Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31139 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club (hosted by crypticsue)
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
The NY Doorknob in fine form with clues to both amuse and make you think; I particularly liked the Quick Pun.
Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions, and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog) In addition, if you are going to point out errors in the hints, please soften the blow by also telling us your thoughts on the crossword
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.
Across
1a/23d Cuban ecologist possibly right? Almost (5,3,2,5)
An anagram (possibly) of CUBAN ECOLOGIST followed by the abbreviation for Right
11a What held up fleet sailing for Troy? (6,3)
Nothing to do with delays but more to do with the water the fleet sailed over (was kept up by)
13a Old weapon in cold storage for life (9)
Old or former followed a submachine gun inserted into something used to keep things cold
22a Where will chamberpot be put out? (9)
A chamberpot would be kept IN a particular piece of furniture I did smile at the way a certain on-line auction site referred to these antique pieces of furniture as “used”
28a/17d Environmental problem we hear? (5,9)
An environmental problem we would hear rather than see
30a Being there two hours before Cinders left ball? (10)
Two hours before Cinders had to leave the ball (2,3) followed by another name for the ball
Down
1d Bug Langley spies used to trap villain (6)
The spies who have their headquarters in Langley, Virginia, ‘trap’ a dishonourable person (villain)
5d Careless having initially lost info about one chap (9)
Reverse (about) the initial letter of Lost and some abbreviated information and follow with the Roman numeral for one and an informal chap
8d Hobbling soldier with female on Spanish Steps? (8)
The abbreviation for Female, a synonym for hobbling and an abbreviation for enlisted soldiers such as corporals and sergeants
16d Article denounced punk band (3,6)
Definite article followed by denounced or condemned as worthless
18d Hidden crop covered with fresh seed (8)
Crop or cut ‘covered’ with an anagram (fresh) of SEED
25d Times English clear (5)
A series of years (times) and the abbreviation for English
As this is a Prize crossword, please don’t put any ANSWERS, whether WHOLE, PARTIAL or INCORRECT, or any ALTERNATIVE CLUES in your comment. If in doubt, leave it out
Please read these instructions carefully – they are not subject to debate or discussion. Offending comments may be redacted or, in extreme cases, deleted. In all cases the administrator’s decision is final.
If you don’t understand, or don’t wish to comply with, the conventions for commenting on weekend prize puzzles then please don’t leave a comment.
The Quick Crossword pun: EARWIG + GOER + GAIN = HERE WE GO AGAIN
For some reason I found this to be something of a slog in that it did not come easily. I seemed to struggle with most clues having solved only three on the first pass. Still, I got there after two mugs of Taylors with a number of clues vying for the top spot. I liked Cinders leaving at 30a and the punk band at 16d but my COTD goes to what held up the fleet sailing for Troy at 11a.
Thank you, New York door furniture for the puzzle. Thank you, CS for the hints.
Absolute belter of a puzzle. Broadly solved SE to NW with 1d being the last one in. So many good clues to chose from, but I’m plumping for the Trojans at 11a (the bisected horse at 14a being a close second). 3*/4*
Plenty to smile about in this very enjoyable SPP.
I particularly liked the chamberpot in 22a, the fairy tale 30a and the Spanish Steps at 8d.
My thanks to NYDK and CS.
C
Great crossword, last in was 22ac, don’t think it worked.
Hear hear!
Initially thought this was going to be difficult, but once I’d solved a couple of clues everything fell smoothly in place. Favourites were 1a (this was the one I spent too much time on!) 11a and 9d. Thank you to NYDK and Cryptic Sue.
Strangely, 1a was my third, after getting 12a and 1d. My current, particularly intense, period of ADHD sufference (that I thought was more like the onset of dementia) had me racing through the puzzle!
This felt challenging and needed a lot of thinking outside the box. Hard but rewarding. For that reason there are so many to like. Favourite was 30 across closely followed by 11 and 22 across. Now can get on with the list of “ Things to Do” but time on this puzzle has exhausted me. Since I didn’t use the hints for completion I can submit. Thanks all round.
As usualwith this compiler, a slow start until,the checkers began to build up. I enjoyed the 2d lego clue with a geographical element to it and the equally cleverly misdirected 8d. MY COTD, however was what led 7p the fleet at 11a. Rhanks to the compiler and to CS for the hints.
I cracked 3/4 of this as a result of waking before dawn, but went to sleep with the SW blank.
Linked clues came to mind readily, would you call 1a… an aptagram?
8d my favourite today.
Thanks to Sue and NYDK
Oops pic was a leftover from kiss a ginger day. Today’s stimulant for the SW was Columbian… Coffee not Cocaine😄
An aptagram?
What a great word, Sloops!
It most certainly is.
I am one happy camper. Thank you.
A few crumpet scratches needed, but otherwise a relatively smooth solve from north to south. A very nice diversion from the damp and miserable weather. The 1a /23d combo vied for a podium place, but lost out to 24d, 18d and 15d. Thanks to NYDK and CS.
A fine example of an SPP! Some lateral thinking required without being a brain mangler – **/*****
Candidates for favourite – 10a, 11a, 18d, 24d, and 25d – and the winner is 11a.
Thanks to NYDK and CS.
Great fun today. Saw it off in record time with plenty of nice surprises. COTD definitely 2D – as if! An alternative clue (redacted – if you read the instructions in red, you will see that you are specifically asked not to provide alternative clues)
I was very slow to get going indeed but once started the answers came steadily. A really satisfying (almost) solve. Favourites were the 1a (and i found it easy to forgive the Americanism), 22a, and 30a. With the latter top of the list. I couldn’t complete the puzzle as I had a different example of the answer in 15d (even though it didn’t really parse) and so couldn’t get 28a despite having 17d. A slightly frustrating end to a brilliant puzzle. Thank you setter and CS
Brilliant. Lots of light bulb moments. 2d is clue of the day for me (I spent an age thinking of early reformers).
2*/4*. A most enjoyable SPP which was great fun to solve.
Although “cold storage” is clearly related to the word to be inserted in the answer to 13a, I am not 100% convinced they can be synonymous.
8d was my favourite today, just ahead of 11a & 2d.
Many thanks to NYDK and to CS.
It works for me if ‘storage’ is word-play and the word you are referring to is synonymous with ‘cold’
I’d need to see a sentence where they are interchangeable – not so easy on a prize puzzle day!
Yes point taken. Without and adding ‘like’ or a ‘y’ I can’t find one. I don’t think ‘cold compartment’ (of say a fridge) vs ‘xxx compartment’ really work. As you say dangerous territory with the ever present naughty step.
I can’t see the problem. Senf’s hint says it all. Surely it’s fine as a synonym for cold storage (ideal for packing🦞).
You and Sue are absolutely right. What am I talking about?
Not me!
Oops. Sorry Sue
Huntsman, I still can’t get it. Yes, the two terms are clearly closely related but can you provide a sentence using “cold storage” which still makes sense when replaced by “???” ? Then I’ll be a totally happy bunny.
How’s this sentence, RD?
*** is cold storage.
But that isn’t true!
*** can be used for cold storage but it isn’t cold storage per se.
An *** floe or *** sheet stores lots of stuff, e.g microorgamisms, carbon and particulates.
You are scraping the barrel now!
It’s a shame to focus on one minor point when the rest of the puzzle was so good. I’ll simply sign off by saying for me 13a doesn’t work, although I would have been very happy if someone had been able to convince me otherwise.
Maybe we should put this conversation on ***
near enough for me but then I don’t have either your eye for detail or your exacting standards.😄
In your second post, you asked for an example. I gave you one which has been given the thumbs-up by another solver.
I wouldn’t call that focusing. It we went back and forth then fair enough.
A bit late to the party,but I interpreted “in cold storage” as a clever, but whimsical, way of saying “encased in ***”. Every once in a while, a chunk of a glacier melts revealing the remains of a woolly mammoth or neanderthal man that has been encased in *** or “in cold storage” for 10,000 years or so.
A slow start but a very enjoyable challenge for this rather gloomy day. Several required extra thought and some checking after but it was all fair. Several very clever clues and I liked 11a once the penny dropped …..or maybe that should have been 22a!
Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints.
This was very friendly for a SPP unlike quite a few over the last few months. I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. 1, 6, 10, 14 and 29 across and 1, 15 and 16 down could easily make my podium. Many thanks to the setter and CS for their efforts.
I have to admit that Langley and punks were a closed book to me…. Mr Google eventually sorted that out .
Favourite is the poor horse followed closely by the chamber pot.
Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue…I hope you are still recovering well. It takes longer than you think.
Absolutely miserable day here today. Cold, raw, rain and fog/mist.
A lovely puzzle with the right amount of chewiness for a prize puzzle.
LOI was 22a.
Top picks for me today were 22a, 1a/23d, 11a, 24d and 1d.
Thanks to CrypticSue and NYDK.
Superb from NYPD Blue. Not a duff clue in sight. To quote Pop Larkin….perfick.
Any compiler who can get 1a into a crossword gets a pat on the back.
My LOI was the splendid 22a, a new word for me.
I’m more than happy to let slide the synonym for ‘cold’ as all solvers are allowed a mulligan, especially when the crossword is of this calibre.
My pody picks are 1d, 2d and 8d.
MT to Rood bonk and she of the crypt.
2*/5*
I forgot to put 1a on the podium, especially as I’ve just found out it’s an aptagram!
Thank you, Sloopingtons.
Ignore my ‘mulligan’ comment. 13a is perfectly okay.
My pub’s motto is bottom’s up is my favourite aptagram. It even uses the apostrophe🍻
It’s a goodie
16d I haven’t completed, because there are two different bands that could fit the letters across, and meet the definition required.
Welcome to the blog
You will have to tell us about the two bands when Rahmat Ali publishes his Full Review of this crossword after the closing date for entries on Friday, although saying that, only one name fits the definition “denounced”?
Well for me this definitely is a NYDK puzzle just by his clueing throughout the grid with the multiword clues cinching it for me.
A lot of fun in this one and a nice way to start the weekend.
2.5*/4.5* for me
Favourite candidates include 1a/23d, 13a, 27a, 2d, 8d & 21d — with winner 1a/23d with 21d the runner-up
Thanks to NYDK & CS for hints.
Thanks to NYDK and CS. Got around to doing and solving the puzzle while it is still daylight! (unlike most days). COTD 1a/23d. LOI 1d.
Nothing would surprise me when it comes to the names punk bands would choose so that needed a couple of checkers in place but otherwise a fairly clear run. The 1/23 expression always makes me smile so that can have a place on the podium along with the Langley spies and the Spanish steps.
Thanks to NYDK and to CS for the hints.
An enjoyable and fairly steady solve for a SPP. The punk band was unfamiliar to me as I never liked punk music, but readily identifiable from the clue.
Plenty of favourites including 1a/23d, 22a but COTD has to be the hobbling soldier at 8d.
2*/4*
Thanks to the setter and crypto due.
A very satisfying guzzle with much to smile about. 6a held out to the last and then I read the clue properly. I couldn’t believe the 1a phrase as I had never heard it but it just had to be. How can I possibly choose a favourite? 14&21a but then 24d made me laugh. Many thanks to NYDJ (I am wearing a pair of your trousers right now) and to CeeSue firmly back in the saddle.
Just about crossed the finishing line today as 22a is a new word for me.
3*/4*
11a and 17d favourites. 14a is a wonderful word but the poor horse!
Thanks to Sue and NYDK.
I managed without hints for once, though delayed by my LOI, the cheeky 24d 😊
Thanks to the setter and to Cryptic Sue
22a a new word for us too. Apart from that fairly straightforward with a bit of head scratching. Hard to pick a favourite but we’ll go for 5d. Thanks to NYD and CS.
** / *****
Absolutely top drawer. Full of wit, humour and superb misdirection. I tick clues as I go but so many passed muster that I had to start a double tick set. Those were the 22a chamberpot, Cinders in 30a (held up because I bugged the wrong spelling variation of 21d) and 24d’s display, that brought one of many laughs. The journey to Troy in 11a has to get a mention too.
Many thanks to NYDK for it must be he (or DJ for Daisygirl 😀) and CS.
Had to guess 22a but other than that a most enjoyable puzzle in the company of Led Zep 111 after watching our excellent win at Bradford City 😀
We lost at home to Hull. They were shipshape of course.
Cheers
NYDK
Thank you for a truly superb crossword.
Mastery,
Now, don’t be setting the bar too high as there’s only one way to go.
A top notch puzzle. Ticks aplenty & even with an enlarged print this judge can’t separate 8d&11a in the winner’s enclosure. 1a/23d, 17d/28a & 1d other particular likes. 22a sort of rang a bell but felt the need to confirm it post solve & can’t for the life of me (I’ll resist the temptation to employ another phrase) think of an alternative punk outfit that fits the checkers.
Thanks to Donny & Sue.
Another fabulous Saturday crossie! Loved this one. Thanks always Sue and Setter.
Wel, I have 2 clues left to solve 6a and 7d but really need to go and get on with the meal. I’ve dipped in and out during the afternoon not helped with the other-half watching the snooker semi-final and wanting the sound on! 1a was a new expression to me and I will make it my COTD closely followed by 8d. I was definitely on the wrong wavelength until reading the hints towards the end. I prevaricated many times before putting a number of answers in, especially 22a! Many thanks to NYDK for the challenge and CrypticSue for the hints.
Just got 6a and 7d and it was really so simple!
1.5* / 4* Terrific Saturday treat with loads of wit and great misdirection.
Favourites today include the excellent punk band at 16d, the well hidden answer at 18d and the nearly correct 1a
Many thanks to CS and NYKD
Found this quite hard and a dnf due to several clues. 8d, 18d and 22a were the culprits. Not a fan of 24d with eleventy seven million ways of representing a doctor.
Loved 1a when the penny dropped.
Thanks to all.
I love “eleventy seven”, BW. It reminds me of the opening sentence of Lord of the Rings.
“When Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Bag End announced that he
would shortly be celebrating his eleventy-first birthday with
a party of special magnificence, there was much talk and
excitement in Hobbiton.”
Those words immediately drew me into Middle Earth.
I liked the 1a/23d one best. Clever.
Started early morning, thought it was a stinker, gave up!
After an afternoon shopping with ten-year old daughter in Windsor (Christmas money to burn, it seems!) I gave it another go, and it’s an absolute beauty. However, 8d remains elusive.
That was fun — thank you to CrypticSue for recommending it (and for explaining ‘Langley’ in 1d) and to NY Doorknob for devising it. My favourite clue was Cinders in 30a, with other highlights including the hobbling soldier in 8d, the display in 24d, and 25d with Times.
A fairly smooth and steady solve today, welcomed after a harder (and considerably longer) time on Friday’s back-pager yesterday.
Needed the hint to parse 8D (thank you CS), and have learned a new verb in the solution to 22A. Pody choices – no landslide winners for me today but I’ll go for 30A (liked the cryptic clue), 22A (surface and a new word), and 16A (great band, and as a result I played their music while I finished this crossword and the quick grid).
Just finished but needed the hints, especially for the NE corner. For me probably a 3* but others may disagree. Top clues were the classical allusion to Troy at 6a and the Spanish Steps at 8d.
Thank you to the setting and to CS for the hints.
A brilliant crossword with some excellent, original clues. I couldn’t spend much time on it yesterday but finished it this morning over coffee. 14, 22 and 30 were very good but my favourite, and last one in, was 8d which I thought was wonderful and very clever.
Clever but a hard one for me over several days trying when time permitted – only got 5d when had all the letters (& then looked up the hints as to why it was!) … doh!
Welcome to the blog
Thank you!