Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3361
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 22nd March 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. Dada has given us a nice, enjoyable solve this Sunday and now I present to you a full review of his puzzle. Hope to have your valuable feedback and comments.
After solving the puzzle, I visited the internet to learn more about onyx, the answer to the clue at 11a and gathered a lot of information. Onyx and agate are both varieties of chalcedony, composed of tiny crystals of silicon dioxide in the form of quartz and moganite. Although they are chemically identical, their appearance differs in the arrangement of their characteristic layered bands. Agate typically displays curved bands, while onyx features straight, parallel layers of alternating colours. Popular forms of onyx include sardonyx, with reddish, brown and cream tones, and banded black-and-white varieties. Pure black onyx is rare; most modern examples are treated to enhance their deep colour. Historically, both stones were valued for practical and decorative uses. Their smooth, polished surfaces made them ideal for seal impressions, while advances in gem-cutting enabled their use in intricate cameos and intaglios. Ancient cultures attributed symbolic meanings to these stones. The Romans associated onyx with courage, the Greek sailors wore it for protection and the Chinese traditions linked it to grounding. During the Renaissance, it was believed to promote eloquence and aid childbirth. Agate was similarly prized for its supposed protective and harmonising qualities, with green agate still worn today for luck and balance. Both stones are durable, with a Mohs hardness of 7, making them resistant to scratches, chips and everyday wear. Their toughness and lack of cleavage allow them to withstand regular use, making them suitable for daily jewellery and heirloom pieces. However, despite their durability, they can be damaged by chemicals, so care and proper storage are essential. Onyx and agate are also associated with wedding anniversaries. Onyx is a gift for the 9th year while agate is the stone to mark the 14th year of marriage and again for a substantial 39 years together. They are more affordable than gemstones such as diamond, sapphire or ruby.
I was enlightened about the bustle, the answer to the clue at 21d, also through the internet. It is a structured undergarment or a metal or whalebone framework worn by women in the late nineteenth century at the back below the waist in order to expand the skirt and create fullness and shape in it. Typically tied around the waist, it supports and lifts fabric, producing a pronounced silhouette behind the wearer. Bustles evolved through various styles, from soft padding to elaborate wire constructions. They reflected changing fashion ideals and social tastes of the Victorian era. Beyond function, the bustle contributed to dramatic, elegant profiles in formal attire. Though no longer common in everyday wear, it remains significant in historical fashion and costume design today.
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Across
1a Rudeness backfiring, irritated with golf – where bedfellows coming to blows? (6-5)
PILLOWFIGHT: LIP (rudeness) as a slang term denoting rudeness e.g. “Don’t give me any lip” i.e. “Don’t be rude” coming from the other end (backfiring) as a reversal in the across clue followed by an anagram (irritated) of WITH GOLF takes to the definition of a mock fight using pillows or in which participants thump each other with pillows i.e. where bedfellows come to blows
9a See instruction corrected for expert on internal communication (14)
NEUROSCIENTIST: An anagram (corrected) of SEE INSTRUCTION directs to the definition of a medical scientist who is an expert on internal communication that refers to signalling within the body i.e. the nervous system
11a Agate touching two axes (4)
ONYX: The definition of a semi-precious variety of agate with different colours in layers is arrived at from ON (touching) as a preposition denoting touching, fixed to or covering and Y and X (two axes) as the two axes used in coordinate systems that form a co-ordinate plane where Y-axis is the vertical line and X-axis the horizontal line
12a Odd number, second though (5)
SEVEN: The definition of the odd number preceded and followed by the odd numbers five and nine respectively is got from S (second) as the abbreviation for second and EVEN (though) as an adverb used for emphasis in the phrase ‘even though’, the same as ‘though’ meaning although or despite the fact that
13a A small flier working (2,2)
AT IT: A from the clue and TIT (small flier) as a small insectivorous songbird of the family Paridae of woodland areas, especially those of Eurasia and Africa together guide to the definition of a phrase denoting working or continuing doing something one has started or being engaged in some activity, typically a reprehensible one
16a Shop front in Truro, one adorned with flowers, briefly (8)
BOUTIQUE: The definition of a small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories is reached from a combo of the front or initial letter (front) in T[RURO] and I (one) as the Roman numeral for one surrounded or covered by (adorned with) BOUQUE[T] (flowers) that is made brief or shortened with the removal of the last letter (briefly)
17a Cut party after musical (6)
HAIRDO: The definition describing the way in which a person’s hair is done or styled or referring to a haircut or the style in which has been cut and arranged is got from DO (party) as an informal term for a party or other social event preceded by or coming after (after) HAIR (musical) as the title of a very famous stage musical, the full name of which is ‘Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical’
19a Agent taking money back, little dog! (6)
YAPPER: A combo of REP (agent) as an informal term for a representative or one who is authorised to act as an official delegate or agent and (taking) as taking along PAY (money) as money given in return for work or services coming from the other end (back) as reversals in the across clue leads to the definition of an informal term for a small, noisy dog
20a How delivery might be unmarred after breakage (8)
UNDERARM: The definition referring to a style of delivery in cricket or bowling is reached from UNMARRED after it has been subject to an anagram (breakage)
22a Doubly right, a vegetable (4)
OKRA: OK and R (doubly right) as doubly right; OK being an adjective denoting all right, correct or satisfactory and R an abbreviation for right followed by A from the clue takes to the definition of the edible seed pod of the plant Abelmoschus esculentus, used in soups and stews and as a vegetable
23a Rubber ring left filled with oxygen (5)
QUOIT: The definition denoting a circular ring of iron, plastic, rope etc used in the game of quoits is got from QUIT (left) as a verb in the past tense denoting left or departed taking inside (filled with) O (oxygen) as the chemical symbol for oxygen
24a Turn needle shortly (4)
SPIN: The definition of a verb meaning to turn, rotate or go round is reached from SPIN[E] (needle) as a sharp, pointed object, an example of which is a needle that is shortened (shortly) with the removal of the last letter
27a Internal communication, however, pedestrian activity? (7-7)
THOUGHT-READING: The definition of mental reading or communicating thoughts directly i.e. internal communication is reached from THOUGH (however) as an adverb denoting however or nevertheless and TREADING (pedestrian activity) as going on foot or walking that is the activity of a pedestrian
28a Twine pretty twisted? Noted! (11)
TYPEWRITTEN: An anagram (twisted) of TWINE PRETTY takes to the definition of something noted or recorded in written form using a typewriter
Down
2d Please let me off, eh? (1,3,4,6)
I BEG YOUR PARDON: Double definition; the second as a formal statement used to ask somebody to repeat what they have just said because one did not hear, an example of which is “Eh?”, a request for repetition as if to mean “I didn’t hear or understand; please repeat?” that takes to the first an expression used as a polite or formal way of saying sorry for something one has just said or done i.e. of asking to be excused or forgiven
3d Bird up early in stunt? (4)
LARK: Double nounal definition; the second denoting a merry adventure, prank of escapade, essentially a stunt or a caper that leads to the first referring to a songbird that lives mainly on the ground and is an early riser that has led to the common idiom ‘up with the lark’ meaning to wake up very early
4d Completed household chore – finished? (6-2)
WASHED-UP: WASHED UP (completed household chore) as a phrase in the past tense denoting washed dishes, cutlery etc after a meal i.e. completed household chore that guides to the definition of an adjective meaning finished or no longer successful or needed
5d Flowers : one reaches for the sun? (6)
IRISES: The definition of brightly-coloured flowers with sword-shaped leaves is obtained from I (one) as the Roman numeral for one followed by RISES (reaches for the sun) as a verb in the third person singular present tense denoting ascends or moves to a higher position or reaches for the sun
6d Bunch of bananas, three of a kind, say? (4)
HAND: Double nounal definition; the first referring to a cluster or bunch of bananas and the second denoting a set of card in games like poker or bridge e.g. three of a kind, with ‘say’ serving as a definition by example indicator
7d Scent of old royalty, perhaps, with English cake (8,6)
VICTORIA SPONGE: Scent of old royalty, perhaps taken as old royalty’s scent, perhaps i.e. VICTORIA’S (old royalty’s) as in the possession of or belonging to late Queen Victoria, the second longest serving monarch of the United Kingdom followed by PONG (scent, perhaps) as an informal term for a strong, unpleasant smell and (with) E (English) as the abbreviation for English guides to the definition of a classic British cake made from a light sponge cake, typically filled with jam, often raspberry or strawberry, and often whipped cream or buttercream
8d Humour ofttimes, and funny! (5,2,4)
STATE OF MIND: The definition of a phrase denoting a person’s mental or emotional condition, especially at a given point in time, an example of which is humour i.e. a mood or state of mind is obtained from an anagram (funny) of OFTTIMES, AND
10d American footwear a little lower? British trunks too! (6,5)
COWBOY BOOTS: A charade of COW BOY (a little lower) as cryptically denoting a male child of an animal that lows and (too) BOOTS (British trunks) as the British equivalent of the American trunks i.e. luggage compartments of automobiles that leads to the definition of high-heeled boots, usually with ornamental stitching etc, worn by, or reminiscent of styles worn by, cowboys and ranchers in the United States
14d Note found in proof, I’ve realised (5)
FIVER: The definition of an informal term for a five-pound note is part of or hidden inside (found in) [PROO]F, I’VE R[EALISED]
15d Drink that’s magnificent sent up (5)
LAGER: The definition of a kind of effervescent beer which is light in colour and body is got from REGAL (magnificent) as an adjective denoting magnificent, majestic or splendid that is going upwards (sent up) as a reversal in the down clue
18d Machine worker in Greene novel (8)
ENGINEER: The definition of a person who is a machine worker or who designs, makes or works with machinery is reached from an anagram (novel) of IN GREENE
21d Old garment, bluest pants (6)
BUSTLE: The definition of a historical undergarment worn to puff out skirts is obtained from an anagram (pants) of BLUEST
25d Margaret doffs cap, ready for the soldiers? (4)
EGGY: [P]EGGY (Margaret) as a well-known diminutive of Margaret undergoing the removal of the topmost or head letter (doffs cap) guides to the definition referring to eggs that are ready to be eaten with toast by the soldiers
26d Change written into amended itinerary (4)
EDIT: The definition of a change or correction made as a result of revising text for clarity is part of or hidden inside (written into) [AMEND]ED IT[INERARY]
There were many clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 1a, 9a, 11a, 13a, 16a, 22a, 23a, 27a, 7d, 10d and 25d; 25d being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Dada for the entertainment. Looking forward to being here again.
3*/3* …
liked 2D “Please let me off, eh ? (1,3,4,6)”