Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30909
Hints and tips by Shabbo
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
No prizes for “Guess the Setter” today – most of the hallmarks of RayT are in evidence, including sweetheart at 3d (although he is again teasing us on this one), single word solutions and brevity of clueing in the Cryptic and single word clues and solutions in the Quickie. Don’t waste one of your hard-earned loonies on this one, Senf.
If my arithmetic is correct, Ray has used just one word too many to average five words per clue. Surely we can find just one disposable word in this puzzle…?
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.
Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.
Across
1a Brief Conservative following terrible strain (10)
TRANSITORY: four-letter word meaning Conservative after (following) anagram (terrible) of STRAIN.
6a Caught cheek giving glancing blow (4)
CLIP: abbreviation for Caught + synonym of cheek (as in insolence).
10a Confused relative, a Republican (7)
UNCLEAR: male relative + A + abbreviation for Republican.
11a Saw end of logs cut short (7)
SPOTTED: final letter (end of) logS + synonym of cut short (think abbreviated/abridged history, perhaps).
12a Shoots flock or piece of clay (8)
POTSHERD: synonyms of shoots + flock.
13a They help to see detailed descriptions (5)
SPECS: double definition.
15a Barely smart employing slang (7)
SCANTLY: three-letter synonym of smart (think foxes) outside (employing) synonym of slang.
17a Maybe train undercover agent (7)
SLEEPER: double definition. Do these night-time trains still exist?
19a Brilliant character is solvent (7)
ACETONE: synonyms of brilliant + character. This type of solvent is useful for removing nail varnish, according to the present Mrs Shabbo.
21a Newspaper’s on alert guarding public image (7)
PERSONA: hidden word (guarding). Our answer is lurking within words 1-3 of the clue.
22a Immature young containing adult? (5)
PUPAS: unless anyone has a better idea, I would say that this is an “all-in-one” clue. The wordplay is “immature young” (think dogs) outside (containing) abbreviation for Adult and the definition is the whole clue.
24a Decline of nation keeping agenda occasionally (8)
STAGNATE: synonym of nation outside (keeping) every other letter (occasionally) of aGeNdA.
27a Capital returns saving for each sovereign (7)
EMPEROR: the capital of Italy backwards (returns) outside (saving) a word meaning “for each”.
28a Electronic organ enthrals northern country (7)
ENGLAND: abbreviation for Electronic + a secreting organ in plants or animals outside (enthrals) abbreviation for Northern. Happy St George’s Day for yesterday.
29a Rang on the phone and ordered (4)
TOLD: homophone (on the phone) of rang (think bells).
30a No changes with mattress variety (10)
ASSORTMENT: anagram (changes) of NO + MATTRESS.
Down
1d Tense and unusually tight, initially (4)
TAUT: initial letters of the first four words of the clue.
2d Branch or agency covers American city (9)
ANCHORAGE: another hidden word clue (covers) which took me a while to see. Our solution is “hiding” within words 1-3 of this neat clue.
3d Second sweetheart’s going up stairs (5)
STEPS: abbreviation for Second + synonym of sweethearts upside down (going up).
4d Snappily restyle pants (7)
TERSELY: anagram (pants – light blue touch paper and retire!) of RESTYLE.
5d Lives concerned with borders (7)
RESIDES: word meaning “concerned with” (think business letters) + synonym of borders. Our definition is a verb, masquerading as a noun.
7d It’s hard in diet being flexible (5)
LITHE: abbreviation for Hard (think pencils) inside a synonym of diet (an adjective). It’s in Chambers, RD!
8d Indifferent president upset about America (10)
PEDESTRIAN: anagram (upset) of PRESIDENT + A(merica).
9d Jack in far worse rages (8)
FORSWEAR: anagram (rages) of FAR WORSE.
14d Bluff treating man with respect (10)
ESCARPMENT: another anagram (treating) of MAN RESPECT. The definition is a steep bank.
16d Pockets found in Angeleno’s pants? (8)
TROUSERS: a double definition – “pockets” here is a verb meaning to appropriate money. An Angeleno is a resident of Los Angeles, so the second definition is what an American might describe as “pants”.
18d Overcome resistance in job with judge (9)
PROSTRATE: abbreviation for Resistance inside a synonym of job + synonym of judge. The solution is listed as Definition 3 in my on-line Chambers.
20d Makes certain issues about right (7)
ENSURES: synonym of issues or follows outside (about) Right.
21d Bad smell after spot medication, possibly (7)
PLACEBO: two-letter abbreviation for an unpleasant smell (perhaps indicating a lack of personal hygiene) after a synonym of spot.
23d Father and friend of the Pope (5)
PAPAL: familiar term for father + informal synonym of friend.
25d Dark nearly before time (5)
NIGHT: four-letter poetic word meaning nearly + abbreviation for Time.
26d Correct trend upward (4)
EDIT: synonym of trend upside down (upward – this is a down clue).
Quickie Pun: HAVOC + UPPER = HAVE A CUPPA
I thought Ray T was being very kind today with only the odd clue taking a bit of extra thought. As Shabbo said, RT is teasing us with the sweetheart this week, and it held me up completing the NW. Overall I’m feeling a happy bunny as it’s not often I have completed a RT offering without help. My podium comprises 12a, 2d, and 14d in top spot. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo
Other than the first 3 across answers which went straight in this proved to be an 8d solve. Not sure why as reading back through it post eventual completion I’m not sure it was particularly tricky. Hopefully my crossword brain will function better tackling the Silvanus Toughie later after a round of golf. No particular fav but as ever nicely clued throughout.
Thanks to Ray T & Shabbo.
2*/5*. RayT at his very best on Dream Thursday with a Silvanus Toughie next up for me. My only real hold-up was deciphering “cut short” in 11a until the penny finally dropped.
Shabbo, I too think 22a is an (excellent!) all-in-one, and it gets my vote as favourite.
Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo.
Arty serves us up another fine crossy with all his usual trademarks though I’m guessing the Queen is, understandably, now not a prerequisite. Will he replace her with the king or is that too restricting?
Talking of restricting, I’ve had a look at trying to get rid of a word to get the average word count per clue to a clean five but the only possible two I have is changing ‘character is’ to ‘character’s’ in 19a (desperate, I admit) and not using ‘public’ in 21a as it’s a given that a newspaper is for the public.
My podium is the political trio of 1a, 10a and 8d.
MTT Raymundo and Shabbo.
3*/4*
What about changing 12a from “piece of clay” to “clay fragment” or “pot fragment” but then you have part of the solution in the clue.
A cracker. 22a is especially brilliant. 27a’s cute too. Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo.
Ray T in a benign mood today and as enjoyable as ever. An anagram for favourite today because of the clever misdirection in 14a. Podium places for 28a and 21d. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo. I’ll have a go at thr Silvanus toughie now.
22a .. isn’t “young containing adult” the word play and immature = solution (as in immature insects) rather than reading it as an “all in one”.
.. and yes there are still “sleepers” .. the Caledonian Sleeper … whisking you overnight from the heart of London to beautiful destinations across Scotland (and in reverse too I believe .. although why you’d want to do that is beyond me😊).
Possibly, but immature is an adjective and the solution is a noun.
Perhaps Ray will pop in later to confirm his intention on this one.
I felt it had to be a in pups but I’ve always read the plural to be pupae? It’s this damn classical education one used to get. Then again I’m always happy with Ray’s creations so happy to use the alternative
Ray T at his very best for a very enjoyable Wednesday evening cranial workout, our Ynys Mon correspondent will be very happy – ***/****
Candidates for favourite – 24a, 27a, 21d, and 25d – and the winner is 21d.
Thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo – in answer to your question on 17a – yes they do, e-search ‘Caledonian 17a’ and ‘Night Riviera’.
An enjoyable puzzle with only 12a being a new word for me.
Lots to like with this puzzle but top picks for me were 13a, 16d, 29a and 9d.
Thanks to Shabbo and Ray T.
Is theme piece also a pun – last two on the quick one?
These days the Quickie pun words are italicised. The last two across clues are not.
What did you think the pun was?
My favourite day of the fortnight … RayT day!
Another precisely and succinctly clued offering, with some great clues and answers!
Sweetheart, as Shabbo says, is not the usual one and there is no queen today either,
Nonetheless, always a fun puzzle to solve.
2*/5* for me
Favourites are many along with many smiles/chuckles as well.
13a, 17a, 22a, 28a, 21d & 23d — with winners 22a & 23d … both clever definitions.
Smiles & laughs for all of them too.
Thanks to RayT & Shabbo
The usual entertaining puzzle from Mr T – thanks to him and Shabbo.
My ticks went to 29a, 9d and 16d.
Took a little while to get going, but then picked up a head of steam.
It was nice to see 12a in there. This word appeared in one of the Easter Vigil psalms on Saturday evening, and there was some debate in the choir as to how it should be pronounced (‘sh’).
Just the right amount of angst required to get this guzzle done. The Pocket Rocket likes to put a handful of 12a in the bottom of a flowerpot for drainage, but I have a feeling it might be a candidate for The List. Many thanks to the non-sweetheart man today and to Shabbo for the hints. I understood that it is better to use varnish remover without 19a. Any nail technicians out there?
Well anything without acetone is better than with! Can’t speak from experience of painted nails since my golden toenails on my wedding day many hundreds of years ago though!
As is often the case, with RayT I found this tricky to complete. I often struggle to work out the word play with such brief clues and also always find a few new synonyms. That said I always enjoy the challenge and did so today. 12a was new to me, 2d was an excellent lurker and the anagrams today were also brilliant.
Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo for the hints.
Excellent Thursday fayre from the compiler I can spot most easily. Super smooth surfaces, super brevity and super entertainment!
Was running at a pace but then 3 in the NE and 2 in the SW extended the solving time. 12a is a new word for me.
Loved the blog too, Shabbo, in your attempts to not just hint but also preempt later comments – very entertaining.
Favourite was the lurker at 21a, which kept itself “lurked” for quite some time as opposed to 2d, which jumped out and poked me in the eye immediately.
So big big thanks to Shabbo and RayT
Thank you for your very kind words.
Much appreciated.
Good sound Thursday puzzle, generally straightforward other than, for me, a few in the NE. Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo (I too read 22a as an all-in-one)
I actually found that pretty tough although got there in the end. Perhaps there were just too many distractions in the room but it was certainly not my finest performance. 12a was a new word for me but there can be no complaints about the typically excellent clueing. Thanks very much to the setter and to Shabbo for the hints.
This one took about the same time to complete as today’s toughie did.
Good to see the infrequently encountered solutions to 12a and 9d getting an airing.
The definition of 16d in the context of the clue always makes me smile and is widely used where I come from.
Thanks Ray T and Shabbo.
Great puzzle RayT and blog Shabbo … needed help when making sense of Angeleno!
Excellent puzzle. 14D is my COTD, because it’s such a beautiful word. VMT Ray T and Shabbo.
Evening all. Many thanks to Shabbo for the elucidation and to everybody else for your comments. Much appreciated, as always.
RauY
Nothing to do with solving anything… my laugh out loud moment was the solution to 19a – I do hope ‘the current’ Mrs Shabbo is okay with the term!
She is fine with it!
Next month will be our 45th wedding anniversary, so very much still in the probationary period, I would say.
Good evening
Well, that was a corker of a crozzie! The Mighty Mr T kept me working away until the very end, with a superb piece of misdirection in my COTD choice of 14d, and some nicely stretched synonyms throughout.
Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo.
Set off at a gallop slowed to a walk and finished at a canter. I always enjoy a good RayT and this certainly was one. Favourite was 12a. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo. Back to the toughie where I’ve stalled with 4 to go, I’m hoping the break will help.
3.5 * / 4*Started swiftly and thought it would be a stroll, but the bottom half was completed at a snail’s pace.
Still enjoyable with plenty of top clues, took way too long to see the country at 28a so I’ll make that favourite.
Thanks to Shabbo and RayT
I too started off at a gallop in the NW and then it was a slower and steady solve for the rest of the grid. Spent a while trying to find an anagram out of Angeleno given the word pants before the penny finally dropped. Also missed the lurker in 2d , really not sure why . My last in was the new word for me at 12a for the piece of clay. Thanks so much Ray T and Shabbo
Exactly pants seems to be cruciverbalists’ regular go to so anagram was the first thought for16d.
A few hmms but bunged in and finally made the grade. SW last corner to acquiesce. Thank you RayT and Shabbo.
3*/3* ….
liked 8D “Indifferent president upset about America (10)”