Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31106
Hints and Tips by Senf
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
A very good Wednesday morning from Winnipeg. Are you confused that I am back only a week after my last Wednesday blog, so am I. Not really, it is all in the interests of juggling assignments, Gazza is on Toughie duty, while Crypticsue is still hors de combat and I will be here next Wednesday as well. And, we wish Crypticsue well for her continuing recovery.
On the strength of a comment made by Daisygirl on Sunday, I have requested a copy of The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley from the Winnipeg Library. She, DG that is, didn’t say if she enjoyed it, I will let you know if I did.
For me, etc© (I have to say that for Terence), a very enjoyable puzzle. If my thoughts last week about alternating between two setters on a Wednesday are correct I would say that this is probably a Hudson production but he is on Toughie duty and he won’t always be doing double duty, will he? So, my Half Crowns, Toonies, and Loonies are staying at the back of my sock drawer. Thank you setter for an enjoyable solve and blog.
Candidates for favourite – 10a, 11a, 2d, 4d, and 16d.
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 Drug in the morning injected into poor Cleopatra (11)
PARACETAMOL: The two letters that indicate in the morning inserted (injected) into an anagram (poor) of CLEOPATRA.
7a One accommodating round room? (7)
CHAMBER: A double definition – the first might relate to a weapon.
8a Everyone welcoming company leaders in head office providing booze (7)
ALCOHOL: The three letter synonym of everyone containing (welcoming) the two letter abbreviated form of company and the first letters (leaders) of Head and Office.
10a Number one character from Greece rejected marriage (5)
UNION: The reversal (rejected) of all of the two letter abbreviated form of number, the Roman numeral for one, and the thirteenth Greek character.
11a Breaking, ITV: FIFA concealing US lawyer’s testimony (9)
AFFIDAVIT: An anagram (breaking) of ITV: FIFA containing the two letters for a US lawyer.
12a Finn discovered his creator split (2,5)
IN TWAIN: fINn with the outer letters removed (discovered) and the last name of the creator of a fictional character with the last name of Finn.
14a Conservative politician admitting nothing before event host (7)
COMPERE: The single letter for Conservative and the two letters for a politician (in the UK Parliament) containing (admitting) the letter that can represent nothing, followed by the literary or poetic synonym of before.
15a Film stars Chaney and Lillian fairly tedious (7)
LONGISH: The first name of a film star with the last name of Chaney and the last name of a film star with the first name of Lillian.
18a In French “a blissfully refreshing drink” (7)
CHABLIS: A lurker (in) found in three words in the clue.
20a Marshal women’s tea party that’s disorderly (5,4)
WYATT EARP: The single letter for Women and an anagram (that’s disorderly) of TEA PARTY.
21a Copper pipe regularly put out a brew (5)
CUPPA: The chemical symbol for copper, alternate letters deleted (regularly put out) from PiPe and A from the clue.
22a Gives details of sports ground location for cycling (7)
RECITES: A (3,4) phrase of an abbreviated term for a sports ground location with the first letter of the second word being cycled to the end.
23a Copyright gold attractive decorative moulding (7)
CORNICE: the single letter for Copyright, heraldic gold, and a synonym of attractive.
24a Dude put sign out “get your steak & kidney in here!” (4,7)
SUET PUDDING: An anagram (out) of DUDE PUT SIGN.
Down
1d Noted player, thespian is treading boards (7)
PIANIST: A lurker (boards) found in three words in the clue.
2d Lad wearing mask investigating after being robbed of PG Tips (5)
ROBIN: The deletion (being robbed) of the outer letters (tips) of P and G from a synonym of investigating.
3d Short article about origin of Italian shroud (7)
CURTAIN: A synonym of short (in manner), and one of the indefinite articles containing (about) the first letter (origin) of Italian.
4d Ingredient for jam-making? (7)
TRAFFIC: What is required to create a jam (that is not edible).
5d It puts down roots in road surface, northbound A1 (9)
MACADAMIA: A road surface named after a Scottish engineer and the reversal of A1 from the clue.
6d Merry Widow composer necking first of vintage European port (2,5)
LE HAVRE: the composer of (The) Merry Widow containing (necking) the first letter of Vintage followed by the single letter for European.
7d Outbreak of awful E. coli beginning to ruin veg (11)
CAULIFLOWER: An anagram (outbreak) of AWFUL E. COLI followed by the first letter (beginning) of Ruin.
9d Daily Mail newspaper feature? (7,4)
LETTERS PAGE: A definition by example indicated by ? – a feature of a newspaper where readers express opinions.
13d Toff periodically stalked philosopher (9)
ARISTOTLE: An abbreviated synonym of the slang term Toff and alternate letters (periodically) of sTaLkEd.
16d Half nude, topless rumbas? They’re quite subtle (7)
NUANCES: The (first) half of NUde and a generic term for rumbas with the first letter deleted (topless).
17d Is in charge of early warning (5,2)
HEADS UP: A double definition, I think, both refer to raising uppermost parts of the body – I suspect that both are Americanisms although the BRB only has the second one which also has an enumeration of (5-2).
18d Caught a sport fish here in New England (4,3)
CAPE COD: Crickety Caught, A from the clue, generic sport at school, and a three letter fish (that was the subject of ‘wars’ with Iceland (the country)).
19d Drink gallon outside with popular flier (7)
LAPWING: A three letter verbal synonym of drink and the single letter for gallon containing (outside) all of the single letter for With and our usual two letter synonym of popular.
21d One carrying my good little dog (5)
CORGI: The Roman numeral for one (again) placed after (carrying) a three letter synonym of my as an interjection and the single letter for Good.
Quick Crossword Pun:
URE + AYAH + HEAP= URIAH HEEP – a Dickens character or a rock band formed in the 1960s and apparently still going strong – take your choice.
This was a strange puzzle for me. The East side went in pretty quickly as did the perimeter, but the West took twice as long, with the SW being the trickiest quadrant. Two still require parsing…….Nevertheless lots to like with ticks for 8, 14, 18 and 21 across, the boy wonder at 2d, 16, 17 and 18 down. Difficult to pick a CoTD as it`s a toss up between 16,17 and 18d. LOI was 22a. Many thanks to setter for the entertainment and Senf for the hints
Like Conor, I found the western half of the guzzle the more difficult to farhom. Once the east and south were filled in, however, the rest fell i to place. 18a was a good lurker and 7d a good anagram. I alsoiked the geographical clues at 6d and 18d. Thanks to the compiler and to Senf for the hints
Now that 9d has been explained to me properly, it too deserves a mention. Very clever. Thanks to those who explained it!
An absolute joy from start to finish. Various items of food and drink around the grid made for a mini theme perhaps but a special shout for 24a – made well it is pure nectar and I’m salivating just thinking about it. Consequently it has to make my podium alongside two Americans in 12a and 20a. Thanks to compiler and Senf
Late on parade because of community car service duty but, like others I found the west much more difficult than the east. Having said that, it was an enjoyable puzzle and just right for a Wednesday. I liked the refreshing drink at 18a because it is my favourite wine. 24a took me right back to my childhood when Mum would often serve it up. I nearly went for Finn’s creator as COTD but the sport fish at 18d takes the honours.
Thank you, setter – I think Hudson is a good choice – for a most entertain guzzle. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.
I made a load of savoury mince last night for cottage pies so I now have to get it into the freezer.
An enjoyable puzzle, where I ticked 1a, 18a (nicely hidden), and 20a.
I spent far too much time with the parsing of 9d, where I’m still not convinced. I kept thinking that (one’s) “daily mail”/post was the first word of the answer, but I couldn’t explain away the second word. Anyway… not that important!
Ditto with you on 9d with where does the page come from?
The entire clue is a cryptic definition of where any newspaper prints its daily mail.
Started off as a head scratcher and had to jump all over to get started, but once I had a few, the rest flowed. Last to go in was 17d, because although I could remember Chaney, I had never met Lillian in 15a. Needed the dictionary to find the last 4 letters and then 17d was a fill in.
Very enjoyable and thanks to the setter.
Difficult to pick a belter but I’ll give it to 16d
3*/3*
2*/4*. A fun midweek puzzle although it was a shame about the unindicated American expression that is the answer to 17d (confirmed by both Collins and Chambers).
I had a lot of ticks, with 11a, 6d & 16d making it onto my podium.
Many thanks to the setter (Hudson, perhaps?) and to Senf.
Lots to like but the West was definitely the slower half for me. I enjoyed many clues but particularly 2d.
Many thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints.
Personally I don’t regard 17d as an Americanism. When I was at school in the 1970s, if a ball (or other object) was hurtling down in the direction of some poor unsuspecting young soul, the cry would go out “17d!” (although often abbreviated to just the first word).
Moreover I am quite used to the term used in business (e.g. Ms Smith 17d the Marketing Department).
Just my two-penny worth…
A superb puzzle. Smiles from first to last and ticks aplenty:
1a, 7a, 8a, 12a, 18a, 22a, 24a, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d and 9d.
I am also in the Hudson camp for this one. Perhaps the setter will pop in later.
Like RD, I have a particular dislike for the expression at 17d and am not at all surprised that it originated from over the pond.
I am aware that our language is constantly evolving, but that doesn’t make it right. Very excited is invariably “super excited”, I agree is now “100%” and “like I said” is the universal filler for sports people who are hard of thinking.
Oh dear. I think the current Mrs Shabbo is right. I am definitely getting old and grumpy.
Thank you clever setter and Senf.
A very entertaining puzzle that was a joy to solve – many thanks to our setter and Senf.
My ticked clues included 7a, 12a, 18a, 2d and 6d.
Whether or not this is a Hudson creation (I’m with those who think it is) today’s Toughie is by him and it’s excellent. It’s no trickier than this one so I’m confident that you won’t regret giving it a whirl.
Thanks for the toughie recommendation. It was a belter.
Sometimes I think I am loosing the plot but this crossword revived my spirits. Ticks everywhere. 7 a. had to be what it was but I was glad of the hint re. the round. I wonder how many young people would find
15 a as a read and write ? More puzzles by this setter please and thank you Senf.
A very nice midweeker with plenty of GK (always a fan), lots of excellent constructions on a nice grid. Hudson is the bookies favourite but let’s see.
17d has been around for yonks and this is where I differ from RD with when a word ceases to become an Americanism. The fact that it’s in Chumpers and Phil carries no weight with me.
This is a longshot but could ‘daily’ in 9d be the second word as ‘servant’ is a synonym for both words? It could be the the classic a = b = c but a ≠ c jobbie.
I’m surprised that the setter used ‘robbed’ in 2d as it contains the majority of the answer. Maybe ‘fleeced’ could have worked but that probably makes the clue too tough, i.e using a reasonably obscure indicator with a non-obvious synonym. Oh, that’ll do, Tom.
Re 20a, marshal has to be the most commonly misspelt word going. I see marshall on high-viz vests all the time.
My podium is 1a, 24a and 13d.
MT to the aforementioned and Senf.
2*/4*
“This is a longshot but could ‘daily’ in 9d be the second word as ‘servant’ is a synonym for both words? It could be the the classic a = b = c but a ≠ c jobbie” That`s how I read it as well; glad I am not alone.
Hopefully, we’ll find out, C.
IMHO, there is a lot of overthinking going on here. See Falcon’s response in Comment 4 above which reinforces my hint.
Got it. Makes perfect sense now.
TDS65, 9d. My take is Daily Mail = LETTERS; newspaper feature = PAGE. And that’s (sort of) all word-play with no single definition for the whole answer. The whole clue is a good straight definition of the answer, so I’m going for an &lit. A long shot for sure and maybe I’m clutching at straws.
Hi J
You, Senf and Falcon are right (nice work, gents!). It’s an all in one that goes on to my podium.
We can’t all be right. They’re saying something different to me – a mere cryptic definition,
Apologies, I skimmed the posts. I know, I am hanging my head.
F & S’s works for me.
They’re probably right …..
At the very least I should get some brownie points for being optimistically inventive!
You most certainly do!
Fantastic fun puzzle for a Wednesday, not as tricky as some, but much more enjoyable with a good dollop of general knowledge lobbed in for good measure.
Last in was 18a, and I thought I was foxed as I had no idea of the French word for Blissful, but the idiot moment soon passed and I was done.
My two of the day were 12a 18d (as I’ve been there) and the brilliantly clever 1d.
Sunny in Sandhurst here today, so off to rake up the last of the leaves, will the fun never stop…..
* / *****
A wonderful puzzle today albeit a very quick solve. Some obscure (for me © etc. anyway) general knowledge. Needed my friend G. Oogle to confirm the parsing for 15a but once looked up, do have a vague memory of hearing their names. Never heard of 5d either but the answer had to be what it was.
I was amused by thinking of taking my 8a in the form of 18a maybe in a 21a to wash away the disgusting taste (for me © again!) of 24a, which would be better replaced by some 7d and 1a!!!
The 1d noted player, the 2d lad in the mask, and the 7a double definition (very clever) got ticks but my clue of the day was the wonderful 11a because I’m not sure if it really is a crossword clue! Isn’t it rather a contemporary news headline ☺!
Many thanks to the setter and Senf
Mainly enjoyable but I’m struggling to see the cryptic nature of 9d. 15a – I understood the parsing but had no idea as to the film stars so needed google assistance.
I liked the 2 lurkers today and 16d
3*/4*
Thanks to Setter and Senf
For 9d, the name of the paper could also be the name of the postal service, which also links to the answer.
Ignore this and see Falcon’s earlier response, which puts it much better than I did.
Highly enjoyable puzzle today, though I found it a bit trickier to solve than our esteemed blogger. I doff my Sam Spade fedora to anyone who knew both film stars, though it was thankfully gettable without that knowledge. I learned that Lillian was in the movie business for 75 years, starting in the year the Titanic went down, and ending when the market crashed under Mrs T’s tenure.
Gold medal with diamond cluster awarded to 12a, which is a work of art. ***/****
Must be having a ‘wrong side of the bed’ day as this one didn’t really appeal. Ah well, tomorrow’s another day!
Thanks to our setter and apologies for not being on your wavelength today. Thanks also to our hard-working Senf for providing the review.
I’m not too keen on 9d either, though I did like the tedious film stars in 15a and the lad who was investigated after getting his tea bags stolen on 2d. That was a fun clue with an excellent surface.
My thanks to our setter and Senf.
A relatively normal Wednesday offering, but not quite sure of the setter… one of two in my mind. Some clues the parsing was not fathomable to me, with several way of base in my mind.
2.5*/3.5* for me
Favourites 11a, 24a, 4d, 7d & 16d — with winner 4d
Smiles for the same as well as 21a, 5d & 18d
Thanks to setter & Senf
My experience with this puzzle was similar to that expressed by many others — a testing but satisfying solve. Thanks to Hudson (?) and Senf. I note a lot of comments questioning 9d. It became my favourite clue once I twigged that (as I replied to Jezza above) the entire clue is a cryptic definition of where any newspaper prints its daily mail.
15a was a bung in and then Google as I’d never heard of either of those people before – seemed a bit obscure to me (but that’s probably because I don’t know them or any of their films).
Apart from that all fair and above board and very enjoyable too.
I had 9d as an alternative in one (for what it’s worth!)
Thanks to the setter and to senf
That was supposed to say all in one – predictive text decided to embellish it!!
I had it as an all-in-one (&lit) too. Maybe we’re right?
Coming to this a bit late I think it has all been said, so I will merely thank our setter for a fair and enjoyable tussle, and of course Senf for his hard work. My favourite was the hugely impressive 12a.
Thanks to the Setter and Senf for the hints. As usual we get round to the puzzle late in the day. For us a relatively quick and easy solve. COTD 15a. LOI 2d. Dark outside where did the day go!
A brisk grid fill but a couple of the whys caused a deal of crumpet scratching. Took an embarrassingly long time to twig the context of round at 7a & even after Senf’s explanation (not that there was owt wrong with it I hasten to add) still didn’t really get 9d until reading Falcon’s comment. Hadn’t realised 17d was an Americanism either (use it quite often) & wasn’t familiar with that context of the Finn creator but the wordplay clear. Surely also I can’t be the only one who had marshal as an indicator rather than the definition when initially reading the clue. Anyway lovely puzzle with lots of ticks. Fav was Batman’s sidekick getting mugged for his tea bags. The Quickie pun prompted a listen to a few of their famous tracks – remember seeing them at the Coventry Theatre in the late 70s & now can’t believe I used to love that sort of stuff.
I hope those that ventured over to t’other place for Dada yesterday do so again as Hudson’s Toughie is equally accessible & great fun.
Thanks to the setter & to Senf.
Ps I see the DT obituaries report the passing of another fine musician, Tetsu Yamauchi, who I first heard on this track on the Free Story compilation album
This was a great puzzle that I found to be quite gentle. I too couldn’t parse 9d , so thanks to those who have explained , and actually it’s an excellent clue – the best. Thanks also for explaining 7a which I also couldn’t parse. I did like 12a too . I confess one of my last ones in was 2d . I didn’t have the b checker from 7a , so came up with Rodin as the answer , derived from ‘proding’ which also sort of means investigating. I was pondering if Rodin had worn a mask when he was young , and I did a check and then the app told me I had it wrong …most obviously 🙄! Thanks to the setter and Senf.
Good puzzle with good humour – jam making gets my vote for best clue. Thank you compiler and Senf
Superb puzzle. The lovely lurker at 18A made me thirsty, but 12A is my winner in a very strong field.
VMT Setter and Senf.
Another back page curates’ egg for me. There were some very good clues, one big harumph and a bit of denseness in my part. The harumph is 9d, which I got and see, but don’t like – even by Crosswordland standards, the ? is doing an awful lot of work. 7a was the denseness, the ammo sense passing me by. 10a, 12a and 20a in particular I thought were all great.
Thanks to our Setter and to Senf for shedding light on the darkness!
I still can’t parse 2d; Boy Wonder, but why?
Probing is investigating, drop the P and the G, and you get Robin, the boy wonder, Batman’s sidekick!
Not one for me. The toughie was way easier. I’ll leave it there
Haven’t posted for a while as I’ve enjoyed the crossword usually solved late at night or the next morning when all you lovely buffs have cracked it well ahead of me ! Today’s crossword was v difficult so can’t agree with the collective view of its simplicity or rating. Ever onwards!
3*/3* …
liked 2D “Lad wearing mask investigating after being robbed of PG Tips (5)”