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DT 30984

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30984

Hints and tips by Falcon

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

Greetings from my lakeside retreat near Ottawa where we have been experiencing mostly hot, sunny weather. I cope by following advice I have often received over the years to go jump in a lake.

I got off to a slow start with today’s puzzle but once I had established a foothold, the solve proceeded rapidly. This may be the work of X-Type who seems to have taken possession of the Monday slot.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Means to get around town – using quiet donkey (6)
BYPASS — line up another word for using or via, the abbreviated musical direction to play quietly, and a donkey

4a   Covered pupils before illness gone? (8)
OBSCURED — some abbreviated former pupils and a word denoting that a patient has recovered from an illness

10a   Positive about golf upswing (5)
SURGE — positive or certain containing (about) the letter represented by golf in radio communication

11a   Registration of ten men or, confusingly, about fifty? (9)
ENROLMENT — an anagram (confusingly) of TEN MEN OR containing (about) the Roman numeral for fifty

12a   Poet penning ordinary lines in post (7)
BOLLARD — a poetic name for a poet containing (penning) abbreviations for ordinary and lines

13a   Delicate bridge player’s bids (7)
TENDERS — a synonym for delicate and the abbreviation for one of the four positions at a bridge table

14a   Where you can get your own back, having come a long way? (7,7)
BAGGAGE RECLAIM — a cryptic definition of where one retrieves their luggage at the end of a trip

17a   Agitated leaders sent me, with head of tribunal, to find experienced politicians (5,9)
ELDER STATESMEN — an anagram (agitated) of LEADERS SENT ME and (with) the initial letter (head) of TRIBUNAL

21a   One with no chance or phone broken (2-5)
NO HOPER — an anagram (broken) of OR PHONE

23a   Dog gets the German soup (7)
CHOWDER — a dog with a curled tail and a German definite article

24a   Stick with this and you might have difficulty letting go! (9)
SUPERGLUE — a cryptic definition of an adhesive with extraordinary holding power

25a   State, on the radio: “I owned a garden tool” (5)
IDAHO — sounds like (on the radio) that the setter once owned a particular type of garden tool

26a   Director makes his mark with first of Emmys, embraces son (8)
SCORSESE — makes a mark or gouges precedes the initial letter (first) of Emmys and the whole bit is wrapped around (embraces) the genealogical abbreviation for son

27a   Starts parts of a tennis match, after running (6)
ONSETS — a group of games in a tennis match follows (after) running or functioning

Down

1d   Nocturnal creature: George Dubya when very young? (8)
BUSHBABY — if split (4,4), the name of this southern Africa primate might describe the former US president in infancy

2d   Artist detained by dim female lawyer’s assistant (9)
PARALEGAL — an abbreviated distinguished artist is contained in dim or light in colour and this is followed by a slang term for a woman or girl

3d   Composer getting me into Satan – awful! (7)
SMETANA — ME from the clue inserted into an anagram (awful) of SATAN

5d   A way to make peace? It’s no good if you’ve an axe to grind! (4,3,7)
BURY THE HATCHET — a cryptic definition of an expression denoting the resolution of a dispute; I suppose the implication is that it may not apply in the case of major conflicts

6d   Military type sounds like a nut! (7)
COLONEL — a homophone (sounds like) the core of a nut

7d   Bird concerning First Lady (5)
REEVE — the customary business letter term for concerning or in the matter of and the Biblical first woman

8d   Dislike of French experiment (6)
DETEST — the French word for “of” and an experiment or trial

9d   Different classes read old manuscripts (4,3,7)
DEAD SEA SCROLLS — an anagram (different) of CLASSES READ OLD

15d   Happening right now, I’m given work on a dispute (9)
IMMEDIATE — IM (I’m) and work on resolving a dispute

16d   Huge American going after English standard doughnut (8)
ENORMOUS — when arranged per directions, the single letter for English, standard or usual, the letter that is shaped like a doughnut, and an abbreviation for American

18d   Sells abroad from former docklands (7)
EXPORTS — the customary former and another name for docklands

19d   Sensation resulting from ecstasy and movement (7)
EMOTION — the abbreviated name of the drug ecstasy and another word for movement

20d   Flowers returned in vases, in autumn (6)
ANISES — a reverse lurker (returned in) concealed in the last three words of the clue

22d   Large animal cool by river abroad (5)
HIPPO — cool or trendy and an Italian river

I will nominate the old manuscripts at 9d as my favourite today. What was yours?

Quickie pun:: THYME + MUSH + EEN = TIME MACHINE

On This Day …

in 1996, Ottawa hometown girl Alanis Morissette started a second run at No.1 on the UK album chart with Jagged Little Pill which stayed at the top for eight weeks. Overall, the album has sold over 33 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most successful albums in music history. Although not my preferred genre of music, I like to support a local gal. Here is one of the tracks off the album:

66 comments on “DT 30984”

  1. Ah, back to the Mondays of old and a great start to the week. Fairly straightforward but enjoyable, nevertheless. I didn’t know the bird at 7d but the clue gave clear instructions. I now see the Chancellor in a different light. I also didn’t realise that the plant at 20d had a plural. I thought it was like “sheep”, which can mean one or several. My COTD for the simple reason it made me laugh out load is 25a. No doubt it’s a chestnut but it I’ve not come across it before.

    Thank you, setter for a great start to the week and for a terrific Quickie pun. Thank you, Falcon for the hints, which I will now read.

    1. Once again, I cannot edit my post. Just wanted to add that I had “mush” as the second word of the pun.

      3. I’ve edited the Quickie pun to accord with the setter’s intent. However, “mash” (defined by Collins as “a soft, pulpy mass”) seems to work at least equally as well.

        1. Understood: but in my neck of the woods, the word “machine” is pronounced as “MUSH-een”, not “MASH-een”… Just saying.

  2. A fine start to the cruciverbal week with lots to like.

    My crib sheet for flora and fauna is rapidly turning into a book as I had to add 7d and 20d to it.

    25a is a hoot and I absolutely love Dubya as a term. Very funny.

    My pody picks are 17a, 24a and 16d.

    MT to, X-Type (?) and Falcs.

    2*/4*

  3. A nice straightforward puzzle to start my week.
    I have heard of the composer at 3d because of solving crossword puzzles, but wonder whether he composed anything that we all might know?

    Favourite clue, 9d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

    1. He is a wonderful composer and this is one of his finest.

      1. I’ve always loved that piece of music, thank you Steve – although I generally forget entirely what it’s called!

        Not being someone who studies or thinks too much about music, but who simply enjoys it for what it is, it does strike me that there are musical similarities to be found in Dvorak and Smetana, which should of course come as no surprise. I shall have to experiment in the car: “OK, Laura, find and play me some Smetana or Dvorak”

  4. I found this as straightforward a puzzle as I have come across in a long while. That didn’t stop me enjoying the fairly rapid solve, and it was worth going back through the grid to experience the skill of the compiler in retrospect, as it were. 9d was a brilliant anagram and my favourite this morning.

    Thanks to whomsoever set this puzzle and to Falcon.

  5. No hold-ups for today and thoroughly enjoyed this one so thanks to all concerned.
    To Smylers: Re your comment yesterday about the A47, we never found out exactly what the problem was but we were forced into a single lane and came off at the Lightwater roundabout. So then we went past the showground and I hoped we could come down to the next roundabout which is the one we use but it was blocked off which was when the fun started. The satnav has never told me I was lost before and then just shut down! Pouring here and our scaffolders have gone home.

  6. 1*/3.5*. This was light and fun as it should be on a Monday.

    I think 5d is a bit dodgy, but everything else was good with 9d my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

  7. This was a delightfully enjoyable guzzle, with two of my favourite clues, the anagram at 5d and the amusi g cryptic definition at 9d, falling into place straightaway . The 6d homophone was my third pick. Thanks to rhe setter and to Falcon for the hints. Those cold plunges into the lake sound rather bracing

  8. Thank you X-Type for the puzzle. My top few were the means to get around in 1a and the garden tool in 25a. Thank you also to Falcon for explaining the pupils in 4a, to Manders for her reply, and Steve for the musical link — I didn’t know the composer either.

    For 5d I had the more literal interpretation that you can’t sharpen an axe if you’ve buried it.

    1. Smetana’s “The Moldau” describes the journey of the river from its source to the sea. Been a favourite of mine for years. A pity the audience started applauding in the wrong places.

    2. Your explanation of the hatchet and axe is very plausible. I was focused on the size difference between the the implements thinking you might be able to bury the smaller one but not the larger one.

    4. Yes, I went for a perhaps more literal interpretation too. I was thinking that if one’s axe was blunt (ie, it needed sharpening) it would be no good to ****/plant in someone’s head, etc. But it’s certainly open to debate!

  9. An absolute corker to start the week. Full of wit and charm. Many choices for podium places, but 1a, 23a and 25a get the nod on smile factor alone. Thanks to X-type and Falcon.

  10. Light and enjoyable Monday puzzle – thanks to X-Type and Falcon.
    The clues I liked best were 14a, 5d and 15d.

  11. A lovely puzzle to ease one into the cruciverbal week ahead. Nice mix of clue types, everything fairly clued. Particular highlights for me were 11a, 13a, 25a & 9d.

    Many thanks to X-Type & Falcon – hope you enjoy your lake dip! Lakes & reservoirs in northern England are generally so empty now that for mos of them, diving in for a quick dip will leave one stranded on a dry and cracking lake bed …

    Off topic: a superb and perfectly timed Nina in yesterday’s ST cryptic from Robert Price, I thought.

    1. Joe’s new album doesn’t disappoint. After the first couple of play throughs this one is my early fav

    2. I did Robert Price’s ST cryptic yesterday, but missed the Nina! Thanks for pointing it out. How did I not see that?! Immaculate timing as you say, but sadly it was a bit of a procession, despite Scheffler’s double bogey at the 8th.

  12. A gentle start to the non-working week with a few laughs along the way. My top three of those were 1,14&25a.

    Thanks to X-Type presumably and to Falcon for the review.

  13. Took a while to get up to speed with this one but when I did there were few hold ups. A lovely start to the week. Favs were 14a, 24a and 1d.
    Thank you to the setter and to Falcon for the hints.

  14. A very enjoyable start to the week, a fantastic puzzle and also despite the forecast I managed to complete all I needed to do today in the garden without any rain. So I am a very happy bunny. 9d was my favourite but there were many excellent and varied clues.

    Many thanks to X-type and to Falcon for the hints.

  16. An excellent puzzle to kick off the new week. Gentle but hugely enjoyable & with a plethora of ticks. 10,14,17,24&25a plus 2,5&9a particular likes. Another vote for the manuscripts as fav.
    Thanks to X-Type & Falcon – you’re not the only mush to plump for mash.

  17. Exactly what SC wrote in the opening to his comment – */****

    Candidates for favourite – 12a, 24a, 1d, and 5d – and the winner is 5d.

    Thanks to X-Type and Falcon.

  18. A good start to the week. I knew the bird as it’s my maiden name. Lots of smiles and my top picks are 25a, 2d, 14a and 5d.

    Thanks to Falcon and X-type.

  19. As others have said, a quick solve but no less engaging for that. 25a is obviously hilarious and, while I am not normally a big fan of anagrams, 9d is very cleverly crafted. Many thanks to X-Type and to Falcon.

  20. 1.5* / 4* A very enjoyable start to the week, took way too long to see the director, but everything else went smoothly.
    Favourites 14a getting your own back, 25a state and last one in director
    Also a nice quickie pun
    Thanks to X Type and Falcon

  21. Enjoyable and from a sticky start in the N, the S fell and I worked my way back up at fairly rapid pace. A nice start to the week. Favourite was the manuscripts.

    Thanks to X-Type and Falcon

  22. It has mostly been said. I don’t know how you all manage to sit and do the guzzle in the morning, I am very envious. Very satisfying to do, loved the anagram at 9d and the sticky stuff at 24a. I had not realised that 20d had a plural either. 1d favourite. Very many thanks to Messrs. Xtype & Falcon.

  23. Ideal puzzle for Monday morning. For me this was straightforward but really enjoyable. My favourite was 1D. Thanks to Xtype and Falcon.

  24. Most enjoyable and perfectly pitched for a Monday.
    Fortunately I knew the composer, the bird and the plant.
    Thanks to our setter and to Falcon.

  25. Another fun Monday offering with an unknown word for me in the NW.

    1.5*/3.5*

    Favourites 1a, 14a, 25a, 1d, 5d & 9d — with winner 5d
    Others that made me smile were 21a, 25a, 1d, & 18d

    Thanks to setter & Falcon

    2. Thank you for bringing the error to my attention. I solved the clue correctly but transcribed the answer incorrectly.

  27. Thank you X-type and Falcon. Excellent Monday puzzle to start the week. Our COTD 2d. 25a bought a smile to our faces. Gary and Val

  28. X type on form today although top end ** today for me. Late on parade and not had time to read earlier comments but thank you Falcon for the hints. I started quickly – came to a grinding halt round the edges – then had a fast final circuit. Favourite was 5 down.

  29. Looking forward to Mondays more than I used to. Todays offering fits the running theme of a fairly nice test of the little grey cells without being too onerous. If the pattern fits then tomorrow should be a breeze. Enough here today to keep us on point without reaching for the eraser.

    No stand out clues, but a really nice offering.

  30. Done and dusted but rather late in the day. Favourite was 25 across.For some reason just could not get the second half of 14 across. Just a mental block. Playing bridge tonight so no more mental blocks we hope. Thanks to X type and Falcon for elucidation.

  31. Nice Monday fare ***/ **** 😃 Favourites 14 & 25a and 7d ( my favourite as bird concerning First Lady is surely re-Eve which is a female Ruff) perhaps X-type would confirm? Where is Shabbo when you need him 🤔 many thanks to the Falcon and to the Compiler 👍

  32. So happy to find a real Monday puzzle, one I could actually finish on my own. I was slow to start, and did work from the bottom up, but everything fell steadily into place. I didn’t know the bird (only know it as a judge) but it just had to be. COTD to 1d. So enjoyable. I was late starting during to an early morning ultrasound followed by a late breakfast, so perhaps brain was a bit more awake. Thanks very much to the setter, to the editor for not giving us tricky one, and to Falcon. More like this please 😊.

  33. Thank you X-Type I did enjoy this one. I’m a fan of 3d; only 13a held me up. Appreciate the hints although for once I managed without

  34. Superb from X-type – lots of laughs, 1D, 14A, 17A, 24A all terrific – plenty of other contenders. A great start to week. VMT Falcon.

  35. Just me then as I found this pretty tricky, a wavelength thing I suspect. The American pronunciation in 1d wasn’t the the first thing to spring to mind, hadn’t heard of a 2d or the bird in 7d. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this as I did. Favourite was 25a. Thanks to X-Type and Falcon.

  36. Solved on and off this afternoon and evening. Not sure if I needed the hints: solved all the clues unaided apart from 14a so I turned to the hints and I think the answer came to me just before I saw the hint for 14a – but can’t be sure (hope this makes sense)! Otherwise, an enjoyable tussle. COTD 5d for the subtle word play. Thanks to X-Type and Falcon – and for the comments. **/****

  37. Not just you TG; I too found this quite a challennge – the more so in the North. In fact Mondays are rarely a piece of cake for me. I wait for Tuesday for an easy rider start to my cruciverbal week. Thank you XType and Falcon.

    Awaiting moderation – what have I done ow I wonder?

    1. I spent a moment wondering who Angelo was and then I realised you had forgotten the V!

  38. A great start to the week , which restored my faith. I started late as laboured over a few of the clues for yesterdays prize puzzle refusing to look fir hints or help. Finished that one this morning with fresh eyes. Thanks so much X-Type and Falcon.

  39. Nice start to the week, that tripped off the stylus before work. The bird was new to me, but had to be.
    Thanks to X-type and Falcon.

    I don’t usually do the Quick but I think my northern ear prefers mash to mush as the pronunciation guide

  40. Late to the party today so a pleasant challenge to while away an hour or so this evening. Got stuck in the SW corner, had never heard of the flowers at 21d, although I had recognised the type of clue, so a quick check with Falcon to confirm my guess. Other than that, very pleased with the overall solve and my COTD was 14a, how many times have I stood there as the queue gets smaller and smaller and your bags are nowhere to be seen!
    Thank you to the setter and Falcon for the hints.

  41. Loved it. Thanks X-Type and Falcon. Sailed through with no hints needed. Last one in 26a. Lots of favourites

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