Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31116
Hints and tips by Falcon
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Ottawa where rain this past week has washed away most of the accumulated snow but a fresh dusting overnight has restored a bit of the Christmasy feel to the landscape.
Today’s puzzle does not feel to me like the work of any of our regular contributors (but, then, I have a dismal record in identifying setters). In any event, it is sure to be loved by those who delight in lurkers and anagrams.
As this will be my last appearance here this year, I would like to wish one and all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.
Across
1a Son has fun playing with fox, eating first of biscuits in small container (8)
SNUFFBOX — assemble the genealogical abbreviation for son, an anagram (playing) of FUN, and FOX from the clue containing the first [letter] of BISCUITS; will Senf like this anagram?
5a Joiner perhaps, making a leg? (6)
MEMBER — a double definition, what one becomes after joining an organization and a body part
9a Mother’s disputes getting dogs (8)
MASTIFFS — an affectionate term for your mother together with its accompanying S and a word for minor disputes
10a Preoccupy former pupils with feasts, occasionally (6)
OBSESS — a short term for former male pupils followed by an alternating sequence of letters drawn from FEASTS
12a Old US lawman perfects listening equipment (9)
EARPHONES — a US lawman from the Old West (who has made a recent appearance here) and a verb meaning perfects (a skill, perhaps)
13a Golf club‘s western extremity (5)
WEDGE — the single letter for western and an extremity of an area
14a Fog leaves, revealing view, unpleasantly (4)
OGLE — a lurker, hiding in (revealing) the initial two words of the clue
16a To worship one I’d lose? Awful! (7)
IDOLISE — the Roman numeral for one and an anagram (awful) of ID LOSE
19a Divorcee modelled, revealing everything! (7)
EXPOSED — the usual term for a former partner (in this case a divorcee) and modelled or sat for an artist
21a Moisture generated in Edam production (4)
DAMP — the second lurker of the day, this one concealed in (generated in) the final two words of the clue …
24a Knife? Contents of shop are required (5)
PARER — … followed closely by a third, this one cached in (contents of) the final three words of the clue
25a Where to keep documents of short legal hearing? (9)
BRIEFCASE — link synonyms of short and legal hearing
27a Drinks filled with it for exercises (3-3)
SIT-UPS — another word for drinks containing (filled with) IT from the clue
28a Excess has Anthony eating far too much (8)
GLUTTONY — another word for excess and a diminutive for Anthony
29a Writer‘s copy in Home Counties? (6)
SCRIBE — copy for the purpose of cheating contained in the abbreviation for the geographical location of the Home Counties
30a Cyberbully, mostly candid old novelist (8)
TROLLOPE — another word for cyberbully or harass online and all but the final letter (mostly) of a synonym for candid gives us a Victorian Era novelist
Down
1d Adder maybe, found in one season (6)
SUMMER — double definition, a person or device that performs a specific maths operation and one of the four seasons of the calendar year
2d Sun rippling on river? Not convinced (6)
UNSURE — an anagram (rippling) of SUN and a river in Yorkshire; another one for Senf
3d Obese, I must be kept within hospital trust (5)
FAITH — a synonym for obese (or overweight) containing (must be kept within) I from the clue, all followed by the street sign symbol for hospital
4d Crime concerning trader in stolen property (7)
OFFENCE — a two-letter word for concerning (not the most commonly used one) and a trader in stolen property
6d Space to take first of overs and bowl more surprisingly! (5,4)
ELBOWROOM — an anagram (surprisingly) of all of the first [letter] of OVERS together with BOWL MORE; below is an alternative clue ELBOW RHEUM
7d Manufacture a ribbed, new food container (5,3)
BREADBIN — an anagram of (manufacture) A RIBBED and the map symbol for NEW
8d Went back, one might say, and sowed more grass? (8)
RESEEDED — the answer sounds like (one might say) a word meaning went back
11d Cast is imbibing alcoholic drink (4)
ASTI — another lurker, this one found in (imbibing) the first two words of the clue
15d Running tab, group’s in this eating establishment (9)
GASTROPUB — an anagram (running) of the two words following the indicator
17d Loathes speed: is fighting with son (8)
DESPISES — an anagram (fighting) of SPEED IS followed by a reappearance of the genealogical abbreviation for son
18d One in theatre perhaps: person who can put lines together? (8)
OPERATOR — double definition, the first who works in a hospital theatre and the second at a telephone switchboard
20d Money owed from society girl, getting tense (4)
DEBT — the short form of a society girl and the grammatical abbreviation for tense
21d Deal I’m arranging with Republican to get an old car (7)
DAIMLER — an anagram (arranging) of the first two words of the clue and the single letter for Republican
22d Red wine? Pub has zero litres, nothing! (6)
BAROLO — string together another name for a pub, the letter that looks like a zero, the symbol for litres, and once again the letter that looks like a zero (the maths representation of nothing)
23d Concerning sort to write again, using a keyboard? (2-4)
RETYPE — a two-letter word meaning concerning (the more common one this time) and another word for type or kind
26d Overweight, perhaps Capone’s causing death (5)
FATAL — a synonym for overweight (or obese) and the first name of US gangster Capone
While no clue really stood out for me today, if pressed I would go with 21d for its smoothness.
Quickie pun:: GOAL + DEN + BUOY = GOLDEN BOY
On This Day …
… in 1973, Elton John started a two-week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’. It also had a eight week run at No.1 on the US chart and was the best-selling album in the US in 1974. The album contains the Marilyn Monroe tribute, ‘Candle in the Wind’, as well as three successful singles: ‘Bennie and the Jets’, ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’, and ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’.
Good morning. This was very gentle with some brilliant clues. It was a read and write mostly, but the SW corner took a few minutes more. I have ticked so many, it would be quicker to write the unticked clues! 1,5,9,13 across 1,3,21 and 29 down. I could add more but that would be silly. As such, it is difficult to make a podium or select a CoTD. Many thanks to the setter and Falcon for the hints which were not needed.
That was quick
Very good! Hope SC is okay…..
😀
Gentle but entertaining puzzle. COD 6d and 14a. Thank you setter and Falcon
I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy this as much as usual. Perhaps I’m in a grumpy mood!
A re.aerkably straightforward crossword, which was, nevertheless, very enjoyable . There were some goood Lego clues, with 1a providing an old-fashioned solution and 30a a very traditional author. The nifty lurker at 11a and the Lego clue at 22d reminded us of good cheer from Italy. Thanks and Seasons Greetings to our Monday compiler and to Falcon our hints man for the day.
This is the sort of gentle crossword you want on January 1st.
My podium is 12a, 21d and 22d.
MT to the setter (I don’t think it’s X-Type) and Falcs.
Talking of which….thank you for your efforts throughout the year. I and many others hugely appreciate what you bloggers do. We are not worthy.
Have a wonderful Christmas and rip-roaring New Year.
1*/3*
1*/3*. This made a light and pleasant start to the week.
Thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
This was as easy a puzzle to solve as I can remember. It is difficult to enjoy such a rapid completion so I went back through the grid afterwards to fully appreciate the setter’s art. If pushed I would nominate 30a as my favourite.
Many thanks to our Monday setter and Falcon.
Much to enjoy in this typical Monday level puzzle which was completed in a personal record time unaided. My favourite is the Old US lawman at 12a.
Thanks to Falcon for the well curated hints and the setter for not being too devious.
*/****
A bright and breezy offering with much to enjoy and very few hold-ups. 12a made me smile as did 28a, but cotd has to go to 30a. Thanks to compiler and Falcon.
I promised myself that when I completed a puzzle unaided I would de-lurk. So here I am! I stumbled on Big Dave’s blog about 14 months ago and have been learning from you all daily. I also have Chris Lancaster’s brilliant How to Solve a Cryptic Crossword to learn more about the art of setting, solving and parsing. My thanks to the setter and Falcon.
Welcome to the blog Debonair and well done!
Now that you’ve de-lurked I hope that you’ll become a regular commenter.
Huge congratulations from me, too, Deb (I hope that is your name as it’s a great alias)
Your first unaided completion is like riding a bike for the first time. You’ll fall off occasionally but will remount as you’ve done it before.
Here’s to the next one!
You got it in one, TDS!
Debutante Deb’s debut….we love it! (I’m going with….hmm…now,let me see…..Deborah?)
Also, backwards, it’s ‘Ria, no bed’ which I could put into a sentence but let’s leave it there, for now.
Anthony Plumb’s work of art tomorrow is the easiest of the week. So, you have a chance of back-to-back completions.
No pressure….
Oh come on, TDS65 that is just what you are doing – putting pressure on the poor girl! 😊
Welcome to the blog, Debonair and huge congratulations on your first unaided solve. Great feeling, isn’t it?
Me, put pressure on someone, SC? As if.
Ahem.
😊
Well done Debonair. Ive been doing theDT backpager for 60 years but can still recall the thrill of completing one for the first time during my gap year, fresh out of the 6th Form and green as grass😉
I usually get stuck with the last one or two to solve. Then kick myself when I use the hints. Still, the satisfaction when I complete unassisted is off the scale
Well said!
It is always a thrill to finish a guzzle unaided no matter how many years you have been doing them. There will be no stopping you now.
Well done from me too. Today’s puzzle may have been on the gentle side but it was no gimme. I’ll look out for a comment on tomorrow’s puzzle from you.
Very happy for another new “face” to join the blog 😊. Well done on your unaided finish!
Welcome and well done, the first of many I’m sure
For this Monday a typical puzzle as we have come to expect. Some good clueing as well as some chuckles throughout the grid.
1.5*/3.5* for me
Favourite candidates 9a, 19a, 27a, 1d, 2d & 26d — with winner 9a
Chuckles for 19a, 1d, 21d & 26d
Thanks to setter & Falcon
I think my enjoyment of today’s puzzle was reduced by my being a bit frazzled. Attempted the big shop at the supermarket at 7 this morning to try to beat the crowds to find they had the same idea. The aisles were crowded but no queues at the checkouts.
Top picks for me were 12a, 14a and 30a.
Thanks to Falcon and the setter.
I too attempted a shop this morning and fairly quickly threw in the towel and phoned Mr Meringue to come and collect me (still struggling to drive myself after both big toe nails removed 4 weeks ago) .
If we don’t have it in the house now we ain’t getting it.
A gentle lead-in to Christmas week, much appreciated! From the light-hearted selection, I’ve shown favouritism to 12,25&28a.
Many thanks to our setter and to Falcon for all his blogs throughout the year – festive greetings to both of you.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
Merry Christmas to you both.
Nice to see my favourite red wine get a mention at 22d (my least favourite sparkling sugar drink also got a mention at 11d).
A very pleasant start to the week for me, especially as I often find Monday puzzles tricky now.
Favourites the US lawman and the chubby gangster.
Thanks to the setter and thanks and season’s greetings to Falcon.
Chubby is such a great word, OM.
Long time, no speaketh, btw.
Been under the weather, Tom.
Horrible virus, post viral fatigue ( even more horrible than the virus ) then toenails off……GP said I might as well get all the misery done at the same time…..hmmmm.
Anyway, on the mend now, thanks for enquiring.
Oh dear, two three letter anagrams! The one in 1a would be much better clued as a reversal and how about ‘cycling’ for moving one letter from first position to last in 2d (is that OK Falcon?).
Apart from that an enjoyable Monday challenge – 1.5*/3.5*
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 19a, and 8d – and the winner is 19a.
Thanks to whomsoever and Falcon.
What a lovely gentle guzzle for the start of Christmas week. I have just read the comments from yesterday and send Chris Lancaster and his family my deepest sympathy for the ghastly predicament that Chris finds himself in. Let us hope that Chris is right – doctors do make mistakes and hopefully this may just be one of them
Thanks to the setter for a fine puzzle and to Falcon for the hints which, today, I did not need.
I’m responding here, as Chris L got a mention. I’ve known Chris for many years (we are both setters of Times Listener puzzles) and he coincidentally lives near me in Yorkshire – we often used to have a pint together, until he became too unwell…. (BTW: someone, earlier in this Blog, said it wasn’t my puzzle today…but I hope that those of you who’ve enjoyed the humour in it will recognise my style.) Happy Christmas to all!
Curses! It was me, XT.
I thought it wasn’t challenging enough for you. But, good to know that you have those in your armoury because it gives solvers a chance of back-to-backers at the start of the week, thanks to The Prof tomorrow.
I too have only just read the piece about Chris Lancaster yesterday. My heart goes out to them, a very dear friend of ours is in the last stages and it is heartbreaking. Pray that medical research will quickly come up with a prevention/cure.
* / ***
Perhaps my fastest solve time ever, with nothing to worry any horses or check out. Still enjoyable though. Favourites were the 25a short legal hearing and the 26d Overweight gangster.
Thanks to the setter and Falcon.
Fun while it lasted. Thanks to Falcon and today’s setter.
Another great Monday guzzle!
I always start with the down clues so 1d became my favourite immediately.
Thankyou to both compiler and hinter.
Tea and crossword this morning had me up and about as we were dealt a gentle but diverting hand. Favourite was 12 across. I would rate today as a 1 * for difficulty but often it just depends on how readily one engages with a particular setter. The next few days we must try to avoid 28 across otherwise it will be a bout of 27 across in the New Year. Thanks to Falcon and our setter.
Finished this with no probs after a visit to private audiologist to fine tune G’s new IT Christmas present. He’d better live long enough for the investment to be worthwhile. And many thanks to the kind good wishes you have sent regarding his poor old head. It looks ghastly but thank goodness it has not bled. We shall see what they say Christmas Eve! I know it sounds naff. but irritatingly he really is the nicest man I have ever known( apart from my father!). I particularly liked 14a for some reason and of course 12a was very appropriate. I knew the Golf club so perhaps I am gleaning a bit of sporting knowledge. Anyway, many thanks to Setter and Hinter – a nice gentle introduction to the week.
Nice puzzle today, it took a bit of thought before the knife revealed it’s hiding place and others in the SW slowed that corner. Nice to see the Wensleydale river again.
Stocktake done on my part, just a lot of sitting about until the bean-counting wizards double check some locations and approve the figures for another year.
Such smooth clueing with loads of lurkers, thank you compiler and Falcon.
Late on parade because of Christmas food shopping. Got the walnuts, brazils, panetonne and Toblerone! So Conor takes the honours today. 👍😊
This was a delightful start to the week and most enjoyable. I didn’t know the wine at 22d but the clue gave all the information. I did check it online, though, just to make sure my answer was correct. The moisture in 21a had me trying to use the cheese as anagram fodder for a while until I realised I was on the wrong tack – a neat diversion. My COTD is the US lawman perfecting his listening equipment at 12a.
Thank you, setter for a most enjoyable guzzle. Thank you, Falcon for the hints.
We do actually have a Wyatt Earp living in our village, an exceptional flautist who organises the Thursdays at 3 concerts every week in the church which are fantastically well attended and of the highest quality. They are free too and there is lemon drizzle and tea afterwards!
OH please say you have a Doctor Holiday and an OK Corral, Manders! 🤠
We do have a Doctor Holiday who lives in our Lane! But not an OK Corral sadly.
Well, as Meatloaf sings, “Two out of Three, Ain’t Bad”,
Don’t know whether a glass of red is your tipple Steve but if so you really should treat yourself to a good bottle of 22d – wonderful
Thanks Huntsman. I’m more of a beer and scotch man myself but can be tempted by a decent bottle of vino. I’ll pay a visit to Tanners in Shrewsbury.
Hm – prices range from £18 to £270 per bottle. Which to choose?
I so love this blog!
Yes I so agree with you Manders. It’s a fantastic community which can be both serious and such fun 😁
Good advice I once received is don’t buy the cheapest, but one or two steps above usually gets you a great wine at a bargain price.
Wise words, Sloops. I’ll buy the one at £270 then. 😊
Thought I’d pop in again, since wine seems to be the present topic. My local merchant has just had a bargain delivery of discounted Errazuriz (S. American) Pinot Noir. Should be £46 per bottle; but heavily discounted by the shippers to £26 per bottle: then further discounted by the local wine merchant to £22, if you buy a case of 6 bottles… so I did! 😁
A very entertaining puzzle to start the week and I was pleased it was mostly straightforward so I could complete it before the supermarket battle. Happily I survived and seem relatively unscathed although I will need to return for a few last minute items.
Many thanks XType and to Falcon for the hints
First completion and attempt in several days having been running around like the proverbial with various lunches, reunions and not to mention the football on Saturday.
A pleasant and straightforward solve without reference to the hints or any other reference and for me a quite respectable time. Completely missed the hidden at 14a even though I got the answer from the definition so that is my COTD.
Thank you to the setter and to Falcon for the hints, which I will now peruse.
Another puzzle in the bag which is always a good start to the week even if I get no others. 26d and 30a both earned their place on the podium but as the dreaded day approaches my inner Scrooge takes over.
My thanks to Xtype and Falcon for today’s splendid puzzle and blog and season’s greetings to both for their work over the year.
I haven’t counted but it felt like lurker central today, or maybe they just appeared together. Early morning shopping is known as pensioner hour in these parts so best avoid, the 2-3 hours before midnight the quietest.
A quick * but well formed solve today. Thanks to all.
A very enjoyable kick off to the festive week with lots to like – 12,28&30a my podium picks.
Thanks to X-Type & Falcon. Merry Christmas to you both.
My cup runneth over, another friendly puzzle. Didn’t know the red wine, but had bunged it in anyway 😊. Perfectly pitched clues making for a lot of enjoyment. Big thanks to setter and Falcon, although happy I didn’t need the hints, except to verify a couple of answers. Rushing off to our HOA Board Meeting now.
Completed this a.m. sans aggro but forgot to post. Anyway I remember I enjoyed the ride which was particularly manageable in the North. Made life difficult for myself by opting for wrong but I thought feasible solution to 28a. Indicators as per 15d are increasingly becoming far-fetched. Got 18d without sussing the person putting lines together. Thank you XType and Falcon.
No major hold ups and managed to deal with the occasional head scratcher. I thought this pretty much spot on for a Monday and well worth the entrance money. Favourite was 8d. Thanks to X-Type and Falcon. RIP Cris Rea.
Chris Rea. Don’t you just love autocorrupt. Not.
Can’t fault this for a Monday, 1* / 3.5*, loads of wit and clever clueing.
Favourites include 1a for the surface, Wyatt Earp at 12a and the elbow room at 6d
Thanks to XType and Falcon
RIP Chris Rea, a musician I admired.
A good start to the festive week. Only just completed as was too busy yesterday. Thanks to Xtype and Falcon. 22d COTD as it’s one of my favourite wines and theres a few to drink this week.
2*/5*
Completely a day late, after the Puzzles site somehow sent me to a different crossword yesterday. Thank you to X-Type for the entertainment. My favourite was the 3d Hospital Trust.
When I started attempting crosswords, I often used to encounter a wine I hadn’t heard of before. I thought I’d now got used to them all, but at least I’m glad to see that 25d was unknown to a few others as well.
Thank you to Falcon for explaining the telephone meaning of 18d.
1*/3* …
liked 12A “Old US lawman perfects listening equipment (9)”