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DT 30967

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30967
Hints and tips by Huntsman

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *  Enjoyment ***/****

It looks like another hot one today so I don’t intend to repeat the mistake of yesterday & walk round the golf course in the worst of heat. I had originally arranged to switch shifts with Shabbo having mistakenly thought I was playing in a senior open event at Aspley Guise but fortunately realised yesterday that it’s tomorrow so we’re back in our usual slots.

I thought today’s offering another typically gentle & elegant puzzle off the Plumb production line. I doubt many will require the hopefully correct hints but, along with the usual selection of tunes, they’re provided below.

In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.

Across

1a Jug son lifts (5)

NICKS: jug here is a slang term for prison. Think of another one then append Small.

4a What Trump does? Deteriorates (4,2,3)

GOES TO POT: a double definition. Nowt to do with The Donald (though the surface kinda works there too in my view) – think a sportsman known as The Ace In The Pack.

9a Wrong concert I broadcast, entertaining head of radio (9)

INCORRECT: insert (entertaining) the 1st letter (head of) Radio into an anagram (broadcast) of CONCERT I.

10a Reported river smell (5)

ODOUR: a homophone of a Central European river.

11a Touching stove with hot stew, dropping half (7)

AGAINST: link a type of cooker (invented in Sweden apparently) with a synonym for hot/fashionable & 50% (dropping half) of STew.

12a South African country, in retrospect, contains old districts (7)

REGIONS: reverse (in retrospect) South + a landlocked country in West Africa then insert (contains) the single letter abbreviation for Old. Nicely misleading surface.

13a Mentions crossing India’s large urban areas (6)

CITIES: a verbal synonym of mentions surrounds (crossing) India (NATO phonetic alphabet).

15a One with initially negative attitude, for example (8)

INSTANCE: the Roman numeral for one + the 1st letter (initially) of Negative + a synonym for attitude/viewpoint.

18a Religious group going around Portugal with odd compass (8)

SPECTRUM: place a term for a religious group/faction around the IVR code for Portugal then append a synonym for odd/strange.

20a Bruce, maybe bitten by snake, becomes comatose (6)

ASLEEP: insert (bitten by) the surname of a Hong Kong-American martial arts practitioner & filmmaker into a venomous snake found in the Nile regions.

23a Following funny taste, finally reject most stout (7)

FATTEST: the single letter abbreviation for Follow + an anagram (funny) of TASTE then append the last letter (finally) of rejecT.

24a Sort out a Republican row (7)

ARRANGE: A from the clue + Republican + a synonym for row/line.

26a Forestall State Department’s conclusion (5)

AVERT: ignore the deliberately misleading capitalisation-a synonym for state/say + the last letter (conclusion) of departmenT.

27a Power sources hit by current energy setbacks, primarily (9)

BATTERIES: a verbal synonym of hit/pound + the letter symbol for electric current (Ohm’s Law for example) + the 1st letter (primarily) of the 6th & 7th words in the clue.

28a Very old Tango merely effervescent (9)

EXTREMELY: a synonym for old/no longer + Tango (NATO alphabet again) + an anagram (effervescent) of MERELY.

29a Looks for submissive maiden abandoned in ship (5)

SEEKS: remove (abandoned) Maiden (cricket abbreviation) from the front of a synonym for submissive/lowly then place between the usual 2 letter ship prefix.

Down

1d Drunk causes inn problems (9)

NUISANCES: an anagram (drunk) – CAUSES INN.

2d Short policeman twice seen with a drink (5)

COCOA: shorten a slang term for a policeman twice then append (seen with) A from the clue.

3d Unusual loose garments male’s removed (7)

STRANGE: an anagram (loose) of GARmENTS (Male removed).

4d Outbursts about European visitors (6)

GUESTS: a synonym for outbursts (of wind maybe) goes around (about) European.

5d Recording English gang underneath hospital department (8)

ENTERING: English + a synonym for gang/crew is preceded by (underneath/down clue) the usual hospital department.

6d Just the same, tense pondering (7)

THOUGHT: just the same/nonetheless + Tense.

7d In favour of new big cat, say (9)

PRONOUNCE: the usual preposition meaning in favour of/for + New + a big cat native to Asia.

8d Italian restaurant rejected small items of pastry (5)

TARTS: reverse (rejected) an abbreviation for an Italian restaurant + Small.

14d Runs inside tent mate assembled for medical care (9)

TREATMENT: insert the cricket abbreviation for Run/s into an anagram (assembled) of TENT MATE.

16d Articulates urge admitted by former lovers (9)

EXPRESSES: place a verbal synonym for urge/encourage into (admitted by) the usual for former lovers.

17d Appropriate American’s upset by international data chart (8)

SUITABLE: reverse (upset/down clue) a 2 letter abbreviation for American, follow with the single letter for International & finish with a list/chart of data.

19d Consume second bit of grass in the field (7)

THEATRE: place a verbal synonym for consume + the 2nd letter of gRass into THE in the wordplay. Neat.

21d This writer is gripped by ogre’s piercing screams (7)

SHRIEKS: insert a first person pronoun for this writer into (is gripped by) the animated ogre star (+ the ‘s) of the film franchise based on the children’s picture book by William Steig. Never seen any of them.

22d Somewhat regularly sail a route, possessing craft (6)

PARTLY: insert (possessing) a synonym for craft/skill into a verb meaning to regularly sail a route/travel over frequently.

23d Set up game of billiards? (5)

FRAME: a double definition. The latter played also by the fella in 4a.

25d Sound from piano is excruciating, to an extent (5)

NOISE: hidden (to some extent).

 

I think I’ll plump for the political allusion (intended or otherwise) in 4a as my pick of the clues this week. I also had ✅s against 11,12&26a plus 19&22d. 👍 for the Quickie pun too. Please let us know which clues ticked your boxes.

 

Today’s Quick crossword pun: CAW + TAN + BOLD = CAUGHT AND BOWLED

 

Today’s blogging music has been a selection of Mott The Hoople & Bad Company tunes following the passing of Mick Ralphs. Here’s one off BC’s final album.

60 comments on “DT 30967”

  1. The professor on fine form today although it took me a while to get going. I solved just one across clue on the first pass but the downs came to my assistance. I will need to look at the hints for 29a because I can’t see where a submissive maiden comes into it. 4a seems incomplete to me because Trump became POTUS not POT but I am no doubt missing something here. Once the penny dropped with regard to the state department in 26a, that became my COTD.

    Thank you, professor in the library for a great challenge. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.

    A lot cooler in The Marches today after we hit 30 degrees yesterday. It’s a pleasant 18 degrees at the moment but overcast.

      1. Thanks, FMW. No wonder I didn’t get it. I’ve never heard of him. 🤔

        1. Thanks Toni, I’m having a proper off day. Of course he is.
          Steve won’t be the only one who’s never heard of Jed Trump…duh!

  2. Our blogger used the phrase ‘gentle and elegant’ to describe this puzzle in his preamble, and I cannot improve on his choice of words to concur with his view. From a wide selection I picked 4a as my COTD.

    Many thanks to Mr P and The Hintsman.

  3. A pleasant enough stroll through crossyland with the first two acrosses kicking things off nicely though a few won’t know who the Ace in the Pack is.

    I like that ‘for example’ in 15a and ‘say’ in 7d were the answers as opposed to playing their usual roles.

    My podium is 4a, 18a and 26a.

    MT to The Prof and Hoots mon!

    2*/4*

      1. Great shout!

        I’ve never heard that nickname before.

        Marvellous.

  4. Elegant, as always. 4a’s fun, 18a’s smart and 28a made me smile. Ta lots to setter and Huntsman. Lovely cover by Beth & Joe.

  5. This puzzle was not for me today.
    I found it quite a struggle.
    I eventually solved it unaided .
    Sorry setter, just not on your wavelength.

    Thanks to Huntsman

    1. Hugely relieved to readyour comment Ora, thinking I was the only one who didn’t find this a walk in the park today. I did finish, but many of my answers were “despite the clues”.

  6. As Typically Tuesdayish as ever, and it’s followed by a typically Floughie offering from Chalicea! 1.5*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 28a, 7d, and 21d – and the winner is 7d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

  7. I got 4a from the second part of the definition but had to google the ace in the pack, having not watched snooker since the days of black and white portable tvs (which obviously added a great deal to one’s appreciation of the game). Luckily, my knowledge of the works of the curse of St Custards had helped me on my way at 1a. Anyway a very pleasing puzzle and thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman. I was supposed to be walking today but my golfer companion spent more than enough time in the sun yesterday so we’ll just have to go straight to the pub instead, although perhaps at a somewhat later hour.

    1. There was the immortal line by whispering Ted Lowe (Pot Black I think) – For those of you watching in back & white the pink is next to the green.

      1. I thought it might have been John Motson on MOTD – ‘For those of you watching in black and white, Spurs are in the all yellow strip.’

          1. It’s still there but it’s called Commentatorballs these days (presumably because many of their readers won’t remember David Coleman).

            1. I thought it was that David Coleman asked if they’d change it, and Ian Hislop agreed that he’d suffered enough (but I can’t find a reference right now). It’s been Commentatorballs for well over a decade, though.

  8. Another puzzle of two halves for me. Cracked the north quite quickly then was delayed down south.
    The jail reference in 1a was well disguised and I liked the snooker player part of 4a.
    The most subtle clues were to be found below. The fizzy drink in 28a, the abandoned maiden in 29a, the appropriate American in 17d and the grass in the field at 19d were very good but my COTD was the jolly green in 21d.
    Great fun, thanks to Huntsman and the setter.
    Also to whoever is moderating. This is my third attempt to submit as I kept spotting (my own silly) mistakes. Thank you for your patience.

  9. It’s it’s Tuesday and it’s brilliant as ever. Have run out of superlatives for this setter – so I shall just say thank you to them and to the hinter!

  10. Lovely puzzle with which to start the day and greet the rising sun. 4a from the definition and didn’t worry about the cryptic – know of Judd Trump but the nickname meets zip. Took me a while to think of the right ogre and the submissive maiden!

    Honours to 12a (good red herring), 7d (enjoyed the unusual definition) and 25d (great surface & answer). Many thanks to setter and Huntsman – great music!

  11. Just had a bizarre experience this morning, in our NHS area when you are referred for a cataract removal, you have to go through a set of questions when talking to an AI machine called DORA, and one of the questions was ‘ Do you weigh over 39 stones or 250kg’ I suppose they need to know if the operating table can support you!

    Anyway the puzzle, I for one loved it, quite hard and very misleading in places especially with using ‘Trump’ to throw a spanner in the works.

    My two of the day were 1a and 21d, great crossword, great fun, many thanks to our setter today.

    Already 31c in sunny Sandhurst, so going to watch tennis in the air-con, and hang the expense!

  12. Good stuff as we regularly get on Tuesdays – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
    The clues featuring on my shortlist were 4a, 29a and 7d.

  13. Light and breezy. Perfect for a Tuesday.
    Struggled a bit with the parsing of 4a. Like others, I had the wrong Trump, but as our hinter mentions, it probably works equally well for him.
    Ticks for 4a, 9a, 1d, 3d, 19d and 23d.
    Thanks to setter and Huntsman. Far too hot for golf today. Should be a bit cooler tomorrow – enjoy Aspley Guise.

  14. A puzzle of two halves for me too but, in my case, I found it difficult to get clues in the North and things went in much more quickly when I started inthe SE. I loved the 1d anagram and the 28a anagram/Lego clue buut COTD for me was the wily well misdirected Lego clue at 19d. Rganks to Huntsman for the hints and to Mr Plumb.

  15. A very enjoyable challenge today with lots of humour. In common with Frankie I have found that the best way to parse a clue is to start a comment on this blog and half way through typing the realisation will hit you. COTD for me was 4a, a lovely piece of misdirection.
    Thanks to the setter and for the hints.

    1. I parsed my clues ok Tykey, but an issue with predictive texting allied to clumsy typing ensured I made a right dog’s dinner of my first couple of attempts to post.

  16. 1*/4*. Just what we have come to expect on a Tuesday – light and great fun. 4a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to AP (?) and to Hintsman.

  17. I can only echo what rabbit Dave says above – except I will go with 12a as fav today.
    Thanks to all.

  18. A Typical Tuesday puzzle for this week it would seem to me … again a tad easier than Monday’s. Top went in quicker than bottom for me.

    2*/3.5*

    Favourites 11a, 13a, 20a, 27a & 1d — with winners 20a & 27a
    Liked the lego clues!

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman

  19. Senior Open; senior moment Huntsman?

    lovely puzzle. thanks to you and the setter

  20. I’ve not attempted the back pager (yet) but I just wanted to post on here (in case nobody else already has) to recommend today’s Chalicea Toughie. It’s a cracker, and very accessible.

    1. I totally agree. If you don’t normally attempt the Toughie do have a look at it today.

    2. Thanks for the heads-up. I really enjoyed it. I don’t usually attempt the Toughie.

  21. I’m another who didn’t know the correct Trump. LOI was 21d when the ogre suddenly dawned on me.

    Top picks for me were 20a, 29a and 17d.

    Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.

  22. I’m not likely to do the cryptic crossword today, but I’m just popping in with admiration for the Quickie pun — top work there from the setter!

  23. Needed to be set straight on the particular Trump but since the answer described the American president so well I happened to put in the right answer . Got there unaided otherwise and last in was 21 down as the ogre was not familiar to me. Very enjoyable puzzle and in this heat a tough challenge might have blown a fuse.
    Just handed over as visits sec. for the Arts Soc after 10 years and so glad that finally a member has stepped up. The Sir Lancelot was feted with fresh scones , cooling drinks and much thanks this morning.
    Many thanks to Huntsman and our setter today.

  24. 2.5* / 4* Didn’t find this as easy as some, but enjoyed all the clever misdirection and wit.
    My top clues included 4a once I realised the snooker connection, 12a areas and the plump 23a
    Thanks to Huntsman and setter
    Ps another excellent quickie pun

  25. I’m having one of my off days with an AP production. On looking at the hints I can see why others enjoyed it, but not one for me today. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  26. Thank you compiler, RIP Mick Ralphs with a welcome tribute from Huntsman’s blog

  27. Been out for most of the day so a very late start made on this one. Most of it went in smoothly but my Trump was either the Orange One or a playing card, so even though I had the answer, the parsing came a long time afterwards. Big ticks awarded to 20a plus 7,21&22d.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review.

  28. There were a couple that I needed the hints to explain, 4a being one as I know nothing about snooker. Apart from that I had a very slow start but then enjoyed it very much, 22d was the last in.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.

  29. A nice puzzle for a Tuesday finished without too much head scratching. I too didn’t know the Trump reference either , but it was a good clue nevertheless. Thanks to setter and Huntsman .

  30. Thank you Mr Plumb for a different style of clue. We struggled with a few but got there in the end. Likewise thank you Huntsman for enlightened us although we didn’t need the hints to finish.
    Gary and Val

  31. Excellent puzzle, but I thought it merited at least one more star for difficulty. Lots of votes for 4A, so I’ll go for 26 & 27.

    Very many thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

  32. More Tuesday fun but a bit more demanding than usual however was good in this steamy weather to have a pastime requiring mental rather than physical effort. In absence of AIrCon thank goodness for efficient electric fan. 4a bunged in without identifying specific Trump. 20a Bruce unknown to me. Thanks as usual to AP and Huntsman. 🥵.

  33. I found this harder than Huntsman, but not off the scale for a Tuesday. I didn’t help myself with STIRS for 1a until I twigged 1d. 19d was my last one in, and takes my prize for its cleverness and surface. Thanks to AP and Huntsman

  34. I’m in the straightforward but nonetheless enjoyable camp this evening. I’m not entirely sure you can have a 23d of billiards, snooker yes but billiards? I’m sure someone will prove me wrong. Got 4a straight away as I spotted the right Trump and it made me laugh so it’s favourite. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  35. A game of billiards is not a frame, that is a game of snooker. Different games altogether.

    1. I thought so too but was entirely certain so let it pass. Played a bit of billiards back in the day too & to a pretty respectable standard.

      1. I’m a snooker guy having spent many a frame in the student’s union at Guys Hospital during my uni days.

  36. I enjoyed this although would have given it more that one * for difficulty.

    I struggled with 22d as I was convinced that somewhat meant significant rather than partly. As in “He was somewhat confused by the question” or “Judd Trump is somewhat unheard of outside snookerist circles”

    Thanks to all.

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