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DT 31061 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31061 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)

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Another grey morning brings a Prize Puzzle where some helpful clues lead you to solutions which you may or may not know.   Fortunately for your blogger, I did know all of them!

Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions,  and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s  Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog)

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.

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

Across

1a           Smitten gay men date heartless Trojan hunk (8)
A handsome Trojan prince is an anagram (smitten) of GAY MEN  and the outside letters (heartless) of DatE

13a         Jumblies’ craft is returned the night before (5)
A reversal (returned) of IS (from the clue) followed by the night before

19a         Like French and German articles in pieces (7)
A synonym for like, the French indefinite article and the German definite article

24a         Couple with pound for peasant (5)
Join together or couple with the abbreviation for Pounds Sterling

25a         General’s wife some French fiend initially assailed (9)
Here it helps if you studied a particular Shakespeare play for A Level.    The French word for some, a fiend and the initial letter of Assailed

28a         Established church in French region (8)
Established in truth and the abbreviation for the Church of England

30a         Students exploit master (5,3)
A group of students and a deed or achievement (exploit)

Down

1d           Deer raised by mysterious millionaire (6)
A reversed (raised) male deer and BY (from the clue) – this mysterious figure is the subject of a novel by F Scott Fitzgerald

3d           Staff gathered round the Italian financial centre (5)
A verb meaning to staff is put round the Italian word for the

6d           Right to enter guilty plea? (9)
A nice surface reading for a double definition clue

8d           Con man and two Lawrences dine on hearts (3,5)
A splendidly misleading definition – this former Conservative Prime Minister’s name is made up of  the initials by which  two famous ‘Lawrences’ are known,  a verb meaning to dine on and the abbreviation for the card suit of Hearts

17d         Singer last to apply choke in Russian car (4,4)
The last letter of applY and a verb meaning to choke inserted into a Russian car

18d         Musical comedy avoids publisher (4,4)
An informal way of saying avoids and an abbreviated publisher

26a/7d   Cellist loves silly old singer-songwriter (5,8)
An anagram (silly) of CELLIST LOVES followed by the abbreviation for Old

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 please don’t leave a comment.

The Quick Crossword pun: AWE + TOE + BARN = AUTOBAHN

58 comments on “DT 31061 (Hints)”

  1. 2*/4*. I found this light and good fun, although I can’t see anything cryptic about 2d.

    My crowded podium comprises 5a, 12a, 13a, 28a, 8d & 26/7d.

    Many thanks to the setter (NYDK?) and to CS.

  2. Good morning. I found this anything but “light”! And definitely, the toughest of the week. As above, and as per usual, my podium is crowded: 5a, 10a, 28a and 1d. I am still trying to parse a few. Many thanks CS for the review and to the setter! Bon weekend

  3. Knockabout stuff, especially after a double mangling from Elgar yesterday. Loved the silly definition at 8 down, and 18 down, wouldn’t associate it as a musical but it is described as such in certain places.

    Thanks to the setter (usual suspect) and CS for her sterling work.

      1. Thanks. Getting over a number of health issues and now adapting to life in a powered wheelchair, but otherwise still solving and grumbling about one or two setters but enjoying things generally.

        1. That’s good to hear. Hope you have good pavements in your neck of the woods, in our village they are frightful and prams, wheelchairs etc are difficult.

          1. More trouble with the thoughtless oafs that park over dropped kerbs and pavements. Here’s an example who got reported to the police.

  4. Strangely, after a slow start, it was the multi-word clue that got things moving. The General Knowledge content of this puzzle was interesting and Mr Google came in handy for things I know very little about like cars. The musical and geographical clues were, however right up my Street. I iked the 1d Lego clue,, 1a, the well-misdirected clue at 8d and rhe lurker at 22d. Thankas to the compiler for a puzzle full of variety and to CS for rthe hints

      1. Using your name instead of the alias Welcome to Burlesque you used back in May sent you into moderation

        Pointing out the lurker isn’t an alternative clue

      2. Care to give us your thoughts on the crossy, Baron Brian, or is it a case of back under the rock whence you came?

      3. We agree with Brian: “he is guilty as charged”.

        Pumpkin and Rum muffins today for the naught step (hic).

        Mr & Mrs T

  5. This flowed nicely which was a relief as all week I have had to give up when just a couple of clues have eluded me. Lots of ticks and have to have 2 favourites although by definition a favourite should be just one. So 8 and 15 down for delightful mis direction. Loved 13 across because I adored the idiocy of the jumblies. What a splendid start to the weekend. Thank you setter and to CS for all the work she puts in..

  6. I thought that this was quite chewy in places. 18d proved a particular problem, as it didn’t strike me as a musical comedy. The publisher reference was devious too and, to me, only obvious with reverse engineering. I do however, have a multitude of ticks on my page from which I’m choosing 17d, 25a and 12a. Thanks to NYDK (presumably) and CS.

  8. This was a very pleasant solve on an interesting grid, i.e four mini crossies with a couple of ways in. The usual pesky four letters jobbies were actually v straightforward.

    The two Lawrences are neat and crashing bore is genius.

    I’m assuming ‘short step’ means ‘stumble’ in 16a or am I missing something?

    In 2d, I took fair to mean:

    1. Just or about right
    2. I’m doing, fine, thanks.

    But, I could be talking rubbish.

    My podium is 1a, 30a and 15d.

    MT to NYPD Blue and she of the crypt.

    2*/4*

    1. 2d is a two word clue which for me defines the answer without any cryptic element.

      There are two possibilities for how this might be a cryptic clue:
      – It is a cryptic definition, where the whole clue defines two dissimilar answers (preferably where the answer required for the crossword is the less obvious one). I can’t think of any alternative definition in this case.
      – It is a double definition. The first word of the clue is certainly a valid definition for the answer, but I can’t see how the second word also defines the answer.

      1. Thanks for that, RD,

        I’m seeing it as a cryptic definition, i.e the comment (reply – hence the question mark) ‘fair’ can mean two things.

        Maybe NYDK will clear it up for us.

        1. “Fair comment” is not a synonym of the answer.

          “Fair comment” relates to freedom of speech, the right to say what you think. “The restaurant has terrible service, in my opinion” can be freely stated.

          The question mark indicates a cryptic interpretation of the phrase as a comment stating something is OK but no better. It is fair but not great.

  9. Very rare for me to solve without coming back more than once, though it took time to get going. Much enjoyed 8d and 15d, and glad I had the varied GK for singers, sitcoms and EngLit!
    Can’t parse 14a for the life of me.
    Thanks to our setter and the cryptic one.

  10. That was fun, perfect for a Friday evening solve. Although my solving time was unnecessarily extended as 18d wouldn’t give up its secret because I had inserted a random, instead of correct, letter in the middle of 24a.

    Candidates for favourite – 12a, 19a, 27a, 8d, and 18d – and the winner is 27a for the very different way of cluing an oldie but goodie.

    Thanks to NYDK and CS.

  12. I had to admit defeat today as there were a couple I just could not solve, but I did enjoy the struggle. I liked the con man at 8d and the singer at 26d & 7d. Thanks to the setter & to Crypic Sue.

  13. A pleasant solve, much gentler than last weekend I thought and with some terrific clues. Some broad ranging general knowledge required and my last one in was 18a, a struggle for me but a quick write in by my non-crosswording wife who was familiar with the genre. Favourites were 8d and 15d for the amusing definitions. Also 14a and 19a as its a terrific word only previously seen by me in the marriage service from the Book of Common Prayer. As a minor gripe the large number of references to French in nearby clues felt a bit too much. Thank you very much setter and Cryptic Sue.

  15. The old grey matter had to work hard to recall some of the GK but a few checkers certainly helped to jog the memory. Plenty of choice for top slots with the nod finally going to 19&28a plus 1d.

    Thanks to NYDK, I presume, and to CS for the hints.
    By the way, Sue, I finished reading ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ at stupid o’clock this morning and have to confess that I shed the odd tear – what an ingenious tale. Started out by thinking it was quite preposterous but gradually got sucked in, as the author doubtless intended.

  16. An enjoyable puzzle although I’m still unsure about 2d.

    Top picks for me were 18d, 15d, 8d, 17d and 27a.
    The first single I bought was by 26/7d.

    Thanks to CrypticSue and NYDK.

  17. A great solve today. Thanks to TDS and RD for the debate on 2d as I had a complete mind freeze and couldn’t see it until I read that. Thanks also to CS as the musical comedy eluded me too until the hint. Enjoyed so many clues today for the humour and we were spoilt with so much in one puzzle. Liked the French feline at11d and the 17d singer. I’m not versed in classics but my interest in astronomy yielded the 1a Trojan – hope that’s nowhere near the cake-less naughty step!
    The 16d crashing bore, the 1a smitten gay men and top the pile, the 8d con man were simply superb.
    Thanks to NYDK – it must be – and to CS.

  18. A bit of a tricky puzzle again this week from NYDK in my opinion. Struggled over several clues in the rid over parsing. Lots of good things though too. Liked the multi-word clue this week too.
    Word in the SE I had never heard of and certainly not in regular conversation.

    2.5*/3.5* for me

    Favourites 5a, 28a, 29a, 11d, 15d & 17d — with co-winners 29a & 11d

    Thanks to NYDK & CS

  19. Loved it. 8d worth the price of admission on its own & with a host of ticks elsewhere – 1&25a + 15,17&18d other particular likes.
    Thanks to Donny & Sue

  20. Never Tear Us Apart – sounds like another one for my Book Group, Jane. Sailed through the north and then got stuck on 25a but all got sorted out, better than yesterday! 8d was a masterly piece of misdirection and is my favourite (I’d love to tell you an anecdote about 8d but am frightened of the naughty step) and I had to Google 29a as it does not loom large in my legend. Still do not understand the publisher at 18d but knew of the musical. Huge thanks to the Setter and Selfless CeeSue. Happy Saturday.

  21. So nearly did this unaided; the musical comedy is a terrific clue as is the con man. Thank you CS and compiler

  22. Enjoyable but tricky in places. Numerous contenders for favourite but we’ll go with 8d. Thanks to NYD and CS.

  23. Fairly simple and nice challenge, Then I got stuck. Did not complete with one left to go. 2d was a terrible clue. Nothing to the solver in the right direction.

  24. I don’t get the abbreviated publisher in 18d

    Nice crossword though – thanks again to Crypticsue and setter

  25. Great fun, challenging but very enjoyable to complete. I laughed at 17d and enjoyed many others including 8d.

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

  26. Brilliant crossword (maybe with the exception of 2D) with some hilarious clues. 15D, 17D and 18D great, but the magnificent 8D is my clear winner. VMT Setter & Sue.

  27. I enjoyed this NYDK production despite the eclectic mix of GK required to confirm parsing.
    2.5*/4*
    2d – I agree with many posters above. It doesn’t work as a cryptic clue for me, assuming my answer is correct.
    1a – I’m not sure about smitten as anagram indicator?
    8d, 15d favourites.
    Thanks to Sue and NYDK

  28. Loved the con man and a lot more besides the sublime 26 7d. 17d took a while to drop, xxxxxxxx and opened up the SE corner.
    Thanks to Donnybrook and Sue, I am going to prepare for the Zandio/CL collaboration that is promised for The Sunday Toughie.
    All the comments about 2d are fair enough but I think the question mark is crucial.

  29. 1.5* / 3.5* An amusing Saturday puzzle, lots of varied clueing and a couple of new words for me.
    Favourites include Mr McManus at 26/7d, other singer at 17d and 1a very clever
    Thanks to setter and Sue

  31. This was a delightfully chewy puzzle. I ve been out this evening and just messing about with letters for my last one in 8d, and accidentally submitted it by mistake, and have since realised I had accidently overwritten one of the checkers – the first letter, so was barking up the wrong tree totally . One of my rules for when I get stuck is – ‘check the checkers’ , so irritated at myself. Definitely won’t be getting a pen this week. Thanks to NYDK and CS.

  32. Only just got round to completing this. Needed another site to get the answer to 18d. Not heard of the ancient musical nor the publisher.

    Embarrassingly I couldn’t get 29a until I had the checker for 18d. I may not be a fan of this giant, but still…

    Thanks to all.

  33. Well I am minded to comment since someone else took until Sunday. I did this in 4 quarters and just got the S W this am. Strange mix of old and new references I thought. Do the compilers ever create a grid with more than one setter ?

  34. Only started this this morning given that yesterday I was seriously fatigued from a rugby club reunion dinner on Friday evening and then a trip to the Etihad in the afternoon. Absolutely shattered by the I got home last evening. That sai, I found that quite a tough nut to crack and certainly needed the hints provided by CS, and a bit more besides. Struggled particularly in the SW corner. My knowledge of Greek mythology and the Jumblies found wanting. That said, some enjoyable clues, with my favourite being Mrs Batty at 27a.
    Thank you to the setter and to CS for the hints.

  35. 3*/4* …
    liked 14A “Looker’s sore in Vogue, not ultimately cool (4)” ..
    think my store of GK has increased somewhat .

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