Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30905 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
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Easter Saturday brings another enjoyable Saturday Prize Puzzle from the NY Doorknob which I thought was on the solver-friendly side, but I would wager that many people will disagree with me. You do have to wonder whether he was having a jolly time in the pub while writing this week’s multi-light clues.
Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions, and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog)
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Across
5a Like stocks soon yielding capital (6)
An original way of cluing this capital city. An adverb meaning like ‘stocks’ immediately after (soon)
11a Heather before noon leaving the States (5)
A heather plant is obtained by removing the abbreviation for before noon from the States
12a What Nosey Parker might do – save money? (4,2)
A conjunction meaning unless (save) and a slang word for money
15a Volte-face hater suggests? (6,2,5)
An anagram indicator suggests what you should do with HATER to get the third word of this phrase
18a Californian currency is found in hospital loo? (3,10)
A former unit of currency is found between a hospital and IS (from the clue) and a slang name for a lavatory
22a Two mates, both with a shed? 13 9! (4-4)
Another drinking toast – two Cockney mates both without the A at the end
29a Gut feeling vague when DI vanishes (8)
Vague or blurred without the DI (vanishes)
Down
1d Dog second in queue (8)
Dog or follow and second or endorse
3d Witty old woman back on drugs (7)
A reversal (back) of a mother (old woman) and what someone on drugs is doing
10d Adele ultimately inclined to throttle pub trumpeter (8)
The ultimate letter of AdelE and another way of saying inclined into which is inserted (to throttle) an abbreviated pub
14d Ms Kelly‘s traditional tales about wet weather (8)
The forename of Ms Kelly, the ITV presenter – some traditional tales go ‘about’ some wet weather
17d Pursuit of profit? (8)
A hobby or activity (pursuit) or a profit from an investment
19d Related to fission: new uranium crystal? (7)
The abbreviation for New, the chemical symbol for Uranium and crystal or transparent
24d Tea at home for Bond (5)
Misleading capitals time – another name for tea and the usual ‘at home’
25d/1a Who’d chat, then becoming excited? 13 9! (4,3,5)
Like 13 9, this solution is an informal toast – an anagram (becoming excited) of WHOD CHAT THEN
As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out
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The Quick Crossword pun: OVERT + EARNING = OVERTURNING
A change of tactics today (does that make it tictacs?). Went for the linked multi-word answers first and then the remaining answers were reasonably straightforward with all these checkers. Needed to print the puzzle out as it would have been too much of a challenge to have used the app.
Podium places for me today were 11a Heather and 15a Volte-face.
Just checked the parsing of 18a and realised that I misspelled the answer so no Mythical for me this week.
Thanks to the setter for the challenge and to CS.
Like the tictacs shout, DP 👏👏
We used to call it that sometimes in the Army. You then have trouble saying it correctly – as with millennium / minellium in Dinnerladies.
Love it.
I giggle when people pronounce phenomenon as phenomenum, Birmingham as Birminum and mnemonic as menomic.
Like our wonderful long- gone chairman of the Parish Council who told us an ex councillor had died of an emblemism.
Brilliant! One to add to the list as is this …
A quizmaster asks…what word describes a sudden revelation?
His answer, well, the way he pronounced it…
An eppyfanny!
Everyone roared but he had no idea why.
Poor fella.
On a train journey home from London back in the early 70s, an announcer told us that the train had been delayed because of a fertility at Rainham! I can still see the Druids dancing on the line, which is considerably better than thinking about the other option
Wonderful! Well, not the reality, but you know what I mean.
When it came to the distribution of the exam certificates at my Grammar School, the local Councillor gave a speech culminating in, “I will now call upon the headmistress, Miss Hobbling (actually spelt Hoblyn) to give out the cerstifficates” Smiles all round
These are great fun.
Thanks for that CC.
That made me lol and then some.
So, so good.
I replied to your brilliant fertility story, Sue, but mistyped my email. So, it’s in moderation.
Sorry about that.
Was that at Victoria? I worked there then, and we had someone (not me) who used to announce in a very serious voice when there was a ‘fertility’ somewhere.
I struggled with Wivelsfield, and I had Wandsworth Column (for Common) sometimes.
Enjoyed the puzzle eventually after being stuck at first look.
Thanks for comments and to setter.
2*/4*. I thought this was bizarre even by NYDK’s “normal” standards, but I did enjoy it a great deal with 13/9 my favourite.
My one slight qualm was 5d. Although it will doubtless appear in various thesauri, I think that the word clued by “soon” is a bit of a stretch.
Prost, Donny and thanks to CS.
Oops. 5a not 5d.
Hi RD
Does this work?
As the bridge hadn’t been constructed properly, it soon/**** collapsed.
Not for me! Soon means in a short time, **** simply implies in sequence.
No problem
Something like:
“Finish your homework quickly, and soon you can go out to play”
🤔
Works for me, VC, but I was bound to say that, wasn’t I.
Great fun for a Saturday morning. Witty and thought provoking. Must rate highly on the enjoyment factor. Picking a podium will have to be by sticking a pin into my page at random from all the ticked clues. This results in13/9a, 10d and 18a in top spot. Thanks to NYDK and CS.
I loved this crossword. I agree at the easier end of Prize Cryptics but that’s partly why I liked it and it was a welcome turn up after yesterday’s challenge. Particularl favourites were the 13,9 clues like 22a. 18a and 10d were other enjoyable ones. Minor gripe about 14d and Ms Kelly’s appearance. Thank you NYD and Cryptic Sue
Struggled with this but finally worked from Brighton to Wick. Held up on 13a as I wanted a 2 letter word between the first and second words, but finally made it work.
My thanks to the setter and CS – 12a now makes sense
This was great fun and, looking at the ‘Bottoms up!’ theme, he probably was having a jolly time in the pub (love it).
My FOI was the clever 15a and it flowed from there.
My podium is 5a (very nice), 15a and 6d.
MTT NYPD Blue and CS.
2*/4*
Good fun from NYDK with no problems from the ‘multis’ which probably means that I have spent too much time in the pub over the years – **/****
I did have to e-confirm Ms Kelly as I have only seen her first name, the answer, during visits to family in the UK.
Candidates for favourite – 15a, 27a, 29a, and 10d – and the winner is 27a, it is quite entertaining to see the many ways that the West Country river can be ‘woven’ into a clue.
Thanks to NYDK and CS.
My first thought was xxxxx! Perhaps that shows my age. (Does that put me on the naughty step – I fancy some cake)
Me too! I know nothing of the one in the clue –
Proper fruity Hot Cross Bun?
Oooops! Sorry!
I thought, given the picture in the hint, my little interjection could not possibly help more.
But still, I do enjoy a Hot Cross Bun!
A very enjoyable solve. Agree it was solver friendly but packed with wit and charm and I loved it. Thank you setter and to CS for the hints which I shall now read
Very enjoyable indeed! Loved the various linked “13 9” references, and the 4d and 6d arty ones!
One of the most enjoyable crosswords I’ve done. But I admit I am a simple soul!
2*/4*
My eyes always light up when I see multiword clues, especially when they are linked and cross-referenced. This was magnificently quirky, and a terrific way to start the day. Tough to pick a winner, but I did enjoy 29a.
Many thanks to Donny for the fun and to Sue.
A very enjoyable solve which initially seemed impossible to get into but once I found may way in (somewhere in the south) it all came together. I struggled to parse 5a so many thanks to Sue for choosing to hint that one!
The linked multiword clues were very clever. 15a was my favourite.
Many thanks to NYDK and to CS for the hints
I get more enjoyment out of the Saturday Prize Cryptic if I leave the annoying multi-word clues until the end, when they are easier to fill in, with lots of checkers. I liked the geographical Lego clues at 5a and 18a and the missing letters clue at 11a. Thanks to CS for the hints and to NYDK for his efforts.
Light and gentle late-morning fare, and at least Donna restricted himself to only the two wanderers. Honours to 18a and 5a.
Many thanks to Donny and Sue
Sabbatum Sanctum as we used to call it sixty years ago at school.
At first I thought this was going to be a ‘Waaaahhhh!’ guzzle and that I would be calling on the hints provided by Lovely Sue every other glue. However… going against previous tactics (like DaveP up there) I solved the loooong ones first and that gave me the boost I needed.
I think anyone under the age of fifty would probably never hear those phrases unless they were serious students of Doctor In The House, Terry and June, or Reggie Perrin.
The Youngster has decided that, on Easter Monday, she and a pal are going to decorate what Americans would call our ‘half bath’ on the middle floor. This fills me with dread. However we are going out this afternoon to purchase everything she needs. This will probably turn out to be more expensive (and traumatic) than getting a bloke or a gal in to do it.
Thanks to NYDK and PC Security (anag)
On the subject of relevance to people under 50, and I’m not, when did anyone last see that type of farm vehicle or grass cutter in use, rather than on display or in an agricultural show or museum?
Mr CS is considerably over 50 and uses the grass cutter fairly regularly
I am most impressed, not an easy tool to use well. If he is reasonably tall and has a hooded black cloak, were he to walk around carrying it he could give people quite a turn!
I was trying to reference Leonard Rossiter yesterday, or at least his cat. MrK’s blog was largely catless a bit like Rigsby’s Cat one moment there underfoot then Goodnight Vienna
Well, I LOATHE multi-light clues, so I was extremely miffed to find that the very first clue would require me to wait until the very last clue before I could even attempt it – and then, on my way through, to find that, in total, five clues were linked, was too much for me! I think it a little unfair that so much of the puzzle is inaccessible until a particular clue is solved. Then, having sufficient checkers to get the answer, I find that all three phrases are, to say the least, dated. All I could think of was 1970s Two Ronnies sketches which were, even then, parodying a particular type of character. I am in my sixties and I have never used, and will never use, any of those phases. My son, in his thirties, I doubt would ever have heard them used…
Apart from that – even with CS’ hint – I am still unable to parse 5a (although I got the answer from the checkers).
But… with all that said, and having got that rant off my chest, I have to confess that I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle!
Apart from the awful multi-light phrases there were some lovely clues.
With grateful thanks to CS and to NYDK.
5a It’s a short word meaning like around (ie stocking) a synonym of soon (as used in certain contexts)
Hmmm… much appreciated Slowcoach. I get it now – but, like others above, I simply do not see that word in the middle as a synonym for soon!
Thanks!
It’s a stretch, I agree
Something like:
“Finish your homework quickly, and soon you can go out to play”
🤔
I responded above.
1.5* / 5* Loved this puzzle and have given it a very rare 5* !
Favourites 10d, 18a and all the long linked ones.
Thanks to Sue and NYKD
Loved this today. A typical and superlative doorknob! My only qualm is I have a personal aversion to the lady in 14d, I’m afraid her voice is like fingernails on a blackboard to me. She also seems to talk to everyone as if they were the same age – about 3!!! Apart from that, I’m sure she’s lovely. So thanks but no thanks for that one. 😂
Thanks to NYDK and CS
I try very hard to dislike Fiona Bruce because she is so perfect. Hair, figure, clothes, manner. She is just so blooming nice!
I have never forgotten her reading the Six O’Clock News at the height of the COVID lockdown when she was talking to an obviously exhausted young lady doctor about people’s families not being able to be with them at the end. The doctor said quite emotionally that she could assure everyone that no-one would ever die alone, someone would be with them telling them they were loved right to the end. I don’t know how Fiona did it, but instead of bursting into tears like the rest of us, she thanked the doctor very much, took a big gulp of breath and then carried on with the news. Taking being professional to a whole new level
☺️
A very enjoyable puzzle, which was cleverly put together. I must confess to becoming slightly nervous when I see multi-word answers as a theme every Saturday, as it reminds me of MynoT and his toughie theme several years ago, which eventually ran out of sparkle.
Hopefully that will never happen here.
Anyway, back to today… many thanks to NYDK for the enjoyment and to CS.
I enjoyed this puzzle although I’m often put off by multi clues. I got these although I’ve never used any of them and am unlikely to in future.
Top picks for me were 18a, 29a and 12a.
Thanks to CrypticSue and NYDK.
One could never accuse our Saturday setter of not being a happy chappy! Here’s looking at you, NYDK, and cheers for the puzzle.
Apologies – forgot to add my thanks to CS for the hints.
A very enjoyable puzzle which caused me to smile quite a few times. I agree with those who found 5a weak. I cannot think of a way of using the word in question to mean what the clue implies it does without adding extra words to qualify it. Despite this gripe the other clues were so strong my enjoyment wasn’t spoilt. COTD 11a.
Thanks for the hints and to the setter.
Something like:
“Finish your homework quickly, and **** you can go out to play”
🤔
Well, for me, this was the best puzzle of the week. Another great offering from NYDK along with two of the multi-word clues included to boot.
Fun solve, loved the 2 multi’s ands well as the rest of the puzzle.
2*/4.5* for me
Favourites include the two multi’s as well as 11a, 1d, 6d, 8d & 24d — with winner 13/9a
Smiles for 11a, 1d & 24d
Thanks to NYDK & CS
A great puzzle and a lot of fun.
I’m afraid this was simply not my cup of tea and it took me ages to get under way prior to fathoming one and then the other linked clues which I don’t care for anyway. East was smoothest ride with SW slowing the finish. Thank you NYDK and CS.
Well I loved it. So clever. Like CC I left the multi clues for a while until I got the theme, last one in was 22a but fortunately when I checked CeeSue had kindly hinted it. I was always told there should only be two toasts, either The King or Good Health. Cheers would have had my father running for the hills. Many thanks to NYDJ for the workout – 27a a beauty- and to the lovely CeeSue. Have a Happy Easter and don’t eat too much chocolate. 🐣
Our favoured toast was usually ‘Good Health!’
5ac still don’t get it, I know the answer but I can’t get it to smoothly pass into the ending of what was a very nice challenge today. Nothing too complicated but this last one does not work for me. I must be missing something.
Hi Robin,
Something like:
“Finish your homework quickly, and soon you can go out to play”
🤔
Excellent as usual NYDK, with nosey Parker as my last one in (although needed CS to explain reasoning)
Average difficulty but enjoyable with some smiles along the way. Favourite was 27a. Thanks to NYD and CS.
A challenging solve and thank you to crypticsue for the hints. Like others, not a great fan of multi-linked clues, especially when 1a is one of them and not the first part at that.
Jolly good fun as always with NYDK.
Much to like, with the related entries causing merriment, as they well might. I think 13 9 will have to take my podium, so to speak, as in reality that very situation befell me. Astonishingly we are still together after lord knows how many years, and I can’t for one moment think what I did right on that first occasion.
For THAT synonym at 5A, I’d say Chambers Thesaurus has a lot to answer for.
Very enjoyable. From a good selection podium spots go to 15,18&29a.
Cheers Donny & thanks to Sue.
This is the hardest NY Doorknob backpager I can remember: after going through the acrosses I had only entered one answer, and overall this took about as long (and involved about as much electronic assistance) as yesterday’s from Karla. I tried the advice above of solving the linked clues first, but was hampered by 13a/9a being not only a long anagram (the clue type I struggle with most) but also a phrase I don’t think I have ever encountered before! I eventually got its last two words from crossing letters, then a web search for those plus “cheers” gave me the rest.
I did enjoy many other clues, though, for which thank you to NYDK. From a long list of potential favourites, I’m going for the trio of financial advice in 5a’s stocks yielding capital, 12a’s saving money, and 17d’s pursuit of profit. And thank you to CrypticSue for explaining 5a.
12 across…xxx is money…? (Redacted – you are asked not to include parts of solutions in comments about a prize puzzle)
Nice crossie though…thanks for help…Doug.
Only got round to attempting this today. I could not get even close to the wavelength. Failing to get 13a / 9a was quite a showstopper.
Solved 9 clues before conceding defeat.
Thanks to all.
Just discovered the answer to 13a / 9a. Not a phrase I have ever heard of. Who says this?
Very late to comment but great fun yesterday
2*/4.5*
10 d fav
Thanks to Sue/NYDK
Thanks all and thanks Sue. Happy Easter to you!
NYDK