Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31261
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ****
After a reasonably bright start here in Harpenden it has just got very dark & another deluge looks imminent but at least the forecast suggests it will not last too long.
Having been alone in thinking last week’s puzzle didn’t have the feel of an Anthony Plumb production I’m pretty certain this one is one of his and very enjoyable it was too. Maybe a tad trickier than yesterday but there’s not much in it & impeccably clued throughout.
For any seeking a further challenge Ray T (in his no anagrams Beamer guise) is on duty over in t’other place with a very accessible Tuesday Toughie that is well worth a stab at. As ever Whybird will be delighted to hear your thoughts.
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 Greek’s hat tickles to an extent (5)
ATTIC: hidden (to an extent) in the two words between definition & indicator.
4a For US president, admitting defeat primarily is ruled out (9)
FORBIDDEN: start with FOR from the clue then insert (admitting) D[efeat] (primarily) into the surname of a US president & link. A great surface that alludes to the very sore loser. The music is a tad tenuous but it’s a cracking tune.
9a Maybe a literary essay, or what its author hopes to avoid?
CRITICISM: a double definition (I think) – a study/evaluation of a piece of literature & any negative reaction to it that the writer hopes to avoid.
10a Distressed copper, tense and out of bed (3,2)
CUT UP: link the chemical symbol for copper with the single letter for T[ense] & a two letter term for out of bed.
11a Complaint from daughter is no bother (7)
DISEASE: link the genealogical single letter for D[aughter] with IS from the clue & a nounal synonym for no problem/absence of difficulty.
12a Halt a run, unfortunately, having lost husband? Typical! (7)
NATURAL: an anagram (unfortunately) of [h]ALT A RUN (having lost H[usband]).
13a This could be one anaesthetist? (6)
NUMBER: the crossword setter’s oft used term for an anaesthetist.
15a Class touched by head’s affection (8)
KINDNESS: a noun meaning class or category + a geographical head, cape/promontory.
18a Tops on French mugs (8)
SURFACES: the French for ‘on’ precedes mugs in the context of a slang term for visages.
20a Old Republican – a flipping rubbish speechmaker (6)
ORATOR: four elements in a six letter answer – the single letter for O[ld] & R[epublican] + A from the wordplay then append a reversal (flipping) of a nounal synonym for rubbish.
23a King cut by the whip (7)
LEATHER: insert (cut by) THE from the clue into Shakespeare’s tragic monarch.
24a Support European wife?
ESPOUSE: E[uropean] + another word for wife.
26a Feeling of satisfaction from parking vehicle (5)
PRIDE: the single letter used to indicate parking + an informal term for a vehicle/conveyance which is what it provides.
27a Revealed former lover nagged (9)
EXPRESSED: the usual two letter noun for former lover + a verb for nagged/pressured.
28a Papa begrudged getting introduced (9)
PRESENTED: P[apa] (NATO phonetic alphabet) + a verb for begrudged/took exception to.
29a Medical department with her missing hospital record (5)
ENTER: our usual medical department + [h]ER from the clue (missing H[ospital]).
Down
1d Stresses about one Democrat’s mishaps (9)
ACCIDENTS: a synonym for stresses in a linguistic context goes around (about) the Roman numeral letter for one & the single letter for D[emocrat].
2d Gets small bits of wood (5)
TWIGS: a straightforward double definition.
3d Calvin regularly ignored friend’s mood (7)
CLIMATE: the alternate letters (regularly ignored) of the 1st word in the clue + a synonym for friend/chum.
4d Female trouble? Edward’s neglected (6)
FAILED: F[emale] + a verb meaning to trouble + a diminutive for Edward.
5d Loving Mark Anthony? It upset Cleopatra at first (8)
ROMANTIC: an adjective relating to where Mark Anthony hailed from + a reversal (upset/down clue) of IT in the wordplay then append the initial letter (at first) of his lover who he eventually married. Neat surface.
6d Encouraged during constant diet changes (7)
INCITED: a preposition meaning during + the maths & physics single letter for C[onstant] followed by an anagram (changes) of DIET.
7d Cleaner put off by information on temperature (9)
DETERGENT: a verb meaning put off/discourage + an informal synonym for information/facts then append the single letter for T[emperature].
8d Parrot turned up in northern lake, somewhere in South Asia (5)
NEPAL: insert the reversal (turned up/down clue) of verb meaning to parrot or echo between the single letter for N[orthern] & for L[ake].
14d Salt almost preserves fish spread (9)
MARGARINE: insert (preserves) a ray-finned fish with long sharp teeth into a truncated synonym for a salt or sailor.
16d Concede reader’s run off without article (9)
SURRENDER: an anagram (off) RE[a]DER RUN (without article).
17d Most jolly times involved squeezing boob (8)
MERRIEST: insert (squeezing) a verb meaning to boob/make a mistake into an anagram (involved) of TIMES. I worry that the risqué nature of this clue may upset a sensitive member of Terence’s Committee & send a frisson of excitement through another.
19d Realise that is Victor in pain (7)
ACHIEVE: a two letter abbreviation for ‘that is’ + V[ictor] (NATO alphabet) placed inside of a synonym for pain.
21d Salesman and martial artist outside told initially to get stuffed (7)
REPLETE: link the usual abbreviation for a salesman with the surname of a martial artist, actor & filmmaker & insert (outside) T[old] (initially) in the latter.
22d Relieved, he left page with editor (6)
HELPED: again 4 elements in a six letter answer – HE from the clue + the single letter for L[eft] & for P[age] + the abbreviation for editor.
23d This could make pal embrace (3,2)
LAP UP: reverse the 4th word in the clue & append an appropriate indicator for a down clue.
25d Anger at university on television (5)
UPSET: a term that can mean attending university (sent down is asked to leave) + a term for a television.
4a was my pick of the clues here with podium places for 5&17d along with a 👍 for the Quickie pun. Please let us know which clues you liked best.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: CULL + CHA + CLUB = CULTURE CLUB
Today’s listening while preparing the blog has been some tunes by an American rock band, Rival Sons, who I’ve recently stumbled across. Here’s a song from their repertoire
I struggled with the professor’s offering today but I’m not sure why. It was all clued fairly so maybe I have brain fog. Anyway, despite that, it was an enjoyable solve with ticks ending up all over the paper. A couple of old favourites appeared such as the Greek at 1a and the anaesthetist at 13a. I thought the former president being ruled out at 4a was neat but my COTD goes to the French mugs at 18a.
Thank you, AP for the puzzle. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
This took me a little longer than I might have expected for a Tuesday, mainly because of some stickiness in the NW, where the last few to fall resided. As our blogger commented in his preamble, it was immaculately clued as ever, so any problems were entirely of my own making. Like SC above, I went for 18a as my favourite.
Thanks to AP and The Hintsman.
I can imagine Sid James, sitting in his armchair, pen poised over paper, reading aloud 17d whilst Barbara Windsor blushes in Carry On Crosswording, circa 1971. Hilarious!
That one was my pick among some highly polished surfaces.
My thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
Quite light but the essay at 9a and the reverse clue at 23d were both very good I thought. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman. I love the Small Faces and they did very well to avoid a BBC ban with that song.
I don’t normally finish the puzzle so early but a croaky throat is forcing me to rest. At least the other half is happy, no nagging today! A great solve , thank you setter and Huntsman , very enjoyable.
1*/4*. It’s Tuesday and this puzzle is typically Tuesdayish with 18a my favourite.
Many thanks to AP and Hintsman.
The usual light but fun Tuesday.
17d favourite today. I wonder if any of the ruder clues are censored before publication?
Thanks to PP and Huntsman.
A lovely puzzle which took me longer to resolve some in the NW than the rest of it. LOI was 11a as I just couldn’t see it despite having every other letter.
Top picks for me were 5d, 4a, 18a and 14d.
I also liked the Quickie pun.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
Like Prawn (#11), SW corner caused some problems – 23d was last in, but pretty much a guess. I don’t understand the explanation above – is this type of clue a red herring? Meaning it’s not at all relevant to the answer, so we just have to guess from the other letters? Seems rather pointless… Enjoyed the rest of the puzzle, especially 4a, 13a and 1d.
If you treat the answer as a cryptic clue you’ll end up with PAL – i.e. this (the answer) could make pal.
Thank you for taking the time to explain this.
and if you embrace something wholeheartedly you could be said to lap it up.
Thank you
Sorry Madflower – didn’t mean to reply to you. By the way, I also appreciated those 4 clues.
What can I say, after being taken to task by the rules committee yesterday, other than this was an enjoyable and accessible Tuesdayish workout completed before I went off to golf this morning. Plenty to like with 4a, 16d, 17d and 21d most memorable. Top marks to the setter for clean and logical surfaces and thanks to Huntsman for his embellishments.
1*/4*
Our setter’s on top form today – thanks to him and Huntsman.
I plumped for 4a, 5d and 23d for my podium.
Perfection. The prof is so consistently brilliant; he really is.
Frankie Lion’s comment reminds me of this scene from the truly outstanding Porridge, which is on my all-time podium, along with Watery Fowls and Yes Minister though Dad’s Army runs them close…
‘Carry on Clueless’ would be a good follow-up to ‘Carry on Crosswording’.
My top 3 are 20a, 5d (nicely done) and, of course, 17d (oo matron!)
MTTTA and Hoots!
1*/5*
P.S Hoots, being the resident Tuesday blogger, you’ve said that the occasional crossword may not be Mr Plumb’s. My money is them being his for the last couple of years as the style is so similar, week in, week out, though the difficulty, understandably varies. Are you aware of anyone that has stood in for him?
Hi Tom, if you are a fan of Yes Minister then I’d recommend you see the play I’m Sorry Prime Minister if it comes your way. I saw it last week and really enjoyed it.
Duly noted, Crazy River. Thank you.
I’m hearing good things about the stage play Fawlty Towers too. Dangerous to take it on but apparently they pull it off.
Tom, apropos recent chats, how did Russia manage without an alphabet until 990 when ST Cyril came along and invented his tortuous symbols to introduce Christianity? Seems odd to me.
I’ve know ideas, Day Zee. You’re ahead of me.
Having behaved nefariously for the last 10 mins, I have learnt a whole heap about Cyril (nice one) and Methodius. S, thank you for that.
‘Know ideas’?
Goodness me!
I’ve a vague feeling that Twm may have made an appearance on a Tuesday once when Shabbo was covering for me.
Fairy nuff.
I do think The Plum should be on a Monday as it tends to be the least challenging of the week.
The SW took me an age to complete, but when I had I couldn’t fathom why. Hey ho. Other than the SW difficulties it was an enjoyable solve. 5d is my cotd. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
That was no sweat but fun. Needed help to parse 1a. Thank you AP and Huntsman.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman. We started a little earlier today. Having gone from doing this daily to picking random days it has certainly stunted our solving skills. Rusty is the word! COTD 13a. LOI 23a.
Not that Typically Tuesdayish for me, the heat might be addling my brain. The only comment I will make on the setter is that the Quickie grid is not Mr Plumb’s usual one – make what you want of that.
Candidates for favourite – 18a, 28a, 2d, 7d, and 21d – and the winner is 2d.
Thanks to Mr P(?) and Huntsman.
Huh? What do you mean? You don’t want to hear any more updates about our kitchen? Well, I’m shocked. Perhaps I should start up a substack where paying customers (100 quid per day seems about right) could receive exciting updates about how the wrong washing machine was delivered and so on. I feel sure there is a substantial market for such an exciting project.
Jolly guzzle; I enjoyed unravelling it.
Thanks to the setter and Hintsman (I ususally pick up something new and cheering from yer music clips, so thanks for that too).
Afternoon- this was pretty gentle. I think I must be on the right wavelength today.
However I don’t understand why 1a is the answer although the lurker was clear straight away.
This puzzle felt very familiar? Anyway favourite today was 4a
Thanks all
S, 1a. The answer is an ancient Greek dialect spoken in the region of Attica.
Thank you – I knew of the region but not the dialect and started wondering if there was a slang word connecting Greek and the answer relating to rooms!!
There is a connection to “rooms”. In ancient Greek architecture (in the Attica region) an attic storey referred to a smaller, decorative top storey built above the main facade of a building. That’s where the attic room or loft of today comes from.That connection being only that the answer is a word from the Ancient Greek language.
For me this seemed like a Typical Tuesday puzzle this week. A couple of clues I stumbled over, but overall, all good.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourite candidates 4a, 13a, 29a, 2d & 19d — with winners 13a & 2d
Smiles for all the favourites today.
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
My weather map said rain between 7 and 10 so at 12 I put all my washing on the goroundy and as we sat down to lunch it began to rain. ‘Snot fair. But a lovely guzzle to solve, a satisfying amount of stress involved which brings elation when the penny drops. I’d like to have a little moan at 11a. you wouldn’t say ‘that’s ok it’s ease’ you would say easy. But I liked the king cut by the whip. All very Tuesday-ish. I am sure there is a sweet pea expert amongst us. Why are my sweet peas in a very large pot on the terrace only giving me 3” stems?
Many thanks to Setter and Hintsman
re 11a – how about the task was undertaken with no bother/with ease.
It took me an embarrassingly long time to 2d what a goroundy was 🤔
Daisygirl, I do not have any sweet peas this year and I’m certainly not an expert but my guess would be that the recent period of very hot weather forced the plants to flower early, hence short stems.
Is that a perennial sweet pea, Daisy? I have one outside the lounge window and the stems are always short.
A late start due to charity trustee meeting lasting longer than expected…the good news is that there is never a shortage of tea and biscuits!
Perhaps my mind was still on other matters but It was a slow start, although looking back I’m not sure why. Everything was well clued and there was nothing too vague. I’ve seen something similar to 1a previously. I was not sure about the synonym for ‘vehicle’ at 26a but it could not have been anything else. I stuttered over 14d because I could not get Paddington’s favourite spread out of my mind.
Picks of the day are 18a, the French mugs and 23d which I thought was very clever.
Thank you to today’s setter and Huntsman for the hints
This was going very well then I got bogged down in the SW, therefore I think this merits more than one star for difficulty.
Last in was 19d and once the hint was consulted 18a is my cotd.
Thanks to setter (you beat me today) and Hintsman (sic)!
14 down confused me with the spread MARMITE, there being a couple of minerals (salts?) MARMATITE and MARMOLITE.
The jury is still out as to wether my new shift gives me more time for crosswords as well as looking after Mama Bee. If they stay at this level (they won’t!) It should be ok. The fish in 14d is a regular and worth remembering.
3d amused the most as it reminded me of a fine comic strip
Thanks to The Plumber and Hintsman, like Terence I always enjoy your Tuesday playlists
s-l1200
Very enjoyable and mostly straightforward. I liked 14 d and 17d.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints
An enjoyable and gentle puzzle , however I did make heavy weather of a few clues due to a bit of brain fog. I wondered at first if 14d was wrong to have the ‘almost’ , as I was thinking of a RM . Are they not considered to be salts ? The setter was thinking of the other word , so I’ll concede on that point anyway.
Thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
LOI was 11A, except for a careless typo in 6D. Wasn’t sure of the 14D fish to parse till the hints.
Pody picks go to 24A’s wife, 5D’s loving and 23D’s embrace.
Thanks to setter and to Huntsman – loved the Moby clip! 🎵⭐️
Bang on for a Tuesday yet again. One or two synonyms were not the first to spring to mind but that’s OK plus a smattering of schoolboy humour, what’s not to like.
I even got the French word without having too look it up, happy days. Favourite was 28a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Oddly, I thought this was a ***/****! Guess my brain is sort of droopy today!
3*/3* …
liked 20A “Old Republican – a flipping rubbish speechmaker (6)”