Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3346 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where it has become decidedly cooler with ‘high’ temperatures in the minus mid-teens before the mythical ‘feels like’ is calculated and we now have some of that fluffy white precipitation!
This weekend’s reading, courtesy of the Winnipeg Library – the thirteenth book by Ioana Whishaw, a prequel telling how Lane Winslow got ‘out of the office’ and into ‘field work.’ Only 179 pages so more of a novella than a novel but proving to be as enjoyable as ever.
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada somewhere between quirky and off the wall, especially when it came to anagram indicators, with eight anagrams (two partial), one lurker (reversed), and two homophones in a very asymmetric 31 clues – he does like his asymmetry; with 16 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should/might be able to get some of 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 – 13a, 23a, 25a, 6d, 17d, 22d, and quite a decent pun, especially after last week’s.
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
7a Media eager for exercise (5-2)
A synonym for media and a second synonym for eager.
10a Counter decorated in shellac (7)
An anagram (decorated) of COUNTER.
12a Best-selling song for example, I see it on end of album (7)
Not a definition by example! The Latin based two letter abbreviation representing for example, a two letter interjection equivalent to I see, and IT from the clue all placed after the last letter (on end) of albuM.
13a Medical work is filling hole and crack? (9)
IS from the clue inserted into (filling) a synonym(?) of hole and a synonym of crack (as in have a go).
16a Throw away shredded item in container for top politician (7,8)
An informal term for throw away (especially into a container so named) and an anagram (shredded) of ITEM all inserted into (in) a type of container.
23a Aprons previously covered by legs (9)
A synonym of previously contained (covered) by an informal synonym of legs.
28a Currency in source of sugar somewhere in South America (7)
A currency (in terms of readies) inserted into one of the sources of sugar (in terms of a plant) – extra hint – ‘somewhere’ is in one of the smaller South American countries.
Down
1d Infrequent rap with disco dancing (8)
An anagram (dancing) of RAP and (with) DISCO.
4d Coveted category, by the sound of it? (6)
A homophone (by the sound of it) of a synonym of category.
6d Keeper propelled over line (6)
A synonym of propelled placed before (over) two letters for a type of line (that a mode of transportation runs on).
9d Constituent liberal notices (7)
An anagram (liberal) of NOTICES.
17d Einstein‘s skull? (8)
A double definition – the first is an informal term to describe Einstein (or any other clever person).
20d Cold dish out in beetroot (8)
A term for dish out (food) inserted into in (the colour of) beetroot.
21d Items provided in flexible fashion (6)
A double definition – the second might refer to the results of regular exercise.
22d Parallel issue about right (6)
A named ‘geographic’ parallel (there are two) created from a synonym of issue containing (about) the single letter for Right.
26d Honour flag (4)
A double definition – the first might refer to a playing card.
Quick Crossword Pun:
ATTIC + LEAK + OFF = A TICKLY COUGH
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American R&B and disco singer and songwriter Barry White had only one number one in the UK which reached that position for two weeks on this day in 1974:
I’m glad that Senf thought that this Dada was challenging because some of my answers did make me think a few times before I had the conviction to write them in. That said I enjoyed the challenge quirks and all. 17d deserves an honorable mention. It’s probably an oldie, but it raised a smile. My podium comprises all across clues in 23, 26 and 28. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Mostly straightforward but with a few tricky head scratchers. I liked geographical clue at 28a and tthe well-misdirected geographical clue at 22d. The homophone at 4d and rhe long Lego clue at 16a were also good fun and I liked the anagram at 1d. Thanks to Dada for an enjoyable guzzle and to Senf for the hints
Hmm. Do we have an American guest setter today in place of Dada?
It’s a pity because, apart from the two Americanisms in 10a & 15a (with which both Chambers and Collins concur), this would have been very enjoyable.
10a is used here too. I first noticed it (though it should be said fairly recently) in a book / article by Tim Shipman. The offender in 15a clearly only exists in the US but it’s such a useful clue for a common letter combination I am happy to forgive any setter who uses it.
I use it – usually to describe how I got on in a golf match ☹️
I’m with you on this one. I got 10a straight away but could not justify it. Looked at three dictionaries before I saw the synonym, and it was noted as American. Spent far too long agonising on that one clue! I am almost qualified to make varnish.
Isn’t 23d in this context rather American too?
Tricky little puzzle I solved twice, once on Sunday and again this morning, as the app closed without saving progress!
Thanks to Dada and Senf
I really enjoyed this puzzle. Medium challenging but also consistently so. Quirky as noted. My favourite was 10a for some clever misdirection and LOI 4d which was an excellent homophone I thought. Thank you Dada and Senf
Not too tricky today, although decorated as an anagram indicator doesn’t work for me. Needed all the checkers for that clue.
13a favourite today – I have a root canal next week, which im not looking forward to.
Thanks to Senf and dada
2*/3*
Once the rubber dam is on, Sleight, You’ll be fine.
That sounds awful!
No it’s not because it stops stuff getting into your mouth and throat. Root canal was my profession both clinically and academically.
Sorry, SL8 on reading that again it seemed a little brusque and it certainly was not meant to be. Sorry, if it came across as such.
I was joking – no need to apologise. Is there a way to send a private message on this forum? I have a question for you
There isn’t the facility for a direct private message but you can use the contact button above to send your query to the Big Dave guardians and they can forward it onto me. 😊
I had a root canal procedure a year ago, or as they call it in Spain “matar el nervio”.
In all honesty, I didn’t feel anything at all, except in my wallet when I had to shell out 180€ afterwards.
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf) this was rather a challenging but fun guzzle.
Colonel Bagshot telephoned me at 5.00am to bellow that he wanted to open the committee rooms to force a vote on 12a. However, I had to explain that anyone under the age of 95 would see the word as perfectly legitimate. He was not satisfied and I left him roaring on about the loss of the colonies and how Vera Lynn would not have stood by as 12a was saluted on its way.
Off to Abbey Road today.
Thanks to Da-Doo-Ron-Ron and The Man From Manitoba sunning himself in Winnipeg.
Dada definitely being quirky today but I still found it enjoyable. However, there are a couple where the parsing eludes me so I hope they are hinted. I did like the twenty one craft at 25a and the eager media at 7a. Like SL8, I didn’t think “decorated” is a great anagram indicator and it’s not in the crossword dictionary and it took me a while to work out the honour flag at 26d. My COTD is Einstein’s skull at 17d.
Thank you, Dada for the Sunday fun. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.
I didn’t get the pun because I had “seep” as the second word. Once I saw the correct answer, I thought it was very clever.
A fun puzzle to brighten up another miserable day outside – thanks to Dada and Senf.
I particularly liked 12a, 17d and 26d (and the neat Quickie pun).
Fairly gentle but very enjoyable. Struggled to see the first of the 26d definitions but otherwise problem free. Rather liked the wordplay for 16a but will pick 12a & 17d as my top two. Failed to twig the Quickie pun despite saying it numerous times.
Thanks to D&S.
This took some serious thinking to get across the line, with a couple in the SW holding me up, most notably 21a and 22d. 12a was another sticking point, and that became my favourite once solved. Very entertaining, and it certainly cheered up a dull afternoon in Shropshire.
My thanks to Dada and Senf.
I’m not too keen on the answer to 12a either, though I did like 25a’s twenty-one craft, the rap and disco in 1d and Einstein’s skull in 17d.
More smooth than rough, so it’s all ok with me.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I am glad it was not just me who found this very tricky in places, a few of the synonyms eluded me and I just put in words that fitted the checkers, fortunately Senf used his psychic powers and hinted most of them. I did not feel this had the normal feel of Dada but maybe I just was way off wavelength today. Some answers did fly in and there were several in the south I particularly enjoyed.
Many thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints
Finally got there. Slow start and then flitting hither and thither found everything doable, but needed the old 17d to get into gear.
Personally I wouldn’t consider 10a to be an Americanism as I’ve used it myself on occasions and 15a is so common in US media.
13a and 28a are my picks.
3*/3*
Well I have to say this was most definitely not a friendly Dada puzzle for me this week. Quirky all over as well as plenty of use of his own personal thesaurus. Senf saying Dada being off the wall this week pretty much sums it up.
3.5*/3* for me.
Favourites 10a, 13a, 16a, 23a, 26a & 1d — with winner 23a
Thanks to Dada & Senf for blog/hints
Struggled immensely with this one, could not get onto setter’s wavelength. Thanks to setter, and Senf for much needed hints.
Still haven’t finished – anyone able to help on 8 down without being consigned to the naughty step?
Were he still alive, Norman Stanley Fletcher could help you with that one. *awaits hammer of wrath*
Thank you!
For 8d, if someone defected from a certain political party to Labour he’s likely to be this.
Any help (if not redacted)?
Penny finally dropped, thank you!
I thought some of our setter’s quirky wordplay/definitions were a bit OTT today but perhaps it was just my lack of ability to follow his train of thought!
3d made me laugh and wins a prize along with 23a&26d.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf in his wintry world for the hints – enjoyed stepping back in time with Barry White.
Oh there is no stopping me today. Not only did I knock off 3/4 of the toughie at breakfast whilst George was hogging the paper but I got wordle in 3 for the fifth consecutive day. I always make George look at my answer because I can hardly believe my luck when I get an answer in 2 or 3 ! I found today’s guzzle a bit chewy as 10a held me up and I could not see any items in 21d to justify my answer. It is pouring with rain so we shall light the fire to cheer ourselves up. Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Senf. I’ve just finished reading The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley, my choice for the Book Group.
Thanks to Dada and Senf. For a prize puzzle this was surprisingly straight forward. COTD 17d. LOI 12d.
Blowing a gale here at our hilltop location.
Lazy Sunday afternoon ahead!
For some reason I could not get on the Setter’s wavelength with this puzzle and struggled to find the solutions even with the hints from Senf. Maybe something to do with the horrible dark dreary weather we are experiencing here in Scotland at the moment!
I didn’t find this one too bad today , although was held up a bit in the SW. Discovered a new meaning of shellac that I also hadn’t heard before. I asked AI / ChatGPT to confirm the synonym which confess now is often my new go to – I feel slightly ashamed at this, although it is the new way of the world I suppose. Thanks ton(I assume) Dada , and Senf.
I have to agree with Senf regarding the Iona Whishaw books that feature the Lane Winslow stories in the war years and her part in them. They are well worth reading and I am about to start on this latest release. I have read them all and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Iona Whishaw currently lives in the Vancouver area and has for quite a while.
I’ve only found one of her books available here and I did enjoy that – must try harder to track them down.
I wrote to Ms Whishaw, through her web site, about 18 months ago, probably after reading the eleventh book in the series.
I mentioned our book club masquerading as a crossword blog and got a very nice reply!
Senf summed this up perfectly with quirky and off the wall, I would add downright bizarre in places which tended to take the shine off it. No real favourite but if pushed we’ll go with 7d. Thanks to Dada anyway and Senf.
This took a bit of work which can happen with Radio but was an enjoyable solve.
My LOI was the 21a/d comby.
My podium is 7a, 16a (nice anagram) and 3d.
MT to the aforementioned and Senf.
3*/3* (a point deducted for the two Americanisms)
Another brilliantly quirky Dada Sunday offering!
Plenty of ‘head scratchers’ followed by ‘Doh!’ as the penny eventually dropped.
Liked several of the most clever / quirkier clues e.g 3D, 4D,15A, 17 D & 25A while a few others – 8D, 12A, 21D & 23D…a bit ‘Meh’. Nonetheless, an enjoyable solve and grateful for the challenge.
Thanks, as ever, to Senf for the blog ‘n hints.
Cheers!
Difficult today especially the SW, thank you Dada (but unsure of the quickie!) and Senf
It’s been a while since I tackled a Sunday Puzzle so I was pleased to complete this in a respectable time. 13a, 15a and 22d make up my podium. Thanks to Senf and Setter for the entertainment.
Good puzzle, excellent blog.
Only complaint: 4d – another example of the phantom ‘r’ in a homophone that many of those north of the M25 will not recognise.
Anyone else irritated by this repeated offence?
I’ve given up complaining about it.
You probably need to be more specific. Presumably the phantom ‘r’ would be acceptable to someone North of the M25 between Junctions 5 and 10 (and South of a line between Croxley Green and Loughton)