Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3340 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where, with the end of BST, we now start a ‘hiatus’ week of puzzles being available an hour later until we ‘Fall Back’ next weekend.
For me, and I stress for me,© quite challenging, especially in the NE, although I probably made it more difficult than it should have been. 5 anagrams (0 partials), 1 lurker, and 1 homophone in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should/might be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 20a, 24a, 21d, and, perhaps surprisingly, the Pun!
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the what I very subjectively perceive to be the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
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.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Vocalise about white flower – brighter colour? (8,4)
A synonym of vocalise containing (about) a type of white (wine), followed by guess a flower of the Dianthus family.
13a After hollow pause, readier to have one spicy sauce (4-4)
A synonym of readier (referring to fruit?) and (to have) the Roman numeral for one all placed after PausE with the interior letters deleted (hollow).
15a Land and buildings in Seattle are redeveloped (4,6)
An anagram (redeveloped) of SEATTLE ARE – but is Seattle doing double duty?
20a Where The Shard goes, to some extent? (2,2,1,5)
A double definition – the second may refer to partial completion.
23a Animal in corner behind barrier (8)
A synonym of corner (as in take control of (the TV remote?)) placed after (behind) a synonym of barrier (of shrubs?).
27a Wound observed by one’s ear? (4)
The homophone (by one’s ear) of a synonym of observed.
28a Country, it needs rescuing by genius? (5,7)
Not really a country, but a ‘collection’ of three countries on one island with many surrounding islands – IT from the clue contained (needs rescuing) by a (5,5) term for a genius.
Down
2d Trouble with boiler? (3,5)
An informal synonymic term for trouble that can be supplied by a boiler.
4d Look fashionable, fragment dressing person’s head (10)
A two letter synonym of fashionable and a synonym of fragment containing (dressing) the first letter of Person (‘s head).
7d Indication of score, important mark (3,9)
A double definition – the first relates to a musical score.
11d Cure for overindulgence in flea’s home? (4,2,3,3)
Another double definition – the second might describe where one might find a flea ‘at home.’
14d Wicked temper’s hot in wicked character? (10)
An anagram (wicked) of TEMPER’S HOT.
19d Picked up in car, black limousine on the outskirts (7)
Not a homophone that picked up might suggest – a car, or rather a German car manufacturer, the single letter for Black, followed by the outer letters (on the outskirts) of LimousinE.
25d Error detected in text initially – correct that? (4)
The initial letters of Error Detected In Text.
Quick Crossword Pun:
BILLY + ODDBALL = BILLIARD BALL
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Vocalist Ken Boothe known for his distinctive vibrato and timbre achieved an international reputation as one of Jamaica’s finest vocalists through a series of crossover hits that appealed to both reggae fans and mainstream audiences. This is demonstrated in his ‘reggaed up’ version of Everything I Own written by American singer-songwriter David Gates, of Bread, which reached number one for three weeks on this day in 1974. Here he is live at Epinay sur Seine, a little North of Paris, in 2015:
I found today’s offering a bit of a mixture with some clues resisting all attempts until pennies began to fall. One such clue was the country at 28a, which I solved from checkers rather than parsing. Neither did I understand 1a so I am no doubt going to kick myself if it is hinted. This is not to say I didn’t enjoy it because I did. The cure for overindulgence at 11d and the indication of score at 7d both caused a chuckle. My COTD, however, is where The Shard goes at 20a.
Thank you, Dada for a great Sunday challenge. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.
I’m afraid I got nowhere with the Quickie.
This was definitely a lot easier than yesterday’s prize puzzle.
Connecting drinking and slippery slope in 17d made me smile, though my COTD, for reasons of sentiment, is 26a.
The shenanigans suggested therein brought to mind those saucy postcards which were a staple of every British seaside resort.
As a kid I used to spend ages reading them and laughing at how rude they were. Bet I still would now, though few of them would likely survive censorship by today’s standards.
After investigation, I discovered there’s a place dedicated to them in Ryde, Isle of Wight, the Donald McGill Museum.
Only £4 to get in. Bargain!
My thanks to our setter for the memories and to Senf for the blog.
The quickie pun deserves applause, too.
Very enjoyable puzzle for an early Sunday morning – the clocks might have gone back, but I can’t sleep an hour longer!
A little more testing in the NE but overall a pretty straightforward and rewarding solve. Honours to 1a, 10a, 7d & 14d.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
Today’s Toughie is well worth a look – cracking puzzle and about the same level of difficulty as this, so long as you are aware of reverse and other unusual anagrams.
I have just dropped copies of the Sunday Toughie off at York Station for those departing the S&B. I agree not one of proXimal’s toughest but a fine solve once the Reverend Spooner gave up his secrets.
2*/4*. I enjoyed this. Dada was on good form today with 18a & 7d battling it out for first place. 28a would have joined them to make up a podium selection but, as Senf correctly observes, the answer is not a country.
I think “in” might have been a better preposition for 2d.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
A goodie from Dada that kept me on my toes with my LOI being 7d as I haven’t heard of it.
My podium is the hilarious 26a, 11d and 14d.
MT to the afore and the Manitoban mountie.
3*/4*
I enjoyed this. It took me ages to parse 1a but I loved it once I’d explained it to myself.
Top picks for me were 1a, 10a, 14d and 9a. I also liked the Quickie Pun.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
A very enjoyable SPP with a lot of approachable clues and two in the NE , the last ones in, that took as long as the rest of the puzzle. I loved the wordplay in the Lego clue at 1a, the anagram at 14d. The mordant humour at 29a made me chuckle and there was a clever lurker at 22d. Thank you Dada for another Sunday winner and thanks to Senf for the hints
I’m glad I have company in finding the NE a tad tricky. It was not helped by having the wrong ending to 5d. I thought 28a was a gem. Lots to like, but podium places go to 1a, 14d and 17d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
i found this much more straightforward than yesterday and was on a PB time until my LOI 23a – the animal in corner eluded me for ages even with all the checkers (I think I got tunnel vision about the ending thinking it was different kind of four-legged animal). Such is the pleasure and frustration of Crossword Solving. Lots of great clues but I really liked 28a – the country and 11d – the fleas home. Thank you very much setter and Senf.
Nope, stuck on 7d, can anyone hint further without a cat and bag incident?
I will expand on my hint for the second part of the double definition a little, before anyone else tries:
A three letter synonym of important followed by a (distinctive) mark on a document (showing acceptance?).
Ta Senf, got it now.
That’s precisely how I parsed it maestro but didn’t have it as a double def
I am totally non musical (can’t even sing in tune) so even with the hint and picture 7d was still my LI.
Thought this was great fun with 1a making a delightful start to proceedings. Rosettes awarded to 1,10&20a plus 7&11d.
Thanks to Dada and also to Senf for the hints – not at all sure about Mr Boothe……..
Dada’s on top form today – thanks to him and Senf.
I agree with those who are unhappy about 28a.
Highlights for me were 9a, 10a, 23a and (my favourite) 11d.
Tipcat ,think [redacted – alternative clue – it’s a prize puzzle – read the instructions in RED below the hints] .Not particularly challenging but very enjoyable. In some cases only realised how clever the clue was having bunged the answer in , after I’d seen the hints. eg 7d and 28.Thanks to all.
Big Dave always said if you start with ‘think’ that is the first sign of an alternative clue!
28a is, indeed, not a country.
I’m surprised people are highlighting this as no one said anything when Bosnia was an answer recently and Antigua was (I think) a while back.
I always give a bit of latitude to setters when it comes to place names.
We are obviously quite parochial and are comfortable leaving it to the Bosnians and Antiguans to make their own observations
Another one recently was Scotland that no one mentioned.
Some people aren’t aware that 28a is part of the world’s longest name for a country.
No real difficulty after getting 10a, but still can’t work out where the Black comes in on 3d.
Welcome to the blog, what did you think of the puzzle?
As for black (member) in 3d, it relates to one of thirteen in a pack (of fifty-two).
Aah! (redacted – please see the red instructions about not including wrong solutions in a comment) Otherwise like others had to spend some time mulling NE, but the rest fell into place quite quickly. I have been following and using the blog for a couple of years, but this is the first time I have been prompted to post a comment.
Congratulations on delurking, CD.
I, too, went down the nature trail for a while with 3d. A good clue.
This smorgasbord of solvers look forward to your future posts.
Welcome, CD. 👍 Hope to hear from you again.
South went smoothly but North (mainly NE) was a different matter however perseverence paid off in the end. 1a was a bung-in as I don’t think of referring to wines using merely their colour. As a 14d I suppose I have to say mea culpa to being one but hopefully not wicked! 13a for me has no “e” so had to wait for crossers before filling in. Thank you Dada and Senf for combining so well as usual.
I thought this was challenging but brilliant, but it certainly took a while for the penny to drop on several. The anagrams were particularly good.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints
Thanks to Dada and Senf. We found this a walk in the park for a Sunday. Either that or we were on top form! COTD 1a. LOI 19d.
Definitely a quirky Dada this week again along with plenty of personal thesaurus use throughout the grid. Almost a Dada toughie today.
3*/3*
Favourites 15a, 20a, 24a, 11d, 14d & 21d — with winner 20a with 11d runner-up
Thanks to Dada & Senf
This seemed gentler than normal to me and I solved it fairly quickly, with just a couple to make me think for a while. Very enjoyable, thanks to the setter and Senf. My favourite was the sauce at 13a.
A super puzzle that required just the right amount of head scratching for a Sunday. Favourites were 10a and 20a and the excellent 17d. Thanks to Dada for his usual top notch stuff and to Senf for still managing to get the hints out despite an hour less to do so.
Very enjoyable and just on the right level for me – some thought required but I didn’t get stuck at any point and didn’t need the hints. Probably a ****/** in my estimation.
Many thanks toi Senf and Dada
Another Sunday cracker from Mr D! After a quick start with the two down long’ ‘uns it was a jolly canter to completion. Clearly on Dada’s wavelength this morning!
Final one in was the frustratingly simple 26A which took a bit of head scratching before the penny eventually dropped..Doh!
Thanks, as ever, to Senf for the blog ‘n hints and to Dada for the fun challenge.
Cheers!
Another great solve. Just think – if we didn’t have the guzzle between us on the table we might have to talk!! Only joking, he’s a darling. I am surprised no one has put in a ‘Favourite’ bid for 6d which I think is just brilliant. Last two in were 7d and 9a but I consulted the Guru and we immediately recognised the illustration. Also liked 10a and 14d. I do not think I have ever heard 9a used in that way but then I have led a sheltered life. Many thanks to Dada and to the man in the red scarf 🧣- I am all in red today, it’s a nice cosy colour. Flipping cold here!
[redacted – alternative clue – it’s a prize puzzle]?!
Good afternoon
What with work and family commitments; what with this, that, and indeed, the next thing, I haven’t so much as glanced at a crozzie since Wednesday, so I’m relieved to get today’s done in between getting the various bits of Sunday dinner prepped.
Needed a wee nudge to figure out the second word of my last to fall, 7d; so thank you Senf.
COTD is 22d. Almost didn’t twig it! Thank you Dada for the challenge.
Great set of clues and I thought 28a was most topical,but who will it be?! Thank you Dada and Senf
Relieved to find a friendly Dada this morning after failing abysmally yesterday. While I cannot claim to have finished quickly, it was a satisfying solve, albeit with the help of some hints. I was mystified by 13a having never heard of it. COTD for me is 20a, LOL. Thanks for the fun Dada and Senf.
Top entertainment this afternoon with some clever and thoughtful clues to make this a most worthy prize puzzle. I have to go with 11d as the favourite as it was a genuine laugh out loud moment and cheered up a depressingly grey Shropshire day.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
Great crozzie today without too many holdups although I inserted the wrong animal to start with which make perfect sense to me but mucked up all the other clues. I hope if Shabbo is already up here in Norfolk he brought his thermal underwear with him as its perishing cold. Remember there is a free concert in Cley church from 3 – 4 on Thursdays followed by tea and cake and it has good heating! Thanks to all.
1.5* / 4* A nice friendly puzzle for a damp Sunday, only hold ups being 7d (it had to be but I had to check) and inexplicably 17d.
Favourites include the last one in 17d, the simple but effective 9a (surprised that people haven’t heard the expression before) and I’ll go along with Daisy for 6d.
Also liked the quickie pun
Thanks to Senf and setter
Found this one pretty straightforward & it yielded without any particular head scratching or hold up. Another vote for 11d as pick of the clues.
Thanks to D&S
Quirky and tricky in places. I decided that 1a was the answer without any checkers but couldn’t parse it so didn’t put it in. It ended up being my LOI and a bung in. Favourite was 11d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A good steady solve with a few challenging clues that held me up. Brain feels a bit sluggish and tired so that’s my excuse. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
2*/4* …
liked 11D “Cure for overindulgence in flea’s home ?(4,2,3,3)