Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31248
Hints and tips by Falcon
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BD Rating – Difficulty * – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Ottawa, where we are having a strange spring. Temperatures reach the low 20°C range in the daytime only to drop to near 0°C overnight. However, the coming week promises more seasonal conditions and I am looking forward to being able to spend time at my lakeside retreat.
On my last appearance, I promised a more complete look at our tulips which the following 15 minute video should certainly provide. In the previous blog, I was wrong on one point though: the Tulip Festival wrapped up a week ago and not yesterday as I stated then.
Today’s puzzle provides a welcome respite following the grueling mental challenges of the last few days. A chance to refresh the little grey cells in preparation for what surely lies in wait later in the week.
In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.
Across
1a Get beneath platform (10)
UNDERSTAND — join together synonyms of beneath and platform
9a That woman’s beginning to enjoy present (4)
HERE — a feminine possessive adjective and the beginning letter of ENJOY
10a Making urgent requests in rage, with intent to reform (10)
ENTREATING — an anagram (to reform) of RAGE with INTENT
11a Deer gambolling around the City go back (6)
RECEDE — an anagram (gambolling) of DEER containing (around) the postcode for the City of London
12a House by steps is unwelcoming (7)
HOSTILE — abbreviation for house and steps over a fence
15a Politician orchestrated treason (7)
SENATOR — an anagram (orchestrated) of TREASON
16a Tales of initially youthful aspirational Royal Navy sailor (5)
YARNS — the first letters (initially) of the final five words of the clue
17a Send back Euros – not universal tender (4)
SORE — reverse (send back) EUROS and remove the single letter for universal (film classification)
18a Lean over catalogue (4)
LIST — double definition, the first primarily nautical and the second we associate with Terence
19a Warning – beer rots from time to time (5)
ALERT — another name for beer and an alternating sequence of letters (from time to time) extracted from ROTS
21a Those people taking on blame for treatment (7)
THERAPY — a subjective pronoun denoting those people containing (taking on) an informal term for blame
22a Erudite poet essentially knew introduction to Dante (7)
LEARNED — string together a poet noted for his nonsense verse, the middle letters (essentially) of KNEW, and the initial letter of (introduction to) DANTE
24a Mix in Thai paste (6)
TAHINI — an anagram (mix) of IN THAI produces a Middle Eastern paste …
27a Party happy drinking mixed gin (10)
CONTINGENT — … and continue mixing by adding (containing) an anagram (mixed) of GIN to happy or satisfied
28a Has scattered seeds, front to back (4)
OWNS — start with a past participle denoting scattered seeds and move the initial letter to the end (front to back)
29a Attempts to include oil and French bath products (10)
TOILETRIES — a synonym of attempts containing (to include) OIL from the clue and the French word denoting ‘and’
Down
2d Return two articles for grandmother (4)
NANA — link two grammatical articles and reverse (return) the result
3d Adventurous traveller ran to fences (6)
ERRANT — a lurker contained within (fences) the three words between the definition and indicator
4d Figure cathedral city is impressive (7)
STATELY — a figure or bit of data and a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire
5d A number reflected in line of symmetry (4)
AXIS — the A from the clue and the reversal (reflected) of a cardinal number
6d Units in qualifications (7)
DEGREES — double definition, units of angular measurement or temperature and academic qualifications
7d Confusing a president is commonplace (10)
PEDESTRIAN — an anagram (confusing) of A PRESIDENT
Perhaps not really relevant to the clue but confusing whether you’re walking or driving.
8d Famous doctor cleared bet (10)
CELEBRATED — an anagram (doctor) of CLEARED BET
12d Pause building in a hot site (10)
HESITATION — an anagram (building) of the final four words of the clue
13d Piercing loose rock feature close to bog (10)
SCREECHING — a charade of loose rock on a mountainside, a facial feature, and the final letter of (close to) BOG
14d On time, like a nobleman? (5)
EARLY — whimsically the answer might be interpreted to mean ‘like a nobleman (of middle rank)’
15d Entrap vandal ransacking upturned boxes (5)
SNARL — a lurker contained by (boxes) and reversed (upturned) the two words following the definition
19d Fruit supply to Capri (7)
APRICOT — an anagram (supply) of TO CAPRI; supply is used in the sense of in a supple manner
20d Texas hat fabric (7)
TEXTILE — the answer split (3,4) could be an informal term for a formal Texan hat
Judging by the number of examples I found, top hats must have been a thing in the Old West and highly prized by native warriors.
23d Park-keeper at first regrets rage (6)
RANGER — the initial letter (at first) of REGRETS and another word for rage
25d Opposed to books probing the likes of ChatGPT (4)
ANTI — an old collection of Bibical books is contained in (probing) the abbreviated term for ChatGPT and similar products
26d Kane losing a bit of elasticity in joint (4)
KNEE — remove (losing) A from KANE and append the initial letter (a bit) of ELASTICITY
Thank you to the setter. Leave a comment to tell us which clues appealed to you?
Quickie pun:: OST + RAIL + LEAR = AUSTRALIA
On This Day …
… in 1967, Procol Harum’s ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ entered the UK chart for the first time, where it went on to become a No.1 hit. ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ became the most played song in the last 75 years in public places in the UK (as of 2009). The first video for the song was shot in the ruins of Witley Court in Worcestershire, England. Directed by Peter Clifton whose insertion of Vietnam War newsreel footage caused it to be banned from airplay on the Top Of The Pops TV show. The band subsequently made another video.
A lovely start to the week with a puzzle that was fairly straightforward but enjoyable, nevertheless. There was plenty to like including the unwelcoming steps at 12a and the line of symmetry at 5d. I also liked the people taking the blamed at 21a but my COTD, unusually, is a four letter one – ChatGPT reading a book at 25d.
Thank you, setter for a most entertaining puzzle. Thank you, Falcon for the hints. I love the video of the tulips.
A shame about Rookie Corner.
This was much needed after yesterday’s DNF. Very gentle from start to finish with no hurdles nor head scratching.
Many thanks to the setter and Falcon
Nearly a read and write bar 10a and 6d which came on 2bd pass. Otherwise a gentle introduction to the week. No real standout clues for me but I did like the Texan fabric 20d.
My thanks to the setter and Falcon.
0.5*/3*
A nice gentle, for me, puzzle to start the week and a welcome respite from yesterday’s brain mangling.
Top picks for me were 5d, 20d, 13d and 14d.
Thanks to Falcon and the setter.
1*/3*. This made a light and pleasant start to the week, a welcome relief after yesterday’s back-pager.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
P.S. I agree with Steve @1. What a shame not to have a Rookie Corner puzzle today.
I found this just between 1 and 2 star. I normally think the bloggers stars are too low. Maybe I had a particularly good day.
Your alias when you made your first [and only] comment just over six years ago was slightly different which is why you went into moderation
Looking at the comments so far, I think most of us would agree with your difficulty rating rather than the one given by Falcon
No, Falcon is not so out of step with the world. He just neglected to adjust the rating in his template. It has now been corrected. Strangely, I realized this as I opened my eyes this morning before even looking at the blog.
Very enjoyable and much light relief after yesterday’s back pager mauling. Stand out clue must be the Texan hat fabric at 20d. Thanks to compiler and Falcon
Lots to enjoy in this how Mondays used to be cryptic crossword
Many thanks to the setter and Falcon
Arrived early at the cricket yesterday and spent 30 minutes looking at the Sunday PP…play starts and I’ve managed to solve and parse 6 clues…end of crossword! Dada and I are not in sync I’m sorry to say.
Today was a different story, a lovely start to the new week although perhaps slightly anagram heavy. Nothing too startling but I did like two tiddlers – 28a which took me a moment to understand and ChatGPT and the books in 25d. My COTD was the well constructed 13a
My thanks to the setter and Falcon for the hints.
Like others, I found this ebjoyabke guzzle a pleasant rwlief, aftter the btrainburnerprize puzzles over the weekend. I liked the double definition clue at 6d, the lego fabric at 20d and the lego party at 27a. Thanks to the compiler fodr a straightforward crossword that was, neverthelwess very entertaining and thanks to Falcon for the hints.
Arrived at the cricket early yesterday and spent 30 minutes with the Sunday PP – 30 minutes, 6 clues solved and parsed. End of crossword, I’m afraid Dada and I are not in sync.
Today’ was a different story, a lovely well clued puzzle, although [erhaps a little heavy on anagrams.
I liked two tiddlers – 28a which took me a moment to understand and 25d ChatGPT and the books but with nothing really standing out my COTD was 29a
My thanks to the setter and Falcon for the hints
I must have sunstroke – my first response disappeared…rewrote and posted again and apparently I have selected a different COTD!
This was very light even for a Monday or was I sharpened up by the brain mangling Silvanus toughie yesterday?
No stand out favourites and personally I think 14d would work better as Ahead of time but that is a tough pedantic.
Thanks to Falcon and Setter.
I concur on 14d although it reminds me of a saw:
To be 14d is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is unforgiveable!
My mother used to say that punctuality was the politeness of princes.
I would rather be an hour early than a minute late.
Oh dear…..I am late for almost everything….only a little late… except for trains, planes or buses….always early for them.
This, as you might imagine, drives Mr Meringue nuts.
Very good fun, and perfect for a Monday. Just enough grit to need a little thinking, but nothing strenuous. I have the same quibble as SL8 about 14d, but that’s a very minor nit. Lots of clever, well put together clues. I was particularly taken with 1a, 7d, 25d and 26d, but I’m giving my Gold Star to 17a.
Thanks to our Setter for a lot of fun, and to Falcon for the blog. The 21a illustration raised a smile!
A gentle start to the week with plenty of anagrams – thanks to our setter and Falcon.
My podium selections are 17a, 5d and 20d.
Just about right for an overheated body and brain. Already 30 C this morning. I enjoyed the puzzle with favourite being 21 across. What I enjoyed more was the original video recording of A Whiter Shade of Pale. Admit to crying as it brought back so many strong memories.
Many thanks Falcon and our setter today.
A gentle start for a hot BH Monday, thankfully after the last two which left me exhausted ! I did spend a bit of time looking at the definition of snarl , which I’ve never used as a synonym for entrap, so that was a little bit interesting. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.
Likewise with the entrap synonym
Agreed, this Monday as they used to be was most welcome relief after the brain mangling of the last few days – 1.5*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 21a, 28a, and 26d – and the winner is 26d.
Thanks to the setter and Falcon.
Belated thanks to yesterdays ‘escaped toughie’ for keeping me occupied for most of the flight back from my Spanish golf trip before it finally fell. Good to see the sun has followed me back for a change.
Like most I found this commensurate with the biggest hit from the Nick Straker Band.
Thanks to all.
I have finally managed to complete the weekend’s cryptics and toughie and concur with previous comments that they were brsinmsngling. Especially in this heat and done late evening after busy days. Still, great sense of achievement and appreciation of an easy ride today. Proper Monday. I think I am going to put the Texan hat as my favourite as I love fabric. Incidentally, vis a vis the discussion on Wordle the other day I’ve just done two twos and a three in a row – howzat? Many thanks to the Setter and Falcon for today’s guzzling. Waiting for DD2 to arrive – about 12 was her suggestion – I thought it was optimistic!
Impressive Wordling, DG. I managed it in three today.
I managed to Wordle in 4 today having zilch for the first two! Did anyone else lose their ‘streak’ the other day? Jolly annoying as I was up to 149.
yes I did too – luckily I was only up to 33 due to non delivery of paper a few weeks ago, but annoying all the same
I lost my streak on 5th May. I had “ATCH” on the second go. I then went, BATCH, MATCH, PATCH and WATCH. The answer was LATCH!😏
My streak was short, though, because of a break in Yorkshire.
A little tip if you want to preserve your Wordless streak:
Health Warning: This is of course cheating, but in the case of ?ATCH etc. I consider it fair enough… but that’s me. Your mileage may vary.
To avoid losing your streak, open a private browsing page, try it there until you get it, and then return to the original site and put in what you now know with certainty to be the correct answer…
I got my wordle correct but still lost my streak!
1.5* / 4* A very enjoyable puzzle to start the week.
My top three from many excellent clues are the piercing 13d, the 5d line of symmetry and the 29a bath products
Thanks to compiler and Falcon
Since when did snarl mean entrap? is it me or is there a mistake here where the clue actually gives ‘snare’
How about getting snarled up in traffic?
Good point, never thought of it like that, was too stuck on angry dogs!
Hello from a 31 degrees Lincoln ☀️, just setting off on the train back down South. Amidst a lively and busy weekend and yesterday’s party, I still have yesterday’s puzzle and Friday’s to get over the line … perseverance comes in handy for crosswords as well as running.
Today’s grid was akin to a light jog. Pody picks go to 19A’s beery caution, 29A’s products construction and 4D’s cathedral city which was very apt just as we’re leaving Lincoln …
Thanks to setter and to Falcon ⭐️
Welcome Monday and Monday puzzles. Don’t feel like I’ve been pulled through a mangle today. Pleasant and enjoyable solve for me with little to trouble me.
1*/5* … high on enjoyment because of no headache!
Favourites 1a, 9a, 27a, 4d & 12d — with winners 4d & 27a
Thanks to setter & Falcon
What a great start to the puzzling week and such beautiful weather too (especially on a bank hol). I had 20d as my favourite but enjoyed the whole puzzle.
Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon for the hints.
What a contrast to yesterday.Loved every minute solving this today so I tried to drag it out to 2 time.Only the Texas hat gave me a problem . Favourites 12 ,24 and 28.Thanks to all .
Gentle & very pleasant. No particular favourite but the puzzle was welcome respite after struggles with both Dada & Silvanus.
Thanks to the setter & to Falcon – the King Curtis instrumental version of AWSOP Live at the Fillmore West is terrific & a great choice of music to play over the opening credits of Withnail & I.
I really must get around to watching Withnail & I again. We’ve rewatched Harry Potter films lately and each time Richard Griffiths is on screen I think of that great work 🎬
He’s great in The History Boys too – the line ‘I hate history it’s just one f*****g thing after another’ is worth the price of admission on its own.
What a great line!
Another film to rewatch, thanks for mentioning 👍🏼
A very enjoyable start to the week.
Favourite the texan hat.
Thanks to the setter and to Falcon.
The tulips look stunning
Thanks for the hints and to the setter. A gentle start but I mistakenly bunged in shapely at 3d not spotting that the clue would have required two e’s in the middle. Just me?
**/****
Gave it an extra * for difficulty as it presented a few headscratchers especially in the North. Completed Mr Tumble’s offering on Sat, still got dada to go. Wondering if the heat has mangled my brain on those and today’s. Particularly like the non universal euros and “get”ting 1a!!!
Thanks to the setter and Falcon
Delightful puzzle, thanks setter!
Weezer 🎸 today in the searing heat, only a few more hours before 🍺 😎
Have been on airport duty picking up the family from Luton airport. Seven quid to pick up or drop off. What a ripoff. Birmingham gives you ten minutes for free.
A pleasant solve and completed without the need for any reference. I had not heard of the paste at 24a, although I feel that I should have, so that was a guess to complete so selected what I thought was the most appropriate spelling. Fortunately it was correct. The several anagrams helped today, none were that difficult.
There were no particular stand out clues today but my two favourites were 4d and 8d.
Thank you to the setter and to Falcon for the hints.
A splendid way to start the week with 32 clues matching the 32 6d of today’s weather in my neck of the woods.
1a is a truly bonkers word. It means to ‘stand among’ or ‘be in the midst of’.
I didn’t know, and am surprised, that ‘a bit’ means the initial letter. I’d’ve thought it’d be a lurker indicator, So, I need to add that to the crib sheet along with ‘Dawn’ from a couple of days ago that means the same thing.
My podium is 17a, 29a and 4d.
MTT the setter and Falcs.
1*/4*
A typo in your email address sent you into moderation
Thx, CS.
Reassuring to know justr how many people agreed with my negative take on yesterday’s horror and a relief to be able to get to grips with today’s pleasant challenge except for a couple of hitches in the SW. Failed to tumble to yet another AI in 24a and that not helped by being unfamiliar with the pasta.
Thank you setter and Falcon (what fantastic displays of tulips – many thanks for those).
An enjoyable puzzle and light relief after the brain-mangling over the weekend. My only pause was with 14d but it couldn’t have been anything else. Interesting comment from Senf above! Many thanks to the setter and Falcon whose hints I didn’t need today but no doubt will in the future!
Like others this was a gentle and relaxing solve – not quite my fastest time but almost- I blame mr SC for interrupting me to tell me the the quickie pun as he thought it was a 5* one today.
Lots of lovely clues that were easy to unravel. My COTD is 7d as I love that word. 21a and 11a were also clever.
Interesting the universal condemnation of yesterday’s puzzle, a dnf from me too and will not be finished in the near future as it’s not on my possession at the minute. I agree that this was not at the harder end of the difficulty rating but some of the synonyms weren’t the first to spring to mind by any stretch of the imagination. I had to check the sauce. No outstanding favourite but if pushed I’d go with 13d. Thanks to the setter and Falcon.
I’m trying to reply to a post on my iPad but get the message “Page not found”.
If I create a new post, such as this, it goes through ok.
Any thoughts?
Hi Steve, if you are replying to the post about the mid year bash then I get the same message.
2*/4* …
liked 17A “Send back Euros-not universal tender (4)”