Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31211 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club
(hosted by crypticsue)
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The perfect fun and friendly Saturday Prize Puzzle to cheer up a gloomy and relatively chilly Saturday morning – I wonder what the two house martins who turned up two weeks’ earlier than ‘normal’ in the lovely warm sunshine earlier in the week are making of the difference in temperature?
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 Not bothered about complex clue to “slanders” (7,4,4)
The Latin abbreviation meaning about and an anagram (complex) of CLUE TO SLANDERS
11a Play every second of soft Lionel Richie song (7)
The even (every second) letters of sOfT and a well-known Lionel Richie song
12a Boats in variable current initially heading to shore (6)
A mathematical variable, an abbreviated type of electrical current and the initial letters of Heading, To and Shore
24a Study gallery with pointed toothlike projections (7)
A study and a family of art galleries
26a In Cornwall, see tourist slander menu for bistro last of all (5)
A Cornish diocese (see) is found in the last letters of tourisT slandeR menU foR bistrO
29a Misinterpret what rookie taxi driver might do (4,3,5,3)
Misinterpret or what a rookie taxi driver might do if he wasn’t up to date with the Knowledge
Down
1d Froth on leaf tips rising, and nuts higher up (6-4)
An informal word meaning slightly mad (nuts) goes above (higher up in a down solution) a reversal (rising) of TIPS (from the clue)
5d Roger and last couple from Hawaii, it’s said (3,3)
An interjection expressing agreement, just like Roger in radio communications, sounds like (it’s said) the final two letters of Hawaii
14d Goads Machiavellian unnecessarily (10)
Irritates or goads and crafty or cunning (Machiavellian)
17d Cherish instruction from over-familiar telephonist? (4,4)
An over-familiar telephonist might instruction you to do this while they put your call through
21d Answer coming up: 22 Down, with some hesitation (6)
A reversal (coming up) of an advocate of a form of Communism (just like the solution to 22d) with an interjection expressing hesitation
27d King to the south of American river (3)
The chess abbreviation for King goes after (to the south of in a Down solution) the abbreviation for American
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The Quick Crossword pun: HEARTH + HISSY + CLERK = ARTHUR C CLARKE
I found this to be an enjoyable but tricky little devil. The reference book at 28a took a bit of teasing out but the clue gave clear instructions. Also, even though I had the Lionel Ritchie song, it still took way too long for answer to arrive. Maybe my brain is still a bit befuddled. I did like the cosy instruction in 17d and that is my COTD.
Fantastic Quickie pun.
I’m not sure this is a NYDK production but thanks to him if it is and to whomsoever if not. Thank you, CeeSoo for the hints.
I’m so happy to have completed this entertaining SPP. I won’t be sending it off in search of the mythical because I want Steve to win it. Favourite clue is the cheeky telephonist at 17D. My thanks to the setter and to CS whose hints, unusually, were not required.
That is very altruistic of you, Debonair. All I need now is for everyone else to withhold their entries. 😊
… sorry Steve, I’ve sent mine in … the spiritual quest for the Holy Grail is unremitting!
Nice puzzle today .. challenging in places but a good steady solve .. from top to bottom.
Last in was the telephonist (another job from the past) and before you know it telephones per se will be museum items .. like Gentleman’s Relish … we’re nearly there.
Never heard of 1d before … seen it though.
Cotd was 20a cause Mrs BE provided the answer … as I pondered “tutti” out loud.
Thanks to setter and CS for the hints but not needed today.
My psychoanalyst says I need to win The Mythical because of failing the Use of English exam in 1968/69. Once I do win it I will never enter my crossword again. Good luck to Steve though.
2*/4*. This was a fun SPP with 14d my favourite.
I was surprised to see that the BRB enumerates 18d as (8). (4,4) as given by the setter seems much more likely to me.
Many thanks to whomever and to CS.
As a lover of knitting and buyer of wool the 2 word answer of 18 down seems right and how we knitters would use the term.
A hugely enjoyable SPP, full of humour and clever wordplay.
Plenty of ticks including the play at 11a, the boats in 12a and the book at 28a.
On the day the astronauts returned to Earth, the excellent quickie pun is appropriate.
They don’t just throw this stuff together you know!
My thanks to our setter and CS.
The SW corner meant a DNF for me so many thanks to CS for the hints which took me to a creditable completion.
24 and 28a on my podium today which is a rest day from the garden because of the rain.
Thanks to the setter and CS.
I found this had just the right amount of chewiness for a prize puzzle. I needed CS’s help to parse 26a and the Quickie pun.
After a wet start the sun has come out but it’s still windy and cold. Hopefully it will stay dry for the rare plant fair I’m attending tomorrow.
Top picks for me were 28a, 11a, 14d and 1d.
Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.
Great fun today. Every clue bunged in before my coffee went cold. COTD – 19A – works on a couple of levels. Great weekend entertainment.
Watch out using a hot beverage analogy, I did it a few years ago and got absolutely slated for it!
Greetings. Thanks for the tip.
Hope you liked the mural, though.
Perhaps it’s some people’s image of a DT cruciverbalist.
The man in the mural is Harry Tempest – a writer and publisher in Dundalk, the town I grew up in.
A bit trickier than some recent SPP’s. Steve is a shoo-in for the mythical as I have submitted an error in 21d by not studying the linked 22d closely enough.
Thanks to Setter for bamboozling me and this for Sue’s 2001st blog;
Seconded! Congratulations and many thanks Sue…2001 a cryptic Odyssey.
Wow! Congratulations, Sue. 👍
A enjoyable guzzle, not without difficulties but eminently doable. I liked the long anagram at 1a, the lego clue at 1d,cthe play at 11a a d the geographical clue at 16a. Thanks to theconpilwr a d to CS for the hints
Surprisingly gentle, a swift N-S completion with no hold-ups along the way but plenty of smiles. Only gripe was the inevitable ear-worm caused by the reminder of that tedious dirge in 11a!
Honours to 2d (Pete & Dud – or Derek & Clive – classics of their time, and timing), 14d & 17d
Many thanks to the setter (Donny? Not quite sure) and of course CS
This was spot on for a SSP: lots of neat constructions on a very friendly grid.
I didn’t know that 4d had a variant spelling (don’t get me started as I’ve only just recovered from yesterday).
16a is a controversial member of the exclusive quadruple homophone club as it’s an abbreviation.
My podium is 11a, 2d (an excellent effort to get them into a clue) and 17d.
MTTT setter and she of the crypt.
2*/4*
I wondered about that spelling too. “Irregardless”, very enjoyable puzzle. 🤣🤣
It’s safe to say, A-Pop, that you absolutely love ‘irregardless’ as you should. It’s one of the best.
I saw ‘‘One of them currency’s’’ in a WhatsApp group chat yesterday.
I somehow found the strength to say nothing.
My my! Whatever next, Tom.
(redacted) Gorgeous Tom, will you be taking a punt on #24 in The Grand National?
You bet!
Hear hear re spelling of 4d.
* / ****
Quite benign for a SPP I thought. Plenty of of ticks. 1d was last in trying to get the ‘nuts’ piece. Thought 21d was very clever but my COTD was the familiar telephonist in 17d. I’d be surprised if this was NYDK but then I’m rarely right!
Thanks to the setter and CS
1*/4.5* Straight on to the right wavelength, only slightly delayed in the SE. Thought this had tremendous humour and quirkiness.
Favourites among many are the 1d froth, 5d Roger and the 28a reference book.
Many Thanks to Sue and compiler
Ps Also loved the quickie pun
The sun is shining through the window and although it’s cold outside it’s been a perfect hour solving a very enjoyable, brilliantly clued, crossword. The quality of the clues meant that for once I had no trouble at all in parsing the answers, total satisfaction.
There are many to choose but my COTD is a toss up between 17d and 28a.
Many thanks to the setter and crypticsue. I am a late comer to this blog and the tips and comments of the hosts and the posts from fellow cruciverbalists (has that word ever appeared in a crossword?) add enormously to my daily pleasure.
Some of us may be retired vicars, but relics? That’s unfair (15)
Scrambler of saint in cubical rivers (15) would be another, but can Scrambler be both definition and anagram indicator?
Having a relaxing day before my first trail marathon, in South Downs to Brighton, tomorrow 😬 🏃🏻♂️
A very enjoyable solve, I found many clues challenging on first pass and then surprised myself as they came together swiftly.
Several pody contenders – ok I’m going with 17D being amusing and clever; 1D as the trickiest clue for me, unfamiliar with the word, I won’t forget it now, was satisfying to parse it; and COTD is 2D for a warm surface and the definition being one of my favourite words.
Nice to see Lionel in a clue, a nostalgic favourite from my formative years.
Many thanks to setter and to CS ⭐️
Good luck for tomorrow!
Is that the Seven Sisters marathon?
I agree with CS that this was a fun and friendly SPP offering from whoever. I have never seen 4d with an ‘e’, is that the female variant? LOI was the Machiavellian goader 14d which I got from the checkers and then reverse parsed. Every clue was fair and accessible without any hold-ups.
Thanks to the setter and crypticsue
1*/4*
Witty, fun and very entertaining. 5d and 7d raised a smile, but cotd goes to 22d. Thanks to NYDK (?) and CS. I’ve withheld my submission for the mythical in favour of Steve C 😂
Highly entertaining with fun and witty clues, just the way to start the day.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints.
Something of a stroll for me today. I’m with TDS as to the laurels.
Many thanks setter — enjoyable stuff — and cee ess.
Difficult to assess this SPP as I was multitasking, which never works, solving it and watching the TV coverage of the successful splashdown of Artemis II. Apparently it cost approximately £57,000 to include that jar of Nutella in the ‘pantry.’
However, I can identify some candidates for favourite – 19a, 20a, 1d, 6d, and 22d – and the winner is 22d.
Thanks to whomsoever and CS.
Although I have been doing the puzzles for the last few days I have been out and about as well and do not post by late evening. . Having a morning of quiet is welcome and the crossword certainly entertained. Liked the misdirection of 11 across. Pleased by 1 down and not at all alarmed by 7 down. Favourite was 3 down, the lady of the great Dicken’s novel. Last in was 5 down. Great to be back on the blog and thanks to our setter and CS
14d my runaway favourite from this most entertaining of SPPs.
My thanks to our Saturday setter for a superb puzzle and to Sue.
Up late today after watching the splashdown, got a bit worried as the rescue chaps took an age to open the capsule, but all good in the end.
Four very brave individuals, well done on the mission.
As to the puzzle, great fun and not too taxing to my hungover brain, great clueing throughout. My two of the day were 19a and 29a (in my experience, this is also what a very seasoned cabbie will do!)
Just the usual wait for Passport Control and Customs
I was on wavelength today and it felt a bit like a Monday offering. I’d bet again that this is def not a DK production as I usually find his quite a challenge. I did enjoy this puzzle though. Thanks to the setter and to CS.
I though this surprisingly gentle for a SPP but thoroughly enjoyable, I especially liked the Lionel Richie and the reference book clues.
I’m not sure if this has been mentioned before – apologies if it has – but I know there are quite a few here who enjoy Wordle and the creator of it has a new daily puzzle called Parseword based around cryptic crossword clues which is well worth a look, you can find it here http://www.parseword.com/daily
Thanks to setter and Sue
Thanks Sim. I look forward to adding Parseword to my collection of at least 8 other daily word games.
Thanks, I’ll have a look, Sim but Wordle and Spellchecker are my fill ins until the paper arrives (ie I go and get it).
I’ve been enjoying Parseword, too. One of the things I like about it is how accurate the wordplay has to be in order for the individual steps to work like that — no vague indicators in the wrong part of speech or wrong position for the cryptic grammar to work, for instance.
After a few days away in the city of the cradle of Westminster civilisation I came back hoping to be inspired having imbibed a little wisdom! What I was presented with was a gentle puzzle to get me back into the dark arts of cryptic crossword solving. A steady solve with just a pause for a couple of clues in the centre of the northern hemisphere. Given it is a Saturday and a prize puzzle I was surprised how straightforward it proved to be, a 1* imho.
Favourites today were 5d and 17d.
As ever, thank you to the setter and to CS for the hints.
Oh dear, Sim, I am already hooked on Wordle and am not sure if I can afford to get stuck into another challenge. I’ve just scored 3 three times in a row! However. To the task in hand, delightful guzzle quirky and clever though I’m not over enamoured with 7d! I liked the Salvation Army clue, 21 and 22d were my last two entries. 1d seemed incomprehensible until suddenly it came like a bolt of lightening. Is this really your 2001st blog Sue? If so, you should be getting a medal, dedication to hinting. Many thanks to you and to the quirky clever Setter.
I found this fairly straightforward but I’ve never heard of 1d or 4d which held me up a little.
14d favourite today. Machiavellian would be a great anagram indicator.
Thanks to Sue and Setter
The alternative spelling in 4d had to be checked and 24a definition confirmed though it had to be what it was. Lots to like. Favourite was 7d thanks to the setter and CS.
A fun solve today without too many dreaded anagrams. Bunged in 11a without having heard of Lionel Richie song. 12a too convoluted to fathom and 5d a bit silly. Fav smile 17d. Thanks setter and CS.
Hugely enjoyable mid-low difficulty puzzle. **/****
[I think the hint for 12a needs amending. One must take the initials of the final three words, not just the final two.]
Amended, thank you
A few foxed me but enjoyable puzzle, thanks to the setter. A mixed list of Britpop today 🎸
City back to winning ways😎
Hello all, setter here. Thank you for solving, and thanks to Sue for the hints.
Suitably tricky and enjoyable for SPP, Tumbledown. Thank you for it. 👍
Fine Saturday puzzle from Twmbarlwm – I’ll vote for the pair at 21 and 22D. VMT also to Sue.
Still struggling with 22 down.
You’ve changed your alias again!
22d the definition is red, the port side of something and the ‘case’ of the final word of the clue
Now, if only every Saturday cryptic could be like this one. I started out without much hope as I usually throw in the towel before I get very far, but today it was a steady, if tricky in places, solve to the end. Some clues I couldn’t get very far with in the first pass revealed themselves nicely with the checkers. Truly, an enjoyable puzzle. COTD definitely 29a, closely followed by 1a. Thanks to setter and CS. I was gardening this morning, which might explain all filled in boxes. Working outside with one’s head down seems to do wonders for the brain 😊.
Out all day yesterday, so only got to this today — but I wasn’t going to miss out on a Twmbarlwm backpager, especially not one so highly praised by reviewer (thank you, CrypticSue) and commenters above. Like others, the word at 24a and the spelling of 4d were both new to me, but both were readily solvable, and I finished faster than I often do. Highlights included writing music together in 20a, insider the 28a reference book, 7d’s whiskey alarm, the 14d goading, 17d receptions, and the 22d/21d combination. Thank you, Twm, for the fun.
2 days late to this & an enjoyable solve. Just trawled through the comments to see if the setter’s identity was revealed & indeed it was. Suspected it wasn’t Donny but can’t say I had it pegged as a Twm Production. The over familiar receptionist my clear fav.
Thanks to T & CS