DT 30976 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

DT 30976

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30976

Hints and tips by Mr K

+ - + - + - + - + - + - + - +

BD Rating  -  Difficulty *** -  Enjoyment ****

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday.  I found today’s offering a great fit for the Friday slot.  A most enjoyable solve.

In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions. Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers. In some hints hyperlinks provide additional explanation or background. Clicking on a picture will enlarge it. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

 

Across

1a    Bear excited most American children (7)
STOMACH:  Link together an anagram (excited) of MOST, the single letter for American, and an abbreviation for children 

5a    Colour of mole maybe relative's caged (7)
MAGENTA:  What a mole defines by example (maybe) is contained by (… caged) an informal word for a female relative 

9a    Picked up spotted rat circling king and queen? (5,4)
COURT CARD:  A homophone (picked up) of a synonym of spotted is followed by a rat or knave containing (circling) the Latin abbreviation for king.  Here the ? indicates that the definition is by example 

10a   Bits put back on satellite (5)
IOTAS:  The reversal (back) of a verb synonym of put comes after (on, in an across clue) a satellite of Jupiter 

11a   No doubt canal drained in good time (7)
CLEARLY:  The outer letters (drained) of CANAL with “in good time” or “not late”

12a   Handle alien creature not yet one year old (7)
LEVERET:  A pivoted handle with Spielberg’s movie alien 

13a   Oxford University books returned by group not working (3,2,6)
OUT OF ACTION:  Join together the abbreviation for Oxford University, the reversal (returned) of some abbreviated biblical books, and a group or sect 

16a   Circuit in China going west (3)
LAP:  The reversal (going west, in an across clue) of a synonym of China in its rhyming slang sense 

18a   Bob possibly scrubbing power tool (3)
HOE:  A surname that Bob the American entertainer defines by example (possibly), minus the physics symbol for power (scrubbing power) 

20a   Bird shaking a leg on ledge (6,5)
GOLDEN EAGLE:  An anagram (shaking) of A LEG ON LEDGE 

22a   More nuts and sauce at front of jetty (7)
DIPPIER:  A sauce that might be applied to crisps or veggies comes before another word for jetty 

23a   Leave insects near back of run-down church (7)
LICENCE:  Concatenate some unpleasant head insects, the last letter (back of) of RUN-DOWN, and the abbreviation for the Church of England 

25a   Some beer Gazza brought back for match (5)
AGREE:  The answer is hidden in the reversal (some … brought back) of BEER GAZZA

26a   Officers turn the air blue about Oscar's speech (9)
DISCOURSE:  Some usual abbreviated police officers are followed by swear or “turn the air blue” containing (about) the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by Oscar 

27a   Predict painful cycling in iron saddle at the end (7)
FORESEE:  A synonym of painful with its letters cycled one place is inserted in the chemical symbol for iron, and that’s all followed by the last letter (at the end) of SADDLE

28a   Basic car dial defective (7)
RADICAL:  An anagram (defective) of CAR DIAL 

 

Down

1d    Fire hot beneath fool in sinner's garment? (9)
SACKCLOTH:  Cement together fire or dismiss, a fool or idiot, and the single letter for hot 

2d    Old boat carrying the French is loaded (7)
OPULENT:  The single letter for old is followed by a boat often seen at Oxford or Cambridge containing (carrying) “the” in French 

3d    Ceremonial table with key artist turned (5)
ALTAR:  A key on a computer keyboard with the reversal (turned) of a usual abbreviated artist 

4d    EV broken down inside festival difficult to shift? (5)
HEAVY:  The letters in EV are inserted separately (broken down inside) a well-known literary festival 

5d    Cake produced at home fed to reared fish (9)
MADELEINE:  Produced or created is followed by “at home” or “not out” inserted in (fed to) the reversal (reared) of a long thin fish 

6d    Beef and veg in cream almost gone (9)
GRIEVANCE:  An anagram (gone) of VEG IN and CREAM minus its last letter (almost) 

7d    Bronze erected at top of river not affected (7)
NATURAL:  The reversal (erected, in a down clue) of bronze or brown is followed a usual eastern European river

8d    Benefit of dog losing its lead (5)
ASSET:  A floppy-eared, low ground clearance dog minus its first letter (losing its lead)

14d   Murky nature of enemy's son smuggling good drink (9)
FOGGINESS:  A synonym of enemy with both its ‘S from the clue and the genealogical abbreviation for son is containing (smuggling) both the single letter for good and an alcoholic drink

15d   Porter perhaps raised area for writer (9)
COLERIDGE:  A first name that Porter defines by example (perhaps) is followed by a raised area

17d   Adult mice peel off in stages (9)
PIECEMEAL:  An anagram (off) of the single letter for adult and MICE PEEL

19d   Salesperson visiting capital upset its previous ruler (7)
EMPEROR:  A usual abbreviated salesperson inserted in (visiting) a well-known European capital city, all reversed (upset, in a down clue). The definition refers to the rest of the clue 

21d   Common info on grass Spain's promoted (7)
GENERIC:  Info or dope is followed by a grass often grown in flooded fields, with the IVR code for Spain raised to the start of the word (promoted)

22d   Tower above delta fine after conflict (5)
DWARF:  Put together the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by delta, a serious conflict, and the abbreviation for fine 

23d   City's casualty department generates light source (5)
LASER:  The abbreviation for a well-known US city with its ‘S from the clue is followed by the abbreviation used in that location for a hospital’s casualty department 

24d   Audience see squabble beginning to develop (5)
CROWD:  Assemble the letter represented by “see”, a squabble or argument, and the first letter (beginning to) of DEVELOP

 

Thanks to today’s setter. Which clues did you like best?

The [pangram] Quick Crossword pun:  AIR + GUN + SHIPS = EGG AND CHIPS

66 comments on “DT 30976”

  1. An enjoyable way to spend a hot morning. If we had any paving stones the sun would be cracking them. I struggled with a couple but I don’t mind that on a Friday. The rest fell slowly and became an enjoyable solve. As ever, the downs came to my rescue especially 1d, which started a chain reaction. Putting “Lippier” at 22a held me up in Devon and Cornwall until I cracked 22d. My COTD is 23a with its insects in a run-down church.

    Thank you, setter for a great Friday Challenge. Thank you, Mr. K for the hints and pusskits.

    I’m afraid the Quickie pun didn’t work for me.

  2. 4*/2*. I found much of this quite tough, which is to be expected on a Friday. There were a lot of good clues, but my enjoyment was limited by some unconvincing surfaces (not to mention the horrible use of “see” to clue C in 24d.)

    Thanks to the setter and to Mr K.

  3. Fairly gentle for a Friday, but well clued and enjoyable to solve.
    My ticks are against the bear in 1a, the unemployed in 13a and the foul-mouthed policemen in 26a, which was my COTD.
    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  4. Lots of good clues and relatively straightforward for a Friday, I thought. The cleverly self-referential 19d was my favourite. Now to prepare for a blisteringly hot trip to Hyde Park to see Neil Young and Van the Man. I may head in a little later than I’d intended, even though my instinct is generally to get in early and obtain maximum value from a sum significantly greater than what Huntsman paid to see Rory G at the Brum Odeon. I still have lots of those £3.50 tickets, although I had, ahem, grown out of blues rock by the time I was regularly going to gigs in New St.

    1. I’ll be very interested to see what you make of it. I enjoyed Neil at Glasters but his voice clearly ain’t what it was. Van on the other hand hasn’t lost his & I hope he’s in the mood & puts on a good show.
      I’m off to The Black Keys in Alexandra Park – 🤞 it cools down a bit or we’ll get royally striped on the beer front.

      1. Yes, that’s my concern. It’s perhaps fortunate that my sons haven’t bothered to get up yet, thus reducing the available drinking time. Enjoy the Black Keys. At least there might be a bit of a breeze up there and there are plenty of good pubs in Muswell Hill and Crouch End to provide pre-gig shade.

    2. Sorry, I forgot to thank the setter and Mr K for the excellent hints – very remiss of me.

  5. A curate’s egg for me spoiled by, for example and like RD, the ‘see’ in 24d. If this is the work of a member of The Friday Triumvirate then I have two half crowns that are saying it is a Zandio production – ***/***

    Smiles for 11a, 1d, 14d, and 24d.

    Thanks to Zandio, or whomsoever if it is not he, and thanks to Mr K.

    1. Z certainly shares part of his name with the 10a satellite, so could that be more than just a coincidence?

      1. Slightly more analytical – Silvanus was the setter for the last three Friday back pagers in a row – time for a rest; neither of proXimal’s typical indicators are present; so, if it is the work of a member of The Friday Triumvirate, that leaves Zandio.

  6. Pretty benign and straightforward on this already hot Friday, a very enjoyable and satisfying solve despite a fair number of very odd surface reads. Lovely variety of different clue types and admirable restraint from the setter on the use of anagrams. I did wonder at the name check of our illustrious blogger in 25a, though I suspect that it is a different Gazza and one probably never of a cruciverbal bent!

    Honours to 5d, 15d & 26a, with runner-up 12a – one of my favourite creatures, certainly.

    Many thanks to the setter (not certain today, possibly Zandio?) and Mr K

  7. I mainly enjoyed the Friday challenge although not convinced by 4d and as others have said – 24d.
    3*/3*
    Will go with 23a as favourite
    Thanks to Mr K and ?Zandio

  8. A nice, surprisingly gentle, finish to the week with Sade (?) in fine form. 1a kicked things off nicely and it flowed from there.

    I like the technique of splitting EV in 4d and 6d reminds me of people mispronouncing the G of GBH like mischievous/mischevious.

    My podium is 25a, 26a and 2d.

    MT to Silvanus (?) and Mr K.

    2*/4*

      1. They are tremendous odds.

        Thinking about it, the technique in 4d, that I really like, is brave which is certainly more Zandio than Silvanus.

        So, you’re probably right.

        I love that Z does this.

  9. I’d either forgotten or maybe never knew the Jupiter satellite so that needed a check but otherwise fairly straightforward for a Friday. Not my favourite puzzle of the week but still enjoyable. 9,13,22&26a + 1,5&6d all likes with 26a my pick of ‘em.
    Thanks to the setter (Zandio my punt) & to Mr K – great pic at 8d

  10. An enjoyable Friday puzzle.
    Wasn’t keen on the see for c either.

    Top picks for me were 5a, 1d and 22a.

    Thanks to Mr K and the setter.

  11. Enjoyable and reasonably gentle for a Friday.
    Special mention to 20a as we saw three of these magnificent birds in The Highlands in May.
    Thank you mystery setter and Mr K.

  12. Just about to begin en route to Aldeburgh, a bit tricky on my phone. Will look in later. Wot a scotcha! The weather I mean.

    1. According to the Telegraph Aldeburgh has one of the best (coastal) fish and chip shops in the UK. (Actually there’s two of them at either end of the high street.)
      I don’t remember them but brother does from 60+ years ago.

  13. I can’t honestly say that I enjoyed this puzzle. There were a few clues/answers that were good, but for the most part I found it rather difficult and not enjoyable. Just me I suppose, but will see what other comments others had.

    3*/3* for me

    Favourites worthy of inclusion were 11a, 12a, 20a, 22a, 25a & 8d — with winner for me 8d as Fred is a daily read for me.

    Thanks to setter & Mr K.

    My dog Tucker resting after chasing his ball in the park.

    2. Beautiful dog, PCL, but I don’t envy you the grooming. We have to brush our three springers for cleavers at this time of year, but my preference is always just to give them a number 3 with the clippers, so much easier!

      1. I used to do my Springer too with number 2. Unfortunately we lost him just before he turned 10 in 2021 with a tumour. Came on very suddenly and Inoperable unfortunately.
        Too soon to lose him. Still miss him…

  14. Our setter wins the prize in the ‘strange surfaces’ challenge and gets extra Brownie points for the cringe-worthy C in 24d. Ah well, it’s his style and unlikely to change any time soon.
    Top clues here were 12,13,20&26a. The Quickie pun didn’t work for me.

    Thanks to our setter, Zandio I presume, and to Mr K for the review and the feline parade.

  15. Far too obscure for me; what must the Toughies must be like! I got the correct Bob for18a, but not much else.

  16. Thought this was great fun, 20, 25 and 6 my favourites. As for ‘see’ in 24, it’s the least obscure of the words for letters and does turn up from time to time. It’s in Chambers so quite legitimate.
    I think a lot of people expect the quick pun to be a precise homophone. Even though it sometimes is, the point is that it’s not necessarily meant to be that, but a playful approximation. It amused me anyway.

    1. I’m with you all the way, Mr MR.

      The bendier the better.

      Straightforward puns that need no stretching are dull.

      Today’s is brilliant.

      1. I agree Tom.
        Years ago the quickie solution was ‘Bacon annexe’, which I think is very clever.

  17. As others have said, very gentle for a Friday, but at the same time, very enjoyable. No particular favourite but no complaints either.
    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K.

    1.5*/4* for me.

    1. I forgot to say, I wish Gazza would hurry up with that beer… I’m watching the cricket on the television and melting in this heat!

  18. A dnf unaided for me as I needed a fair few hints to keep me moving, albeit very slowly, to completion. Too good for me today. Maybe I’ll put it down to the heat. Thanks to compiler and Mr K for the much needed hints.

  19. On early today as golfing when it cools down 🤞
    It’s far too hot to be getting curmudgeonly about the odd little clue not floating your boat, so I just accept what is front of me and enjoy the challenge, which again was a good one. Like Jezza, no complaints from me.
    Thanks to all!

  20. The BRB is right behind the setter on the use of see as the noun/name of the third letter of the alphabet.
    I too am waiting for a beer from Gazza, has he scored a hole in one?
    Thanks to Mr K and setter

  21. I found this at the tougher end of backpage puzzles; thank you to Mr K for helping out with the insects in 23a (I had ‘absence’ and was wondering what ‘abse’ were!), and in 13a where I was trying ‘office’ as the group — though that might be wishful thinking on my part to be “out of office” right now!

    Anagram indicators don’t usually bother me, but ‘gone’ in 6d caught me out, and I’m failing to get a sense of re-arrangement out of it. And I don’t understand how 28a matches its definition, if anybody’s able to help?

    Thank you to the setter for the many highlights, including the mole colour in 5a, the nuts and sauce in 22a, and the 4d festival, which is one of my favourite places to be; we went last year and I hope we can return soon. I also liked that 23d is self-indicating as American.

    For anybody unsure about spelling out letters of the alphabet, Dave Gorman (‘Django’ round here) has a fun bit on that. I think it’s this video, but Facebook is blocked in this office so I can’t check it.

  22. After a very slow start I eventually got there, not helped by trying to use cream as the anagram indicator in 6d. I thought it was very entertaining if a little tricky in places but then it is Friday. Overall. Nice mix of clues but no outstanding favourite today.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K for the hints and pics

  23. Surprisingly doable for a Friday with only 24d needing recourse to Mr Kay but I did like his cats! Now then Sir Linkalot, where does piecemeal come from? I know that oop north a piece is a snack so maybe the ‘meal’ is explaining the piece? Seems a bit clumsy to me. Had to go to London yesterday to see a heart specialist. Unbelievably hot. I cannot believe that I once moved freely about the city and
    knew where I was and felt at home there! I needed a man in a red scarf. Then the train home was cancelled and we were herded into a train to Stevenage, left on the platform in the sun for half an hour, crowded onto another train to Royston with promises of buses to Cambridge – which of course were not there when we arrived. Young men under 30 who did not offer their seats to a woman carrying a baby and let an elderly man give me his seat. All most depressing. Rant over. Many thanks to our settter and Mr Kay, – had yesterdays guzzle with me yesterday but no earthly chance of getting it out and completing it! Have a Happy Weekend

    1. Hi, Daisygirl. I’m not the linguist you were looking for, but The OED has -meal as a suffix meaning ‘X by X’. So ‘piecemeal’ just means ‘piece by piece’.

      It also says all the words so formed are obsolete except for ‘piecemeal’. But theoretically Oasis could have called their song ‘Littlemeal’.

            1. Sorry gang. I’ve been off-grid for the last few hours and therefore missed all the bants.

              Curses!

      2. Thanks Smylers. I knew one of you smarty pants would be able to help me. Can you come and live next door?

  24. A not too difficult an end to a difficult week. Lots to like. One or two parsing issues but got there in the end. Favourite was 13a. Thanks to the setter and Mr. K.

  25. Pleased to find the kitty pictures back today as they are the saving grace for Friday puzzles, which I always find too tough. Did enjoy 18a but most of my other answers were achieved from checkers or despite the clues. I did get 18a but would never equate that with basic. Perhaps I can blame it on the after effects of yesterday’s anesthetics, but maybe not as that has clearly worn off now. Thanks to setter and to Mr K.

  26. A steady solve today and reached about 75% completion before I had to resort to Mr K’s hints. That said the clues where I needed the hints were not that difficult so perhaps a bit more effort needed on my part. Something that comes with greater experience.
    No particular favourites but as always thank you to the setter and Mr K for the hints.

  27. Good afternoon

    First of all, Mr K: a threeser? Really? Definitely fourser territory again today; it took me forever to find an inroad, and when I did get going, I was frequently wrong-footed by misdirection and stretched synonyms.

    I’m going to nominate 1d for COTD, but believe me, there were several options.

    I’m guessing today is the work of the legendary Mind Of Zandio. Many thanks to the MoZ, or whomever, and to Mr K.

  28. This one went quickly in parts and slowly in parts. NW was quick, then reverted to reading all the crosses and all the downs, that took quite a while. Then the entire S fell quickly but progress back to the N was slow but got there in the end. Very enjoyable all the way though! Ticks to 9a spotted and rat, 1d for the lego and 15a for putting me in mind of beer for quite a while!

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  29. I found this one enjoyable and nicely chewy especially as I struggled with yesterdays – let’s blame the heat for brain functioning , as I got the last few clues easily this morning ! Thanks to the mystery setter and Mr K.

  30. Many thanks Mr K for the blog and to all who have commented today.

    C you all next time. Have a good weekend 😎

    3. Love the C reference 👏👏

      Re the pun, with a name like Karla, you’re always going to be up for ‘a lark’.

  31. Probably one the easier ones this week .24 ? Didn’t spend too much time on 10a , Cricket, Wimbledon and golf all on at the same time . thanks to all .cotd 24a or 17d

  32. Found it difficult to concentrate in the heat and nearly solved this excellent puzzle but the king and queen clue did me in! Thank you compiler and Mr K

  33. Very enjoyable puzzle. Always good to be reminded of the Ancient Mariner, so 24D wins it for me. VMT setter & Mr K

  34. 3.5*/3.5* Definitely a Friday standard for me, but nonetheless enjoyable. Liked 1a when I finally twigged, baby hare at 12a and the nuttier 22a.
    Also liked the tenuous quickie pun

    Thanks to Karla and Mr K

  35. Tough but very doable – I was also held up by putting in ‘lippier’ at 22a….many thanks to Zandio (?) for an enjoyable tussle

  36. Not one of my favourites – some clever clues but some really too clever by half. South came on board first.
    Much bunging in took place. 6d indicator yet another cruciverbal setter’s invention and “reared” in 5d hardly fittimg. Thanks Karla and MrK.

  38. Back from holiday and started this crozzie today (Sunday). Difficult to get into the puzzle but eventually solved it on and off throughout the day although I needed the hint for part of 9a and most of its parsing. COTD probably 4d, which was a new construction for me but doable. Thanks to Karla and Mr K. ***/***

Comments are closed.