Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3371 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where last week’s 7 day weather forecast proved to be correct – imagine that! Ponder this, at midnight tonight, just before Flaming June starts, 2026 will be 41.4% complete! Apart from solving crossword puzzles, have you used your time wisely?
For me, and I stress for me,© at last, Dada quite friendly! One long ‘un, seven anagrams (two partials) with some creative indicators (TDS will like those), two lurkers, and one homophone, all in an asymmetric 29 clues; I can’t provide 14½ hints so I am being generous and giving you 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid which means you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 25a, 28a, 2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, 14d, 20d, and an HM for The Pun.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the what I very subjectively perceive to be the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
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.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Sign dry drink tipped over (6)
The reversal (tipped over) of all of a synonym of dry (used by oenophiles) and a verbal synonym of drink (a small amount).
5a Wet blanket for Arctic swimmer? (4,4)
There should probably be more than one ? at the end of this clue! A term equivalent to wet blanket when applied to a person can also describe an Arctic swimmer (as an exclusively aquatic animal).
15a Cook’s stuff lost on weaver (8)
An anagram (lost) of ON WEAVER.
19a Places in lounge discussed? (4)
The homophone (discussed) of a verbal synonym of lounge.
21a Contribution from Gaia, the nature goddess (6)
Indeed, Gaia is a goddess but she is not the one we are looking for; a lurker (contribution from) found in three words in the clue.
23a Contagion, great film, half claimed (8)
Indeed Contagion was a film (2011) but I have no idea if it was great; what we are looking for is a synonym of half, usually used as a prefix, contained (claimed) by a single word used to describe a great film.
25a War god is brave, though no leader (4)
A single word equivalent to is brave with the first letter deleted (though no leader).
28a Miniature dish, it’s sad to see (6)
A (Scottish) synonym of miniature and a type of dish (as a food item) that can, for example, contain meat or fruit.
Down
2d I buy and sell just the way I want (5)
Written (1,4) a phrase equivalent to I buy and sell.
3d Descend from there, dear Lord! (4,3,2)
An instruction to descend from there which can be used as an informal interjection equivalent to the definition.
5d Character scratching head after a ticking off – me, say? (9,6)
A synonym for a character (in the alphabet) with the first letter deleted (scratching head)placed after a (5,5) phrase equivalent to a ticking off. And, it’s not me, but it could be the illustrated him!
8d Bitterly sliced through by the wind (9)
A synonym of bitterly containing (sliced through by) THE from the clue.
14d Remove from power with open question about king (9)
A synonym of open and a three letter adverbial question containing (about) the single Latin based letter for king.
20d Pieced together puzzle understood, some steps taken to start it (6)
A synonym of understood preceded by (to start it) some steps taken (to lively music).
24d Asian artist on question one after opening of investigation (5)
All of the abbreviated form of an honorific for an accomplished artist placed before (on) the single letter for Question and the Roman numeral for one placed after the first letter (opening) of Investigation.
Quick Crossword Pun:
MYRRH + FIZZ + SLAW = MURPHY’S LAW
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Something different this week. Canadian born*, English actress Lynda Bellingham was born on this day in 1948. As well as numerous film and TV roles and appearances, she was well known as the matriarch of TV’s Oxo Family promoting the eponymous cube in commercials:
* She was born Meredith Hughes in Montréal to a single mother, but was given up for adoption because she was born out of wedlock in a strict church-going family. She was adopted when she was four months old by an English couple, Donald and Ruth Bellingham, who renamed her Lynda.
Good Sunday morning puzzle, a little anagram-heavy for me, but lots of cracking surfaces and smooth constructions. Honours to 21a, 3d and 8d, with 5d coming up fast on the inside rail.
Many thanks to Senf and presumably Dada, but whomsoever else if not he.
Lynda B, what a lovely lady she was, and what a voice.
I found this easier than last week’s puzzle but it was still chewy. Felt like there were a lot of anagrams but that may have been due to the order I tackled it.
I got 5d but don’t know who the gentleman in the hint illustration is.
Top picks for me were 5d, 8d, 22d, 7d and 28a.
Liked the Quickie pun too.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
The picture is of John Halpern, aka Dada
Thanks Sue. It’s good to put a face to a name.
Another Dada dnf unaided for me. Thought it might be otherwise as I zipped through much of the puzzle but then hit a brick wall and resorted to the hints to finish. The odd silly spelling error didn’t help either. I liked the wet blanket at 5a but cotd is a toss up between 9a and 16d, with the latter getting the nod. Thanks to Dada and Senf for the hints.
I have struggled over the past few weeks with the Sunday PP and was relieved to fine today’s offering a little gentler. The half a dozen anagrams, the lurker and the long 5d certainly helped to get things underway.
My COTD is 13a which took a few minutes to understand (I’ll say no more).
The two big questions now are whether the weather will behave and should I set off for Edgbaston? Struggling Warwickshire P3 L3 v Northants P3 W3.
My thanks to the setter and Senf for the hints.
I thought this was an absolute classic puzzle. The NW absolutely refused to yield any ground at all and then at the end surrendered with a huge clang of baht drop moments that caused bruises as I kicked myself over my lack of insight. Although I had solved 8D my poor spelling caused an unnecessary delay with 15A. I thought the only slightly weak clue was 22D with all the others worthy of COTD but I don’t think I will be in a minority when I nominate 5D for that honour.
Thai corner. Signs in English.
I am constantly amazed by how major businesses will spend a considerable amount of money to produce a banner or even a permanent shop front without checking the correct spelling. This means that every day I drive past a , ‘’Stationely Store’’, on the main road. Due to the Thai system of translating English words phonetically I am offered grilled chicken with, ‘’friends fried’’, at the local university campus refectory, which also boasts, Vietnamese style fried rice with Vietnamese machines. The latter because the Thai word for ingredients and machine are the same.
Reminds me of a joke, A man walks into a shop with nothing in the window to show what it is, and asks the Chinese shopkeeper what sort of shop it is. The shopkeeper replies ‘a crows shop’, to which the the man says ‘ah, you mean a clothes shop’ , the shopkeeper says ‘ no, a crows shop, come in, have a rook.
Very velly good.
I thoroughly enjoyed this puzzle, which needed some head-scratching, but never ground to a halt. Very nearly botched it when I bunged in 26a without parsing the clue carefully – there’s another word that fits the crossers and definition nicely. Surely the gods will reward me for double checking by sending the Mythical Instrument my way! ***/*****
So very rude of me. Thanks to Senf for the hints and the setter for a very enjoyable puzzle.
Much friendlier than last week’s challenge & very enjoyable it was too. Plenty to like with 5d pick of the clues for me.
Thanks to D&S
Ps the Beamer over in t’other place well worth a stab at & also fairly gentle.
I second the Toughie recommendation. I can rarely get much traction, but fell just one short of completion this time. Should have got that one, too. Grrr.
I agree, Beam was good today.
Does anyone have a pic of Ray to match Senf’s pic of JH?
Not a comprehensive e-search but Mr T appears to enjoy his privacy.
Respect
Dada’s less quirky than usual I thought and quite enjoyable – thanks to him and Senf.
My ticks went to 5a, 3d, 8d and 20d.
Guessed more than I actually worked out, still 5 left, no fun for me today, far too obscure in my book.
A smooth but thought provoking offering from Dada. Steadily worked through ticking them off but finally resorted to Senf for some direction for 28a which gave me the checker I needed for 20d which was LOI. 5d, 18a, 23a were my choice of several potential podium contestants, but I’ll opt for 27a as my COTD.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf
Been away in Tamworth for the night and only just finished the puzzle.
I didn’t find Dada as straightforward as others but I got there in the end. I didn’t have the paper so had to complete it online, which I don’t like doing. I have to have a folded paper and a pen. Old fashioned? Maybe but it’s 2d for me. I loved the miniature dish at 28a but my COTD goes to the promise to cover the maiden’s rear at 27a.
Thank you, Dada for another Sunday challenge. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.
Another challenge you mIght like, Steve, is NTSPP851. It’s printable as a PDF. It’s about the same level of difficulty as a Chalicea, with lots of superb, polished clues. I doubt you’ll be disappointed
Thank you, Phil S – I’ll have a look at it. 👍
2*/4*. What a contrast to last Sunday! Apart from the bizarre 5a, this was very good fun with 3d & 8d fighting it out to become my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
All very friendly for a Sunday – except I was a little stuck on 18a which I could not see past ‘Restored’ as the answer – with ‘overhaul’ being the definition. I couldn’t parse it tho (of couse not!!) So came here out of desperation – only to find it wasn’t one of the hinted clues!! It has taken hours but the penny has finally dropped. Could absolutely kick myself!!!
Thanks setter and Senf
One of the creative anagram indicators I alluded to in my preamble!
Im normally on high alert for any potential anagram indicators – and even with your added warning I missed this by a mile! Was so certain I had the answer that I discounted all other possibilities. Perhaps one day I will learn!
Caught by 18a – fixated on the wrong definition until the penny dropped. Very satisfying puzzle. Thank you.
I too was and indeed am stuck on 18, focusing on the overhaul. I’m reallly too hot and too tired after yesterday’s excitement to think any more at the moment! I just dropped in to see if Senf had a hint.
As I commented above to Magichatuk, one of the creative anagram indicators I alluded to in my preamble!
I was stuck on 18a and have now solved thanks to this – however still stuck on 25a think I am being very stoopid
I was also stuck on 18a. That and 25a were eluding me.
Now completed thanks to this blog, I actually found this harder than the toughie today due to those two clues
Now finished I liked 5a and 26a but COTD is 13a
Just goes to show it’s horses for courses. I just could not get on wavelength today and ended up needing several hints to complete. Now I’ve finished I’m not sure why I made such heavy weather of it, I even struggled with the anagrams which is unusual. I liked 28a.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the much needed hints.
Fairly straightforward for a Sunday, just held up the south east corner but then realised I had spelt something wrong . Very enjoyable liked 8,9, 11, 16 , and 28.( Last one in). Thanks to all.Will try the toughie.
I found this Dada puzzle a little easier than his last several Sunday puzzles have been. However, I still found plenty of his quirkiness and lots of thumbing through that well worn thesaurus of his.
2.5*/3* today
Favourites … 1a, 13a, 3d, 5d, 6d & 7d — with winners 1a & 3d
Thanks Dada & to Senf for blog/hints
I have only just finished yesterday’s puzzle , it has taken me so long to work it all out, even with your help. Still, it’s done , now to today’s, ……happy days 😂
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), oh you think you have issues, eh? You think I want to be here at 14.30 giving my hugely anticipated and highly regarded views on the guzzle?
Well, let me tell you this, chummy, the dust is still settling in the kitchen. The laws of physics are working against me. Yesterday, the new kitchen had a deep clean. There was not a speck of dust to be found. Not one. Well, maybe one.
This morning, a new coating of dust was to be found everywhere. The dust had somehow lingered in the air and then fallen overnight. We now learn it could be three days before the last dust settles. We have a microwave on the balcony and an air frier in the garden. We are living like primitive people who have just been discovered living in the depths of the Amazon rain forest, after a million years of solitude.
What? Oh the guzzle? Hugely enjoyable to solve. Terrific work by the lad Halpern.
Thanks indeed to Da-doo-ron-ron, and to The Man From Manitoba (I have not used my time wisely)
Think of the joy of working in the new kitchen. Is there a special niche for OJ without bits?
So as others have said , this was an easier and very enjoyable offering from Dada, and oh what a smashing photo of him too ! I just checked the hint for a clue to the parsing of 1a, and had to look up oenophiles , so learnt something today . Do we have a water themed Nina, probably a coincidence as rather tenuous to say the least. Thanks to Dada and Senf
NW last to finish and the whole thing generally at the more difficult end of the Sunday puzzle range. Favourite was 11a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A great Sunday guzzle. When I have raised the energy to fight for 18a I am sure it will be another pen- winner. Many thanks to The Setter and The Senf. I cannot decide between 1a and the underwear at 11 as Best in Show.
Very late in the day for me to comment, but I just wanted to thank Dada and Senf. My favourite of many was 8d.
2* / 3.5* A very enjoyable Sunday challenge although I put the wrong Asian in 24d (more speed less haste).
Favourites today 11a underwear, 13a Idle brain and the quickie pun
Thanks to Senf and compiler
Very nice puzzle, with my favourites clustered in the South East.
VMT Dada & Senf.
Got so bogged down with 18a but got there in the end – needed help with Sunday prize but there were some great clues and very clever. Did drop off at one point so my time looked shocking!!
That was one of my LOIs too, seemed so simple once it ‘arrived’ 😸
After a day of DIY, a fairly relaxing solve. LOI was 6D.
Pody prizes go to 8D’s gusty source which reminds me of living in Wellington, the beastly 16D and 23A’s viral film.
Thanks to setter and to Senf ⭐️
Welcome entertainment during a long bus ride between Essaouria and Agadir with the miniature dish as my favourite clue … plus the quickie pun. Thank you Dada and Senf!