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DT 31053

by Shabbo  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31053
Hints and tips by Shabbo

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Good morning, fellow puzzlers.

RayT at his most benign, adding fuel to the fire of those who think that the DT may have abandoned their policy of starting the week gently and gradually increasing the level of difficulty as the week goes by.

No doubt as to our setter today, with the Queen and sweetheart making appearances and the words per clue standing at a fraction over five.  From the Quickie Pun, we now also know that Ray hails from somewhere north of Watford Gap.

In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons.  Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.

Many thanks to our setter and to the DT Crossword Team.


Across

1a Father accepts a deity inside temple (6)
PAGODA: two-letter informal term for father outside (accepts…inside) A + synonym of deity.

5a Reputation is suffering in court (6)
CACHET: synonym of suffering inside abbreviation for CourT.

10a China covered in enormous gemstones (5)
OPALS: China here is CRS for mate (China plate). Take a synonym of this and put it inside two letters signifying enormous (or OutSize).

11a Act includes empty effort showing bust? (9)
STATUETTE: synonym of act (or law) outside the first and last letters (empty) of EfforT.

12a Bronzed president almost giving outburst (7)
TANTRUM: a thinly disguised reference to the orange one from over the pond. Synonym of bronzed + the aforementioned without his final letter (almost). The first three letters can also be an adjective.

13a Bloke with sweetheart maybe getting order (7)
MANDATE: synonym of bloke + synonym of sweetheart.

14a Fruit from entire can spoilt (9)
NECTARINE: anagram (spoilt) of ENTIRE CAN.

17a Stomach is tender in emergency room? (5)
ABIDE: synonym of tender (or offer) inside A&E. The definition is a verb.

18a Groove follows street parade (5)
STRUT: synonym of groove after abbreviation for STreet.

19a Will try embracing pet name (9)
TESTAMENT: synonym of pet + abbreviation for Name – join together and insert inside a synonym of try.

21a First course more piquant after seconds (7)
STARTER: synonym of “more piquant” after abbreviation for Seconds.

23a Overcome odour after vacation alfresco (7)
OUTDOOR: synonym of overcome (or prevail) + first and last letters (after vacation) of OdouR.

25a Take pains over a nude shot (9)
ENDEAVOUR: anagram (shot) of OVER A NUDE.

26a Disrobe anonymously holding orgy, perhaps (5)
BEANO: hidden word (or lurker) clue (holding). Our answer is lurking within words 1&2.

27a Cryptic from regular can exasperate (6)
ARCANE: another hidden word clue (from).  Our answer is lurking within words 3-5.

28a Stick end of stick in drain (6)
SKEWER: final letter of sticK inside a synonym of drain.

Down

2d Once more putting ace over net (5)
AGAIN: abbreviation for Ace over (this is a Down clue) synonym of net.

3d Dutiful retainer supports old boy (9)
OBSERVANT: synonym of retainer underneath (supports) abbreviation for Old Boy.

4d Tea possibly while mother’s upset (5)
ASSAM: synonym of while + informal term for mother + S joined together and turned upside down (upset).

5d Conservative, innocuous and unfriendly (9)
CHARMLESS: abbreviation for Conservative + synonym of innocuous.

6d Check container then make butter (5)
CHURN: abbreviation for CHeck + synonym of container.

7d Hand over former business involving sex (9)
EXTRADITE: two-letter synonym of former + synonym of business outside (involving) two-letter informal term for sex.

8d Temper beginning to surface regularly (6)
SOFTEN: first letter of Surface + synonym of regularly. The definition is a verb masquerading as a noun.

9d Queen always rising for worship (6)
REVERE: regnal cipher of our late queen + synonym of always joined together and reversed (rising).

15d Adorn rice getting shredded herb (9)
CORIANDER: anagram (getting shredded) of ADORN RICE.

16d Come between priest and one upset (9)
INTERPOSE: another anagram (upset) of PRIEST ONE.

17d Compliant plug with suitable fit (9)
ADAPTABLE: two-letter word meaning plug (or advertisement) + synonym of suitable + synonym of fit.

18d Remains supporting small bands (6)
SASHES: synonym of remains (following a fire, perhaps) after (supporting) abbreviation for Small.

20d Time slip creating panic (6)
TERROR: abbreviation for Time + synonym of slip (or mistake).

22d Trip abroad occasionally for headdress (5)
TIARA: odd letters (occasionally) of TrIp AbRoAd.

23d Lesser gods revolting protecting monsters (5)
OGRES: hidden word backwards (revolting protecting). Our solution is hidden backwards within words 1&2.

24d Old judge giving lecture (5)
ORATE: abbreviation for Old + judge (a verb).

 

Quickie Pun:  SANK  +  HASSLE  =  SAND CASTLE


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64 comments on “DT 31053”

  1. A typical RayT with all the usual trademarks. If anything, I found him a tad more convoluted than usual but entertaining, nevertheless. Whatever possessed me to enter “manager” at 13a I have no idea but the crossers soon showed me the error of my ways. My COTD is the stick in the drain at 28a.

    Thank you, RayT for a fun challenge. Thank you, Shabbo for the hints.

      1. And RayT’s Quick crossword clues are always just one word.

        I have absolutely no idea how this post came to be here! It was meant to be in response to Paul at #22.

  2. What a great puzzle. I really enjoyed it.
    Top picks for me were 19a, 7d, 26a, 27a and 28a.

    Thanks to Shabbo and Ray T.

  3. 2*/4*. Typical RayT. Brief and very enjoyable but a pity about the American emergency room appearing in 17a :cry:

    With plenty of ticks, 28a was my favourite.

      1. I’m sure RD is referring to the wordplay Tom.
        The English version would be Stomach is tender in the Accident and Emergency department but then too easy?

        1. Hi Slate

          The A&E is an emergency room i.e a room for an emergency. If the e and r were upper case then it would a fair point.

          RayT has included a question mark to acknowledge this as the surface would work perfectly well without it.

          This super setter knows the rules.

  4. I positively zipped through this working widershins from the NW, but then took as long, if not longer, on the NE quadrant. That said Ray T was being very kind today. Ticks aplenty on my print out including 15d (a love or hate herb) and 16d but my podium comprises the bronzed president at 12a, the cheeky 26a with 7d in top spot. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

  5. Agood puzzle roday from Ray T. Ishare the opinion tthat the DT is no longervoperating jmthe system of backpagers that are straightforward on Monday , getting harder as the week progresses. Monday is often quite acstiff challenge and today’s puzzle was very approachable. I liked the Lego clue at 3d, the anagram at 16d abd the lurker at 27a. Thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo for the hints.

  6. Good morning all! This was a read and fill for me from the outset. 1a, 5a, 10a, 13a and 17d are my top picks. I parsed 10a as Pal inside Os, as in outsize. Otherwise, straightforward and a lot of fun. Thanks for the review and to the setter.

  7. The most enjoyable puzzle of the week so far. Just the right amount of difficulty in a few of the clues to slow things down but overall I felt the solve flowed very sweetly.

    LOI was 7d which needed all the checkers in to see all the options, the solution was not that clear to start with. Difficult to pick a COTD but looking back 11a gave me the biggest smile.

    Thanks to Setter and Shabbo.

  8. 1* / 4* A gentle and very enjoyable puzzle, loads of top clues. Favourites among many 11a bust, the very topical 12a outburst and take pains at 25a

    Many thanks to Shabbo and Ray T

  9. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo. Swift solve today of a fairly straightforward puzzle. LOI 7d COTD 12a.

  10. An enjoyable Ray T today. Struggled a little in the NE with 17a LOI.
    2*/4.5*
    12a and 28a favourites today.
    Thanks to Ray and Shabbo.

  11. An outstanding crossword from the man of few words but of many brilliant clues, three of which register highly on the Frankie Howerd ”Oh, stop it” scale.

    The only guidelines I’d give to a rookie solver is that Tuesday’s is the easiest and Friday’s the hardest. The progression days are well and truly behind us.

    My podium picks are 12a and two of the ‘Wey heys!’: 25a and 26a.

    MT to RayT and Shabberoony.

    2*/5*

  12. As others have said, this was a pretty straightforward cryptic for a Thursday. The quality and brevity of the clues made it infinitely more enjoyable and rescued it from crossword oblivion for me. As always following a quick solve it is instructive to go back through the grid to appreciate fully the setter’s art. There were several notable clues, among which was my favourite, 7d, with honourable mentions for the lurkers at 26a and 23d.

    My thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

  13. Yes, RayT in a benevolent mood with this enjoyable and gentle puzzle. Seemed to be missing one or two of his usual traits but what an amusing and well-crafted gem it was, with super surfaces throughout. I think that when I was a child had I called my weekly comic “the orgy” it would no longer have been delivered! :wink:

    Honours to 12a, 25a and 5d. Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo.

  14. Gah! and Gah! again except this time in capital letters. I stared at 26a for what felt like three years before revoking the Gah! and completing the thing, and this with three checking letters. I feel a deep sense of shame. I am chastened, perhaps even humbled.

    Regarding 26a, it’s very telling how time takes its toll upon a fellow. These days, if I attended an orgy, I would probably fall asleep before I could get my socks off.

    Thanks to RayTee and Shabba-dabba-doo

  15. The master of brevity at his best except for the somewhat disappointing requirement to translate from American into English in 17a – **/****

    Candidates for favourite – 21a, 23a, 28a, and 6d – and the winner is 28a!

    Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.

  16. A very enjoyable RayT but over with too quickly ,in complete contrast to yesterday’s offering . 26 my clue of the day . Thanks to all .

  17. All the expected fun and frolics from our setter with plenty to laugh over. 12a really made me smile and gets a place on the podium along with 28a & 7d.

    Devotions as ever to Mr T and many thanks to Shabbo for the review.

  18. That rarest of all things – a RayT puzzle I actually enjoyed. I have no idea why I struggle normally. But this one was different – no questionable synonyms – and lots of humour throughout. Am I starting to see the light (or should that be ray?)

  19. My comment disappeared and I can’t be bothered to retype it.
    !
    Thanks to setter and Shabbo

  20. I guess it’s Anno Domini beginning to show on me but it was so nice to have clues all devoid of jargon/slang and modernities. The good fun started in the NW followed by rest of W onwards. My 19a was an unparsed bung-in – thanks Shabbo. 7d had to be but “hand over”? TVM RayT and Shabbo.

  21. 12a. Perhaps I’m being pedant, but “tanned” is a synonym of “bronzed”; not “tan”.

    1. No, you’re right, Church of England wine. Bronze would work better.

      Saying that, it says that tan is a synonym. So, maybe we’re missing something.

  22. I have a question about the Quick Crossword (which, btw often takes me longer than the Cryptic!)… is it always the same compiler that does both?

    Thanks in advance.

  23. I don’t often get time to do a Thursday crossword so I enjoyed this today. Thank you Shabbo for the hints 😊

  24. Having initially overlooked the reverse lurker at 23D, I fairly rattled through this – most satisfying!

  25. Well, as always, this is my favourite day of the fortnight when RayT puts in an appearance on the back page.
    Once again, for me, with his precise and succinct clueing with no wasted wording it was a great puzzle. Nice to see the queen and his sweetheart show-up too.
    Went in top to bottom for me with SW last in.

    2*/5* for me

    Favourites 5a, 12a, 17a, 28a & 9d — with winner 17a
    Smiles for 12a, 18a, 28a

    Thanks to RayT & Shabbo

  27. Hugely enjoyable RayT today on my return to solving ‘on the day’. I have two questions though and one is mentioned a few posts above.
    In 5a, how can “ache” be a synonym of “is suffering”? Why wouldn’t that be “aching”?
    Similarly in 12a, how can we get “tan” rather than “tanned” from “bronzed”?

    That aside, big ticks to the 11a bust, the 21a first course and the 7d business with sex – oooh eeerrrr!

    Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo.

    1. Hi AP

      Ache is a synonym of the noun suffering not the verb and I agree re bronzed. It’s a synonym of tan as well as tanned but I can’t see how.

        1. Thanks Shabbs.

          Now I know that tan can be an adjective.

          Every day and all that caper…

    2. AP, 5a. The synonym isn’t “is suffering”, it’s just “suffering” – whick makes it OK. The “is” is a link word between definition and word-play.

  28. A nice gentle puzzle from RayT with no real holdups but I too am wondering about the synonym of bronzed , as tan at 12a. I can’t see it in the BRB. Such a brilliant clue though. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo.

  29. Evening all. My thanks to Shabbo for the decryption and to everybody else for your comments.

    RayT

    1. Good evening, Mr T. So good of you to pop in to see us, it’s always very much appreciated.

  30. Thanks Ray for a most enjoyable puzzle, and thanks also to Shabbo. 19A my favourite today.

  31. Really enjoyable puzzle. Having to break off a few times is always exasperating but standing out in the cold discussing tree pruning obviously cleared any cobwebs lurking in my brain. Many thanks to Ray T for the guzzle and for popping in, also to Shabbo for the hints.

  32. Good evening

    The thing about a crozzie from the Mighty Mr T is this: you start off by getting six or seven answers in fairly short order. Then you have to stop and do some thinking. Then you get a little burst of inspiration and fill a few more in. Then the cycle starts again….until….you get to your last quadrant (today, the SE) and seriously consider hoyin’ in the sponge.

    And THEN: phew! Pen down.

    An excellent challenge as always from the MMT. COTD is 17a.

    Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo.

  33. Very enjoyable but I did find the south east corner a bit trickier.

    Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo for the hints

  34. There was no acrostic that I could see so I was beginning to doubt it was a Rayt, wrong. I was slowed down by having been out for a few pints with an old friend of mine early doors, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it. Rayt is my favourite setter and this didn’t disappoint. Favourite was 7d. Thanks to the aforementioned and Shabbo.

  35. Returned to this crozzie many times today but shamefully still missed the comic lurking in 26a – and as a part excuse I associate it with a booze up rather than the option in the clue. Also, I think A&E is a department, not a room. Otherwise, I enjoyed the solve but thought the west was far easier than the east. No particular favourite today. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo.

  37. Well I’m blowed! I sent in a comment at about 2pm and it’s not there. Amongst other things I said what a jolt I had on seeing an entry from ‘Robert’ ! Also thought it very gentle for a Thursday and thanks to all. Bed.

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