Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31076
Hints and Tips by Senf
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg.
For me, etc© (I have to say that for Terence), somewhat of a challenge. I am not very good at ‘guessing the setter’ on a Wednesday but I am inclined to consider that this is the work of Twmbarlwm.
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 20a, and 13d.
In the hints below, the definitions are underlined. The answers are hidden under the Click here! buttons, so don’t click if you don’t want to see them.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Overawed by the famous Leo and Van? (4-6)
STAR-STRUCK: What Leo is a ‘collection’ of in the night sky and a synonym of van?
6a Son, shy layabout (4)
SLOB: The single letter for Son and a synonym of shy (as in toss).
10a Hard to split from comparatively high-class model (5)
POSER: A single word term for comparatively high class with the single letter for Hard deleted (to split from).
11a Unfeeling, wrote off deputy (6,3)
NUMBER TWO: A synonym of unfeeling (as in without physical sensation) followed by an anagram (off) of WROTE.
12a Maybe spinach with lunchtime bitter doesn’t impress (6,3,4)
LEAVES ONE COLD: What spinach is comprised of as a vegetable, and (with) some peoples traditional lunchtime and a synonym of bitter (in terms of temperature).
14a Busy flat beginning to trouble female university student (8)
EVENTFUL: A synonym of flat, the first letter (beginning) of Trouble, the single letters for Female and University, and the letter that indicates a student (driver?).
16a Fuss over drunk (6)
STINKO: A (smelly) synonym of fuss and the single letter for a crickety Over.
18a Commotion in rugby, our side chasing Cork’s wingers (6)
RUCKUS: The two letters for the 15-a-side oval ball game, and the objective pronoun that indicates our side in any contest, involving two teams, placed after (chasing) the outer letters (wingers) of CorK.
20a Cave in wood visited by everyone around (8)
COLLAPSE: The term for a small wooded area containing (visited by) the reversal (around) of a three letter synonym of everyone.
22a Waiting for Godot demanding for the audience? Act withdrawn (4,4,2,3)
PLAY HARD TO GET: A synonym of act and a phrase that is synonymic of withdrawn (describing a person) – apparently ‘Waiting for Godot’ is described as absurdist.
26a Distinctive feature, one on Mars possibly (5,4)
ROMAN NOSE: An anagram (possibly) of ONE ON MARS.
27a Ordinary day ending in feud exhausted Lucy, weirdly (5)
ODDLY: The single letters for Ordinary and Day, the last letter (ending in) of feud, and LucY with the interior letters removed (exhausted).
28a Bird going back in rhododendrons (4)
DODO: A reversed lurker (going back in) found in the last word of the clue.
29a A mostly great honour Queen gives Patrick Moore, perhaps (10)
ASTRONOMER: A from the clue, a synonym of great with the last letter deleted (mostly), an honour recognising distinguished service, and the regnal letters shared by two queens.
Down
1d Sibling drinking soft drinks (4)
SIPS: The abbreviated form of a (female) sibling containing (drinking) the letter indicating musically soft.
2d Cracked vase and bowl – wife emerging for excuse! (7)
ABSOLVE: An anagram (cracked) of VASE and BOwL with the single letter for wife deleted (emerging).
3d Country tune tipped by southern Yankee (5)
SYRIA: The reversal (tipped) of a three letter tune placed after (by) the single letter for Southern, and the letter represented by Yankee in the phonetic alphabet.
4d One second behind Victor, smuggler on horseback (6-2)
RUNNER-UP: A synonym of smuggler and a two letter term for on horseback.
5d Groom given ring in small group (5)
COMBO: A synonym of groom followed by (given) the letter that looks like a ring.
7d Disappointment, left in Paris and not working (3-4)
LET-DOWN: The single letter for Left, the translation of AND in Paris, and a single word term for not working (as in the system is . . . ).
8d Ready to take someone out? (5,5)
BLOOD MONEY: A term for what ready is a slang synonym for when used specifically for a ‘contract’ to take someone out.
9d Stand waving pet’s lead (8)
PEDESTAL: An anagram (waving) of PET’S LEAD.
13d Audible sound of car horn fixed, scout’s saying (2,8)
BE PREPARED: A homophone (audible) of the combination of a term for the sound of a car horn and a synonym of fixed.
15d Moving about (8)
TOUCHING: A double definition (I think) – the first relates to moving in an emotional sense.
17d A wet roof is dodgy – something you slip on? (8)
FOOTWEAR: An anagram (is dodgy) of A WET ROOF.
19d Spell with Newcastle United ultimately pleased (7)
CHARMED: A synonym of spell (magically?) and (with) the last letters (ultimately) of NewcastlE and UniteD.
21d Map’s dot represented German city (7)
POTSDAM: An anagram (represented) of MAP’S DOT.
23d Cheats almost rose to accept fine (5)
ROOKS: ROSe with the last letter deleted (almost) containing (to accept) the two letters that can be used informally as equivalent to fine.
24d Close to rearing horse in protest (5)
GROAN: The last letter (close to) of rearinG and a horse of a mixed colour with a decided shade of red.
25d Textile worker lifting tip of yarn dipped in colour? (4)
DYER: The reversal (lifting) of all of the first letter (tip) of Yarn inserted into (dipped in) a three letter colour.
Quick Crossword Pun:
CHEW + DOZEN + STEWARDS = TUDORS AND STUARTS – Thanks to Lynne and Harry.
A great puzzle with just the right amount of chewiness for me.
21d and 16a were new to me but fairly clued.
FOI was the great 6a and LOI was 15d.
Top picks for me were 13d, 26a, 6a, 22a and 8d.
Couldn’t work out the Quickie Pun.
Thanks to Senf and the setter.
Me too with 21d, never heard of it!
21d was where the peace conference was held at the end of World War 2. Rhere were lots of photosvof Sttalin, Churchill, Attlee and Truman in all the history books about that era.
I happy that I had heard of it, one of the benefits of being older 😊.
Once again here’s a puzzle to lend weight to my theory that Wednesdays are the new Fridays, took me a good while to winkle out the answer to some clues, especially 16a and 8d.
My last one was 15d which I (and maybe I alone) thought was a bit of a stretch, however this was more than made up for by the brilliant 22 and 26a, two of the best clues in yonks.
Off to dress our cats up as guys now, and wheel them around the town in an old pram to get some firework money, no, please don’t call the RSPCA, they enjoy it really…..
Coroners still use the form of words “The inquest [15d] the death of Mr XYZ will be ABC”. So it is definitely not a stretch (though it is a little obscure).
Yep, definitely a stretch.
What a terrific midweek puzzle, with some innovative and witty clues. 22a was my favourite this morning. I think the hint should show that ‘Waiting for Godot’ is the play, and the whole answer means ‘act withdrawn’. Good fun all round. Me too on the pun.
Thanks setter and Senf.
Good morning. This was a peach of a crossword. It didnt feel like a read and fill as some of the clues needed some real effort, but the time confirmed otherwise. 1a was a great opener, 11a, 12a, 22a, 3d and 13d are all worthy contenders for COTD but 13d reminded me of me scout days, and as such gets the honour today! Many thanks for the review and to the setter for the fun x word.
Tudors and Stewarts is the pun. I thought it was quite good.
Ah! Well worked out, L & H.
It is indeed a goodie.
Grrrrrr, another quickie answer reveal before I get round to it 🙄😤
Hmm I hear you, Dodger. But, trying to work out the pun and talking about it is good fun. So, it would be a shame to not be able to do that.
I think you’ll have to take it on before reading the comments.
But the answer is hidden below the cryptic clues above so why not just go there if you don’t get it rather than spoiling others enjoyment? 🤷🏻♂️
Talking about it and how good/crowbarred/painful/clever/poor it is is enjoyable.
For example, today, Senf couldn’t work it out. So, he asked us to help him. I couldn’t get it but Lynne and Harry came up trumps.
It’s like discussing the clues.
I won’t drag out any longer but I refer my learned gentleman to comment etiquette No 7 🤔
Sue, Gazza and gang, what are your thoughts on this?
Can we not talk about the pun?
The only reason the pun was revealed today was, as you said TDS65, Senf couldn’t decipher it and asked the commentariat for help. In such a case I think it excusable. The pun is not discussed in terms of the answer at any other time. Rather comments such as “great Quickie pun” are made without mentioning the answer.
Gotcha.
Thanks S & G.
Normally we shouldn’t reveal the pun in comments but in this case Senf specifically asked for suggestions on how it worked so I’d say that today was an exception.
Appreciate the clarity in this instance. As I am predominantly late to the party I presume Senf’s request had been removed at that point 👍
quickie pun = Tudors and Stewarts
A well- balanced guzzle witg a variety of clue types and some General Knowledge, which I very much enjoyed. COTD was the cunning cryptic definition at 8d followed closely by the double definition at22a. I also enjoyed the geographical anagram at 21d and the well- concealed anagram anagram of the distinctive feature at 26a. Thanks ro tthe compiler and to Senf for the hints.
Another enjoyable midweek solve from The Hud?
I like the abbreviation in 5d though some won’t and that blasted L for student is there again. One day I’ll make my peace with it.
The synonym for ‘about’ in 15d works for me: The article in the DT is 15d on my political beliefs.
I thought ‘wrote off’ was very clever and I knew 21d due to the meeting with the ‘Big Three’ immediately after WW2 known as the 21d Conference’.
My podium is 12a, 22a and 8d.
MT to H&S.
2*/4*
No ideas on the pun, either!
Saying that, re 15d, maybe it can’t be on its own. It probably needs ‘on’ or ‘upon’ after it…..or does it?
Oh, I don’t know.
Coroners still use the form of words “The inquest [15d] the death of Mr XYZ will be ABC”. So it is definitely not a stretch (though it is a little obscure).
Sounds good.
Thanks, SC.
I thought the “about” was in the sense of around, encompassing, all over, surrounding: The ghastly emantion was upon them, now actually touching/about them. Not 100% on this one though. To me, to you …
That works for me, J.
15d / about / concerning / regarding / on / re. They are all synonymous. There was this clue “[15d] banking counter for my money? Withdrawn” with [15d] meaning ‘re’ in the DT a few months ago (REMOTE).
On reflection, I think that’s probably right. My initial theory maybe a bit off the mark.
I thought this tricky but fair with some really excellent clues. New words to me were 16a and 21d but the word play did make it possible to work them out. I had 18a as my favourite but it could have been so many others. 8d was loi as I just could not see it….then I did.
Many thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints.
I can only think of one setter who pays such scant regard to surface reads and the resulting puzzles have a 12a effect on me. Others obviously feel differently including, it would seem, the powers that be at Telegraph Towers, so I’ll just have to ‘put up and shut up’!
My guess would be that the Quickie pun is Tudors and Stuarts.
Polite thanks to our setter and many thanks to Senf for the review – amazing how the recorder, in the right hands, can make such a beautiful sound!
I concur.
You don’t care about surface readings and your puzzles leave me cold. “Polite thanks.” 😉
I studied Tudor and Stuart history at college, so perhaps I thought the pun would be more obvious than some found it.
Well, I thought the quickie pun was hilarious. Some lovely touches here – 22a’s “act withdrawn”, 17d’s “something you slip on” and 4d’s “one second behind Victor”. 26a tickled me too – very clever. And the surfaces all tell a story. Works for me. Best thanks to setter and Senf.
With 2 possible exceptions I thought the surfaces read well too – scant regard & dodgy a wee bit harsh methinks.
The comments here made me read through the clues again; the surfaces seem fine to me and I don’t really understand the complaint.
I thought the degree of difficulty to be about right for a midweeker.
Ticks for Godot in 22a, and the Toon in 19d but best of all is the underworld contract suggested in 8d.
Thanks to our setter and Senf.
I don’t know how to rate this given the mostly clever wordplay coupled with a lot of dodgy surfaces.
I didn’t finish courtesy of 16a, which is an expression I have never heard of. I eschewed the obvious (with hindsight) approach of trying to think of a synonym for fuss followed by an O in favour of staring in vain at the three checking letters and failing to come up with any word which would fit.
8d was my favourite.
Thanks to the setter and to Senf.
Not often I’d reckon a puzzle’s in with much of a shout when up against a Silvanus production (over in t’other place) but this cracker certainly gives it a good run for its money. Hugely enjoyable & with ticks all over the shop. I saw the Sirs, McKellen & Stewart do Godot at the Haymarket a number of years ago & I certainly found it 22a, not much fun & bordering on the unfathomable – I thought the last 2 words of the clue were the def. I’d have struggled to pinpoint 21d on the map but remembered the post war conference with Winston, Clem, Harry & Stalin from history. Contenders for podium spots – 1,12,16,18&22a plus 8,13&17d.
Many thanks to the setter (Hudson my punt) & to Senf – my sympathies re the Quickie pun, not sure I’d ever have got it.
Great stuff – thanks to our setter and Senf.
I particularly liked 6a, 22a and 13d with my outstanding favourite being 8d. I also liked the very groanworthy Quickie pun.
I really enjoyed this puzzle – some lovely touches of humour throughout. I actually thought the surfaces were quite smooth – it’s funny how people see things so differently with each puzzle. 8d held out for a long time before the penny dropped and therefore it is my clue of the day.
Thank you to the setter and to senf
I desperately wanted the answer to 22a to be “long time to sit”. Shame it didn’t fit the checkers in 13d, hey ho. Strictly a dnf for me as I couldn’t reconcile myself to the answer in 8d. I thought “readies” plural was slang for money. So every day is a learning one. I liked the construction of 11a so gets my vote for cotd. Thanks to compiler and Senf.
Late on parade because of having to go into Oswestry.
For me etc this was a bit of a 10a but quite enjoyable. I cannot claim an unaided solve because I did need a few hints to get me across the line. I have never heard the term at 16a but I have heard of the German city at 21d. The spinach clue was clever but my COTD has to be 1a.
Thank you, setter for the mid-week fun. Thank you, Colonel Mustard for the hints.
I couldn’t make sense of the Quickie pun, either so thanks to Lynne and Harry for the explanation.
A fine midweek offering! Great clues, a decent(ish) challenge and an entertaining solve. Hard to isolate a favourite but today I’ll go for 12a. 2.5*/4*.
*Why oh why do people get hot under the collar about clue surfaces? Of course, we all prefer really smooth surfaces that make perfectly literal sense when read as a sentence/statement. But they simply don’t always and there’s no obligation that they should. This puzzle is an example of proof of that. Surfaces are secondary to the the cryptic word-play they convey and are often full of misdirection to lead you up the garden path. The more you cogitate about the surface read, the more you get deflected from the parsing of the word-play. Forget about clunky surfaces and concentrate fully on sussing the word-play.
I’m with you, J.
Smooth surfaces are a bonus not a prerequisite.
I don’t think Silvanus has helped because he’s taken it to another level…as has The Prof.
Couldn’t agree more; the surface is superfluous. One of the best if not the best comments, that I have read on this blog!
I love a great surface but agree they are not essential.
NB. I can’t see anything wrong with any of these surfaces. I am having a rant about other people claiming that there’s quite a few bad ones. I very rarely, if ever, claim that a surface is dodgy/clunky because I never expect them all to be perfect. Even the odd meaningless/gobbledegook surface is fine by me – provided it supports good cryptic word-play.
I have not really been at the crosswords because of a long complaint about the cardiology department at Castle Hill Hospital in Hull. A pacing clinic check in June 2024 showed that one of the lead for my CRT pacemaker had fractured in January. This information was made known to the department immediately but it took until December 18th for me to have a CT scan and then on December 20th I had a meeting with the consultant. He of course could tell me nothing until the results came through which should be available in eight weeks.when he would arrange a meeting to discuss the results. The meeting was held on the first of October and no explanation was given for the delay.
The upshot was that there was little that could be done without a serious risk of infection doing procedures which so far had not proved successful. I have little belief in a future now but will return to those things I enjoy and today with the crossword I finished and am feeling there may still some good things to come ; or not as the case may be. 1, 12, and 20a my favourites today. Thanks to Senf for illuminating why my guesses where the solutions seemed to be correct but why eluded me.
I’m so sorry to read about your travails and good on you for posting about it. This blog has many uses and telling all and sundry about what’s happening in your life is most certainly one of them.
Keep powering through and enjoy every day that we get on this third rock from The Sun.
We love you, Corks!
Oh dear. You have been in the wars ! A daily dose of guzzle is good for you.
I am so sorry to hear of your health problems, Corky. Rest assured we are all thinking of you and sending you our love.
Very sorry to hear such a tale of woe Corky. Good to hear from you & hopefully more regularly. Try to keep your chin up & best regards.
Very sorry to read that, Corky, what a bugger. “Seize the day” every day with, as you say, the things you and your wife enjoy.
Oh Corky, that is truly a sad and unacceptable long wait for something that, at first glance, seems to be something urgent and should have been treated as such. I am so sorry that you are having these frustrating problems. Best wishes.
The NHS is not operating with anything like competency at the moment. I, too have experienced this sort of problem with my husband’s treatment. I hope things are sorted out if they can be. Meantime, hang in there Corky and enjoy what you can one day at a time. Carpe Diem
Indeed I heartily concur with your comment about the NHS’ incompetent modus operandi. The lack of support post my stroke 10 months ago has been frustrating and counter-productive. My recovery is slow, if at all, due to lack of professional treatment.
** / ***
A strange solve today, completely read and write except for 8d and 16a, which took it into ** territory. Got 8d just before resorting to the hints and it became my COTD. Followed by ticks for the 22a act withdrawn, 29a mentioning the late, great Patrick Moore and the 5d groom. I have heard of the German city and I too wondered about ‘ready’ vs ‘readies’ but as the whole answer is a singular phrase, I guess ‘ready’ is OK. Although, you’d never say: “I have the ready, now let’s do the deed”.
Thanks to the Setter and Senf.
I love the way we all view the guzzle differently. I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did George because instead of wandering into the rest of the paper he stayed with it and got quite a few answers. So much to like, the famous Leo, Spinach, Godot, taking someone out – all so clever. Never heard of 16a though Stingo is the name of a drink and The Potsdam Agreement Loomed Large In Our Legends when I was a gal. It is fascinating to read everyone’s expectations for the guzzle. On another tack, I spent all morning getting my replacement Blink doorbell to speak to my computer. Then my iPhone. Now it doesn’t like the iPad. I hate the damn thing and I haven’t even started on the camera. This saga has been going on for 9 months – Grrr. Anyway, my problem. Huge thanks to the wily Setter and the man in the Red Scarf, whom I always read.
A tricky puzzle for this Wednesday I thought. I struggled somewhat throughout the grid.
Going with one of the two setters I generally struggle with.
3*/3*
Favourites 11a, 12a, 18a, 9d & 13d — with winner 12a
Sort of like this puzzle for me
Thanks to setter & Senf
Enjoyed that, a fun and light-ish puzzle which lasted just long enough for me to enjoy my tuna/kimchi/mayo sandwiches. Honours to 20a, 22a, & 8d.
Many thanks to the setter and of course Senf.
Had to check what kimchi was – far more exotic than my cheddar & Branston though it was on ludicrously overpriced multi-seed sourdough
Go easy on that seeded sourdough – mine just bloomin’ snapped my front cap off. Ugh. I’ll certainly be sticking to kimchi for the foreseeable. I reckon MG’s got the right idea!
Been there – cracked back tooth on the crust – a £925 bite.😡
Ouch.
Talk about teeth falling out reminds me of gurning. What a bizarre but entertaining pastime that was…or still is?
Saying that, I’m not sure I would want to go to a competition…..not to take part but as a customer, you understand.
Were there ever female contests, I wonder? Bella Emberg would win, hands down.
(the woman on Benny Hill)
Yowzers!
I know I could make kimchi but CBA, so buy it instead – nice combination of pickled/fermented veg, with a bit of warmth, too. It’s great in so many ways – with cheese & biscuits, cold meats & salad, mixed with eg tinned tuna or served with raw/cured fish.
I do make my own kefir, though, using milk straight from the farm gate – I’ve managed to keep the ‘same’ grains (or culture if you prefer) going since August 2019, periodically binning the surplus when there’s no-one around wanting a starter. Can’t imagine going back to buying kefir now.
I made a good start to this before making my Christmas cake. However, on return I was well and truly stumped. Thanks to the setter and to Senf for his much needed help. By the way, there are some lovely gardens in and around Potsdam well worth visiting if you are in or near Berlin.
Oh yummy, Christmas cake. I was busy making a batch of decaf coffee ice cream 😊.
Great puzzle great quicky pun. Sorry to read about the frustrating delays Corky hope all goes well
Thank you Shrimp, a very kind thought. So do I and my wife is being very positive too. Plans, plans, plans and more plans for my pleasure I hope and not for edification.
Phew, that has been an all-day on/off slog but I actually got there in the end without resorting to the hints. 16a had to be but don’t think I have actually seen it used. Stupidly took a while for the ready in 8d to drop and likewise moving in 15d. Thanks to whomever the setter may be and Senf. Liked the Quickie pun.
This was going swimmingly until it wasn’t and I ground to a halt.
19d and 26a held out for ages. Undone by 8d though. Could see the first word, but no penny drop moment for me. Got it from the pic with the hint.
Thanks to all.
Excellent puzzle, more a ** than a *** for me but unlike some others i like Mr T’s style.
Thanks to all and best wishes to Corky, who if memory recalls is on my ‘wavelength’😉
Was off to do the quickie but it seems to have been started already!!
Thanks Rob for your kind words ; it seems everyone is all for making the best out of a bad deal. As a former bridge player I know how difficult that can be but even if you only have one winning card and you make it you can feel good about it.
Corky we wish you well. Thanks to the Setter and Senf for the hints. COTD 13d. 16a was a bit off! LOI was 16a! Very late onto the puzzle today. First time we have finished when it is dark outside!
Thanks Gary and Val.
Enjoyed today’s puzzle especially 1a, 12a and 13d. I didn’t get 16a & 23d despite having the checking letters. The Quickie Pun eluded me before having to go out so decided to check the hints when I got back. Many thanks to the setter and Senf. Fireworks a plenty sounding off outside.
22A an absolute classic. VMT Setter & Senf.
Didn’t enjoy this like yesterday’s delight. Found it rather chewy in places, but enjoyable mostly. Of course inking in the answer to 13d in the 8d slot didn’t help… Not a fan of the 16a word, certainly never heard of it to mean drunk. Oh dear, I even forgot about Patrick Moore. So not my best effort. Thanks to setter and Senf. But off to plant some begonias now on my screened in patio where the monster iguanas won’t be able to devour them.
Very late on parade but been on a study day . Came back on a high and this puzzle did not disappoint. Could not get 16 across because I had never come across the word and perhaps it is slang.Favourite was 22 across. Saw it in London last year and so glad that I went without John. He doesn’t like anything negative. At least 13 down was not “Scouting for Boys” which was such an unfortunate term to be associated with such a worth association. Huge thank you today to our setter and Senf
I really enjoyed this puzzle. A nice bit of chew but not too difficult. My only holdup at the end like a few others was 8d and 16a. I didn’t get the cryptic definition of 8d, and wasn’t familiar with 16a, although I did manage to to parse it. Thanks to the setter and Senf.
3* / 4* Certainly not easy but plenty of top clues. Favourites include last one in 8d ready, impressed with 22a and cave in at 20a
Thanks to setter and Senf
Also cracked the quickie pun which I liked
This took me longer than I expected, but I’m a little under the weather, so it’s probably me rather than the crossword. It was worth it though, with lots of fun clues, including Leo and Van (1a), the shy laybout (6a), Waiting for Godot (22a), and the fixed car horn (13d).
Thank you to Twmbarlwm for the entertain (now claimed — well done Senf on your inclination!) and to Senf for helping out a couple of times when I got stuck.
Good evening
Finally! Finished but my goodness, it’s taken me a large chunk of the afternoon and evening to get there – and I still wasn’t quite sure about my last but one and last to fall (16a and 8d respectively), so it’s a good job we’ve got Senf here to clarify.
COTD is Godot at 22a. Sublime!
Many thanks to our setter and to Senf.
Thanks all, and thanks to Senf for the review.
3*/5* ….
liked 8D “Ready to take someone out ? (5,5)” … amongst others …
Best Wishes to Corky.