DT 31151 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 31151 (Hints)

by crypticsue  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31151 (Hints)

The Saturday Crossword Club

(hosted by crypticsue)

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

The first and most important thing I have to do today (even more important than providing hints for the Prize Puzzle and mentioning today’s gathering at Little Venice) is to wish Daisygirl’s  husband George a very very happy 93rd birthday and hope that he enjoys the family celebrations of this great occasion

This is probably a day to play Guess the Setter, unless of course NYDK is confusing us by not including any linked clues.  I found the crossword mostly straightforward with a couple of clues where the parsing took a little bit of a think.

When you have finished this crossword, one of two puzzles Prolixic created for today’s Blog Birthday Bash has already been posted as the NTSPP.  There are links to the second puzzle and ones by Rahmat Ali and SJB here: Big Dave’s 17th Birthday Bash – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog   I hope everyone has a lovely time; I would have loved to have been there but although my new knee is doing so well that I’m now driving and can make it round Sainsbury’s for the big weekly shop, getting from East Kent to Little Venice and back would be an expedition too far for even the most bionic of knees.

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)

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           European smuggling one large, exploding cigar for James Bond (6,5)
Someone from a European country ‘smuggling’ the Roman numeral for one, followed by the abbreviation for Large and an anagram (exploding) of CIGAR

10a         Ex-PM of Germany invested in real gold (7)
The IVR Code for Germany inserted (invested) in a synonym for real and the chemical symbol for gold

13a         Saccharine last ice-cream, somewhat hard (9)
I hope it didn’t take the rest of you as long as it did me to spot that the word ‘somewhat’ was indicating a lurker!

16a         People tending to beds collect small covers from Parisian (9)
A (literary) verb meaning to gather up and store (collect) and the abbreviation for Small, between which is inserted (covers) the French (as used in Paris) word for from

19a         Speechifying from either a Labourite ____? (7)
Replace the line in the clue with a three-word phrase

22a         Oval shape, different around rim (7)
Other or besides (different) goes around a rim

25a         Myopic prophet given a title, according to Spooner (4-7)
How the Reverend might say that a prophet was given a title

Down

1d           Straighten out Geordie presenter, say, drinking litres (9)
A Geordie TV presenter and a verb meaning to say ‘drinking’ the abbreviation for Litres

2d           High-fliers who have become home-makers? (7)
A creature that flies could also be described in the same way as we might refer to home-makers

5d           Fighter with degrees in Old Persian (3,4)
A famous boxer (fighter) and two abbreviated arts degrees

6d           Clutch pot son knocked off piano (5)
Another informal name for cannabis (pot) without (knocked off)  the final abbreviation for Son, followed by the abbreviation for the musical term piano

17d         Rio ate first of curried stews – spicy stuff! (7)
An anagram (stews) of RIO ATE and the first letter of Curried

18d         Performer who will take a big bow? (7)
A cryptic definition of someone who uses a big bow to play a particular instrument

21d         The solver’s joy? Our setter welcomes it (5)
Hidden in (welcomed by) words 3, 4 and 5 of the clue

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:  GERI + MUG + WIRE = JERRY MAGUIRE

91 comments on “DT 31151 (Hints)”

  1. ** / *****
    Hugely enjoyable. Lots of ticks. Can’t remember all the details. On the train to the bash now. See some of you later

    Thanks to Sue for the parsing of the people tending beds!

    Thanks to the setter too – it doesn’t seem like NYDK so it probably is!!!!!

  3. A great puzzle, which I had to solve on my iPad. What an infuriating experience! Now on its way to Telegraph Towers in search of The Mythical.

    Can’t say much more about the puzzle because, now I’ve solved it, it’s gone.

    Happy Birthday to George and I hope Jane is faring well.

    Now to try and find The Bridge Inn! 😊

    1. You can get it back by clicking on view completed puzzle and if you want to see the clues select more then switch off “hide completed clues”

      1. Thank you for that. I do the puzzle on my iPad and it was always a fiddle trying to remember your favourite clues. Now, no more.

      2. Thanks, Toni and it was explained to me at the Birthday Bash. However, as I rarely solve on the iPad, I will have forgotten it all by the next time. I’m afraid I’m a Luddite and need the paper in my hands.

    2. The thing about tech and new things is that they are irritating and frustrating until you get used to them. The iPad version I now find really good , but I bitched about it to myself initially, thinking it didn’t do all the things I wanted it to do until I realised it did. I hope you try it again one day. Glad you enjoyed the meet up too !

      1. I know what you mean, Jenny and I have had to come to terms with new technology in my job. Difficult at first but now I would be lost without it because it makes my job run so much smoother.

        However, when it comes to the DT cryptic, I want the folded newspaper on my lap, my trusty Parker pen in my hand, a mug of Taylor’s Italian by my side and Hudson at my feet. Technology can’t provide me with that. 😊

        1. Yes I totally get that. I never did the newspaper thing so at all , and I never had a nice pen either, so it’s different for me. At least for the time being (god knows ! ) we still have a choice. I assume Hudson is your dog and not the setter…. Is Hudson the dog a setter ? 😀

          1. No, he’s a Labrador and the setter, Hudson stole his name and my mate is miffed. He tells me he’s initiating legal proceedings but it didn’t go very far because his lawyers needed his signature. Hudson has no idea what a signature is and no, mate it’s not what you sometimes leave me on the utility room floor.

            All of which means the imposter, Hudson is free to continue taking the credit from my dog and claiming the puzzles are his own. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

            1. Ha ha. The dog signature …brilliant ! All is clear now re Hudson and the name. Mr woofer should feel flattered.

  4. Cracking stuff for a Saturday prize puzzle. My loi was 5d which had me scratching my crumpet for a good while. 1a and 7a made me smile and I thought the spoonerism was excellent, but my cotd has to be the speechifying in 19a. Thanks to NYDK (?) and CS. Hope all those at the BBB enjoy themselves.

  5. Sitting on a sunny Harpenden station platform waiting to embark on the trip to my old stomping ground at Little Venice (Shabbo getting on at St Albans).
    Enjoyed the puzzle though it was all over a bit too quickly. Happy birthday to George & hoping he has a wonderful day,
    Thanks to the setter & to Sue – sorry the knee not up to the journey

  6. Nice and leisurely for a SPP with no hidden obstacles. Just as well that it was so, as have to leave now for my great-grandson’s 1st birthday bash.
    Thanks to the setter and crypticsue.
    */****

  7. A fair bit easier than of late which meant I only needed to use one of CS’s hints. Thanks to CS for the hints and to the setter.

  8. Enjoyable and not overly taxing.
    My only mistake was to bung in the wrong second letter at 22a, which I corrected at the end of the puzzle when I realised it did not parse.
    Many thanks to the setter and to CS.
    Happy Birthday to George, and hope all the partygoers have a great day!

  9. This was good fun with Rood Bonk (?) in fine form.

    Yet another ‘Wey hey!’ clue from a setter this month (23a). Has spring come early or something? 20d is also right up my childish strasse.

    I didn’t realize that ‘ex-PM’ on its own can mean one from any country. I assumed it meant from these shores.

    ‘Exploding cigar’ is absolutely superb, I really is.

    It goes on the pody (gotta keep SiRi happy) along with the aforementioned ‘Oh, stop it!’s

    MTTTA and she of the Kent crypt.

    2*/4*

    Looking forward immensely to talking to Hoots Mon! for three hours about films and golf.

  10. A very happy birthday to George. never met you but feel like I know you.

    I hope the BD celebrations go well too

    enjoyed the puzzle but managed to find another 6,5 answer to 1a that suited the clue very well. very frustrating.

    1. Hi B

      I’m intrigued to know what alternative answer you have for 1a. Do you mind giving me a nod and a wink without having to keep Pat Coombs happy on the naughty but nice step?

      If it’s too risky, I’ll make a note to ask you next week.

  11. A most enjoyable and fairly rapid solve – well, rapid by my standards. No real standouts, unless I say that 1d is my contender for favourite. Thank yous to setter and CS. Have fun all of you down there in Little Venice.

  12. Thoroughly enjoyable although it took me a while to get started, I liked 1a although I did not see it for ages and the spooner was my first in! The first time ever.

    Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints, ai do hope all those of you at the bash have a very enjoyable time.

    Just endured over an hour of stationary traffic on M25 on way to a family event

  13. Took me a while to get going but then fairly straightforward.

    Had to think for a while about (my last clue) 22a but then the proverbial penny dropped and I was done.

  14. Nice straight forward Saturday puzzle that didn’t cause us too much trouble.
    Although 19a had to be what it is, neither of us were keen on the clue.
    Thanks to setter and CS. Glad your knee is doing well Sue. My new knee is still troublesome after 2 years! Still can’t walk very far although I’m out of pain at least.
    Hope everyone at the bash is having a good time.

    1. I have good days and bad days, the latter mainly after I’ve done too much the day before. My left knee is, however, starting to say ‘what about me?’

        1. I’m going to see the consultant in May or June and he will decide then about doing the second knee

  15. For me and I stress it is regretful that today’s meeting coincides with my expected presence at hostility at Stamford Bridge prior to the Mighty Chelsea taking on some lads from East London. So I join Super Sue and the Lovely Daisy in sending apologies. Another time, one hopes.

    Gripping guzzle.

    Thanks to the setter and PC Security (anag). Happy Birthday to George, and ongoing love to Jane

    Just had a look at the webcam on the street at Little Venice. Looks quite lively.

  16. In the middle of doing the guzzle and had to pop in to say I see I am mentioned in 14d! A quick look at the above comments – so nice of you to remember my lovely husband. (Although I wish I could be at the Bash right now!) waiting for family to arrive – always late!!

    1. Wishing you both a happy day as you celebrate George’s 93rd. And wishing the BD community many more years of constructive and happy blogging.

      Great guzzle today – thank you to setter and Sue. Hope your knee is soon where you would wish it to be.

      And the best of recovery wishes to Jane.

  17. A lovely puzzle with lots to like. I immediately thought of a different answer to 1a but luckily waited until I had some checkers and could see that it was wrong.

    Top picks for me were 7a, 16a, 19a, 25a, 1d and 18d.

    Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.

    Hope all goes well at the Birthday Bash.

  19. Straightforward for a price puzzle today.
    The spoonerism went in first off and a steady solve from then on, although I almost came a cropper with my LOI, 13a. That became COTD – very well concealed I thought.

  20. Today’s puzzle was a lot of fun. Lots of clues that made me smile, just not sure where the second ‘t’ in 7d comes from. Thanks to the setter for a fab puzzle and to CS for the hints.

  21. I thought this was a great Saturday guzzle, enjoyed it immensely. Particularly liked the nest lurker, the exPM but I think my favourite is the fighter with degrees. I am SO sad I cannot be in two places at once today, I’d love to be with you in Little Venice and have been assiduously practicing my splits. Senf was standing by right up until last night to escort me – my Knight in Shining Armour and a red scarf. George is very touched by all the good wishes ( he is, most irritatingly, a truly nice man) and keeps saying I should have come down! But grandson due at any moment. Everyone sang Happy Birthday to him at Coffee Stop this morning including the Guides who had a cake stall. They couldn’t believe anyone could be so old! Many thanks to our Wily Setter and to CeeSue – so nice of you to mention the Birthday Boy.

    1. Practising with a c? The Queen of Words? This cannot be.

      If you blame predictive text then hang your head.

      You were, of course, sorely missed. Sorely being the operative word being Mrs Splitz, an’ all.

  22. I thought this Saturday puzzle was a big joke, (and I mean that nicely!), as I was chuckling all the way through with just about every clue making me laugh when I got the answer!!! A very fun solve today designed, I imagine, for the party weekend and the get together. Then again, I may be way out in left field.
    Whatever.

    1*/5* for me today

    Too many to list for favourites … the whole shebang makes it, but I pick 10a, 25a & 3d as the top three.

    Thanks to the setter & CS for hints.

  23. A lovely puzzle. On the first pass I didn’t get anything then slowly my brain started to work and for one I didn’t need any help. I laughed at 7a. Thanks to the setter.

  24. Just read about Jane and so hope she is on the road to recovery. A happy birthday to George and hope the BD birthday bash goes well. I’m afraid too far for me to come, so sorry. Great puzzle today but still stuck on 12a despite having all the checkers! Thanks to all.

  25. What a fun puzzle. So many smiles and a fair few chuckles. Nearly bunged in an alt 6,5 answer for 1a – fortunately I seem to have finally learnt to hold ones horses!!
    Thoroughly enjoyed so many but 23a gets my cots because of it’s fabulous surface.
    Thanks to the setter and to CS and I hope all those at the birthday bash have a fantastic time

  26. Just back from my first Big Dave Birthday Bash and what a delight to be able to put faces to names. It was great meeting you all.

    No doubt SJB will be posting more pics but here’s one to be going on with. I’m normally useless with names but I think I have them correct starting from left to right. No doubt somebody will put me right if I’ve made a horlicks of it.

    Senf, Alfiepops, Puzzler Dave, Mrs. Shabbo, Rabbit Dave, Tomdisappointingsturgess65, Alp.

    1. Nice to meet you Steve, enjoy your meal at the RAF Club & safe journey home.
      Thanks for keeping my ugly mug out of shot – there may still be some of those Crimewatch pics knocking about. Lovely to put faces to names.

      2. Twas an absolute hoot. Everyone was, unsurprisingly, outrageously lovely. Lots learned today – Silvanus isn’t Scottish, Gazza’s actually Welsh and Tom ain’t Tom! HUGE thanks to the top brass for organising such a fun bash.

    2. Hi Steve, I was hoping to put my head round the door and meet you but could not get away today. I just wonder if we might recognise each other from Guys . I finished BDS in 1969 but did 6 months more as a house surgeon ( oral medicine ) with Prof. Cawson and Dr. Lehner. Happy days.I was Rosemary Groves in former times.

      1. Hi Rosemary. I finished in 1971(only because I failed my finals first time round) so our paths must have crossed. I certainly remember Prof Cawson. He once asked a student in a viva what the capacity of the human bladder was. Five hundred litres said the hapless student whereupon the prof put his pen down slowly, stared at the student and said, “Five hundred litres? You’ve missed your vocation young man. You should have been a fireman!” Hopefully, we can both make it next year and compare notes. 😊

        1. I will try. I used to fly to London twice a week back in the day. Would Venice to put faces to aliases and meet in person. Safe travels home

  27. Well done on a nice puzzle. Normally, I am not a fan of spooonerisms (since I was caught fighting a liar in the quad) but 25a was masterly.
    Hope you crossword people had a great celebration. Great to be part of the community.

  28. A very enjoyable puzzle for me today.
    Favourite was the ex PM.

    Thanks to the setter and to crypticsue.

    Sorry to hear that Jane is unwell….Best wishes, Jane.

  29. Hope the bash was fun, alas a little too far from Lanzarote! Thank you compiler and CS, the big bow gets my vote for best clue

  30. Happy birthday to Sarah’s dad. Third great Saturday puzzle in a row. It’s the best when it makes you smile and can be done without assistance (a rare combination in my case)

  31. Late to the parade and short of time as must get ready to go out for a friend’s birthday bash.
    First of all Happy 93rd Birthday to George and I do hope you have had a lovely day. What a truly devoted wife you have in Daisygirl as she has forgone the Big Dave birthday bash to be with you on your Special Day.
    Secondly, best wishes to Jane for a speedy recovery. Thirdly many thanks to the Setter. I still have one clue to get (12a) and special thanks to Cryptic Sue. I think you are most wise not to have made the journey to ‘Little Venice’ on this occasion.

    Finally, I hope all those who have been able to attend the Birthday bash have had a great day and wish you all a good evening and safe journeys home. Many thanks to Huntsman for the photo. Nice to be able to put faces to names.

  32. Fine crossword for such a special day. So glad George had an enjoyable birthday. I could not get to London but tried going on line to join the occasion through Teams. I got logged in and sat with some knitting between 2.30 pm and 3.45 but there must have been some hitch probably at my end because I was not able to make a connection.
    Favourite today was the Spoonerism closely followed by 19 across.
    It is marvellous that you all get together and enjoy each other’s company. Hope you all have a splendid meal tonight.

    1. Sloops dude keep checking his laptop but nobody appeared. I think the problem might have at the London end. SJB has a new laptop! 😊

  33. Wasn`t sure if I would get around to today`s SPP, but so glad I did. This was very gentle and reminded me of SPPs of the past which gave everybody a chance. Incidentally, it was the fastest fill of the week and a nice puzzle to finish what was a great week for us Puzzlers. Many thanks to setter and CS

  34. 1* / 4* A terrific Saturday puzzle with no hold ups, unlike yesterday!
    Not easy to pick a top three, but I’ll go for my last one in, the performer at 18d, the lurker at 13a and Bond’s exploding cigar at 1a
    Thanks to setter and Sue

  35. A relatively straightforward puzzle but did need assistance for my final two entries. Completely missed the clue type at 13a, was using somewhat as an anagram indicator and the head cleaner at 11a.Thinking of the chief gaffer in the environmental department rather than the obvious. Putting it down to well over five hours of driving to help eldest daughter move flats in London. Thank goodness for the Satnav and you certainly need your wits about you!
    Favourite clues were 10a, 11a and 5d. Thank you to the setter and to CS for the hints.

  36. Mr Thicky from Suffolk here 😀. Enjoyed the puzzle but 12a had me stumped.. Had to cheat.. can someone explain how the answer relates to the clue??

    1. The symbol for electrical current then
      mislay the odd letters of the second word in the clue

      1. Ok… thank you 😀. Fiendish though… I suppose “letters from abroad” should have given me the idea “it’s all Greek to me” but it didn’t 😀

  37. I’m patting self on back for getting over my personal lurkers of uncertainty and inertia to go to the Birthday Bash today, 10 years after my previous and only appearance. It was so, so great to be there and thanks to the organisers especially, and everybody for making it a great occasion 💜

    Enjoyed this puzzle and it was pretty smooth. Only snag really was 22A, which also led to doubt over 17D – for 17D I it took a while to get ‘different’ even though I felt confident in the answer.

    Pody prizes go to 11A’s cleaner, the busty 23A (I LOL’d at that), and 1st prize is my Bond with 1A – *irregardless* of me vocalising some uncertainty about the definition ‘James Bond’ at the Bash today 😸

    2. It was great to meet you today, Wriggles. I, of course, love the irregardless nod.

  38. Well that’s the back pager done, lots of laughs and I needed some of the hints (thanks Cryptic Sue). Great do this afternoon, here another of the few photos I took.

  40. This was a relatively straightforward solve for me today so I am wondering who the setter is as often I find the DKNY offering rather chewy. Enjoyable too. Thanks to the setter and to CS.

  41. Feeling a bit below par today which is my excuse for taking most of the day on and off to master this. It seems today’s bash was the usual barrowload of fun. Many Happies to George and more get well good wishes to Jane. Thank you setter and CS whose problems will hopefully soon be fully taken care of. Thanks to setter and indeed to CS.

  42. My previous posting is obviously away in the ether as I had a typo in my name. Anyway I’m not feeling my brightest and this has taken me most of the day on and off but I did manage to master it in the end however can’t say I enjoyed the challenge much. Thanks setter and to CS who hopefully will soon be fully healed from the surgery and ready for the next go. Many Happies to George on this auspicious occasio and hope the family celebration went well. More get better soon good wishes too to Jane. The Birthday Bash was obviously the usual enjoyable occasion and it’s great to see some photograps putting faces to names.

  43. Sounds like everyone had a great time yesterday – I hope so. Thought I’d pop in to say thanks to Sue and claim the puzzle (getting back to some more regular setting now.) Best wishes to all.

    1. Yes, it was a good day at The Bridge House yesterday. I really enjoyed this puzzle which provided a perfect accompaniment to my journey to the venue.

      I’m delighted to hear that you will be setting more regularly again now.

    3. I am looking forward to another Robyn Sunday Toughie, we haven’t seen one of those since #153 and #175.

  44. Did most of that but not quite🤷‍♂️

    Enjoying Physical Graffiti 🎸

    Still top of the league despite only drawing yesterday!

  45. Great crossword really enjoyed it…apart from 12a-really struggling to see why it could be any of the 3 words that fit 🤯 Any help gratefully received 😁

    1. Welcome to the blog

      If you look at the comments made later yesterday, you will see that I did give a clear hint for 12a

      1. Oh yes sorry-thanks I didn’t read them that late yesterday-then got a bit excited and just asked you today without seeing if any others had since🙄😊and that is one of the words I had that would fit…but still can’t see what part of the clue means that?!🤷🏻‍♀️😊

    1. Welcome to the blog

      If you remove the the abbreviation for Husband from some surprises, you are left with what many people might consider an unimaginative Christmas present

      What did you think of the crossword?

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