93 comments on “DT 30996”

1. A great puzzle for Monday with the theme continuing. My Labrador was pleased to see his name at 13a and has now become insufferable. I needed e-help for 9d because I’ve never heard of the man. Strange to say I knew the word at 27a but cannot for the life of me explain how. My COTD is the prudish cleric at 7d because it took a while to sort out.

   Thank you, setter for a great start to the cruciverbal week. Thank you, Falcon for the hints.

   It’s raining here in The Marches so I think I’ll have a pub lunch.

   1. Hi, Steve. You’ve probably heard this pop song around Christmas. 9d is one of the lead singers on it — I’ll leave you to work out which one.

      1. While he may be, in theory, a punk rock singer, it’s not as a punk that most people would think of him.

         1. Was. Died 2023. Remarkable that he made it into the 1990s let alone the 2020s.

            1. Unbelievable – he was a total wreck but what a songwriter. A Pair of Brown Eyes that I first heard covered by Christy Moore is one of my favourite songs –

      2. Thanks, Smylers but I have never liked that song.

         1. Sure, I’m not suggesting you (or anybody) should like 9d’s music, just letting you know who he is, and that you have heard him even if you haven’t heard of him!

2. I liked 8d. The rest was fun whilst it lasted. Thanks to Falcon and today’s setter.

3. A crossword that continues the Centenary celebrations. We have references to two Crossword Editors, one current, one from the past; plus the surname of the man who started the EV Crossword, and the pseudonyms of two current setters.. We have the place associated with cracking victory over the Germans; together with some of the places in the famous 25d puzzle. 12a apparently started her day by solving the crossword The thing that surprised me the most when I did a bit of investigoogling, was that 9d was an avid fan of the DT cryptic. All of which added another layer to the solving of this enjoyable crossword

   Thanks to the setter and Falcon

   1. Love that fact about 9d!

   2. Great knowledge, CS. Post completion, my enjoyment of this has increased by a full *. Thank yous all round

   3. Thank you CS!

   4. Thank you for explaining the Enigmatic Variations founder: I’d spotted the others and that answer looked like it was part of the theme, but I didn’t know the name. Having now looked him up, I love the correspondence with a fledgling Chris Lancaster recounted in his obituary.

   5. Loved this crossword! Some amusing clues and a very enjoyable solve. Needed help with 8D and 9D – a lightbulb moment! Thanks to the setter and Falcon

4. I enjoyed this but DNF. Unbelievably after all the recent goings on and the fact that I worked in Milton Keynes, for several years, it was 8D that I needed E-Help with although having got the answer it’s my COTD.
   Thanks to the setter and for the hints.

5. Tricky again and another DNF for me. After reading CS I can see that it’s a very clever puzzle. I thought 8d was a very nice clue and the knowledge that 9d was a DT crossword fan is priceless.

6. I can’t think it’s coincidental that at least three setters 1a in the grid, or maybe it is. I appreciated the more recent feel (and no cricket!), clueless about what a 4d is, but perfectly gettable. Thankyous to esteemed author and Falcon.

   1. ridgepole is a horizontal timber or beam that runs along the highest point (the ridge) of a roof, providing support for the rafters. It’s a crucial structural element in traditional roofing, distributing the roof’s weight and preventing sagging.
      Here’s a more detailed explanation:
      Function:
      The ridgepole acts as the backbone of the roof, connecting to the upper ends of the rafters and supporting the entire roof.
      It is also used in tents too – which is where I first came across the word.

      1. Oh, thank you so much Pommette. I’m sure it will be a while before I will need to know this nugget again, but I shall guard it carefully

         1. In 4d i don’t understand how that relates to ‘free’. Can someone explain please

            1. Hi, Suffolk Lass. ‘Free’ as a verb is a synonym of the first 3 letters of the answer.

7. I so nearly put SCRAMBLED EGGS in for 8d. Don’t laugh! Anyway I couldn’t make it work, obvs.

8. Hi Falcon,
   Minor typo in the hidden answer to 25d – and might it be argued that the definition for the same is “time for landing”?

9. Another well-thought-out * themed puzzle that she of the crypt has summed up very nicely.

   Being born in the mid-60s, I enjoyed the 80s references though others won’t.

   The only time I hear 27a is in a pub quiz as it’s a classic question. I don’t normally highlight an acrostic but I liked today’s (17a).

   My podium is 7d, 9d and 20d (very Dickenseque).

   MT to X-Type (?) and Falcs.

   3*/4*

   * The adjective well-thought-out, when placed before the noun, has two hyphens (though it could be one) but none after it. The quirks of the English language.

10. The centenary celebration continues with current and past editors, setters and famous solvers as well as wartime references all appearing in the grid. Great stuff – thanks to our setter and Falcon.
    I particularly liked 23a, 6d, 8d and 20d.

11. Surely 27a is a lurker and not an anagram

    1. Agreed. SOME LIKE does give an anagram solution, but not for this clue.

       1. Paul is right,it is a lurker. those were the days when in flower arranging we tortured three tulips and a sprig of foliage to make a statement. Now we stick ‘em in a vase and they do their own thing and look wonderful.

12. One of the best puzzles in a long time, for me! Loved 25 down (my COTD) and all the more recent ‘cultural’ references, with the centenary theme and Friday’s echoes too. Thanks to all involved for a most stylish solve.

13. What a fantastic puzzle. Mind you, like our Disappointing Tom, I’m also a child of the mid 1960’s so the musical references were of my time. Having said that, 20d went in straightaway.
    So many ticks on my page it’s difficult to narrow them down but I’ll plump for 8d, 12a, 15a, 24d and 25d.

    I also liked the Quickie pun.
    Thanks to Falcon and the setter.

14. Is thought this was a very strange pot pourri which never quite decided which direction it was heading in although others seem to have enjoyed it. The only clue that raised a smile was 8d.

    Apologies to our setter, NYDK would be my guess, and thanks to Falcon for the review – don’t think 27a is an anagram.

15. All this clever centenary stuff is beyond me .. I just try to solve the grid but thanks to CS for explaining the rationale of today’s offering. How you know all that???? I did finish but only got 8d due to Saturday’s workout. My cotd was 21d. To Steve Cowling .. I couldn’t say who any of the band members of The Pogues are/were but they are worth a listen to… lyrics are amusing.

    1. The lyrics may be amusing (especially Fairy Tale) but all too often 9d rendered them utterly unintelligible. And that was before they were accompanied by any music from the band!

16. Thank goodness normal service has been resumed. For me C.O.D is 17a, clever as the author is Ray Bradbury.
    I think Homer nodded in Manitoba – 27a is a lurker.
    Thanks to the setter and Falcon – being one whose pop music knowledge stops pretty well before the Beatles I only got 9d from his blog. Even the electronics didn’t produce him

17. An enjoyable and largely very straightforward puzzle. Other than the two setters in 13a & 17a the other names referenced above passed me by and I’ll be interested to see who they are should they later be identified. Being another (late) 60s child made some of the ‘G’K quite accessible for me, but for many older solvers this may not be the case. Indeed quite a lot of GK (and some SK!) required, and I don’t think 8d is gettable without it. A little surprised to see “Band of the Eighties” and “Eighties Band”.

    Honours to 15a, 7d & 9d

    Many thanks to the setter – I’m not risking even a sou on this one! – and to Falcon for the blog

    1. The solutions at 5a (Ruth, from 1985-2004) and 5d (Alan, from 1963-1988) are the surnames of previous setters, in addition to those you identified plus the Telegraph editors and EV originator that CS mentioned above.

       I hope that helps. I suspect that 13a might be the compiler today, but I have no inside knowledge.

       1. Thank you, Silvanus – I’d not heard of the two previous setters, nor the EV originator; when while completing clockwise 13a went in, I did wonder if it was his work; kicking myself about CL and 16d!

          1. You might find the attached of interest. James 10 Across also set fifteen Toughies in their early days using the pseudonym of Citrus.

             https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10052463/James-Leonard.html

             1. Thank you – fascinating!

18. It was not of past setters but historic bands that i thought as I dis this guzzle. I remembered most of them, although the Guns and Roses guitarist escaped my memory. I particularly liked 24d, which drew on geography and Norwegian pop music. The Lwgo clue plant at 1ta and the lurker revealed in 27a were my other picks. Thanka to the compiler and to Falcon for the hints.

19. If 9d is Scottish then I’m a Dutchman.

    Through my jet lag haze I feel this is the best crossword of the year; completed whilst watching England trying hard to lose the Fifth Test.

    Highlight of the last five weeks: mornings in the canyon, afternoons on Zuma Beach, and Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl.

    Colonel Bagshot chaired the committee this morning and I understand there was unanimous agreement to award 27a full membership of THE LIST. Miss Gomshall ran the raffle. Miss Abinger won but declined first prize which was a dinner date with Colonel Bagshot.

    Thanks to the excellent setter and The Bird Of Prey

    1. 27a appears regularly in crosswords; not as often as 18a but still reasonably well known

       1. …but it’s not an anagram!

          1. Neither Terence nor I said that it was

             1. Very many apologies. I’m barking up the wrong tree.

    2. So pleased you are back home safely! I have missed you.

    3. Welcome back, Terence.

       1. Yes, welcome home from me too Terence. I’m so glad that the Committee have ‘snapped to it’! You are now famously in the FAQ!

20. A dnf from me as I had absolutely no idea about 9d and wouldn’t have got it without the hint. I can see why others liked this puzzle, but not one for me today. Thanks to compiler and Falcon.

21. My first DNF in years. I must be getting old – never heard of 9d. Thanks to Falcon for the hints.

22. Found it quite hard and needed research, eg 20d. is 9d Scottish celtic or eccentric American. Anyway it was very enjoyable so thank you

23. What a great puzzle that was. I fairly raced through – but I confess I failed to register the hidden setter’s in the answers. Thank you to the setter – top stuff. And of course to Falcon who’s hints I shall now read

24. Don Watson @16 is on the right track but a bit off course. Homer nodded in Ontario — not Manitoba. It was well after midnight when I put the blog and myself to bed. I’m afraid this review is well en route to becoming the most error-laden of all time. Thanks to all the volunteer proof readers who have stepped forward to come to my aid.

    1. Good morning Falcon. Thanks for your review. I liked it very much. So what if there were a couple of misc(l)ues. I don’t want to add to your distress but I will note that today is not really a provincial holiday in Ontario. Many thanks also to the setter. What a clever puzzle!

       1. Perhaps I can fall back on the defence that I referred to it as merely “a provincial holiday” and not “a provincial statutory holiday”. The day is observed throughout Ontario, including (I believe) by the provincial government, despite not having been established by statute.

    2. F. Regarding would-be proofreaders (all one word), has anyone mentioned 5a? Isn’t ‘brought back’ the indicator for the reverse lurker hiding in the fodder? I wouldn’t normally have said anything but thought it would be churlish not to join in with your self-deprecation. Having said that, I’ve probably made a mistake or two in this message!

       1. As I see it, “from” indicates the lurking aspect and “brought back” the reversal aspect. And, yes, it is ironic that I misspelled “proofreaders”.

25. What a brilliant puzzle! I was worried that some people here might not have enjoyed the cultural references but then I still tend to think I’m young and forget that I’m actually probably older than many other contributors to these comments. My favourites today were 8d and Cryptic Sue’s gem about one of Westminster School’s more famous (and unlikely) pupils. Thanks very much to the setter and to Falcon.

26. Lots of GK required today and TBH I’m not particularly enjoying the centenary puzzles.
    Thanks to all
    2*/3*

    1. Here, here SLB

27. A bit more challenging for me on a Monday.
    Almost every time I do the DT crossword, I learn a new word and today it was 27a. I might try and drop it into a conversation, when I’ve worked out to pronounce it!

28. I loved the witty surface readings – 9d and 20d especially made me chuckle but 11a gets my vote for COTD just for the wonderfully incongruous image it conjured up. A hugely enjoyable solve, thank you compiler and Falcon.

29. THE Queen? Just ‘ Queen ‘ to my knowledge.

    1. Our previous leader used to enjoy the Telegraph crossword. It’s not known whether she ever consulted the Big Dave blog.

30. Withdraw criticism – I see it now!

31. A nice Monday puzzle with several references to WW II things/events in this grid that I found.
    One new word for me in the NW as I have never heard of it before.

    2*/4* for me

    Favourites 18a, 6d, 8d, 16d, 21d & 25d — with winner 8d

    Thanks to setter & Falcon

32. Hmmm. I see what CeeSue says but I struggled as I am not very ‘with it”. 25d was my favourite and I clocked Hudson and Beam, 3d and 9d left me quite bewildered. But I am delighted that some people were on that wavelength. I shall now uncover 3d, 11a and 9d and maybe learn something new. Off to do a Profile for the village magazine so that will keep me occupied. Many thanks to the clever Setter, the helpful Hinter and salutations to all who finished the grid unaided!

33. I needed help with this one.I didn’t know 9d but eventually worked it out.Dismissed 27a several times before I finally put it in, I’ve never seen this before, after I solved 9d . Found the NW the hardest part and couldn’t believe the answer for 1a when it finally went in . Another one I’d dismissed.Last one in 12a , and my favourite.My musical heroes are from the late 50/60s .No idea about the guns and roses chap.Noy my cup of tea , talking of which, I’ll put the kettle on . Thanks to all

34. The two long down clues were my favourites as they neatly hinted at the dual themes of puzzles on one side and 80s music on the other.
    I’m rather surprised at the number of commenters who have not heard of 9d. I was expecting the guitarist in 11a to have provoked the most head scratching out of the two.
    His name would have fitted in well in yesterday’s Sunday Toughie by Beam.
    Great start to the week, thanks to the setter and Falcon.

35. 9D punk singer? Not really, energetic performer and accomplished songwriter – very much so.
    Celtic Punk Rock? Sham Rock more like.

36. Being a child of the mid-1940s and knowing little or nothing about pop music, I struggled with the clues which referenced the subject. I did however manage to work some of them out.

37. I loved this! After Saturday I was thinking that perhaps themed crosswords aren’t for me, but this immediately proves me wrong with a wonderful crossword which was fun and solvable while also paying homage to the Telegraph crossword, its setters, editors, and famous solvers — and also a bonus mini-theme of musicians. Thank you so much to the setter.

    My favourite was the overall theming. But I did also like the prudish cleric in 7d.

    Thank you to Falcon for explaining “Telegraph compilers are going to” in 7d.

    “9d is not my type; his teeth are green and mangled” — it’s virtually impossible to make out those lyrics in this live recording, but for 9d that seems quite apt:

38. The blog made me appreciate just how excellent a puzzle this is! I always need help with the bloomer clues but otherwise everything else made sense; 16d is a really neat clue recognising our editor at the same time. Thank you compiler (Silvanus suspects 13a!) and Falcon

39. I enjoyed this one very much and for once my GK was up to scratch. 8d was my favourite and I loved the theme of the puzzle.

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

40. DNF. I am obviously an antediluvian square as I find the DT cruciverbal offerings these days increasingly oddball and require excess amounts of modernistic GK. Sadly even the WW2 theme didn’t help. To each his own I suppose. Repetitive use of apostrophe “s” for is jars somewhat. 27a lurker is fun. Look forward to an end to centenary observation. Thank you setter and Falcon.

    1. Fair enough — different people have different tastes, and I don’t always love puzzles that others rave about.

       But I’m curious about which general knowledge you find ‘modernistic’ in this crossword? The first 3 letters of 1a and the answer to 29a are both current technology (though they are widespread and have been around for over a decade), and two clues doesn’t seem excessive to me.

       The music acts are from 40–50 years ago, except for the one from the 1870s. The other general knowledge I can see are related to the World War 2, the Italian smoker and the character from Greek mythology — none of which are recent.

41. My area of expertise in music is strictly classical so many of the clues and answers went over my head I’m afraid. I fared better elsewhere, so mixed feelings about this. Thanks to Falcon for the blog and extra information, and to the clever setter.

42. Clearly I am of the wrong generation to solve today’s puzzle, having never heard of some of the people in the answers, particularly 9d. I am woefully lacking in knowledge of some of “famous” people (with the exception of 10a) but at least my flower arranging years helped with 27a. I sincerely doubt if anyone, anywhere has ever managed to eat a singular 5a ????, so without the usual plural form I almost missed that one. The overall musical theme is not for me I’m afraid. Thanks to setter and Falcon.

43. I really enjoyed this today although I had to google a couple of the people. 8d was my COTD. I am having something called a gastroscopy tomorrow. I’m sure others on this site will have had this so please tell me it’s not as awful as I am fearing it will be. I’m not very brave when it comes to medical procedures. Thanks.

    1. It isnt a bundle of fun, Manders but it isn’t toobad if you listen to what they tell you, relac and concentrate on your breathing as the tube goes down. They usually offer an optional sedative which may lead to a longer appointment and a spell of bedrest after the procedure is over. If you are nervous and having problems relaxing, accepting the sedative may be the way to go. Good luck, enjoy the feeling of relief when it is done you will be in my thoughts.????

    2. I have had quite a number, Manders and they are not too bad. Chriscross has given some good advice. Fortunately the tube is quite thin these days and is not a major problem. Sometimes you will be offered an anaesthetic spray for the back of the throat if you have a gag reflex. The IV sedative is usually just paracetamol but is quite effective. I have never needed it, though.

       1. Thanks Chriscross and Steve. Will report back tomorrow!

44. Thank you to the Setter and Falcon for the hints. My passion is music and gave up cataloguing my vast number of CDs. Go to less concerts now as living in rural Devon. Puzzle was a fairly easy solve with 4d the last to go in. Val taken a back seat today doing some design work instead. We both enjoy being part of this Blog. Gary and Val

    1. Hi Gary

       I’m glad you’re both enjoying being part of this community. It’s a great set-up.

       Missing out on a few music gigs is a price worth paying for rural Devon, that’s for sure.

45. Absolutely top puzzle. Where to go for COTD? Any of those last 4 Downs would have been a worthy winner – can’t choose between 25D and 12A.

    Many thanks Setter & Falcon.

46. Enjoyed this despite it being a dnf. 12a and 21d were my undoing.

    Having solved a load of clues with new words 4d, 27a and a couple of people I’d not heard, galling to fail on relatively straightforward clues.

    Interestly, when searching for 80s pop groups, 3d does not appear for some reason. Even a wiki devoted to 80s groups misses them out.

    Thanks to all.

47. I rather like the thought of the late queen scratching her crumpet pondering the back-pager with corgis at her feet at the same time as Shane, half cut or more probably completely p****d, doing the same.
    Enjoyed the puzzle but found it tricky in parts. 12a last in & an embarrassingly slow penny drop. The 2 long peripheral downs my top 2 & 14d can half the other podium spots.

    1. that’s have not half.

48. 2*/4* Tremendous start to the week, I think it’s all been said already, some I agree with some I don’t. 27a shouldn’t go on the list and 9d isn’t known as a punk singer although did start as one.
    Thanks to setter and Falcon

49. Well I liked that a lot this morning. I haven’t had time to comment before but I have also enjoyed reading the blog. Loved the theme overall and catching up with setters past and present.
    Many thanks to the setter/setters (it has the feel of a compilation to me – but who knows)
    Thanks to Falcon for explaining some of my bung ins. Welcome home Terence and thanks to all the commentariat for the entertaining discussion.

50. Good evening, although it’s gone midnight, and therefore I should be saying good morning.

    A very late start to today’s crozzie, and a very late finish. And I say “finish”; I actually hoyed the sponge in with 1a and 4d left to get. I just couldn’t squeeze the correct answers out of my poor mangled braincell. Not even my Lucky Green Pen could save me!

    COTD is without a doubt 8d. Superb!

    Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon.

51. Not that anyone will care, but I disliked this puzzle. I never had any interest in pop or punk or whatever so erasure, guns and Roses etc totally lost on me. Bring back classical music clues

52. 5*/1* …
    liked 7D “Most prudish cleric admits biases occasionally (9)”

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