Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3360 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg with greetings of the day for all Mothers. Borrowing from Old Bill Shakes, ‘Beware the Ides of March’ (Julius Caesar (Act 1, Scene 2)), especially when they fall on a Sunday (today that is) and there is a Dada crossword to be solved!
So, Terence, what did go wrong on the Fulham Road yesterday afternoon/evening?
For me, and I stress for me,© Dada still reasonably friendly with more than a soupçon of quirkiness – nine, unless I lost count, anagrams (four partials), one lurker (reversed), and no homophones in an asymmetric 28 clues; with 15 hints, including a bonus one for illustration purposes, ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 4a, 11a, 19a, 24a, 6d, 18d, and 19d.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the what I very subjectively perceive to be the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
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.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Band kit (5)
A double definition to start – the second might refer to the kit worn by a sports team.
4a Remain behind for search (5)
A two letter synonym of remain placed after (behind) the Latin for for as an adverb or a preposition.
13a Winger on the turn, drained, moved with the ball (8)
The reversal (on the turn) of what can be referred to as a winger followed by a synonym of drained (such as brakes on a car?) – for those of you hoping for the mythical, the answer is part of a verb not a noun.
17a Amphitheatres where charity at stake originally, looking back (6)
The reversal of all of a synonym of charity, AT from the clue, and the first letter (originally) of Stake.
19a Country roads seen after turning around for example (7)
The reversal (seen after turning) of types of (rural?) roads containing (around) the Latin based abbreviation of for example – hands up all those who wanted the answer to include an anagram of seen.
21a Bed into which female snuggles in new semi, most cosy (8)
A Matryoshka of all of the single letter for Female inserted into (snuggles in) an anagram (new) of SEMI is inserted into (in) a small bed (used for infants?).
25a Idle rejection of piece from Sartre, nihilistic (5)
The reversed lurker (rejection of piece from) found in the last two words of the clue.
26a Odd bits forgotten in opus sadly, my song (5)
The odd letters (bits) deleted from (forgotten in) oPuS aAdLy My.
Down
2d More surprisingly in support of article, mathematical statement (7)
An anagram (surprisingly) of MORE place after (in support of) a definite article.
3d I’ll take the food, but it’s unclear whether or not I care! (1,4,4,2,1,2)
My interpretation – a response to being offered some food (‘nibbles’ at a reception perhaps) which may also suggest indifference.
5d Fast sheep, and a cuckoo (7)
A type of sheep and an anagram (cuckoo) of AND A.
6d Awful lot of money covering sport (9)
The bonus hint so that I could include another illustration – a synonym of awful, a term for a lot of money, and a two letter synonym of covering.
9d Uncover most of red meat (6)
REd from the clue with the last letter deleted (most of) and a type of meat (from young cattle).
18d Bug in jar, not spreadable (6)
A bug found in computing, performing a perhaps similar function to a legendary equine, formed from an anagram (spreadable) of JAR, NOT.
22d Minute, little time during year (4)
One of those where pronunciation is all important – the single letter (little) for Time, a two letter synonym of during, and a single letter for Year.
Quick Crossword Pun:
CHATTER + NOUGAT = CHATTANOOGA – I considered inserting a music video here but that would have revealed the answer which might have caused some complaints, so if anyone inserts a video, such as I was thinking about, in their comment it will be redacted.
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The Man with the Golden Trumpet Eddie Calvert was born on this day in 1922. He achieved considerable success in the 1950s and became a familiar musician on BBC Radio and TV but his popularity waned as the music scene started to change in the 1960s. His records included two UK number ones, Oh, Mein Papa, for 9 weeks in 1954, and Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White, for 4 weeks in 1955. Here is the second of those, suitable for a cha-cha or is it a rumba, around the kitchen while preparing the Sunday roast?:
I thought this was on the trickier end of Dada’s spectrum but enjoyable, nevertheless. In 5d I took “fast” to mean speedy and that sent me down the wrong road until the bulb lit. I did like whether or not I cared at 3d but my COTD goes to the winger on the turn at 13a.
Thank you, Dada for an enjoyable puzzle that mangled the brain more than usual. Well, it did for me, anyway. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.
2*/3*. This was good fun with 13a, 6d and the Quickie pun making up my podium selection.
But, oh dear, how on earth is miserable an anagram indicator?
Thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Believe it or not ‘miserable’, and ‘miserably’, are in the list of how ever many it is anagram indicators in The Chambers Crossword Dictionary.
Hmm!
Like Steve C, I took ages looking for a mach 1 sheep until the penny dropped. I had smiles for a good number of clues such as 11a, 23a and 19d. Cotd is a toss up between 5d and 18d with the honours going to the speedy sheep by a nose. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I absolutely agree- I thought 5d was a classic. Great clue.
This was Dada at his wily best. Although it was challenging at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this SPP. I always enjoy a good anagram and the sceptic at 8d was a belter as was rhe cryptic double definition at 3d. The 5d Lego clue was cleverly misdirected. In addition, The two clever geographical clues at 19a and 22a completed what, to me, was the nicest of weekend puzzles. Many thanks to Dada for the crossword and to Senf for the hints..
This was a nice solve which kept me thinking throughout.
”I’ll take the food” is absolutely bonkers. Therefore, I love it! The sort of thing Mr Thud would come out with (Mr T and Hud). Credit to you, Senf, for deciphering that bad boy.
There needs to be an anagram indicator committee as ‘miserable’ is truly dreadful. It’s about time Chambers had another shocker.
My podium is 23a, 5d and 6d.
MTT Radio and Senf.
3*/4*
Happy Mothering Sunday
I found Dada very friendly today. Thanks to him and Senf
1* / 4* Loved this one with all its quirkiness and misdirection.
Especially liked the most cosy 21a, the 5d fast and the 8d sceptic great anagram
Thanks to the compiler and Senf
A 12a puzzle – thanks to Dada and Senf.
Podium places go to 13a, 3d and 6d.
First time commenting- found this blog recently and it’s great help when not sure if I am on right lines!
One of the “easier” ones for me however I did get 18d wrong to start which slowed me down and hadn’t a clue why 4a was the answer till I checked here!
Thank you for this blog it’s awesome
Welcome to the blog. Now that you have de-lurked please comment often.
Welcome, Spangledcat! 😊 I had the same problem as you with 4a.
Please do comment again. All the more the merrier. 👍
Are you any relation to me?
I’ve a feline he might be.
DG – You might have to apologise to her
“She”might be 😊
She might be
Welcome, keep commenting
This very enjoyable SPP was going well until I had brain block in the NE , but once I’d deciphered the awful load of money I was able to get over the line. Certainly at the trickier end of difficulty for a Sunday.
My philosophy regarding anagram indicators is that if there is no obvious indicator, but I can see a potential anagram then there must be an indicator somewhere, however obscure. No matter how devious I trust the setter implicitly: he/she has far more experience than I.
Thanks to Dada and Senf
2*/3*
Your comment went into moderation because you used a ‘new’ e-mail address. Both should work from now on.
Couldn’t get 16a for the life of me, had to use my ancient ‘Franklin Crossword Solver’ which will list all word with that pattern of checkers, a godsend sometimes!
16a was my LOI too, Tipcat. Lots of ‘do-able’ double definitions today, but this one had me scratching my head for a while!
Anyone know how to change the avatars on here, as mine’s boringly just got my initials?
FAQ 22!
Ta Senf, I’ll have a gander.
Got it, thanks.
A fun and relatively gentle solve, although 3d (my COTD) took longer than it should have done due to my unforgivable failure to be able to spell 23a correctly. Perhaps it was because I’m so excited about seeing David Byrne in Hammersmith later. Or maybe because I was partially distracted by Court and Spark, which I was revising in preparation for a trip to the Jazz Cafe tomorrow to see Hejira, an excellent Joni cover band. Returning to the crossword, I’m not a huge anagram fan, but I enjoyed the sceptic at 8d. Thanks very much to Dada and to Senf.
Another super puzzle today and not too tricky. I misspelt the name of one which caused a problem for a bit but not too bad. As my Kindle keeps submerging me in advertisements for the 1% Club puzzles, I had a go yesterday. Wish I hadn’t as it is another rather good time waster to add to doing Wordle, Waffle and Squaredle. The rest of my day doesn’t start until about 10.30! Thanks to setter and hinter.
I find it surprising and irritating that the ‘1% Club’ has taken over the Puzzles Web Site. I would rather let Sue Doku return.
Very irritating indeed. They also have made it very difficult to find the day’s puzzles in amongst all the things I really don’t want to “play”. Very annoying especially on a blogging day and I’ve lost count of the number of times I click on the cryptic and end up with Killer Sudoku. Grrr
I always scroll down to the bottom of the Home Page where there are ‘More Puzzles’ apparently less important than the ‘1% Club’ although it does also manage to appear there
I don’t mind new types of puzzle appearing on a regular basis but what I find frustrating is that today’s puzzles are buried near the bottom of the page beneath ‘continue playing’ and ‘daily streaks’. Why don’t today’s puzzles appear at the top of the page? On more than one occasion I’ve printed what I thought was today’s puzzle only to find that I’ve reprinted yesterday’s or an even older one.
Do you have to pay extra for the 1% club I couldn’t seem to get it?
I don’t think so but I haven’t bothered accessing it. I wonder how many have.
I agree, it’s very irritating to have to scroll through myriads of tat to get to today’s puzzle.
No, it’s part of the puzzles subscription.
I’ve tried it a few times but am also frustrated with it being all over the page with today’s puzzles further down.
I wonder if the DT have to pay a fee to ITV for it and so they are promoting it.
I do rather enjoy the 1% club. However, I find it annoying that after I have printed the Cryptic and press the arrow to go back to the crosswords to print the Quick, it now takes me to the 1% Club by default. So I then have to find my way back into the crosswords section instead. Although I am enjoying yet another time waster, I don’t like it being pushed at me.
I agree but the DT do this with every new puzzle they introduce. They make it so it is difficult to get away from the new arrival. Still I am enjoying it but have to ration myself! 😊
**/****
After I got time to go back to last weekend and found them both terribly difficult, yesterday and today I found very benign! Loved the misdirection and in terms of brevity, it was almost on a Ray T scale. The 18d un-spreadable bug in the jar got my COTD.
Many thanks to Senf and Dada.
Oh my edit got lost. I do have a quibble with 18d as the first word of the clue should be “Virus” not “Bug” to make the definition accurate.
I thought this Dada puzzle today was at the middle of his spectrum with definite quirkiness as well as personal thesaurus use evident too. Definitely tricky in spots.
2.5*/3.5*
Favourite candidates include 11a, 21a, 24a, 26a, 3d & 8d — with winner 11a
Thanks to Dada & Senf
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), I am in woe and ague. My melancholy and wretchedness know no boundaries.
Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak. Knits up the o-er wrought heart and bids it break.
Nits? I watched a whole bundle of them representing The Mighty Chelsea yesterday; stumbling to a moribund defeat against an average team from somewhere up there. Oh the dolour! The heaviness of heart.
It’s as bad as that 1% thing up the top there.
Those Ides of March have wounded my soul, my very being.
If Robert The Postman brings me the prize, I will be obliged to send half of it to the lad Senf as I needed his help today. This is largely because I am so anguished, I cannot fathom even the most obvious four letterer today. Oh the sorrow!
Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and The Man From Manitoba
Brilliant!🤣
Ask H to take you for a nice walk, Terence. It might blow away the blues.
I do like Dada’s puzzles. IMHO, I didn’t think this one was particularly quirky. The checkers were a great help though.
Thanks to Dada and Senf for the entertaining blog and images!
I realise it would probably break some unwritten rule at Telegraph Towers, but shouldn’t 17A in the quick crossword have been italicised? 😁
I really, really enjoyed this guzzle. I just love 5d – I was completely thrown by the adjective although I guessed the sheep straight away I still didn’t fall in. It sounds as though Terence is lusting after the Mythical Pen just as much as Steve – when I win it again I might have to toss a coin to see who gets it, I love them both and it hurts me to see them hurting. Greetings to all mothers, past (my own dear mother) present and future (my lovely granddaughter in law) and many thanks for the pictorial bouquet Senf which , together with the hints, pleased me no end and thank you also to Mr Dada. Dinner with DD2 tonight – yeah!
A super puzzle although too many double deffinitions for my liking – only because if i don’t get them straight away i just stare at them for an age (as was the case with my loi – 16a).
Didn’t have any issue with miserable as an anagram indicator although as far as im concerned all bets are off as any word imaginable seems to be in the chambers list!
Thanks to the setter and to senf for the blog
My experience with today’s puzzled mirrored that described by many today. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I have no issue with miserable as an anagram indicator. Another term for miserable is “out of sorts” which could cryptically denote ‘sorted incorrectly’ or ‘in the wrong order’.
Hi F
Miserable is a synonym of an anagram indicator. It’s not one itself.
If I explained this to a rookie solver, they’d throw in the towel immediately.
I don’t understand why setters go down this route as there are hundreds of legitimate ones out there.
I don’t have an issue with it – i know you (tds) have been very vocal about this topic and Im not spoiling for a fight at all but who is to say what is ‘legitimate’ or not? Personally i have a bit of a bugbear about synonyms that are stretched to with an inch of their lives but are deemed to be legit because they appear 78th on a list in some massive red book that i don’t own!
Hi MHUK
I have a huge problem with synonyms of anagram indicators. Huge. It’s unnecessarily crossing the line. RD and I are two of the main objectives as you can see further up today’s blog.
The term should be ‘not oft used synonyms’ rather than ‘stretched synonyms’. If there is just one example of the 78th synonym (love it!) in a clue that fits then I am a happy camper.
Much more importantly, it’s good to see that you don’t have that lame excuse for a dictionary in your house.
What you have to remember is that Crosswords are a game – we the solvers on one side and, for us, the DT and the setters on the other side. One problem – the other side has control of the rule book!
I completed this puzzle this morning before going out. It was glorious sunshine when we left and torrential rain on our return.
I found the puzzle very gentle and enjoyed it a lot.
Top picks for me were 13a, 8d, 4a and 5d.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
This was no walk in the park with several clues holding me up eg 3d , but not helped by spelling 23 wrong, 5 and 18 , last one in . Favourites 16 and 24 . Thanks to all.
The smoothest solve of the past week, tackled this while getting ready for a 20 mile run this morning – only managed 13, experienced more than a calf niggle so walked the remaining 7.
Pody picks, mainly it was the surfaces that stood out – 22A’s nation, 3D’s phrase and anagram, and 18D’s amusing bug.
Thanks to setter and Senf ⭐️
Must be Mother’d Day inspiration – for once I finished it on the day! Loving the bouquet as well. My favourite is 5d
I never got on the right wavelength today and found this tricky. There were some great clues along the way though. 5d and 6d were very good but 8d was my favourite. As a (relative) newbie I spotted and didn’t mind the miserable anagram indicator. Finally I was defeated by 7d which as a fan of Nessa in Gavin and Stacey should have been a write-in. Thank you Dada and Senf
A very enjoyable Mother’s Day gift, with 5d my favourite. I needed Senf to explain the parsing of 4a.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
My first comment has not posted – i liked this. 4a took me as long as the rest of the puzzle combined.
5d fav
Thanks to Senf and Dada
A straightforward & brisk solve while watching the Players at Sawgrass & cheering on Matt Fitzpatrick. The nippy sheep & the cuckoo my fav.
Thanks to D&S