Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31115 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club
(hosted by Cryptic-Sloop John Bee)
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
Today is the start of Christmas for many, but we only have one seasonal clue today. I am sure there will be more before the big day. I still have a stock-take to do, so I will be spending Monday and Tuesday up an enormous scissor lift counting screws!
I assume I have been overthinking 22a, but I still have niggling doubts as to the parsing there. I am also unsure as to the setter today, so the Charles III pound coin with the bees on will remain in my coin wallet.
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.
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A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Across
8a Almost dead – perhaps Dennis suffocates! (7)
Almost all of being so dead that rigor mortis has set in, and the forename of a comedian, who may be unfamiliar to foreign cruciverbalists.
11a Legendary lover‘s confession from dealer? (6)
Split (1,4,1) this would be a confession to dealing in ecstasy, as (6) she becomes the legendary lover of Tristan
14a Standard outing, I understand (5,5)
An outing at someone else’s expense, and a word used in radio communication to indicate understanding.
16a Long-term strategy: smear chap for Spooner (6,4)
Spoonerise the chap who smears a gypsum-based render on your walls.
21a Flier heard couple getting stick, briefly (6)
A homophone (heard) of a couple and three-quarters of a stick used when you have a dodgy knee Sue! If a Guinness is good for you just think what…
22a QI host and I leave for US city (3,5)
I am somewhat confused here. The QI host explains the first five letters, and one’s ‘I’ or self the other three. Is leave just a bit of surface smoothing or an alternative explanation for the last two letters? If so that leaves me with a surplus letter that is not the normal way the QI host spells her name?
25a Support my explanation for the audience’s entertainment (7)
A homophone (for the audience) of to support a load, and to explain or endorse.
The one and only time I tried this “entertainment” I was booed off stage (the Bonnington Hotel -Moffat) Maybe it was a bit ambitious to try the long version of American Pie!
Down
1d Scoundrel hosting oddly dull do (7)
A scoundrel contains the odd letters of dull.
2d Silly sailors for all to see on road (6)
Some sailor’s, a film suitable for all to see and an abbreviation.
6d Time for fine Christmassy cake from Bettys
7d “Winning daily is dull,” I claim initially (11)
A daily cleaner, is from the clue, dull, lustreless or roughened, I from the clue and the initial letter of claim.
9d State one blunder in first auction? (6,5)
A (4,3) phrase for the first auction, contains the letter that Romans use for one and to blunder.
12d Place to buy a jumper? (4,6)
A place to buy second-hand goods, but beware the jumper you buy may contain a biting insect!
17d Little against having food first (7)
A contraction of against follows a liquid food.
19d Become weaker, and did admit saving energy (3,4)
A three-letter word from the clue contains (saving) an abbreviation of energy followed by admission.
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The Quick Crossword pun: SPECK TICKLES = SPECTACLES
Although the snow is falling on the blog, the crossword is not too Christmassy today, here is a little something to get you in the mood.
An enjoyable tussle today with a few giving the grey cells quite a workout. Plenty to like, though with a few smiles arriving such as the dealer’s confession at 11a. The lurker was well hidden, I thought and I liked the QI host at 22a. My COTD was the flier at 21a until the bit of food at 17d came along and took the honours.
Thank you, setter (not sure it is NYDK) for a good Saturday workout. Thank you, Sloops for the hints.
The village shop gave away warm pork pies this morning. I love village life!
Sounds lovely, I remember a pork pie where they mixed mint into the jelly before filling the pie. It was great.
Very enjoyable puzzle for me. Medium hard though the last half dozen clues took ages which was frustrating. COD 7d and 16a. Thank you setter and blogger as always.
I thought that dull in 7d, was missing something but the BRB of course confirms the alternate spelling.
My spelling is so bad I hadn’t noticed but I see now the clue uses an uncommon version of dull.
Enjoyable is tthe word but quite challenging on the parsing front. I liked the two geographical lego clues at 22a and 9d, together with the nicely camouflaged cryptic definition at 14a and a great Spoonerism at 16a. There were too many good clues for one COTD . Tanks to,the compiler and to SJB for the hints, which I shall now consult to elucidate some of the parsing
Spooner was friendly today and 7a added to the pirate theme if you recall the short film that preceded The Meaning of Life.
2*/3*. This was a fun SPP, although I am as confused as CSJB about 22a. I wondered if “leave” clued the final two letters but then the fifth letter is a mystery.
I also don’t understand how the final three letters of 25a are derived.
Many thanks to the setter and to our stand-in hinter.
That is how I saw it too – either the setter has misspelled the host or leave is just surface.
I could explain the last three letters of 25a but hope you understand o***?
For 22a it is the host plus the Latin “I”.
That leaves leave as padding then…
Perhaps “proceed to a US city” or a similar indicator would have been more appropriate, but who am I to advise the setter?
It seems a little too coincidental that “****” appears on 3 occasions.
I’m hoping someone can solve the mystery!
SJB… perhaps you should delete/redact the part of my comment above in the speech marks as it gives away part of the answer.
Thanks, SJB. I considered and rejected your explanation for 25a as stretched beyond the pale, but I can’t think of anything else.
Could the I be the opposite of the Id in 22 and the leave is a distraction?
A fun one, some of the parsing was more difficult than the clues. I think Jilly Cooper would have enjoyed writing the clue for 14A.
Hockey sticks!
Good morning. I found this very testing. I got 9 on the first pass, another 7 or so with the letters previously given, and then it was a slow grind after that. 14a is my CoTD,. Thank you to the setter and CSJB. Well done Steve.
In my research I did find a 7a 14a which explains why one of the derivations of the name is from the French for red, but I think it was an illustration too far.
Once I got my first in at 13a the remainder filled itself quite easily. For a SPP this proved to be relatively straightforward, but entertaing nonetheless. The actor at 1a took a bit of juggling, but once the checkers were in place became obvious. i liked the state at 9d and the Spoonerism at 16a, but just for the amusement factor my cotd goes to the place to buy a jumper at 12d.
Thanks to the setter and SJB
1*/4*
Me too with juggling 1a, the anagram indicator being obvious made we want a flying start, but the first three 4 letter forenames I tried were wrong and I put it aside until checkers came.
A fairly straightforward crossword from NYDK without the multi link clues.
I cannot parse 22a but I’m sure my answer is correct.
11a LOI as the e is silent which confused me for a while
COTD – 6d and 7d
Thanks to Cryptic SJB and NYDK
11a has so many variations spelling wise. Only Wagner seems to go with the setter
I’m Sorry NYDK – I was sure this was one of yours. Best to keep quiet on guess the setter from now on. Thanks to the setter for an enjoyable tussle
22a is tricky. If you don’t have a television and are not aware of a TV show called QI, forget it. I don’t have a TV and as such I am not aware of the show. I had to call my brother who explained it to me.
Apart from being unable to parse 22a, a gentle and enjoyable puzzle.
18a got my tick.
Many thanks to the setter and to SJB; I don’t envy your weekend counting screws. I had to do the same a few years ago, counting stainless steel nuts and bolts between Christmas and the New Year ( I still know all the DIN numbers by memory)!
I get the weekend off to bring you hints today and tomorrow, but I will need my head for heights ready for Monday!
That is a very big photograph.
He has stacks more
23 stacks 16 pallets deep and 12 high in one warehouse with more stuff in the revolving shelves and the old warehouse!
Sorry, editing photos on a phone is beyond this luddite.
I was waiting for your comments on 22a John, I have exactly the same thoughts on it. There is an error there, however you look at it.
My favourites were the game show host about to croak in 8a and the hidden trousers in 18a. I hope Billy can find them in time to attend his white wedding.
My thanks to SJB and our setter.
Musical links to the white wedding and his superior Eyes Without a Face (IMO) hit the cutting room floor as hiding four letters in just two more wasn’t too difficult.
22 and 25a notwithstanding this was a pleasant puzzle for a busy Saturday morning. Fortunately, there were plenty of other fine clues to offset those two, with the Spoonerism at 16a my winner.
Many thanks to our setter and SJB.
A nice crossy that I don’t think is a NYPD Blue concoction but wadda I know or, looking at 22a whadda e know.
25a works…..but only if you’re a Sloane Ranger. It’s a shame as it’s a good effort at an impossible word to parse. I remember its spelling by inserting a j between the 4th and 5th letters, making a (1,4) expression of the last five letters which people often say this form of entertainment is.
4d is a top word that is Yiddish, There are some great Yiddish words and terms out there, especially ones beginning sch, e.g schlep and schmuck. 11a has been added to the crib sheet.
I share the same birthday with 1a which pleases me, no end.
My podium is 1a, 14a and 1d.
MT to the setter and Sloops.
2*/4* (I never punish the setter when there’s a slip-up or in this case two as these demi-gods are human. Hence ‘demi’)
This very fine, and for me much-enjoyed puzzle is (therefore) not an NYDK production, as you surmise TDS.
As for goofs, I called FINNS ‘Scandinavians’ in the Indy t’other day. So I had to add that one to the rather long list that I’ve compiled over the millennia.
Let he who is without sin…
I made a right horlicks of parsing Tripe in a recent Sunday Toughie.
Elgar remembered your rather long teddy bears picnic clue.
If it isn’t yourself maybe X-Type?
Firstly, Rood Bonk, saying ‘therefore’ is a nonsense, with or without parenthesis…or is it parentheses?
Hmm…
I know us Brits are self-deprecating and don’t look for praise but the crosswords you create for a Saturday are absolutely on the money. So, no more of that, please.
Thinking that Finland is part of Scandinavia is completely understandable. The Scand of Scandinavia has a S, N and D for the three kingdoms (Finland is a republic).
I look forward, immensely (alright!!!!!) to your next crossy which, I’m guessing will be after the red-coated, bearded, big fella comes down our respective chimneys. If that’s the case, have a joyous Yuletide and a splendiferous New Year.
Guess who’s just got back from a liquid lunch.
Verbal diarrhoea and then some…hic!
4d Mazel tov
All filled in but a little unsure of the parsing of 23 down. Probably missing something obvious. That is the frustration of our prize crossword. There are some great clues and so many contributors liked 14 across and I must agree. Pleased by 11, 21a and 17 d. Even the Spoonerism was fun when it can often be a stumbling block.
Thanks all round.
Mixed bag for me today but I did find some winners in the shape of 16a plus 12&17d.
Thanks to our setter and to SJB for the hints – you might be well advised to ditch any thoughts of alcohol on Sunday evening!
If the squiggle under the fifth letter of 17d was there, how would that change the pronunçiation of 24a?
I may have a Felixstowe (large port) with my cake and Wensleydale on Sunday but will save the Laphroaigh for Xmas eve.
the Bonnington Hotel -Moffat
I know it well.
I live nearby.
It’s a small world… but I wouldn’t like to paint it.
I hope you didn’t witness my awful rendition.
As NYDK has shown up disclaiming it and I didn’t think when I was solving the puzzle it was one of his, so I’m not sure of the setter for today.
Tricky in spots today too. Grid went in east to west for whatever reason.
2.5*/3*
Favourites 1a, 16a, 22a, 6d, 9d & 12d — with winners 16a & 12d
Thanks to setter & SJB
I found this very tricky and another puzzle this week where persistence paid off in the end. Somewhat embarrassingly 14a took an age to spot but makes my podium along with 11a and the spoonerism at 16a in top spot. Thanks to compiler and crypticSloop.
At last a chance to sit down with the guzzle as usual, having been in and out of Addenbrookes – G’s graft did not take. He is on a strong antibiotic and cannot drink ( am I mean to laugh?) and we are back in on Christmas Eve!
The joys of growing old. But also the joys of guzzling and filling in the entry form for the next pen. Hang on Steve, this is the time for miracles. I particularly liked 5d. May I also say how much I enjoyed yesterday’s guzzle as well, first class. Huge thanks to both Setter and Hinter, Cryptic Sloop.
I wondered where you’d got to, Daisy, and assumed George was having problems. I do hope his course of antibiotics is short and that he’ll be able to drink over Christmas, otherwise you’ll be stuck with a really miserable Old George!
I agree with Jane in wishing you and George all the best. Mama Bee has an appointment on Tuesday for blood results, pre-diabetic assessment and a review of her treatment so far. A lot to cram in to the last appointment of the day/year.
Sorry to hear George’s graft did not take, DG and I do hope the antibiotics work soon.
Sorry to hear that Daisy. Best wishes to G
Lovely to hear from you, Day Zee, though I’m sorry to read about Georgy Porgy.
Like you, the guy’s a machine who will power through this nonsense.
An error in your nickname sent you into moderation, I hope you don’t check what 525 is using as an abbreviation for Anagram Indicator 😯
Oh dear, sorry to hear that, and hope everything changes for the better soon.
Good fun today and pleased to decipher the spooner clue. Thank you compiler and CS
Totally agree on 22a, it should be one or the other, but neither makes sense unless you lose ‘I’ or ‘leave’
Hi SD
Can I just say that you have a brilliant surname, if that is, indeed, your surname. It’s such fun.
Mine is so dull, in comparison.
I think Disappointingsturges65 is an equally brilliant surname. 😊
This is true.
Sloops, to save me doing another post…..525?
Fifteen squared is…
Distant memories of maths lessons – 225 surely
All aliases of t’other crossword site, that have decided (sometimes – see the most recent Private Eye blog) to abbreviate Anagram Indicator to AInd. 😲
Ah, gotcha.
It is a shame we can’t abbreviate it as it’s a longie to type but I understand why or, as people say these days…I get it.
There’s a really neat Maths pattern which, being a fan of numbers, I love.
This works for any number ending in 5, e.g 15 x 15,
25 x 25, 85 x 85 and 125 x 125
You square each digit but add one to the first digit before squaring it. If it’s a three digit number, treat the first two digits as a number.
For example….
35 x 35 is…
3×4 (not 3) and 5×5 = 1225
85 x 85 is…
8×9 (not 8) and 5×5 = 7225
125 x 125 is…
12×13 (not 12) and 5×5 =25 15625
It’s a good party trick if numbers is your ‘thang’.
🤔
Are you squaring it if you add 1 ?
Absolutely not. But it’s a very cool trick.
Let’s call it rectangling it.
That’s great fun and very satisfying to prove too.
I’ve just looked it up, SC, and it’s a goodie.
It takes me back to my university days that were short-lived as a Maths degree was too tough.
Not going to lectures didn’t help but that was because I was out of my depth. Sport also got in the way.
I think I was the victim of having brilliant teachers for Maths and Further Maths A Level, i.e they made me look good.
Alex Bellos is well worth checking out – he writes regularly in the Guardian and some of his books have made it to my shelves
University maths can be brutal particularly back in the day I suspect. I did a few undergrad maths courses in mid-life and found it OK until suddenly it wasn’t and it was impossible – a bit like crosswords I guess?!
It’s definitely another level…and then some!
Mr Bellos has been duly noted, Sloops. Thank you.
Got to be honest & admit I didn’t even notice the wordplay blip at 22a in what was a speedy grid fill up until a total blank with last in 25a. By the time the penny eventually dropped with the answer & then the why the solve time had more than doubled.11a was my clear fav & also particularly liked 14&18a plus 2,7&12d.
Thanks to the setter (I too wrongly thought Donny) & to John.
I had a speedy grid fill too – in fact I got the puzzle and filled the grid and submitted before midnight. Parsing some took a bit more thought this morning though.
I hope for a similar smooth journey tonight.
I think it has all been said, I found this fun to complete and even enjoyed the spooner. but was stumped by the parsing of 22a.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints
Completed but not all parsed. Favourite was 1d. Thanks to the setter and SJB.
2*/4* A cracking prize puzzle with a few tricky clues along the way. Same doubts as others for 22a.
Favourites today are the 9d state, the 12d jumper and the 14a standard
Many thanks to Sloop and setter
I’m having trouble posting this underneath the lovely message that came this morning. Trying my luck here!
May I add my thanks and seasonal greetings to the ‘ Village Elders’, all the setters, contributors and bloggers. I don’t get a chance to comment very often but my very best wishes to all.
I dont know if it was something I did but your comment has appeared in both blogs now
What a delight today, a Saturday puzzle I could actually do, alright then, I did need a few hints to finish. But a huge relief after the last couple of days. Later than usual as we have decided to break from doing the crosswords at breakfast and save them for lunchtime instead. Thanks to setter and Sloop.
Same here…22a..I Leave…I is ego…dont get it…nice crossie though…Doug.
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Hear, Hear
I couldn’t agree more, if I knew how to make your post sticky I would