DT 31033 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 31033

by Huntsman  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31033
Hints and tips by Huntsman

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

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

Fairly straightforward Plumbing today which ought not to pose too many difficulties. That said under time pressure I couldn’t see the parsing at 8d so phoned the DT helpline (aka Shabbo). As ever succinctly clued & with the usual high quota of single letter abbreviations. I did enjoy the puzzle but also thought it somewhat lacking in the sort of witty surfaces that characterise AP’s best puzzles. It’ll be interesting to see what others think.

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 Shots echo loudly next to castles (7)

EFFORTS: the letter represented by Echo (NATO phonetic alphabet) + the musical letter for loud or strong (Forte) followed by another word for castles.

5a Confused after papa swam about like a duck (7)

PADDLED: an adjectival synonym for confused preceded by (comes after) the letter Papa represents (NATO alphabet again).

9a Talk about Lewis Carroll character (7)

CHATTER: the single letter abbreviation for about/Circa + the Lewis Carroll character played by Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Gothic film adaptation.

10a Female swan’s in river showing bill (7)

EXPENSE: the term for female swans (plural) goes into a river in SW England.

11a Lying flat almost by big cat say (9)

PRONOUNCE: an abridged (almost) adjectival synonym for lying flat + a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central & South Asia. He/she looks cute when young.

12a Shouts of horror after king hums (5)

REEKS: informal onomatopoeic expressions of horror preceded by the single letter  abbreviation for King.

13a Small drink reflected mood (5)

STROP: Small + a reversal of a fortified wine from the Douro region.

15d Worn out old hat used irregularly (9)

EXHAUSTED: the usual prefix meaning old/former followed by an anagram (irregularly) of HAT USED.

17a Someone needing treatment lay occasionally in a calm manner (9)

PATIENTLY: the term for someone needing medical attention + the alternate letters (occasionally) of LaY.

19a Back in government, can eventually make law (5)

ENACT: hidden in reverse (back in).

22a Journey across top of gently elevated strip of land (5)

RIDGE: insert (across) the 1st letter (top) of Gently synonym for journey.

23a Elope with an RAF rogue leaving fine aircraft (9)

AEROPLANE: an anagram (rogue) of ELOPE AN RA(f). Leaving indicates the single letter for Fine is not part of the fodder.

25a Acquired a dreadfully odd pet (7)

ADOPTED: A from the clue + an anagram (dreadfully) of ODD PET.

26a Golf chaps inside fixed slice (7)

SEGMENT: insert (inside) Golf (3rd appearance for the NATO alphabet) + another word for chaps into a synonym for fixed.

27a Thin student appearing in poster (7)

SLENDER: place the usual single letter for student inside (appearing in) of a synonym of poster (of letters maybe).

28a Watch old bishop dish out food (7)

OBSERVE: the single letter for Old & the chess abbreviation for Bishop + a verb meaning to dish out grub.

1d English ship going round peninsula makes a break for it (7)

ESCAPES: the single letter for English followed by another name for a peninsula inserted between (going round) the usual two letter ship prefix.

2d Prefer holding large spice up (7)

FLAVOUR: insert (holding) Large into a synonym for prefer.

3d Grass Simon regularly cut for relation (5)

RATIO: a synonym for grass/informant + the even letters (regularly) of SImOn.

4d Gran tests out most rum (9)

STRANGEST: an anagram (out) of GRAN TESTS.

5d Hope everyone catches bug (5)

PEEVE: hidden (catches).

6d Leaving from French district unsure? Not half! (9)

DEPARTURE: the French preposition for from/of + I assume a somewhat loose synonym for district/sector followed by 50% of unsURE.

7d Broken leg’s not the most extended (7)

LONGEST: an anagram (broken) of LEGS NOT.

8d Attended to a daughter’s cut getting bandaged (7)

DRESSED: remove (cut) both A from the clue & the genealogical single letter for Daughter from a synonym for attended to/dealt with.

14d Stopped before opening each door, initially (9)

PREVENTED: link a preposition for before with a type of opening/outlet then append the 1st letters (initially) of Each Door.

16d You might see a rabbit after these words disturbed the osprey (3,6)

HEY PRESTO: an anagram (disturbed) of THE OSPREY.

17d Exercises with husband wearing wigs, maybe (7)

PERHAPS: the usual two letter abbreviation for exercises in school followed by the insertion of the single letter for Husband into a synonym for wig in the context of severely rebuke.

18d Tiny creature in pond bit European (7)

TADPOLE: a synonym for bit/scintilla + a European national.

20d Unskilled adult friend picked up game (7)

AMATEUR: the single letter for Adult + a synonym for friend + a reversal (picked up/down clue) of the abbreviation for a code in the sport played with an elongated ellipsoidal ball.

21d American anaesthetist ultimately found in that place? (7)

THEATRE: insert (found in) the single letter for American & the last letter (ultimately) of anaesthetisT into an adverb meaning that place

23d Tot upset about snake (5)

ADDER: an arithmetic synonym for tot & a reversal (about) of a preposition for about/in respect of.

24d Parking car, Glen’s oddly ignored messengers (5)

PAGES: Parking + the even letters (oddly ignored) of the following two words.

 

Please let us know which clues ticked your boxes.

 

Today’s Quick Crossword pun: RAN + CAN + FILE = RANK AND FILE

Today’s listening whilst preparing the blog has been Curtis Harding’s recently released 4th album, Departures & Arrivals: The Adventures of Captain Curt. Looking forward to seeing him soon at The Empire in Shepherd’s Bush.

54 comments on “DT 31033”

  1. A lovely offering from the professor that took just the right amount of grey cell power. Not straightforward by any means but a pleasure to whittle away at. I don’t see how “wigs” fits into 17d but the Hintsman will, no doubt, enlighten me. Difficult to pick a top clue after my 1a I thought about it 17a and I 11a the rabbit at 16d to be COTD.

    Thank you, Professor Plumb in the library for a satisfying solve. Thank you, Hintsman for the Hunts.

    I had an ECG this morning, which showed I am alive so I’ll see you all tomorrow.

  2. Having the first letter in each clue as an intersection certainly makes life rather easier for the solver. With no obscure definitions or contentious parsing, this was as friendly as they come.
    I think Mustafa G’s comment yesterday regarding the backpager usually being easier on a Tuesday when a toughie appears is proven correct.
    My COTD was 17d, possibly.
    My thanks to our setter and Huntsman.

  3. This was a perfect offering for a Tuesday from Il Professore.

    I’m sure there will be many of us who haven’t heard of the verb to wig which, it looks like, derives from the expression to flip one’s wig (another name for head or mind).

    There are lots of nice surfaces to choose from but I’ll go with 9a for its neatness, 1d and 16d (great fun)

    MT to the aforementioned and Hoots!

    1*/5*

    1. In my day Tom, a recalcitrant pupilwas sent to the head for a wigging (a good telling off) for various misdemeanors but I’m sure none of my fellow blogger would have had that experience.😉

      1. Don’t you believe it!

        There are so many scallywags on this splendid blog, starting with the bendy nonagenarian, sitting at the back of the class with scoundrels like me.

        1. Oi you! I was a goody goody I was, so there. Cheeky monkey, how about a bit of respect for your elders?

          1. A goody goody?

            Don’t forget that I met you a few months ago and saw the shenanigans you got up to with Weekend Wanda.

        1. Maybe the term wasn’t around when I went to high school in the late-70s?

          Saying that, as cheeky as I am, I never crossed the line for any corporal punishment. Whenever I hear that term, I picture Lance Corporal Jones meting out six of the best with a pork chop (see what I did there).

          What an absolutely superb programme that was. It’s on my all-time podium of British sitcoms along with Flowery Tw*ts and Porridge which is harsh on Yes Minister.

          1. DA is one of those comedy series that can be watched again and again because there is always something else to see. As for F*rty Towels, it’s amazing there were only 12 episodes yet is remains right up at the top.

            1. Agreed. A work of art.

              Would you care for a rat? (‘Work of art’ could be part of a clue as rat is an anagram of art and ‘work’ could be an AI. Oh, that’ll do, Tom)

              1. My favourite:
                “Basil, if I find out you have been betting again, you know what I will do.”
                “You’ll have to sew them back on first.”
                The great Mrs Richardson episode!

          2. Now just hang on a minute! That’s also very harsh on Only fools and horses and, admittedly from a from a slightly different era, the wonderful Gavin and Stacey.

  4. Very straightforward, but an enjoyable solve.
    LOI for me was the lurker in 5d.
    I liked the old hat at 15a, the thin student at 27a and granny getting stuck into the rum at 4d.
    Thanks to our setter and Huntsman.

  6. A fairly straightforward guzzle today, which was a nice contrast ro some of the tricky ones we’ve had over the last few days. I liked the cryptic definition of the conjurors’ catchword at 16d and the Lego clues at 18d and14d. Thanks to the compiler and Huntsman for the hints

  7. Good morning. Like yesterday’s offering this was a read and fill, with little thought required. As such no particular clue stands out save for 17d, which took a while to parse. Thank you for the review and to the setter.

  8. Nice straightforward start to the day. Just finishing a Jackson Brodie” who done it “ so trying to solve the mystery as well as the crossword this morning. Loved 16 down, and 11 and 12 across . The tiny creature of 18 down that we all know so well was cleverly clued. I can never fathom who the setter is as the more experience solvers can . Always a total mystery.
    Thanks to our setter( will check up later when the evidence is in ) and to Huntsman

  9. 1*/4*. Top stuff from Mr P. Light and great fun with loads of ticks.

    Many thanks to the prof and to Hintsman.

  11. I can’t think of much to say about the crossword, other than it was elegantly compiled and 5d took me far too long to crack. I enjoyed the Neil song, which reminded me of possibly my favourite day of the summer (the howling wind suggests that one can now be retrospective about that season). Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman.

  12. More Typically Tuesdayish than ever – 1.5*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 5a, 11a, 12a, 27a, 14d, and 18d – and the winner is 12a.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

  14. A lot of fun and a delightful accompaniment for the morning coffee. Honours to 14d, COTD 16d (lovely combined surface and answer, and a great spot for the anagram) and 17d.

    Many thanks indeed to The Prof and to Huntsman

  15. Another soothing puzzle from our Tuesday setter who invariably makes you believe that you’ve mastered the art of solving even though the following days may well bring you back to earth with a crash!
    Top clue for me was 17a in which I thought ‘occasionally’ should have been underlined(!) and I also rather liked 25a which reminded me of some of the very odd pets that various friends have acquired over the years…..

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review and, as always, very eclectic assortment of music clips.

  16. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints. LOI 17d. COTD 18d. We made harder work of this puzzle than most it would seem. Nevertheless enjoyable and we like a challenge.

  17. A gentle puzzle but needed Huntsman’s help to parse 8d.
    Top picks for me were 5a, 1a and 3d.

    Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.

  18. My favourite setter of the week delivers yet again. Mellifluous surfaces and lots of humour.
    Along with huntsman’s music picks makes it a tip top Tuesday

  19. All pretty straightforward until coming to a complete halt with 17d – hadn’t heard that definition of wigs before – despite having had plenty in my time!
    Thanks to The Prof and Huntsman

  20. A smooth solve, though I agree with Hunstman the surfaces were a tad less lustrous than usual. The litotes (I looked it up) at 7d my pick of the day. ‘Wigging’ is new to me. Thanks to all those on the receiving end of one for explaining. And thanks to the settter and Huntsman

  21. I fared better on this than I usually do on a Tuesday. It was only on reading Frankiemillwall’s comment above that I realized that was probably down to the helpfulness of the grid shape.

    The clues I like most are 11a’s “say” and the 3d relation. The drink in 13a was my last in. Thank you to the setter, and to Huntsman for getting Shabbo to explain 8d!

  22. Flying off to Book Grouo (yes, haha, on my broomstick) to discuss Allende’s A slender Petal Of The sea so no time to read beyond that cheeky monkey’s comments – just to say thanks for a lovely guzzle, nice grid, read the hints later and absolutely loved 15d

  23. 1*/4.5*
    Another great Tuesday offering from the Prof, all over far too quickly. Minor hold up parsing 8d and 17d – attempting to put H into a synonym of wigs maybe to find some exercises. When the penny dropped, 17d became COTD.
    Thanks to Prof and Shabbo.
    Does the Prof ever set the toughie?

  24. This was definitely a Typical Tuesday puzzle from the prof today.
    Almost went in top to bottom with one answer leading to the next.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Lots to pick for favourites including 10a, 11a, 23a, 1d, 3d & 23d — with winner 23d, but it could have any of them.
    Smiles for 17a, 25a, 7d & 23d

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman

  25. Nothing too onerous today but nonetheless enjoyable for that. Favourite was 17d which took a while to see. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

  26. Having spent two days driving back from the north of Scotland following a family wedding, my brain couldn’t cope with anything too complicated, so this was spot on for me with a speedy and most enjoyable solve. Picking a favourite from such a great number of possibles is almost impossible, but I decided upon 17d.

    Thanks to AP and Shabbo.

  27. A gentle and steady solve whilst watching the athletics 1.5*/ 3.5*. Plenty of clever and fair clues, favourites include 5d bug (last one in), the magical rabbit at 16d and the anaesthetists workplace at 21d
    Thanks to setter and Huntsman

  28. Friendly grid, friendly puzzle. Excellently clued as usual for the Prof. Loved how words like ‘say’ in 11a, ‘rum’ in 4d and ‘maybe’ in 17d that are usually key to the wordplay, were, in this case, the definitions.

    Tick went to 1a for the super-smooth surface and to 11a and 17d for the reason above. I don’t usually re-read the clues after solving but in this case I did and it was incredible to see the vast majority reading as well constructed grammatical sense with only a few slightly more strained. All in all, a wonderful puzzle.

    Thanks to the Prof for the exercise and to Huntsman for the parsing of 8d; obvious once explained but stopped me writing in the answer for a while as it looked like the tense was wrong.

    Wondering where my next wigging might come from – I’m just old enough to remember those at school.

  29. A very enjoyable puzzle completed too long ago to remember any specifics.

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

  30. A nice Tuesday offering ( after yesterdays where I was all at sea) 😃 Favourites 9a, 23a & 16d 👍 Thanks to AP and to the Huntsman

  31. Late to comment again since it is Tuesday and old guys football. After yesterday this was a far more straightforward puzzle although I did get stuck in the NE corner, the hidden at 5d and, although I knew what a female swan was called I didn’t get as far as Devon to recall the river, thinking of all those up north!
    My favourites today were 5d, take my hat off to that one, and 1a.
    As always, thank you to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.

  32. A nice and gentle puzzle that was enjoyable. For me Tuesdays are definitely the new Mondays. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.

  33. Started this crozzie earlier this afternoon and completed it on and off but quickly and without assistance. Did however, need the hint afterwards to fully understand the parsing of 17d. LOI 5d, a well hidden lurker disguised as a LEGO and almost my clue of the day for that reason but COTD is 25a for the funny but dark surface. Thanks to AP, Huntsman and the other bloggers. */****

  34. Found this required a little extra thought in some places, but a delightful Tuesday puzzle, enjoyed from start to finish. I kick myself for forgetting the crossword large cat. COTD to 16a and LI for me was 21d. Thanks for Messrs. Plumb and Huntsman.

  35. Very pleasant and not too taxing, although it took a while to sort out the non-hairpiece in 17d, and to correctly “punctuate” 12a. I really like the surfaces and images of both 12a and 23a.
    Thanks to AP and Huntsman

  36. More fun if not quite as much as Tuesdays usually bring. Missed some lurkers and parsing. Never thought of wig as verb as in 17d but of course know wigging as noun. Thank you MrP and Hintsman.

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