DT 31001 (hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
View closed comments 

DT 31001 (hints)

by Gazza  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31001 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by Gazza)

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

Crypticsue is busy today so it’s down to me to provide a few hints for the Saturday Prize Puzzle.

After last Saturday’s special Prize Puzzle we’re back to normal this week with a very enjoyable crossword from (I presume) one of our usual Saturday setters. There are seven anagrams here and I haven’t hinted any of them. If you’re really stuck on one of the clues I haven’t hinted (and you’re pretty sure that it’s not an anagram) I may provide a bit more help.

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.

Please ensure that you do not run foul of the instructions in red below and also take care to abide by the comment etiquette.

A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.

Across

3a Lawyer has drink with secret society member (5,5)
This fictional lawyer who appeared regularly on our TV screens sixty years ago is a charade of a pear-based drink and a member of a secret society.
12a High place where Providence is in view (5)
Insert the abbreviation for the US state where Providence is found into a verb to view.
14a Snooker champ winning after century in competition (5,3)
Start with the surname of a snooker champion from the last century and add an adverb meaning winning after the Roman numeral for a century.
22a Desperate fellow, drunk, sent back new wine variety (9)
The Desperate comic character is followed by the reversal of a slang term for drunk or inebriated and the abbreviation for new.
26a Unwelcome invader‘s flying bomb surge endless (5)
The 2-letter designation of the flying bomb developed by the Nazis towards the end of WWII and a verb to surge or spurt without its last letter.

27a Turned on married men getting into bed? 6 Down 19 Across! (2,7)
Reverse ON then insert the abbreviation for married and MEN into a small bed.

Down

4d Rodent leading with its tail, and not really big (8)
A small rodent with its last letter and a word meaning ‘and not’ moved to the front.

15d Chap who wrote Rocket Man did you say? (9)
The name of the chap who wrote Treasure Island sounds like the man who designed the Rocket (nothing to do with Elton John!).
18d My husband carried in pleasant Rolls-Royce (8)
Start with an exclamation of surprise (My!) then insert the genealogical abbreviation for husband into a synonym of pleasant.

21d Is he bound to miss? (6)
Cryptic definition of a man pledged to an unmarried woman (although this could be an unmarried man these days!).

Could new readers please read the Welcome post and the FAQ before posting comments or asking questions about the site.

As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out!

Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.

If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then save yourself (and me) a lot of trouble and don’t leave a comment.

The Quick Crossword pun:  JAY   +  LOUSE   +   ROC   =   JAILHOUSE ROCK

56 comments on “DT 31001 (hints)”

  1. I found this to be quite tough although, for once, the linked clues didn’t bother me. It took a while to understand the parsing of a few. 3a took me a while because I did not even consider that particular lawyer. I liked the guy bound to miss at 21d but my COTD is the new wine variety at 22a because of the huge grin it gave me when I sussed it.

    Thank you, NYDK for a tough (for me), yet enjoyable, Saturday challenge. Thank you, Gazza for the hints.

  2. Fairly gentle but most enjoyable with some great surfaces, which always makes a good crossword for me. */****. Thanks to setter.

  3. 2*/4*. I’ve missed my daily crosswords during my holiday, and this made a not too tough but very enjoyable return to the old routine with 12a taking pride of place as my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Gazza.

  4. That was a tough one. It took me almost as long as last week’s GCHQ challenge but got there eventually and had to kick myself when some of the pennies finally dropped. All the clues were fair and there were some excellent examples of misdirection which led to the self administered kickings. ****/****

  5. Took ages to get going (at 2.00 am insomnia) but fell into place nice and steadily once there were some crossers in place. I thought the 3a lawyer cultural reference was a bit dated even for the solvers’ demographic (which I share) the 22a wine variety was a stretch for me and I’d never heard of 14d. Lots of lovely clues though. I enjoyed the linked clue 6d,19a with the 27a reference to it. Also 12a, 18d were really clever. I think my favourite was 27a for the witty surface. Thank you setter and Gazza.

  6. Sufficiently challenging for a SPP and leaving the unappealing multi-word clues until last worked on rhis occasion. There was some good misdirection, particularly in the Lego clues at 4a and 14a and 20a. However the COTD for me was the desperate chap making inroads i nto the wine at 22a. Thanks to the compiler for an interesting puzzzle nd to Gazza for the hints.

  7. We Americans are kinda hoping that 12a would snooker most of you to boost our chances of a mythical (now that we have a UK address).

    Thanks to nydk for the synaptic romp.

    Mr & Mrs T
    Boston

    1. Hi Tants

      Seeing as you signed off ‘Mr & Mrs T from Boston’, I just have to say the following…

      If you had a gathering, it would be called, wait for it, wait for it…..a Boston T Party!

  8. What a cracking puzzle, plenty of humour and smart wordplay.
    The black and white TV attorney in 3a took me back, as did the cow pie eater in 22a.
    The omerta linking 27a with 6d &19a was neat and the married man travelling in style at 18d has a befittingly polished surface.
    The storm whipped up in 14d is a new term for me, it sounds more like an aid to assist with housework.
    Thanks to the setter for the fun and to Gazza for the cartoons and the blog.

  9. Very nice indeed, with any number of well-written clues.

    Of these I’m drawn particularly towards the linked pair, along with 3, 11 & 22A, and 4 & 15D, but the most prominent for me today are 1 & 21D, two really fine clues.

    I imagine, given the genral style, this is NYDK rejoining the roadshow today, so bravo to him, and many thanks to Gazza for the hints.

  10. A friendly SPP presumably the work of NYDK with the single multi and its subsequent use as a definition – **/****

    Candidates for favourite – 11a, 14a, 22a, 27a, 18d, and 21d – and the winner is 21d.

    Thanks to NYDK, or whomsoever if it is not he. and thanks to Gazza.

    P.S. Apologies if you received an e-mail, shortly after midnight UK time, about ST 3239, that was ‘operator area’ for which I have given myself a severe talking to and I will consider returning this month’s pay cheque. But, it does mean that, as WordPress considers tomorrow’s blog published, there will be no e-mail at 10:00 am tomorrow morning.

    1. Ha ha I saw that, I was busy preparing a blog for Vintage 13. The vintage series are beginning to resemble crosswords as we know them, but still a way to go.

      1. Don’t worry, if it hasn’t happened to you already, your turn will come. It has happened to the best of the bloggers including, I believe, the SPP blogger not ‘here’ today.

  11. Great fun once I broke into it – even the linked clues didn’t throw me off my stride for once. Rosettes awarded to 3,22&27a plus 5d.

    Thanks to NYDK and to Gazza for the hints and cartoons – those for 21&22d really made me smile!

  12. Took a while to get into it but was great fun and provided a great sense of achievement at the end.

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

  13. Like a few others,I found it tough to get going. Finally reached ramming speed only to screech to a halt on a couple in the SE which took me as long to solve as the rest combined.

    A great challenge for a prize crossword – no real favourites. Thanks to the setter and Gazza for the hints – who’s cartoons I shall now enjoy!

  14. I thought I might have accidentally opened one of the vintage offerings as, although enjoyable, the whole exercise had a slightly dated feel to it….not a huge problem for me but I do feel the powers that be at DT Towers should be looking to attract a younger crowd before it is too late!!

    1. Last week’s puzzle with plenty of 80’s pop bands and punk Irish singers was just that. If crosswords are to get to a second century they have to attract newbies.

      1. I don’t agree.

        Selling the idea of a cryptic is what the focus needs to be. That is a much bigger task.

        As we know, over 90% of solvers are over 40. So, the setters need to bear that in mind which they do.

        I would be very surprised if a younger solver who has therefore the ability to do a cryptic – an enormous achievement – will stop doing them because of the occasional GK that they haven’t heard of. I love new words, terms, people or places and my guess is most people do.

        This has been talked about on this blog a lot over the last two or three years and not once has there been a complaint from a fresher.

        Getting them to understand a cryptic is the issue.

        The cryptic will never go as there will always be an audience. The number of people will decrease for sure but it will never go to zero.

        Shows like The 1% Club, Only Connect and House of Games that all need a bit of lateral thinking are hugely popular.

        1. Mondays puzzle had references to A-ha, Guns & Roses and Shane McGowan, yet some complained it was too modern

  16. An enjoyable Saturday morning guzzle. But I have a question about 28a, the “are French” doesn’t seem to supply ‘the’ missing letters…
    Fave was the short and sweet 24a once I stopped trying to put a P in it…
    Many thanks to NYKD, hoping that the smoke from the Canadian fires is not too upsetting, and to Gazza for substituting so ably.

  17. The odd bit of crumpet scratching required, but otherwise reasonably accessible. Loved the owl in the film industry (10a) and the wine variety in 22a but my podium comprises the linked pair 6d /19a, 14a and 18d in top spot. Thanks to NYDK presumably, and to Gazza.

  18. Thank you to the Setter and Gaza. For a Saturday we found this fairly easy. COTD 3a as we are old enough to remember TV program! Gary and Val

  19. Bit more difficult than usual for me with the knob of the door. Very enjoyable though. 12a and 18d got the big ticks

    Thanks to NYDK and Gazza.

    1. Easier than last week but still tricky in places.
      3*/4.5*
      15d and 21d favourites
      Thanks to NYDK and Gazza

  20. A lovely puzzle with lots of smiles.

    Top picks for me were 4d, 26a, 3a, 12a and 15d.

    Thanks to Gazza for the cartoons and stepping in and to NYDK.

  21. I had to work at this one a bit but it made it no less enjoyable.

    I’ve never heard of the Lebanese port which is a goodie and 14d is another one to add to the crib sheet.

    Lots to choose from for the pody but I’ll go with 14a (great surface…baize?), 27a and the splendid 21d.

    MT to, I assume, the Rood Bonk and Saturday supersub Gazza.

    3*/4*

    1. Oh dear Tom …more poetry lessons for you….
      I have seen old ships like swans asleep
      Beyond the village which men call 9d
      With leaden age o’ercargoed dipping deep
      For Famagusta and the hidden sun
      That rings black Cyprus with a lake of fire

      The Old Ships by James Elroy Flecker.

      1. Thank you for that, OMG.

        When I played Trivial Pursuit, I absolutely sucked at Arts & Lit and Nature (not too bad at Science).

        I need to get my act together.

  22. I am still in agony with my cut thumb smarting and starting to bleed again every 2 or three hours. Bed clothes look like a crime scene. However, bravely soldiering on I’ve done all except 20a and have now run out of steam. Perhaps if I walk away and come back to it inspiration will strike. I liked 8d (we still have quite a few in use round about here – they were obviously very well made), 3d brought back memories and the song in the pub was neat. Many thanks to the Setter and to Gazza for stepping in. Hope CeeSue I making the most of her day off.

    1. Poor you, Daisy.
      Hope your cut thumb heals soon …or at least stops bleeding so much.

  23. Great fun and a real pleasure to solve. I wasn’t sure about the parsing of 12a but it had to be what it was. That aside, no real problems, with 22a my favourite.

    Many thanks to Donny and Gazza.

  24. Doh! As I walked away from the table it struck me. Don’t all rush to tell me folks, I’ve got 20a. It must be the loss of blood affecting my poor old brain! Nice one, setter.

  26. Not sure this week, but I’m going to assume this is a NYDK puzzle due to the multi word clue. I liked it and the adjoining clue 27a.

    2.5*/4* for me

    Favourites 10a, 24a, 27a, 6d/19a & 15d — with winner 6d/19a
    Smiles for 15d, 21d, 25d

    Thanks to NYDK & Gazza

  27. Tough for me but very enjoyable.
    Favourite 9d…see above at 21

    Thanks to Gazza for the hints and to the setter.

    Been busy lately mainly going to the Festival Fringe in Edinburgh…..my favourite time of the year… the city is very very full but that’s part of the fun.
    Seen 9 shows so far ..only one dud (for us and I stress for us). Going back mid-week for some more….

  28. I thought that was going to be a lot easier than last Saturday’s, but I definitely had a hold up in the SE. Very entertaining though. 1d the favourite for me.

    Thanks to Gazza and NYDK.

  29. I found this hard work for a Saturday, but not quite the same as the previous Saturday, took awhile for the penny drop at 28a, but my COTD has to be 3 a because my husband just glanced over my shoulder and gave me the answer. He is not a crossword fan, but I do know the reason he knew the answer. Do hope Daisy your thumb heals up very soon. Thank you Gaza and thank you to the setter.

    1. Thank you. I am being very brave and not complaining too much!
      Blood thinners to blame.

  30. Well I thought this puzzle a bit of a doozy. Thoroughly enjoyed it despite a pretty pedestrian solve which took nearly twice as long as yesterday. Ticks all over the shop – 12,14,22&27a plus 2,4,15&27d particular likes. The clever 12a my pick of ‘em.
    Thanks to Donny (presumably) & to Gazza – great cartoons as per.
    Ps Interestingly RB, best known probably for playing 3a & Ironside, both goodies, played almost exclusively baddies (Rear Window) in his early career.

  31. Beautiful Saturday puzzle – 8D &15D exceptional, with 12A running them close. VMT Setter and Gazza.

  32. 2*/4* A good workout for the weekend, pitched at just the right level. Favourites include last one in 22a wine variety, the big 4d and the excellent rocket man at 15d
    Thanks to setter and Gazza called from the bench

  34. Just finished this in bed after several sessions throughout the day. Very pleased because another completion without reference to the hints or any other source. Seemed difficult initially but on returning to the puzzle at various times throughout the day more and more clues fell into place. I would award it a **/*** for difficulty.
    COTD form me were 22a and 21d. The linked clue also brought a smile.
    Thank you to the setter and to Gazza for the hints.

  35. Yep – glacial start for me but then global warming kicked in and the back page melted and ran off with the ice. Quite liked 24a.
    2* / 4*

  36. I saved this one for later. Excellent move! NYDK puzzles never fail to bring with them a great deal of entertainment.
    I was a bit slow getting going. Once on the right wavelength, however, it all fell nicely into place.
    Unsurprisingly, my hard copy is covered with ticks. To select a few: 3a, 10a, 24a, 9d, 15d and 21d. And I did enjoy the 6d/19a and its link, 27a.
    Many appreciative thanks to NYDK for a most enjoyable crossword.
    And many appreciative thanks to Gazza for the hints. I didn’t need them but I have enjoyed reading through them. Delightful illustrations!

Comments are closed.