Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31149
Hints and Tips by Senf
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ***/**** – Enjoyment ****/*****
A very good Thursday morning from Wincanton where we escaped the wrath of Storm Chandra, but only just, Yeovil about 15 miles to the SW, and beyond, did not escape.
For me, etc© (I have to say that for Terence), the Master of Brevity has given us an enjoyable puzzle which caused some pauses for thought for solving and parsing. The usual one word clues and answers in the Quickie, and an appearance of the Queen but not the sweetheart. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
Candidates for favourite – 9a, 10a, 12a, 23a, 4d, 14d, and 17d.
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 Denies bodice ripping creates unruliness (12)
DISOBEDIENCE: A simple anagram (ripping creates) to start of DENIES BODICE.
9a Damage caused involving a large jam? (9)
MARMALADE: Our favourite three letter synonym of damage, and a synonym of caused containing (involving) all of A from the clue and the single letter for Large.
10a Weaklings right to shed tears (5)
DRIPS: The right (hand) letter of shed and a verbal synonym of tears (into pieces?).
11a Check and mate’s checkmate, finally (6)
OPPOSE: An informal synonym of mate’s (including the ‘s) and the last letter (finally) of checkmatE.
12a Club charge is steep (8)
MACERATE: A type of club (as a weapon) and a synonym of charge (as in cost per unit?).
13a Holy land in cover of sand (6)
SACRED: An area of land inserted into the first and last letters (cover) of SanD.
15a Arrest pinching gang displaying bottle? (8)
SCREWTOP: A synonym of arrest containing a synonym of gang.
18a One slimming takes a medium size? (8)
DIAMETER:A term for someone slimming contains (takes) all of A from the clue and the single letter for Medium.
19a Possibly drill bit absorbs resistance (6)
PIERCE: A synonym of bit contains (absorbs) the symbol for (electrical) resistance.
21a Constant fuel source covered by grass (8)
REPEATED: A fuel source of altered vegetable matter found in bogs contained by marsh or water grass.
23a Rang and ordered on the phone (6)
TOLLED: A homophone (on the phone) of a synonym of ordered.
26a Colour of red, albeit light, initially (5)
CORAL: The first letters (initially) of the first five words of the clue.
27a Expel drunk ale, in time (9)
ELIMINATE: An anagram (drunk) of ALE, IN TIME.
28a Sticks around boxer perhaps showing guts (12)
CHITTERLINGS: A synonym of sticks containing (around) a generic term (perhaps) of a boxer (such as Frank Bruno).
Down
1d Fruit of mothers carrying male offspring (7)
DAMSONS: A term for mothers (of horses?) containing the term for male offspring.
2d Bits lifted seen in thong (5)
STRAP: The reversal (lifted) of a synonym of bits.
3d Face anger gripping English supporter (9)
BRASSIERE: A synonym of face (when considering a shameless or impudent person) and a synonym of anger containing (gripping) the single letter for English.
4d Pass round old port (4)
DEAL: A double definition – the second is between Dover and Ramsgate in Kent.
5d European member dances naked, showing style (8)
ELEGANCE: The single letter for European, a body member (as in limb), and dANCEs with the outer letters removed (naked).
6d Bum died in pen (5)
CADGE: The single letter for Died (in genealogy) inserted into a synonym of pen (not the mythical).
7d Reversal from wind is astern (8)
DISASTER: A lurker (from) found in three words in the clue.
8d Strips with adult, revolting in bed? (6)
ASLEEP: The reversal (revolting) of all of a synonym of strips (an orange?) and the single letter for Adult.
14d Bubbly Conservative blocks progress (8)
CHAMPERS: The single letter for Conservative (politically) and a synonym of blocks progress.
16d Single idolater smashing column (9)
EDITORIAL: An anagram of the letter that can represent single and IDOLATER – is this an indirect anagram?
17d Passionate muscular guys kept in check (8)
VEHEMENT: A (2-3) term for muscular guys contained by (kept in) a synonym of check (a candidate for an appointment?).
18d Frank Capra did this (6)
DIRECT: What Frank Capra did to win three Oscars.
20d Attend lessons, somewhat boring (7)
ENDLESS: A lurker (somewhat) found in two words in the clue.
22d A meeting place raised for God (5)
ALLAH: The reversal (raised) of all of A from the clue and a generic type of meeting place.
24d Absorb Shakespearean role before noon (5)
LEARN: The father of Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia in Shakespeare placed before the single letter for Noon.
25d Weary queen bound by obligation (4)
TIRE: The Latin based letter for queen contained (bound) by a synonym of obligation.
Quick Crossword Pun:
MIRROR + CULLS = MIRACLES
I found RayT to be a bit tricky today and I admit to turning to Mr. G. for 28a. I was trying to fit “dog” into something that adheres. Progress was slow but it began to fall into place once checkers came along and became an enjoyable solve. I liked the bottle at 15a and the bubbly Conservative at 14d but my COTD goes to the naked dance at 5d.
Thank you, RayT for your fortnightly challenge. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.
Good morning. The week continues with another gentle crossword. 9, 10, 13, 19 and 28 across and 1, 2, 3, 8 and 14 down are some of my top picks. Even the anagram at 1a was very good. LOI was 12a and like 28a the word had to be looked to be verified! Many thanks to the setter and Senf for their efforts
A slowish but steady solve this morning, with the muscular fellows at 17d a strong candidate for my COTD. I did at least know 28a, having spent some of my working life dealing with knackers yards, maggot farms and the like. Indeed, I see from Mr G that a document for which I was responsible decades ago with 28a in the title is still extant. Heady days. Thanks very much to the setter and to Senf.
A bicely balanced guzzle with an interesting variety of clue types, today. My COTD was the Lego clue at 28a, such a lovely word for such an unlovely item. I also liked the lurker at 7d, the homophone at 23a and the anagram at 1a. Thanks to Mr T for a very enjoyable guzzle and to Senf for the hints
Unusually for me I tackled the Django Toughie first so guess this seemed fairly straightforward by comparison. The grid fill took a smidge longer than any of the preceding 3 days but with no parsing head scratches.
As ever lots to like – my fav was 18d, which I had as a double def – am still trying to remember the 3rd of his Oscar wins.
Agree on the double def. “Frank” being one, “Capra did this” being the other.
2*/5*. Sheer excellence from the master of brevity with 18d my favourite.
Many thanks to RayT and to Senf.
An extremely solid piece of work from fortnightly Fred that was a joy to solve.
I remember seeing a few months ago the synonym for ‘mate’ which I’ve never heard of. I struggled to parse 10a as ‘right’ meaning the final letter is not in my bonce yet.
Is ‘possibly’ in 19a because ‘drill’ isn’t the best synonym for the answer? If so, I don’t recall seeing that role for it.
I had to biff 28a as I haven’t heard of the answer.
Now, I have just found out that some entries in dictionaries have ‘incorrect word’ next to them. For goodness sake! That is the final nail in the coffin for these books. I though they were a list of correct words. But, they aren’t. They’re just a record of what’s said.
My pody picks are 18a, 17d and 18d. How good was Frank Capra!? A legend behind the lens.
MTTTA and Senf.
3*/5*
but can you name his 3 wins? It’s A Wonderful Life ain’t one of ‘em.
Of course I can as I’m king of the lists but you are king of the details. He must be one of your favourite directors.
There’s a nice pattern as well: 1934, 1936 & 1938. Two other Franks won in 32 and 33.
What a film ”It happened one night’ is! As you well know, it’s only one of three to win ”The Big Five”.
Worth reading Capra’s wikipedia entry. He lifted himself from being a borderline vagrant by blagging his way into the film industry, claiming experience when he had none. The rest is history…
I didn’t know. Thank you, A.
It’s impossible to pick a pody for directors but I think I have to go with Frankie baby, Billy Wilder (genius) and, for his sheer body of work, William Wyler. He only won three with Ford (or should that be Fourd) getting four but 12 nominations is outrageous.
Not putting Woody Allen in there is harsh but it’s so tough.
19a In think it is drill bit as in 6 piece drill set
Hi Walton.
What role does the word ‘Possibly’ play as I’m missing it?
Late to the party, but I read it as ‘one way you possibly achieve the answer’ – since you could just, for example, stick a skewer through?
I am still struggling my way through this. Is 18d cryptic ??
It is, Parental Guidance (how apt!).
The first word is a synonym of the answer.
Thank you – I missed that 😊
Yes it’s a double definition – Frank being the first
I think it is in the sense of his first name being a synonym for what he did.
Only got to today’s guzzle late in the day after a visit to the Nat Gall to see the Wright of Derby exhibition. Well worth a visit. Then an excellent lunch in Shepherds Market.
28a reminds me of my Burns night supper last week! Got a bit stuck in the NE but pleased to complete a xxx
AA lovely puzzle with 12A as my COTD. I could only solve 28A as my Yorkshire grandfather seemed to have had a strange affinity to eating bits of animals that others would avoid. These included bag, chaps, tongue, cheek and trotters.
My comment, yesterday, about persuading the Telegraph editors to provide a grey scale print doesn’t seem to have found an audience and unfortunately the excellent advice from Smylers to feedback via the survey is only available to U.K. residents.
Thanks to the setter and for the hints.
I’d already completed the survey otherwise I would have included your printing suggestion.
A trickier solve today with the lower half proving to be more challenging than the top. Therefore it’s a ***/***** for me. Some really clever clues with several misdirections sending me off course. Like Steve, I spent too long trying to find a dog to fit in to 28a until the penny suddenly dropped. Great word that one never uses in general conversation! Anyway favourite clues included 15a, 16d and 17d. Many thanks to Senf for the informative hints, and to RayT for an excellent puzzle.
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), yesterday I had the annual dance with The Telegraph.
An email arrived informing me that my subscription was to rise from £69 per year.
‘Your annual price will be: 379.00 GBP’
So I phoned to ‘cancel’, and spoke to a pleasant woman who, as I am a loyal customer, offered me £191 per year.
I said that almost triples the cost and no thank you very much.
After some clicking on a keyboard, “Oh I can offer you £119 per year”
I retorted that doubling a subscription cost in one go was not the way to treat a loyal customer.
More clicking.
“We can offer you a renewal at the same cost – £69 including the subscription to the puzzles and three free guest subscriptions.”
“I’ll take it”
Every year, the same palaver.
Tricky guzzle. Thanks to the setter and The Man From Wincanton
Love to Jane
I sadly have to perform the same dance myself, but, more seriously – what about Chitterlings? 😅
… I’m popping down to Sainsbury’s right now for a packet … who knew eh!
That is a great story, T, and, of course, depressing at the same time.
What a disgrace.
Exactly what I went through two or three weeks ago!
Me too! I didn’t get such a good deal but at least I saved something. I’ll remember to be more persistent next year.
Haven’t done the guzzle yet as I’ve been to the gym!
Taking the paper version really is almost a luxury. But I would really miss it.
I’ll never go electronic even it does save me north of a bag of sand.
I used to pay CHF8,50 a day in Zurich. I went digital 7 years ago when it was proving hard to find. Bags, Mine, Yours? ! Quant?
I just did a quick calculation, DG. Having our DT seven days a week and our local weekly paper all delivered, currently costs us just shy of £1500 p/a. Only £88 of that is the cost of having a paperboy delivery. Like you, I would greatly miss the Telegraph if it ceased to appear in print. One of our luxuries indeed.
Lovely puzzle again Ray – I found it quite a bit more challenging, but nonetheless enjoyable. Btw, I haven’t tasted 28a for many, many years. I think it was in the evening market at Great Yarmouth during summer holidays where we had the choice of chips, oysters, chitterlings, peas, cockles and mussels, doughnuts – all from different stalls. Ancient forms street food, or what?
Hear, hear DG !
Same palaver each year with me too. Got DT down to £39 this time plus puzzles at £5, although it is often offered at £1 or even 50p. Such a nuisance to have to telephone and negotiate. Excellent Ray T guzzle today, although needed Senf for parsing of 28a. Thank you to both.
This was a puzzle of two halves for me. The LHS went in and then I came to a stop. I had to go to the Post Office and the break must have helped as I managed to complete it on my return.
LOI was 10a which I needed Senf’s help to parse as taking the right hand letter of shed didn’t occur to me.
Top picks for me were 28a, 15a, 17d and 24d.
Thanks to Senf and Ray T.
I did surprisingly well with this despite a few synonyms that would not have been my first thought, as ever this was a masterclass. 28a was last in and needed e help as I did not know it. 7d was my favourite as I so nearly missed it and it was not an obvious synonym for me, with 17d in second place.
Many thanks to RayT and to Senf for the hints.
If anyone is in contact with Jane please send her my best wishes.
NW came on board first but rest followed suit quite quickly and was enjoyable to fathom. Yet another far out anagram indicator for starters. Am used to using only first 3 letters for 3d supporter in crosswords so a bit slow in the uptake. Initially wrongly solved 16d but that hampered crossers so had to think again. Never heard of Frank Capra hence18d was a guess. Thank you, as always, RayT and Senf.
Needed help on a couple in the NE to get to completion. But it’s a Ray T, so nothing new there for me. My podium today comprises all down clues in 1, 6 and 17. Thanks to Ray T and Senf.
I agree with Jane G that the top half went in quite swiftly but it all came to a grinding halt below the equator. I had heard of the horrible intestines but calling a boxer a hitter? I suppose so. 12a is a nice word and I spent far too long trying to fit Ionic or Doric columns into 16d. All in all a worthy Thursday contender. Many thanks to RayT and my Knight In Shining Armour whom I am devastated not to be meeting on Saturday! And all the other attendees as well 😢
Nay mind, Day Zee.
The splits on camera will have to wait another year. There is a 95 year old who can but not on camera and no centenarian has ever done it. We all know it’s a matter of time.
What a ledge you are.
Nice to have the fortnightly visit from RayT today. I thought this was a tad harder than his normal back pager this week. Had to do a bit of head scratching and pondering on a few clues. A new word this week for me was in the mix too.
However in the end it all clicked into place. Nice to see the queen popped by, but no sweetheart this week.
2.5*/4.5* for me.
Favourites include 18a, 28a, 4d, 6d, 16d & 24d — with winner 28a
Smiles for 4d, 6d & 14d
Thanks to RayT & Senf
I’m afraid this wasn’t my cup of tea. Completed but little if any enjoyment. Sorry to be a grump.
Thanks to RayT and Senf. We made hard work of today’s puzzle. Resorted to hints in the end out of frustration. COTD 18d. LOI 25. Hopefully back on form tomorrow!
Managed to put called in for 23 and it held me up for ages .I had constant interuptions during the solving of this and hence I thought it quite hard , but some superb clues . Last one in 15a and for me not a great clue.Did like 18a and down . favourite 17d . Thanks to all .
I have to limit how much time I can allocate to our daily puzzle . Left the house with top right hand corner not complete. 10 across was a stumbling block as well as 12 across and 8 down. Now back home help was needed from Senf. The clueing was so concise that it had to be Ray T . Loved 3 down and thought the wording of 7 down was clever. Even when I do not reach the finishing line these puzzles give such pleasure and are so good for our mental health that I literally bless them and all who sail on the same journey. Forgive the hyperbole.
An enjoyable solve for me today , looking out to a lovely but wet Cornish view. Managed to dodge the rain for a dog walk on the beach. Now holed up for the day with food booze and hot tub. Maybe I ll give the toughie a go. Thanks to setter and Senf.
I started off so well and the top half was completed quickly except I had put brassneck in for 3d so that caused much delay! After some deliberation I gave up with 28a and looked at the hints. So not a clean result for me today. Many thanks to Ray T and Senf.
***** / ***
Above my pay grade today. Although starting my travels at 4.30am is probably a contributing factor. Only got to look at this late this afternoon. 4 clues defeated me without the hints and even then I just wasn’t getting it. Liked the naked dancing and the 7d reversal where like recently that word made me want to read backwards for the lurker.
Many thanks to RayT and Senf
Today’s puzzle had to wait until I got back from playing golf. Whilst most of the country is unplayable, our course is on the chalk downland of the Hampshire / Wiltshire border so drains well and, barring a covering of snow, is playable all year round. Still b****y cold though.
As for the puzzle, it was a steady fill for me only ending up head scratching with 11a and 12a. Finally the ‘club’ came to mind just resulting in a peek for 11a, only to find it was that ‘mate’. The 2kiwis have probably patented the term by now!
COTD for me was the weight watcher’s dimension at 18a.
Thanks to RT and Senf.
3*/3*
Haven’t touched a golf club since the first week of November – not sure I’ll be able to remember which end to hold. You’re so lucky to have chalk – my club is predominantly clay so it doesn’t winter well.
Even Centurion, where I work at the weekend in Golf Ops, has been carry only for periods.
Evening all. Many thanks to Senf for the elucidation and to everybody else for your observations. Also, all of my best wishes to Jane.
RayT
Thank you for your puzzle, RayT. A little harder for me but still most enjoyable.
Thank you Mr T, very enjoyable and greatly appreciated.
A challenging solve for me today and worthy of its rating. Certainly needed the hints and my dictionary. Favourites today were the supporter at 3d, the obstructive Tory at 14d and the passionate 17d. 28a was a totally new word for me but can see how it was constructed.
As ever, thank you to the setter and to Senf for the hints.
Good Thursday challenge from Ray T. 12A, 17D, 18D all superb. VMT Ray & Senf.
At least Senf called it at 3/4* which is some comfort with a crossword not only above the so called pay grade but in a world I do not live in.
Thanks to Senf for the hints and begrudging thanks to the man from out of the world I live in RT.
A notch up in difficulty but all fairly clued as usual. NE became easier when I stopped reading 6d as burn,I must go to Specsavers. Favourite was 17d. Thanks to Rayt and Senf.
1.5* / 3.5* This flowed nicely after a sedate start with the only real hold up being last one in 12a.
Favourites include 15a bottle, the fruit at 1d and the passionate 17d
Thanks to Senf and RayT
I have just done the Quickie which was likable but kicked myself after struggling for ages over my last in – 12a – which due to my poor eye-sight (result of glaucoma/stroke) caused me to read sentence for sentience – d’oh!
Haven’t looked at hints or comments yet – still stuck on several!
2*/5* …
liked 14D “Bubbly Conservative blocks progress (8)”