fan (and zero knowledge of Playboy magazines 😊), not a butterfly expert, and unable to unravel 11a without the hint. Not a surprise, given the **** rating and it being Thursday to boot. Where is Brian when I need him? Haven’t seen Kath for ages either. Did I miss any announcements? Thanks to Silvanus who is always on a different wavelength from me, and the obviously smarter than me Mr and Mrs Shabbo.
Anybody else finding yesterday’s puzzles when opening the DT puzzle page, and having to click and hunt around for today’s versions? As I am 5 hours behind it makes no sense. The Quickie was there, but confusing as it still had yesterday’s number. The usual problem, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Yes, the puzzles are displayed on the main page with yesterday’s date.
Great Thursday puzzle, and I agree with Shabbo on the Spoonerism as clue of the day – hilarious! VMT Setter & Shabbo.
I fear my rusty grey matter let me down on this mindbender which I failed to complete. Hats off to those who completed devoid of electronic reference. Nowadays I find clue surfaces are more and more lumpy which was the case today.. Thank you to setter for truncated fun and to Shabbo for much elucidation.
I was doing quite nicely until I came across 21a and like the man almost said ‘when I hear the word Spooner I reach for my Browning’ and threw the paper in the recycling bin. Best place for a setter who cannot find a suitable word and uses the damned Reverend. Thanks to the setter for allowing me to finish early and to Shabbo who confirmed my efforts as far as 21a. In future I will check ffor such effrontery as was on display here before wasting paper and ink.
Gosh, Corks. Do you really despise them that much? I’m a huge fan.
Belly jeans….plaster man……chewing the doors….a lack of pies….shake a tower….a flock of bats….he missed the post….what’s not to like?
Or is it a case of you like them in life but not in a crossy because it does make the clue that much harder?
Fairy nuff if it’s the latter.
I’m never quite sure if Corky is being entirely serious
Can’t say I enjoyed this today other than 21a.
The main reason was two massively obscure clues that cross each other with 28a and 14d.
17d took ages as I have only vaguely heard of the cricket bloke.
3d also defeated me.
Thanks to all.
Top drawer as per. I can take it or leave it with the Rev but today’s one was a corker & my clear pick from a fine selection – 9,11&24a plus 2,8&18d other particular likes. Had to check on the butterfly but was familiar with the franchise though haven’t seen any of the films. Thought the wee ones 3d smart too.
Thanks to S&S
Just have to make a comment today to thank Silvanus for a lovely crossword and for the first time ever a Spoonerism that I really, really enjoyed. Top marks mate as I’m sure you’ll remember me talking to you about my hatred of the reverend’s – isms in one of the January shindigs a long time ago….in a galaxy far,far away………….
It’s lovely of you to drop in, Jim. I hope you’re well and I wish you would contribute more regularly once again.
Thank you for your kind comments, glad to hear that 21a ticked the right boxes for once. I know Spoonerisms are the most Marmite-like of all clue constructions but I confess that I am quite partial to them.
I’m very well thanks – I hope you are too. Even though I’ve now properly retired – I am still extremely busy with ongoing projects but still make time to do a crossword or two. Especially if I see the tag ‘Silvanus’ as a compiler. Take care my man and carry on with your delightful wordplay.
Didn’t find this easy today but amazingly managed to work out 21a. I had to rely on the gints? for many of the other glues, so thankyou Shabbo for your help. Thankyou also to Silvanus for the challenge.
I suspect this is beyond me and I’m not going to finish it, but thank you to Silvanus for the entertainment so far, and Shabbo for explaining the 28a season and confirming the 14d butterfly.
First class puzzle for a Thursday. 3d defeated me so thanks Shabbo for the explanation. Having solved it correctly I really would like someone to shed a light on the film franchise?
Loved the Spoonerism🥂
Thanks to Shabbo and Silvanus.
Hi, Stone Waller. The name of the film franchise is 3d followed by ‘Me’. They introduced the yellow characters called Minions, as depicted in Shabbo’s hint. The only film in the franchise I’ve seen is Minions: The Rise of Gru, which was better than I expected.
Well in that case for me it’s a poor clue. Who ever heard of Despicable Me? And as I have always maintained, one should always be able to solve a cryptic clue within the clue itself. Not on spurious GK.
Sorry Silvanus🥲
PS I do understand what a film franchise is!
It’s about as famous over the past few decades as it’s possible for film franchises to be. Its something that could easily be referred to in passing on the culture pages of a newspaper expecting readers to have heard of it — and my guess is the proportion of the population who’ve heard of the film franchise is far greater than those who can solve cryptic crosswords†, so perhaps think of it as a clue which widens the appeal of crosswords, making them accessible to new solvers?
† And for that matter, far far greater than those who when listing terms for a sailor would think of ‘AB’, which is general knowledge in its own way.
Well I’m in Italy and have no idea what the franchise is. I disagree that AB can be compared to this kind of GK.
I reiterate that the clue cannot be solved without this obscure knowledge.
Hi Jackson. I hope you’re well.
I would put the answer between GK and obscure.
If you lived in The UK – the target audience for this crossword – and had children under 25, you would definitely have heard of it, ie nailed on GK.
Pharrell Williams’ monster hit ‘Happy’ was in the second film.
I’ve put it between GK and ‘What the?’ as many solvers’ children are a lot older than 25.
Jackson?
What is happening to this site?
What sort of comment is this? I’m appalled!
Is anybody monitoring this?
Is Jackson some kind of insult that I don’t know about because I have been out of the UK for more decades than Despicable Me was born?
I wonder what Big Dave would make of this?
I don’t think any insult was intended. Stonewall jackson was a general in the American civil war.
Tom I believe was simply addressing you in a convivial manner.
Yep, that’s the one, Jezza.
I think I may have called you that before.
Just a bit of harmless bants.
I had an uncle who used a nickname for me which I loathed….he was only addressing me in a ‘convivial’ manner….but I still hated it.
Unless you know someone really well, then taking liberties with peoples’ names is open to being misinterpreted at best and seeming downright rude at worst. Having said that, I’m sure there is no malice involved and only a bit of friendly banter.
Rant over.
A franchise with reference to films is a series of films with the same name and the same characters. There are several despicable me films in the franchise, despicable me 1, despicable me 2 and so on. I hasten to add I’ve never watched any of them.
Thanks for your kind interpretation.
If one is going to comment (and I am referring to “Jackson”) then more obscurity is not helpful! Especially when I feel this really is against Dave’s principles for the site.
No problem.
Going forward, I’ll stick with SW.
Sweet dreams, one and all.
Let’s hope it’s a Good Friday for us all in crosswordland.
Come on you Toughie! I’m ready for yer.
Yes there is a problem. I don’t like your attitude. Indidn’t appreciate your comments and I knew Big Dave and I’m sure he wouldn’t either!
Forgive me for not understanding but what comment are you referring to?
Is it about me saying that I think the franchise is between GK and obscure or is it something else?
Let’s say it simply was you being obscure with “Jackson” and leave it at that.😎
👍
Buona serata🥂🍷
Despicable Me, SW. There are several films of that name DM1, DM2 etc.
The Spoonerism gets a thumbs up from me. The Reverend is such a frequent visitor to these parts that I look forward to his presence!
A very decent backpager, my LOI was 3d which also gets my COTD vote.
Thanks to Shabbo and Silvanus
Very tricky but a great feeling of satisfaction to have managed to finish. I am particularly pleased to have got the spooner so this will be my favourite. I needed the hints to help understand the parsing of several.
Many thanks to Silvanus and to Shabbo for the hints and a happy Easter to everyone.
I had no idea of the film franchise and had no intention of looking it up, fortunately Stone Waller at #34 asked the question. I am however forgetting it as I write. I hadn’t heard of the butterfly, but I have now. No major problems elsewhere. Another vote for the Spoonerism as favourite, it was a good one. Thanks to Silvanus and Shabbo.
It appears that I have been censored for being perfectly reasonable. Very worrying!
You haven’t been censored. Your comments went into moderation because you missed a ‘3’ out of your email address. I’ve now reinserted the ‘3’ for you.
👍
3.5* / 4* Good Thursday challenge, butterfly new one in me and not entirely sure I’m getting the spoonerism correctly.
Liked 3d, 5d and 19a
Thanks to Silvanus and Shabbo
ps Can’t understand the moaning about the film franchise, we’ve all got gaps in our knowledge, personally its Latin and religion
So, apparently I cannot comment any more even though I am polite. 2 perfectly polite comments banned. I simply don’t understand what Big Dave would make of this.
NHO the film franchise or the butterfly. Still, I completed the puzzle and rather enjoyed it! Thanks to Shabbo and Silvanus.
Oooo! The first letters of four of the across clues on the left-hand side. And my reaction to some of the posers…
3*/3* …
liked 21A “Rich individual seen in Spooner’s copies of Playboy ? (9)”