ST 3315 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3315 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3315 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where it is truly shorts and tee shirts weather with 22 degrees yesterday, and forecast highs of 28 degrees for today, and 29 degrees tomorrow.

For me, and I stress for me, in his own way, Dada friendlier than NYDK was yesterday!  One long ‘un, breaking the ‘anagram rule’ as usual with ten (five partials), I might have lost count, two lurkers, and one homophone all in a somewhat asymmetric 29 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.  And, remember, my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!

Candidates for favourite – 16a, 19a, 1d, 3d, 8d, 17d, and 26d.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.

Don’t forget to follow the instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!

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.

Some hints follow:

Across

9a Parasite in US general attending church (5)
A US General (on the wrong side in the Civil War) placed before (attending) the two letter abbreviation for Church.

10a Stew this spicy, might one closely observe the matter? (9)
An anagram (stew) of THIS SPICY – Terence mistakenly put a very famous one on The List yesterday.

14a Brute originally inspired by dance, wild beast rising up (9)
The first letter (originally) of Brute inserted into (inspired by) a type of dance (popular North of the border) and a wild beast (reputed to be king of the jungle).

16a Two ways to describe a bend, somehow (2,4,2,2,5)
Pictorial descriptions are below.

19a Trousers benefit certain figures (4,5)
A synonym of benefit (as an addition?) and the plural of a certain figure between three and five.

25a Newsreader’s machine: stick on wheels (7)
A ‘stick’ used in table games placed after (on) a synonym of wheels when both are used as an informal term for personal transport.

28a Greek character, big on love (5)
A slang synonym of big placed after (on – again!) the number represented by love in the score in a racquet game.

Down

1d Fruit, something highly-sought (4)
A double definition – the second may refer to a desired employment position.

3d Upset – by fare brought to the board? (7,3)
Fare in the form a dairy product displayed on a board.

4d Potter’s tool, spinner (6)
A double definition – the first might be used by the user of the ‘stick’ in 25a.

8d As a nudist, bet clothing horribly rank! (5-5)
A verbal synonym of bet in the past tense containing (clothing) an anagram (horribly) of RANK.

15d Ridiculous proposal for travel (10)
A four letter synonym of ridiculous (when questioning someone’s sanity?) and a type of proposal that will be voted on.

17d Watch home, river running through this unfortunately (5-3)
Guess a river, of which there are four, perhaps five, so named in the UK, contained by (running through) an anagram (unfortunately) of THIS.

18d Luxury cryptic clue? Nope! (8)
An anagram (cryptic) of CLUE? NOPE.

26d A little angel, angelic style! (4)
A lurker (a little) found in two words in the clue.

Quick Crossword Pun:

COLOGNE + KNEEL + LISZT = COLONIALIST

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As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES OR HINTS in your comment.

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I have often said that the purpose of my music video selections is to ‘Entertain and Annoy in equal measure.’ Which category do you think this one falls into? American singer Phyllis Nelson, number one for one week starting on this day in 1985, I don’t recall ever hearing of her or the song – I must have been asleep for that whole week:

62 comments on “ST 3315 (Hints)”

  1. A very benign Dada today, but a good fun solve. Not sure I can parse 7d but my answer fits the checkers. Spent too long on the Potter in 4d until the penny dropped and I thought 17d, my loi, was excellent. This makes my podium alongside 18d and 6d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  2. First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their good wishes during what has been an emotional couple of months. It is an indication of the friendliness of this wonderful blog and I, Faye and Sami appreciated it tremendously. We were also delighted and touched that Sloop John Bee attended to represent the blog. He brought a card from you all and he wrote it with The Mythical. Of course, t leaked and there were blots all over. It was wonderful to meet you, John and, once again, my thanks to you for the wonderful bottle of Laphroaig Câirdeas. I will savour it slowly.

    Today, Dada was in friendly mode and it proved to be a satisfying solve. I have too many ticks to be able to pick a favourite but the certain figures at 19a raised a smile.

    I have sent it to the Chief Wizard it Telegraph Towers to beg him for The Mythical but, now I know it leaks, do I really want one?

    Yes, I do!

    1. Good to have you back, Steve, after your very sad loss. Cherish the many happy memories of your dear wife that you must have.

    2. How good to “see” you back, Steve, and condolences again.

      Years ago I had some Laphroaig cufflinks – “Love It” on one, “Hate it” on the other – it’s even more divisive than Marmite!

      1. Regrettably discontinued, I might just buy some from eBay. I would have to get two pairs though so i could wear two Love its

        download (1)

    4. Great to see you back. I lost my husband a few years ago now, he had dementia so I feel I lost him a couple of years before that. I have missed your comments.

    5. I have missed your presence on the blog, I am glad that you knew we were all thinking of you.

    6. So good to have you back, Steve. May the good memories soon start to outweigh the bad, your dear Leslie wouldn’t want it any other way.

    8. Glad you feel up to joining us here Steve. Don’t insist on coming every day or it will become a burden which you certainly don’t need and everyone will understand. I will continue to hold you in the light and hope your happy memories in time outweigh the loss.

    9. Welcome back, Steve. I look forward to seeing the number 1 next to your posts again soon and wish you and your family all the best.

    10. Dear Steve,
      As Alex MacLean wrote:
      Those we love don’t go away,
      They walk beside us every day,
      Unseen, unheard, but always near.
      Will loved, still missed, and very dear.

      Brings me great comfort. Best wishes, Steve.

      1. Another phrase which gives great comfort is:

        No one is truly gone until everyone who ever loved them is also gone.

        I’m sure that’s a very long way off into the future for you and your family.

        Welcome back Steve.

        1. So good to see you back with us Steve. Take care. Time is a great healer.

    11. Welcome back from the beehive, it was a pleasure to meet even if the circumstances were less so. Enjoy the whisky and excuse my penmanship. I have a report that likened my handwriting to that of a spider who had fallen into an inkwell (after overindulgence on the Laphroaig perhaps)

      1. Welcome back Steve, I won’t send my guzzle in so you get a chance of getting the pen! And so pleased SJB came as our representative!

    14. So happy to see you back in crossword land. Been thinking about you these many weeks and wishing you all the best as you mourn Leslie. As the others say, we never really lose them, as long as they are in our thoughts and memories. I’ve been nagging Peter for ages to try that whisky, but he’s reluctant, saying he’s quite happy with the poor man’s Glenfiddich. Be interested to know what you think.

    15. And welcome back, Steve, from a lurker. You can see how much you have been missed, and how all the blog have kept you in their thoughts and hearts. I am just one more. The greater the love, the greater the pain. Be kind to yourself.

    17. Welcome back to your blog family Steve, we have all been thinking of you.

    18. Good to have you back Steve. Condolences once again but treasure the memories and may you soon win ‘the Mythical’ especially as Daisygirl is holding back!

      1. I hope I’m not too late and that you see this. I wanted to welcome you back Steve. I’ve been away so this is the first chance I’ve had to catch up with the blog in a couple of weeks and I came on here hoping to see you. It’s lovely to have you back.

  3. Ah yes, it’s Sunday, so nearly every other clue an anagram – maybe as a conscious editorial foil to today’s very approachable Beam Toughie? Add them up and it’s almost an acceptable number across the two puzzles on average.

    Anyway, an enjoyable and exceptionally benign puzzle to greet the rising sun this morning. COTD 15d.

    Many thanks to Dada and Senf.

  4. 2*/3*. This was a pleasant Sunday puzzle despite the plethora of anagrams.

    I expect I’m missing something but how are the final four letters of 3d derived?

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

      1. It seems like half a hint. Senf??
        There must be an obscure meaning for the last four letters.

    2. My only unexplained clue, too. BRB no help. Frustrating, because the answer can only be one thing…

    3. Apologies for not being able to explain the last four letters of 3d. I have looked everywhere – the BRB, the SRB (Chambers Crossword Dictionary), on-line dictionaries and thesauri, crossword ‘helpers,’ such as Danword – nothing. As everyone can see, the last four letters are a word in their own right but it is a verb and I can’t see how that fits in.

      Like everyone else, I will look forward to the full review by Rahmat Ali(?) in 10 days time.

      1. Very late on this crossword but isn’t 3d just a cryptic definition of how you’d feel if this type of fare is brought to the table? First word not ending in “d” – if I’m allowed to say that?

  5. Where are my manners? Thank you, Dada for the fun challenge. Thank you, Mr. Mustard for the hints.

  6. For me a lovely Sunday treat, but then I like anagrams and I found the clues entertaining and approachable. Too many enjoyable clues to pick one, I did have to pause at 4d, which I got in the end, but I did not know the illustrated item in the hints was called that.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.

  7. Had the same question mark alongside 3d as RD did but, otherwise, business as usual from our Sunday setter, with my ticks going to 19a plus 15&20d.

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints and music – I remember the song quite well but not the lady who sang it!

  8. For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), a real rarity – a guzzle solved without help. The committee were all relieved to be told they could stand down and enjoy the ‘changeable’ Bank Holiday weekend weather.

    I can neither dilly nor even dally as we are orf to Stamford Bridge to watch The Mighty Chelsea take on… Oh! Only the Premier League winners – Liverpool. What could possibly go wrong?

    Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron, and The Man From Manitoba sizzling in Winnipeg

    Today’s crossword soundtrack: Jill Sobule

  9. Not one of Dada’s best but a pleasant puzzle – thanks to him and Senf.
    My podium has 14a, 19a and 4d.

  10. It may not be one of Dada’s best according to someone but for me it was his best as I finished it without help. I must admit to not worrying about 3d or any other and since none of the hints made any of my solutions fail I take it as an easy puzzle for which I give thanks to Dada and request many more of the same. Thanks also to Senf.

  11. Apart from the ending of 3d (as mentioned above) a straightforward Dada. Good to see Steve again and I hope you all follow Mustafa’s advice to the equally pleasant Beam in the other place
    Thanks to Dada and Senf

  12. Well, for me, this was one of the easiest Dada’s in a long time.
    Very friendly with thesaurus untouched and quirkiness nowhere to be seen.
    Only issue I had was the NE took as long as the rest of the puzzle.

    2*/4.5* for me

    Favourites 10a, 11a, 16a, 4d & 5d — with winner 16a
    Smiles for several chestnuts in 25a, 9a & 20d

    Thanks to Dada & Senf

    … and a 20d sounds good right now, as it is sunny and I mowed the lawn and then walked Tucker before doing the puzzle on my Saturday evening

    1. What a nice boy? Tucker is. I think you have shared pics of him before. He appears to be panting in the spring sunshine, but I imagine the weather in BC is still a bit cool for a thinning out of his winter coat

    2. Our 12year old English Springer, adopted last September, shares the same name! I’d love to send a photo but don’t know how to transfer it from my Smart phone to my tablet?

  13. I agree that we were treated gently today apart that is from 7d which is foxing me. If I had the energy I would get my little gizmo, which is never where I left it. Ah well, the pen is for Steve this week. Many thanks to the man in the red scarf, I could do with it now – I didn’t reckon on making a leek and potato soup to warm us up on May Day. And thanks of course to the benevolent setter.

  14. Oh for goodness sake! Of course, how could I be so dim. I’ve got it! You can all relax and stop worrying about me.

    1. Perhaps slightly confusing that the nationality ‘opens’ with one consonant compared to two for the country. And I had this all ready to post, but here it is anyway.

  15. An enjoyable Sunday morning canter through this one from Mr D…but sometimes it’s just great to solve the clues steadily and with the odd ‘Aha’ or a wry smile 🙂
    Thoroughly enjoyable!
    Many thanks and, as ever, to Senf for another fine blog ‘n hints👍
    Cheers!

  16. Firstly, it’s great to have you back, Steve. I look forward to resuming our battles to be the first post though you normally whip my sweet derrière.

    This was a pleasant enough solve with my LOI being 4d as the potter eluded me for far too long.

    I see that the last four letters in 3d can mean ‘to put aside’ but that’s not helping at all. The question mark obviously means it’s a tad cryptic or Dada is asking to be let off but I just can’t see it. I was thinking that board could mean committee where the big ****** is found but I’m still nowhere near it.

    Onwards!

    My podium is 5d, 13d and 15d.

    MT to Dada and Senf.

    3*/3*

  17. 1.5*/3.5* A very pleasant and enjoyable Sunday puzzle. Same query as others re 3d but no other problems.
    Favourites 4d deciding which of the potters it was, 5d nice word and simple but effective 20d

    Thanks to Senf and Dada

  18. Welcome back from us too Steve. Add us to the list of not understanding 3d. Apart from that nothing to hold us up too much. Favourite was 15d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  19. For me, one of the best Dada offerings, hugely enjoyable and such a relief after yesterday. I just love a puzzle that my brain can solve on its own. Feeling chuffed that I had already solved 90% of the “more difficult” hinted clues. COTD goes to 16a, closely followed by 5d for its nostalgic content, and 20d. 15d was a cleverly concocted clue. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  20. Welcome back Steve. Straightforward challenge today with the two bends as favourite. Thank you Dada and Senf

  21. Welcome back Steve and since I didn’t know what had happened many condolences .You are right about the people of the blog they are very generous and supportive when the need arises .
    Today’s offering took some teasing out especially in the north east and 10a was my favourite clue .
    Many thanks to all

  22. A good guzzle today. My top two were 16 and 19across. Thankyou Dada and Senf.
    Brian seems to have gone AWOL again!

  23. So agree with most that Dada has been kind to us and it’s. Even a fairly easy ride. That said I am stuck on my last one in 6d. The absence of any other comments on it from anyone else must mean it’s obvious 🤔. Meanwhile thanks to Dada and Senf

  24. Almost completed earlier today but held up in the NE because I had put the wrong answer in at 10a despite realising it was an anagram! Had to go out for the afternoon and only just had chance to rectify. Once corrected the rest just fell into place. Much easier than yesterday’s! Many thanks to Dada and Senf.

  25. Thank you to Dada and Senf — my favourite was the 4d Potter, just ahead of two food-related clues: the 5d dessert and the 7d pastry cases.

    Senf, I remember that Phyllis Nelson from the 90s re-release, after it was used heavily in adverts for a brand of deodrant. (I couldn’t recall the deodrant brand, though, so the advert worked better for the song than the product it was supposedly selling!)

    1. Hi S

      Deodorant has a second o as it derives from ODOuR without the u – deODORant

      I used to hesitate when spelling it until I found out its etymology.

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