Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31237
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***/****
A beautiful sunny, albeit slightly chilly, day here in Harpenden so a decent afternoon walk looks the order of the day.
I would have assumed today’s very enjoyable puzzle to be an Anthony Plumb production but Senf advises me that the Quick puzzle grid is not one that he uses so it remains to be seen if the setter pops in to claim ownership. I found the difficulty level about on a par with yesterday so continued respite after the challenges of the weekend prize puzzles.
For any seeking a further challenge the Beamer over in t’other place is more of a gentle long hop & well worth a look at.
As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
Across
1a Sailors might be entering these details? (5)
DOCKS: hyphenate details then think of a synonym to give you where they may be entering.
4a Gambler from France getting wealthier (6,3)
BETTER OFF: gambler/punter + a synonym for ‘from’ (perhaps usually preceded by out) then append the IVR code for F[rance].
9a Is sent out before this writer’s easily offended (9)
SENSITIVE: an anagram (out) of IS SENT followed by a personal pronoun contraction that this writer might use.
10a Bit quiet on the podcast (5)
PIECE: a homophone (on the podcast) of a synonym for quiet/calm.
11a King rejected story Edward told (7)
RELATED: the single letter for king/R[ex] + a reversal (rejected) of story/yarn + a diminutive for Edward.
12a Nurses accepting hospital dangers (7)
THREATS: insert H[ospital] into nurses/tends to.
13a Make unknown drink (6)
BRANDY: another word for a make/proprietary name then append a single letter unknown variable in maths.
15a Student being paid for what she’s doing? (8)
LEARNING: not entirely sure whether to underline just the last three words here as the definition or the lot & have opted for the latter. Not sure either why it’s a she as opposed to a he but it matters not. The usual single letter for student/L[earner] + being paid for/making a crust.
18a Condescending police officer going round South American city (8)
SUPERIOR: insert a Brazilian carnival city (going round) into an informal abbreviation for a senior police rank.
20a Continue slowly intimidating woman (6)
DRAGON: a two word (4,2) way of expressing continue slowly (memories of line meetings & conferences from my working days) when combined provide the definition synonym.
23a Vehicle fuel badly measured (7)
CAREFUL: pick a mode of transport then link with an anagram (badly) of FUEL.
24a Retailer apparently keeps back clothing (7)
APPAREL: hidden in reverse (keeps back).
26a Small vessel heading off, say (5)
UTTER: remove the initial letter (heading off) from a sailing vessel. I know nowt about boats but I thought some ‘em were quite large.
27a Opprobrium about organised crime – is it ignoring cause, ultimately? (9)
CRITICISM: the single letter for about/C[irca] + an anagram (organised) of CRIM[e] IS IT (ignoring caus[E] ultimately).
28a Had groups of constables primarily scared every delinquent? (9)
POSSESSED: a term for groups of lawmen followed by the 1st letters (primarily) of the last 3 words in the clue.
29a Urge, for example, almost vanished (3,2)
EGG ON: for example abbreviation + a truncated (almost) synonym for vanished.
Down
1d Editor picked up writer’s reports (9)
DESCRIBES: reverse (picked up/down clue) the usual abbreviation for editor + writers.
2d American alligators guarding watercourse (5)
CANAL: hidden (guarding).
3d Changed garment and was first topless (7)
SHIFTED: a loose straight-hanging style of dress followed by a synonym for ‘was first’ less its initial letter (topless).
4d Forms associations with Belgium for good (6)
BUILDS: swap out the initial letter (replace G[ood] with the IVR code for B[elgium]) in associations/organisations – popular with townswomen for example.
5d Doctor rates the rooms in hospital (8)
THEATRES: an anagram (doctor) of RATES THE.
6d Rome surprisingly enthralling for a leader there? (7)
EMPEROR: an anagram (surprisingly) of ROME goes around (enthralling) a preposition for ‘a’/ each.
7d Speaking about pens only half working (9)
OPERATING: speaking/making speeches goes around (about) 50% (only half) of PE[ns].
8d Does a runner initially like cutting costs? (5)
FLEES: insert (cutting) L[ike] (initially) into costs/expenses.
14d Strap up a wound holding adult’s equipment (9)
APPARATUS: insert (holding) the single letter for A[dult] into an anagram (wound) of STRAP UP A.
16d Chap’s soothing mother with note (9)
GENTLEMAN: soothing/tender + an informal diminutive for mother + the single letter for N[ote].
17d Assembles beds outside room upside down (8)
COLLECTS: beds for infants go round (outside) a reversal (upside down) of a type of room associated with confinement.
19d Match official Seles oddly dismissed after point (7)
REFEREE: the alternate letters (oddly) of S[E]l[E]s follow (after) a synonym for point/point out or reference.
21d Lizard, possibly, salesman found on hat (7)
REPTILE: the usual abbreviated term for a salesman + a slang/informal term for a stiff or top hat.
22d Went up and down a river in contest with daughter (6)
VARIED: insert (in) A from the clue & R[iver] into a verb synonym for contest/compete then append D[aughter].
23a Mug friend put on piano (5)
CHUMP: friend/pal + P[iano].
25d Regretting telephone call outside university (5)
RUING: place the call around (outside) of U[niversity].
Plenty to like here & the clues that stood out for me were 18,27&28a plus 4,6&22d. Please let us know which clues you liked best.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: DRY + MAR + TEENY = DRY MARTINI
Very nice puzzle with many enjoyable clues. Thank you setter and blogger.
Another solid performance from Il Prof hits the back of the net with plenty of excellent surfaces.
23d is another one of those superb words ending in p. Definitely my favourite letter.
I wonder how many slams Seles would have won. She banked eight before her 20th birthday. Steffi, who I loved, wouldn’t have got anywhere near 22. Such a tragedy
My podium is 4a, 11a and 4d.
MTTTA and Hoots!
I still can’t believe Butch Cassidy didn’t win the Oscar. Midnight Cowboy, as good (and bizarre!) as it is, is nowhere near.
2*/4*
Agreed – Butch way better than The Sting which he won Best Director for.
A steady solve that came together more quickly in the south than the north. 1a may well be my favourite now I understand it fully. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints and clips. I’m off to Antwerp first thing tomorrow and I’m rather concerned by the number of excellent looking bars within stumbling distance of our accommodation.
This was good fun and reasonably straight forward with no problems encountered.
Plenty to like. Starting with the horizontal clues, my top picks are 4,12,15,18 and 23. My top picks for the vertical clues are the following 1,7,8, and 17. For the podium, 4a, 12a and 17 d with 17d being my COTD.
Very strange to see no comments until 11 minutes after the review and hints were published…..,I held my fire……
Many thanks to the setter and hinter.
I found the unusual grid for this puzzle difficult to get into.Al5hough I eventually worked out the parsing, with many of them I had worked out the answers first using the definition and the checkers. I liked the double definition at 1a, the lurker at 2d and the two lego clues at 16d and 17d. Thanks ro the compiler, possibly not Me PLUMB AND TO Huntsman for the hints.
Just to let those who never venture into Toughie territory, the one by Beam today is quite accessible.
Sorry, I see Hintsman has already pointed this out.
I quite agree Steve. Well worth a visit.
I always try to drum up enthusiasm in the intro (if it’s gentle) & encourage those who never venture there. Thought today’s way easier than his Sunday prize Toughie + really no more difficult than this puzzle.
I agree and all the usual trademarks are present. For this who do not know Beam is the alter ego of RayT.
Thank you Steve I did not know that! We need a list of all the compiler names!
Another day when the first pass yielded very little but it all came into place in time. I failed to parse 10A and 27A, (couldn’t work out where the c came from), but the bung ins were correct. Thanks to Huntsman for sorting that out for me.COTD 1A as I had the answer for ages but not the parsing and then eventually the penny dropped with a huge clang.
Thai corner. A few more loan words that I find amusing when the Thais use them, with their free for all approach.
Fan is used widely as the description of a partner ranging from boyfriend to husband.
Ber a shortened form of number is the preferred word to describe counting words e.g. ” what is your telephone ber”, The Thais have a perfectly good word for number so when I challenged someone as to why they used ber and not the Thai word I was told the Thai word has two syllables whereas ber only has one. Go figure.
Loan words are so pervasive the Thais obviously don’t realise they are using them. I asked someone why they weren’t at school on a weekday and was told it’s mid-term. They then asked me what the English translation for mid-term was.
Thanks again to Huntsman for relieving the fail to parse frustration and to the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle.
Thanks for that, Tyke.
Did you mean to use the expression ‘Go figure’ when talking about numbers or is it a coincidence?
If so then…we love it!
I wish I was that witty.
Gutted!
It was a goodie.
Love the “what’s the English [for an English expression]”
Another perfect Tuesday puzzle that was not too taxing but very nicely clued. I found it hard to pick a favourite, but settled on 4d.
My thanks to AP and The Hintsman.
Apart from having to solve this on the app today (no dead trees in town this morning and no explanations either … Mrs Big Eck said they were holding the front page expecting a welcomed announcement from No 10!), thus was a very enjoyable solve.
Cotd 20a … there’s plenty around and the St Georges are getting fewer.
Last in 1a … of course … doh!
Thanks to setter and Huntsman …. but no hints needed today.
It took me a while to get into this but I enjoyed it once I got going.
Top picks for me were 28a, 4d, 14d and 23d (lovely word).
Thanks to Huntsman and the setter.
A small step up from yesterday with excellent clues that provided enough direction to make the solve a pleasure. I thought 24a was very clever, perfectly disguised. My favourites were 27a and 28a.
Crossword finished, sun still shining and managed to get some grass cut – the rest of the day’s weather not looking too promising though. Off to the Bucks Head Stadium this afternoon to support grandson in a school cup final.
Thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints.
It took me a while to get into today’s offering and, like others, I am not sure if it is by AP. As is often the case, the downs came to my aid and it became a steady solve but with a few sticky ones holding up progress. My COTD is the intimidating woman at 20a.
Thank you, Professor if it be you but to whomsoever if not. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
Cold and windy in The Marches today.
If this is not by our usual Tuesday setter then whoever has produced it has made a good fist of following his entertaining style. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
For my podium I’ve selected 15a, 20a and 7d.
Enjoyable puzzle, with a little more chew than one expects on a Tuesday – more Monday-ish I’d say. From the start some of the constructions felt unusual for an AP production so I should not be surprised were it from a different setter today.
Honours to 1a, 4d and 22d. Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman
For me, etc© not Typically Tuesdayish and the Quickie grid would suggest that this is not an Anthony Plumb production. With Beam on Toughie duty, do we have a Dream Team Tuesday?
Candidates for favourite – 15a, 23a, 4d, and 21d – and the winner is 4d.
Thanks to whomsoever and Huntsman.
Thanks for the heads up email. Got to say I’m with Gazza in thinking if it isn’t a Plumb job then it’s a good approximation & had an ide or the NATO alphabet featured I’d have risked a few bob.😀
Thanks H. I would be happy to be proved wrong, but we might never know.
I’m in the “it was chewy camp”. Certainly the west held out the longest and, on finishing, I felt a right 23d for making such heavy weather of it. I’m awarding cotd to the gambling Frenchman in 4a. Thanks to compiler and Huntsman.
1* / 3.5* A nice steady solve and the only slight hold up was 20a, no idea why.
Favourites the aforementioned fire breathing 20a, equipment anagram at 14d and the mug at 23d
Thanks to compiler and Huntsman
Ps Nice to hear the Springsteen track, it’s off a cracking album
* / ***
Fine fare and on wavelength today. Couple of parsings to double check to be absolutely sure but otherwise plain sailing for me © etc.
Particularly liked the mug in 23d, what a lovely word and 23a measured.
Thanks to the setter, AP or whomsoever and Huntsman
Usual great selection of music.
This started well but I got held up by a few stumbling blocks today. 14d and 3d were unwilling to unravel. Finished in my usual time but somehow do not feel satisfied with this puzzle.
Btw why is a 20a always a female
Ciao from our last day in Sorrento
Sorrento? Lucky you.
When it comes to Italy, I’ve only been to Rome. I need to get my act together as I’m missing out on soooooooooooo much.
I’ve had a look online about your question and there’s nothing obvious. A good question.
It reminds me of this brilliant scene from THE series.
Flying tart….
Sat in The bar with a lovely glass of falanghina, Falerian wine was highly valued in ancient times ( I know this from reading “Falco” novels, not because I read classics 😂) I will always think of Anton Lesser when I think of Falco they are inseparable in my mind.
Anyway I digress will definitely watch the FT clip later, MrSC loves a bit of Fawlty Towers
Ciao
I’ve heard such good things about Serrento.
It’s on my list.
A Tuesday puzzle in the same sort of genre of difficulty as Monday’s offering.
2*/4* for me
Favourites include 1a, 13a, 18a, 5d & 21d — with winner 1a.
1a, 13a, 20a & 29a all made me smile.
Thanks to setter & Huntsman
No real hold ups today, solved steadily from North to South.
1a and 20a favourites today.
Never heard of on the podcast to indicate a homophone but we must all move with the times.
Thanks to setter and hinter
I found this way harder that the ** rating – which is strange because Tuesdays are normally my speediest and most enjoyable solve of the week. This felt more like a pp/toughie, although looking back I can’t quite see why. Didn’t seem to have Tuesdays wit I’m sad to say. That could just be because I solved it whilst waiting in a hospital for my appointment which is never good for the mood.
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for blogging duties
Enjoyable puzzle today with lots of favourites. I also put in a couple of answers because they fitted and then mulled over the parsing. I’ve almost finished the Toughie too so it must be one for us lesser mortals. Thanks to setter and Huntsman. Interesting the comment from Huntsman about AP not using a particular grid – I wonder why? Did anyone else resort to putting the heating on yesterday evening? I did and we are in the middle of May for goodness sake.
I put the heater on here, Manders. The Marches were decidedly chilly.
Shouldn’t the clue to 1d be writers’?
I wondered that too but didn’t dwell on it.
What did you make of the puzzle otherwise?
I’m a bit of an amateur and still learning. However, I did manage to complete all five midweek puzzles a couple of weeks ago – albeit slowly! As for today’s, it was OK once I got going but took me a while to get into it. One or two slightly obscure clues for someone like me. 20a foxed me and I needed help from my grandfather’s Longman Crossword Key.
Hi CW
The writer wrote more than one report.
No, the clue is correct as it stands. The final S comes from the possessive ‘s in the clue.
That’s the conclusion I came to Falcon – guess the hint should have made that clear but I get fed up writing incl the possessive S. The question I have is would it have been incorrectly clued had it been written as Crispin suggested? Are there not instances where the possessive is only there to aid the surface?
All good today although I struggled for a while to understand the French connection for the wealthy. Thank you Huntsman and compiler
A clear and fairly clued offering from whomsoever the setter be. Completed before I went out to knock the little white/yellow ball around the links, with no hold ups, so definitely on a par with yesterday.
Plenty of likes especially 20a, the intimidating woman, (although I didn’t like the one I had!), the opprobrium at 27a and 10a, the bit on the podcast, but my COTD goes to 1a, concise and clever.
My thanks to today’s compiler and Huntsman.
1.5*/3.5*
from France = ofF
An enjoyable puzzle which I initially struggled to get started on but then it all fell into place. 1a was my favourite. I needed some help to parse a couple.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
Another good puzzle following on from yesterday. Took me awhile to confirm my answer to 1a was right. Failed to find where she came into 15a but then it made a change! Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman
Chewier than usual for a Tuesday, but good fun nonetheless. 4d and 5d share my Gold Star today. Thanks to our setter and to Huntsman for the blog and musical selection. And also thanks to all who’ve directed solvers to today’s excellent Beam Toughie.
Hurrah! Comment accepted at the 5th time of asking…
I’m pleased I wasn’t on my own finding this bordering on toughie territory in places. This has all the hallmarks of a new setter laying down a marker saying “I’m someone to be reckoned with”. I can tell you why dragons are always women I was married to one. Enough of this I did enjoy the challenge. Struggling to pick a favourite but I’ll go with 21d. Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
An enjoyable solve a notch up from yesterday’s. My last on in was 27a. I think I was put off by the big word opprobrium, which I had to look up, but it was a straightforward forward parse in the end. Was I the only one who put whisky for 13a, thinking to whisk can mean ‘make’ ? ..well not quite clearly thinking about it. A nice puzzle thanks to the setter and Huntsman. Meanwhile I need to finish Sunday’s prize puzzle that I started yesterday. Finding that a bit of a slog.