Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31249
Hints and tips by Huntsman
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
Another infernally hot day here in Harpenden. I’m sure I used to cope much better with extremes of heat than I seem to now.
Today’s Anthony Plumb (I assume) production is a typically gentle affair & as ever nicely clued throughout. For whatever reason the solve took marginally longer than yesterday but I’d rate them at a similar level of difficulty.
For any looking for a further challenge Hudson is on duty over in t’other place with his usual excellence. Other than 2 answers that merit admission to the new wing housing The List it’s a fairly gentle affair & well worth a look at. I’m sure Whybird will be pleased to hear from you.
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 Mentions about sacred chest found in manuscript (7)
REMARKS: the usual preposition for about/concerning then append the abbreviation for manuscript inserting the sacred chest that held the Ten Commandments between the two letters.
5a Hopelessness of the French leader in Parisian broadcast (7)
DESPAIR: the French contraction of a preposition & a plural indefinite article meaning ‘of the’ + P[arisian] (leader in) then append a verb meaning to broadcast/transmit.
9a Papa with uniform – right outfit for work (7)
PURSUIT: the Nato phonetic alphabet letters + the single letter for R[ight] followed by a formal outfit/attire. Hands up any (like me) who initially thought the last 3 words the definition?
10a Forgives Conservative after former exploits (7)
EXCUSES: C[onservative] preceded by (after) the usual prefix for former then append a verb for exploits/takes advantage of.
11a Gets bigger screen, as I ordered (9)
INCREASES: our 1st anagram (ordered) of SCREEN AS I.
12a Naughty child not at first making mistake (5)
ERROR: remove the initial letter (not at first) from a term for a naughty child.
13a Takes off the woman’s enthralling diamonds (5)
SHEDS: insert (enthralling) the card suit D[iamonds] into a singular 3rd person pronoun with the possessive for the woman’s.
15a Nearest criminal aimed and hit me, not hard (9)
IMMEDIATE: an anagram (criminal) of AIMED [h]IT ME (not Hard).
17a Poorly Lucy exited, leaving university feverishly (9)
EXCITEDLY: another anagram (poorly) L[u]CY EXITED (not University). Bit of a shame perhaps that two 9 letter anagrams, both with a single letter abbreviation needing to be discarded from the fodder, come on top of each other.
19a Rubbish student’s lost motivation (5)
DRIVE: remove (lost) the single letter for student/L[earner] from a nounal synonym for rubbish.
22a Somewhat machinating state (5)
CHINA: hidden (somewhat).
23a Person swallowing story, very trusting (9)
BELIEVING: a nounal synonym for person/living creature goes around (swallowing) story/untruth + V[ery].
25a Young dogs quietly finished pastry dishes (7)
PUPPIES: link 3 elements in this charade – the single letter for quietly in music, an adjective for finished/over & savoury pastry dishes.
26a Drinking without husband complaining (7)
WHINING: drinking in this context is the imbibing of fermented grape juice that usually accompanies dining. Place around (without meaning outside of) the single letter for H[usband].
27a Son photographs hares (7)
SPRINTS: S[on] + developed photographs.
28a Snake with tail cut departs disconcerted (7)
RATTLED: remove the end letter (tail cut) from the informal name for a genera of snake that relies on its tail to deter predators then add the single letter for D[eparts].
Down
1d Affectation of superiority after salesman retires (7)
REPAIRS: the usual abbreviation for a salesman then append (after) a plural noun (with graces in the idiom) for an affectation of superiority.
2d A cold lake in marshy area? Marvellous thing (7)
MIRACLE: insert (in) A from the clue + C[old] + L[ake] into a another noun for a marshy area/bog.
3d Provoke arguments on the podcast (5)
ROUSE: a homophone (on the podcast) of a synonym for arguments.
4d Diet is as arranged, keeping female happy (9)
SATISFIED: insert (keeping) F[emale] into an anagram (arranged) of DIET IS AS.
5d Club subscription covers 50 fights (5)
DUELS: another word for subs/annual fees goes round (covers) the Roman numeral for 50. Ridley Scott’s first film is an excellent Napoleonic Wars saga based on a Joseph Conrad novella about a rivalry between two French Hussars who fight six of them. Highly recommended.
6d Followed and reached the top (9)
SUCCEEDED: a double definition.
7d Capone perhaps leaving one country for another (7)
AUSTRIA: delete the first name of a mobster from one large country & you’re left with a much smaller one – not just by two letters.
8d Doubt inaccurate tennis player could do this? (7)
RESERVE: think (2-5) for what the tennis player is required to do if the opening shot fails to land cleanly in the required section of the court
14d Move to Tunisia for employment (9)
SITUATION: an anagram (move) of TO TUNISIA.
16d Former PM on river vessel (9)
MAYFLOWER: A 21st century PM + crosswordland’s favourite description of a river. Alternatively swap out a single letter in the nom de plume of one of our regular commenters.
17d Gets free garments after ends of the sales (7)
ESCAPES: sleeveless outer garments preceded by (after) the final letter (ends of) in the last two words of the clue.
18d Ammunition container for every ship (7)
CLIPPER: a receptacle for firearm bullets + a preposition meaning ‘for every’
20d First hammered nail – it supports cabinet, essentially (7)
INITIAL: an anagram (hammered) of NAIL IT & [cab]I[net] (essentially).
21d Busy English artist turned up, scratching bottom (7)
ENGAGED: the 3 letter abbreviation for English & the truncated reversal (turned up/down clue & scratching bottom/last letter) of a French impressionist artist.
23d Sordid small stations (5)
BASES: an adjective for sordid/vulgar + S[mall].
24d We admit ignoring every other court order (5)
EDICT: the alternate (ignoring every other) letters of the first two words in the clue + the usual abbreviation for court.
I’ll plump for a podium, in no particular order, of 23&26a + 21d. Please let us know which clues ticked your boxes.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: MEN + YEW + CARD = MENU CARD
This morning’s audio while writing up the hints has been the 10th anniversary Live recording, with his band The 400 Unit, of Jason Isbell’s Southeastern album. I’m looking forward to seeing them at the Royal Albert Hall on June 11th & I’ll be very disappointed if this one doesn’t make the setlist.
This was similar to yesterday’s puzzle. Very gentle with easy clues throughout. 9,10 across and 16 down are my top picks. 17 and 18 across are worthy of note. After very difficult puzzles at the weekend, we have gone to the other extreme!
Many thanks to the setter and hinter
A nice gentle puzzle today which I needed as I really don’t like this heat.
Top picks for me were 26a, 8d, 18d and the lovely 16d.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
Today’s offering took me a few minutes longer than expected predominantly through my stuttering over a couple of the clues.
26a – in my mind should be drinking with husband? Alternatively, ‘complaining without husband drinking’ (which makes it an Eric Morecambe – “all of the right words but not necessarily in the right order”
25a – I was trying to fit in too many Ps
21d – the parsing only worked for me if I took English ‘E’, the name of the artist reversed and the bottom of scratching ‘G’ as an anagram.
It all adds to the challenge and I really enjoyed it.
My COTD is 1d…old-fashioned use of words, I was reminded of the wonderful Patricia Routledge in her role as Hyacinth Bucket.
Huntsman – might I suggest that the salesman in 1d is not reversed?
Thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints.
It’s the heat Graham & sod all kip 🥵
Re 26a Graham – the Prof does like to use without (its archaic meaning is the opposite of within) now & again & having been caught out before am now wise to it – so the notes may not suit your ear but they’re definitely being played in the right order.
Snap with Patricia Routledge & the answer always reminds me of a mate who was fond of saying ‘what say we 1d to the local hostelry for a small libation’
Thank you very much, I appreciate it. I picked Degan as my artist in 21d…reversed and preceded by E, it worked perfected except for the need to insert the ‘g’. With the aid of yourself and your fellow hinters I learn something every day.
This reminds me of three particular bones of contention that existed on this blog some time ago (maybe 10 years?). BD didn’t like them at all and didn’t hesitate in saying so. After much discussion, evidence and persuasion (much of it by myself) he eventually relented (somewhat reluctantly I feel) and agreed to accept them. This is all recorded within comments/exchanges in the archives of this blog. They were:
Without, meaning the opposte of within – as a containment indicator.
Races to trigger TT.
Look away RD – castle meaning rook.
Re 21d parsing Huntsman’s hint is correct. Your version doesn’t working as the artist has an S at the end which is the bottom which needs to be scratched (!) Straightforward but very enjoyable puzzle for me and a welcome relief from the rigors of the Sunday Prize Puzzled. Id is my clue of the day as I spent a lot of time looking for words with PER meaning affectation (rather than REP meaning retires). So clever misdirection. Thank you very much setter and Huntsman
Another splendid crossy from The Prof hits the back of the net.
17a isn’t the most difficult anagram to work out, it has to be said.
16d is almost a name check for the crazy river above. Close but no cigar (great expression)
My podium is 25a, 8d and 21d.
MTTTA and Hoots!
1*/4*
Re 16d – as noted in the hint
I meant to thank you for mentioning it and then totally forgot!
Tom has previously called me 16d before settling, thank goodness, on crazyriver.
…and, a couple of months ago, ‘Bonkers Bayou’ when I found out what it meant.
But, Crazy River is the one as it sounds like Chief Running Water’s mucker.
(nicely hinted, btw, Hoots)
”Jambalaya and a crawfish pie and fillet gumbo…..”
Know whatyou mean, Conor, middle of the road difficulty bckpagers seemto be a bit thin on tthe ground. However, i quite enjoyed this straightforward one, especially the geographical missing letter clue at 7d, the historical lego clue at 16d and the other nautical lego clue at 18d. Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the hints
Everything fell in apart from 3d. I just could not see it and needed the hint so a DNF for me. I didn’t realise that “Podcast” was a homophone indicator. Lots to like in this gentle offering from the professor. The young dogs at 25a and the drinking husband at 26a raised a smile but my COTD is the former PM at 16d.
Thank you, Professor in the library. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
I had “Fir” as the second word in the Quickie pun so it made no sense until I saw the error of my ways.
Very hot in The Marches today and the temperature in the bedroom when I went to bed last night was 31! 🥵🥵
Podcast was new to me too….so I had a DNF as well.
I think podcast cropped up quite recently, so it’s definitely one to look out for.
Another gentle offering, and very enjoyable too. No particular favourite today. Thanks to AP for the fun and Huntsman for the hints and music.
Straightforward and fairly clued. Started like a rocket but then stalled on a few in the S which needed teasing out.
My podium picks are 3d, 27a and 15a
MT to AP and Huntsman.
1.5*/3*
A pretty simple Tuesday solve which I rather wish had occupied more time as I now need to find something else to do. My top floor flat is almost unbearably warm already and the gym is out of the question (not that I’m too disappointed by that). My COTD was the vessel at 16d. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman. I love the Central Park version of American Tune and am about to play PS’s Hearts and Bones, which I think is seriously underrated.
Completely agree Chris – The Late Great Johnny Ace is a wonderful song off it. Dave Alvin approaches the subject somewhat differently
Ps why not give Hudson a bash while you’re listening to it.
I agree about Hudson – I’m nearly half way through.
Yes, that is a different (and very good) take on events that makes Johnny’s foolishness rather clearer. I enjoyed Paul Simon’s rendition of his song a few weeks ago, despite his 84 year old vocal chords, and it was a privilege to see him and also Steve Gadd reprising his drum part as part of an excellent band.
Thanks (and to Steve C) for the Toughie suggestion which I’ve now taken on board, albeit to the accompaniment of the less credible but also less distracting debut album from Emerson, Lake and Palmer.
A very slow start but then the Warp Drive engaged for a speedy finish – 1.5*/3.5*
Candidates for favourite – 12a, 25a, 1d, 2d, and 16d – and the winner is 1d.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
P.S. Ditto to Huntsman’s comment on Hudson’s Toughie.
Jason Isbell, one of my late wife’s favourites and highly underrated. Thanks for that. Usual complaints about too easy or too hard. No pleasing everyone!
As others have mentioned, I found this crossword very similar to yesterday’s in terms of difficulty – ie 2*. The clues were excellent and my particular favourite was 25a with the dogs eating pies! Reminded me of our Labradors who were always partial to any food, including our Christmas turkey, squirrels and various dead, decaying carcasses of wildlife they found in the woods! 3d eluded me at first, as I thought podcast had some other technical meaning until I realised the indicator could have easily been radio! I must try and move into the 21st century! Many thanks to Mr Plumb(?) and Huntsman.
Labradors are the most adorable of dogs but, goodness, their eating habits are not for faint hearted owners. One of my labs ate a whole packet of firelighters. We didn’t dare light a match by him!
Steve, you’re right – they are the most adorable dogs! No good being too houseproud though, when you’ve got eight enormous paws bringing mud in from the garden! Can’t imagine your Lab eating firelighters – I’ve never heard of that! One of ours ate my glasses and had to be rushed to the vets!
Ours showed his displeasure at being left home by eating his way through a couch… but a very lovable soul.
Re 21d parsing Huntsman’s hint is correct. Your version doesn’t working as the artist has an S at the end which is the bottom which needs to be scratched (!) Straightforward but very enjoyable puzzle for me and a welcome relief from the rigors of the Sunday Prize Puzzled. Id is my clue of the day as I spent a lot of time looking for words with PER meaning affectation (rather than REP meaning retires). So clever misdirection. Thank you very much setter and Huntsman
Re 21d parsing Huntsman’s hint is correct. Your version doesn’t work as the artist has an S at the end which is the bottom which needs to be scratched (!) Straightforward but very enjoyable puzzle for me and a welcome relief from the rigors of the Sunday Prize Puzzled. Id is my clue of the day as I spent a lot of time looking for words with PER meaning affectation (rather than REP meaning retires). So clever misdirection. Thank you very much setter and Huntsman
A read and write until I put caisson for 18d . This created chaos in this section for a while until other checkers allowed me to unscramble it all. A good workout. Favourites inc 18 and 25 . Thanks to all .
* / ***
Quick-ish but several parsings eluded me – it’s the heat I reckon. Super surfaces as we’ve come to expect. Many thanks to AP and Huntsman.
1*/4*. TT.
Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman.
Did you see the article in today’s DT in which Susie Dent says most Americanisms originate, in fact, in England, RD?
An interesting article and, of course, Ms Dent is correct. A similar situation exists between Canadian French and French French where the connoisseurs South of the UK have been known to refer to Canadian French as Farmyard French as many of the early French settlers were from peasant stock.
A couple of years or so ago Susie Dent on Countdown gave a fairly lengthy and detailed history of why the word “sidewalk” is NOT an Americanism.
Yes, I did see the article, Steve. Susie Dent is undoubtedly correct but, in my opinion, the article misses the point.
You can’t consider as current UK English a word (or spelling) that was used historically in Britain and which has now fallen out of use. For example, I submit that only a vanishingly small number of Brits would call a pavement a sidewalk. Similarly you wouldn’t consider Shakespearean or Chaucerian spellings as acceptable today.
The situation is dynamic of course, and all the more so with the internet bringing about globalisation of words, spellings, grammar, etc.
One current trend which horrifies me is the mushrooming use of “would of” instead of “would have”. So many people now use the former that it could arguably be considered as part of our language. However, heaven forbid any crossword setter who uses “of” as a synonym for “have”!
Actually, I agree with you, RD. I spend a lot of my time correcting Americanisms in the essays I mark and grade. In the absence of guidance from the university, I will continue to do so.
I would of said that’s highly unlikely
You couldn’t resist it, Hoots, and quite right too!
It’s like the word ‘gotten’. 99% of people use it when they mean ‘got’.
So, this is down to pure ignorance and this is the point. The fact that it was used correctly years ago doesn’t mean it’s being used correctly now.
I reckon that no one who says ‘gotten’ when they mean ‘got’ has ever used the phrase ‘ill-gotten gains’.
As RD says, we need to hang in there. We are the torchbearers!
In the same vain, “Can I get?” when what is meant is “May I have?”.
My daughter is guilty of this.
It’s a huuuuuge one. I hear it all the time.
My mother would have said, “Yes you can, but the question is may you…”
For me, I found this Tuesday puzzle definitely trickier than Monday’s puzzle and harder than most Typical Tuesday puzzles too.
2.5*/3.5*
Favourites 25a, 26a, 28a, 7d, 16d & 17d — with winner 16d
Smiles for the first 3 of my favourites as well as 7d
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
This just flew in with only a couple holding out for a second look at the clues. But I’m in an air conditioned room!
*/***
Thanks to PP and Huntsman
Postscript to yesterday’s puzzle: I would like to say thank you for a fun and gentle puzzle to Heron who has claimed authorship of it on Bluesky.
1.5* / 4* Another gentle but highly enjoyable puzzle.
Favourites today include the tennis one at 8d, vessel at 16d and the country I’m visiting soon at 7d
Thanks to compiler and Huntsman
Gentle and pleasant fun, as usual for a Tuesday. I liked 1d for the slightly old-fashioned synonym, and 21d for the imagery. Thanks to our Setter and to Huntsman for the Blog and Tunes.
And to echo earlier comments, and Huntsman’s note, today’s Hudson on the inside pages is accessible and excellent; even if the accompanying tunes are’t necessarily in Huntsman’s league!
A lovely puzzle to do on a rather hot and sticky day. Lots of excellent clues but 25a was my favourite.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
For the first time since records began, it’s hit 35 degrees in The UK in May, appropriately at HEAThrow.
35°C is 95°F in old money and here’s a way to remember it:
35 hours is a 9 to 5 job with a lunch hour.
Always a pleasure.
My garden is a sun trap and the temperature peaked at 37 degrees this afternoon.
Ouchy
Or alternatively, temperature in degrees C divided by 5 multiplied by 9 and add 32.
My benchmark temperature is 25*C, 77*F. Anything above that is hot.
I’ve always used that one as I remember that ’77 was the year of the Queen’s Silver jubilee (25 years)
How today was; delightful light entertainment at first, unusual at heart (6)
And yesterday’s too. Faith restored in the grey matter after Sunday’s mauling. No particular standouts but I did like 23A, 26A and 16D.
Another gentle and enjoyable Tuesday puzzle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
I especially liked 1d, 18d and 21d.
Did half over morning tea and then had to rush out. Just finished puzzle and glad that it was straightforward and as reliable as ever from Mr. Plumb. Top spot goes to 21 down because it took some teasing out and always love a clue with an artist. It makes up for all those sport clues that can baffle the ignorant. Thanks for Huntsman’s explanations although for once I only needed confirmation and our setter who I think is Mr. Plumb.
Completed successfully in a blessed air conditioned Marrakesh room; it’s 42 degrees out there! Thank you Prof and Huntsman the music is so welcome
Was pleased to find this very friendly puzzle waiting today, finally home from Bermuda. A fun solve from start to finish. Thanks to setter and Huntsman.
We read about your heatwave while enjoying days away in beautiful weather, peaking around 24C each day. A welcome respite from South Florida. Sadly, after a second holiday beset with airport and airline woes, plus ending up in the hospital for two days on my return we have decided we’re not flying anywhere else again.
Not much to say really, pleasantly straightforward. Favourite was 16d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
I enjoyed the crossword thank you Prof and Huntsman, and also enjoyed the comments very much! Especially the French Canadians 🤣
A nice relaxing puzzle that didn’t make my brain hurt.
The clues were all steady away with no stand outs for me today.
Many thanks for not providing a brain mangler when the heat and humidity is so suffocating.
On the plus side swallows have returned to the old goat shed and built a new nest
I could have sworn I put somethin on at lunchtime when I had finished the guzzle, but frankly so hot
I didn’t /don’t know what I am doing.
Many thanks for a great guzzle.
A pleasant enough solve. Needed the hints to confirm the parsing of a couple – didn’t know (d)eparted or (eng)lish were accepted abbreviations.
Pody trio are 2D’s thing, 18D’s ship and 25A’s pastry-chomping dogs.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman ⭐️
Nit picking about 18d strictly speaking a clip is not a receptacle for ammunition but a holder, the hint illustration is of a magazine, this is a clip. Thanks to AP and Huntsman
I know nowt about guns I’m pleased to say – just checked & it did say magazine clip under the caption to be fair. Presumably one is inside of t’other.
What did you make of the puzzle incidentally?
Thank you for the reply, I found the puzzle a little more of a challenge than the usual Tuesday offering. Just to complete your knowledge this is how a clip is used to fill a fixed magazine by pushing down on the top cartridge
Just finished. Even though I had no need of any assistance I really made very heavy weather of it. Favourites were 1a, racking my brains to remember my Bible, the Mrs Bucket clue at 1d and 3d.
Thank you to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
Also thanks to Huntsman for including a track from the Doobie Brothers, haven’t thought of them in years.
This was a disjointed solve for me after a disjointed day yesterday. I ended up with a few clues to solve at bed time and I promptly fell asleep over my iPad, so just finished this now. A gentle solve , maybe a bit of a notch up from Monday’ as there were a few clues that I made heavy weather of, maybe due to the heavy weather of the day 🥵 Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
2*/4* …
liked 28A “Snake with tail cut departs disconcerted (7)”
I’m still baffled by part of 20 down, even after reading your comment. How is “supports cabinet, essentially” supposed to indicate an extra letter I ? Yet again, one where I knew the answer but couldn’t figure out WHY it was right … which irritates me.
Welcome to the blog, Nemo.
The anagram of NAIL IT follows (supports, i.e. comes under, in a down clue) the central (essentially) letter of cabInet.