Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31279
Hints and tips by Huntsman
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** Enjoyment ***/****
The sun is just bursting through here in Harpenden but it’s mercifully cooler so it looks like a more comfortable week ahead before returning to a sauna again next week.
Having commented late yesterday that today’s puzzle was unlikely to be as tricky as yesterday’s above average difficulty puzzle it turned out (for me at least) that it was so I’m giving it an extra *. A straightforward grid fill but I found one or two bits of the wordplay required a bit of thinking about & I was embarrassingly slow to twig the definition context at 19a. As ever nicely & concisely clued from AP & very enjoyable.
I see Hudson is over in t’other place so that’s bound to be a cracker to look forward to later. Tuesday Toughies are generally very accessible & well worth having a stab at even if you never stray beyond the shallow end of the pool. Whybird is one lifeguard duty & will be on hand if you get into any difficulty.
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 Hand back some tripe (8)
CLAPTRAP: link two nounal synonyms; firstly for hand in the context of applause & secondly a reversal (back) for some but not all of a thing.
5a Perfect language essentially abandoned (6)
FINISH: remove the central letter (essentially abandoned) from the language of a North European country. Hands up those whose first thought would have been elsewhere on the continent but for the wordplay instruction.
9a Charm Parisian in hypnotic state (8)
ENTRANCE: Depending on the context the French for ‘in’ + a nounal synonym for a hypnotic state.
10a Travelled around installing information technology for my boss (6)
EDITOR: insert (installing) the usual two letter abbreviation for information technology inside of a reversal (around) of a past tense verb for travelled.
12a Cope with ruder new way of conducting business (9)
PROCEDURE: an anagram (new) of COPE RUDER.
13a Jail by a lake – this might require locks (5)
CANAL: an (unindicated) American slang term for a jail + A from the clue & the single letter map abbreviation for L[ake].
14a Leaning crooked (4)
BENT: a straightforward double definition.
16a The women’s following chubby churchmen (7)
FATHERS: a possessive pronoun for ‘the women’s comes after (following) a synonym for chubby.
19a Bird with no tail, blinking (7)
FLAMING: remove the last letter (no tail) from a colourful wading bird. The definition synonym/context is when used instead of a more earthy expletive.
21a Experiment with flower in Hampshire (4)
TEST: as is often the case in cryptic puzzles flower here is nowt to do with flora – here you’re looking for a chalk stream that rises near Basingstoke & flows southwards for 40 miles to Southampton Water.
24a White heron’s egg last to come out – about time! (5)
EGRET: use EG[g] from the clue ignoring the final letter (last to come out) then link with the usual preposition for about/in respect of & the single letter for T[ime].
25a Lucky due to fish pate having 50 per cent off (9)
FORTUNATE: three bits of lego in this charade – a synonym for ‘due to’ in the context of expressing causality + a saltwater fish hugely popular in the global seafood & culinary market then append the latter half (50% off) of [pa]TE.
27a Nick now departs hospital department (6)
INDENT: a synonym for ‘now’ in the context of fashionable/trendy + the single letter for D[eparts] & our usual hospital department dealing with problems upstairs.
28a Good-looking workers and little old me (8)
HANDSOME: a term for workers/crew members + O[ld] + ME from the clue.
29a Maverick actor held back by director, enraged (6)
GARNER: hidden in reverse (held/back). Though I knew of the iconic comedy western series I’ve never seen an episode – for me he’ll always be the scrounger in The Great Escape & Jim in The Rockford Files.
30a Holidaymakers throw shirts out leaving hotel (8)
TOURISTS: an anagram (throw) of S[h]IRTS OUT (omitting/leaving H[otel] /NATO alphabet letter).
Down
1d Tweets about the man’s housing record (6)
CHEEPS: the single letter for about/C[irca] followed by a possessive pronoun for ‘the man’s which goes around (housing) a vinyl recording of shorter length than an album but longer than a single. Nowt to do with posting 1a on Musk’s platform.
2d Two types of gold enthralling the short writer (6)
AUTHOR: insert (enthralling) TH[e] (short/truncated) from the clue in between 2 two letter types of gold – the first the chemical symbol & the latter used in heraldry & art.
3d Tense people’s suggestion (5)
TRACE: T[ense] + a synonym for people/ethnic grouping.
4d Story’s ace chapter on nobleman (7)
ACCOUNT: the single letter abbreviation for A[ce] & for C[hapter] followed by a European rank of nobility equivalent to an earl over here.
6d Clubs in Asian country initially try erotic strip shows (9)
INDICATES: insert the card suit letter for C[lubs] into the most populated (just I think) Asian country then append the 1st letters (initially) of the three words preceding the definition.
7d Set of books completed after I planned (8)
INTENDED: I from the clue + a biblical set of books + a synonym for completed/over.
8d Inoffensive description of Venus de Milo, perhaps, by husband (8)
HARMLESS: a description of/what the famous ancient Greek marble sculpture is lacking preceded by the genealogical single letter for H[usband].
11d Grouse meat (4)
BEEF: straightforward double definition.
15d Being sixteen, dancing with constant energy (9)
EXISTENCE: an anagram (dancing) of SIXTEEN followed by the single letter in physics for C[onstant] & for E[nergy].
17d Proposing fine for bad golf (8)
OFFERING: an anagram (bad) of FINE FOR then append G[olf] (NATO alphabet) – I’d be broke in no time.
18d Dog from abroad barking in both directions (8)
LABRADOR: insert an anagram (barking) of ABROAD between two single letter directional abbreviations.
20d Somewhat daunting if teacher’s present (4)
GIFT: hidden (somewhat).
21d Commotion surrounding grandad regularly producing violent wind (7)
TORNADO: a two word, sometimes hyphenated, phrase or idiom for a commotion or unnecessary fuss with the even letters (regularly) in g[R]a[N]d[A]d inserted (surrounding) in between.
22d Well-known female, impassioned or withdrawn? (6)
FAMOUS: F[amous] + an adjective meaning impassioned without its 3rd & 4th letters (OR withdrawn).
23d Docks always welcoming ship? On the contrary (6)
SEVERS: on the contrary tells us that it’s the two two letter ship abbreviation that contains (welcoming) the synonym for always.
26d Milk container – shake after removing top (5)
UDDER: delete the 1st letter (removing top) from a verb meaning to shake.
The top three for me today fighting it out for positions on the podium were 1a + 21&22d. Please let us know which clues you liked best.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: SAD + HAULS + OAR = SADDLE SORE
A harder than expected but thoroughly enjoyable puzzle. I was so tempted to put the wrong language in for 5a but the wordplay made me think again. Great cluing.
Top picks for me were 1a, 19a, 24a, 8d and 22d.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
So much for a relaxing Tuesday crossword!
A very satisfying feeling when eventually the final clue was cracked in the tough N.E. corner.
Thanks to all involved.
2.5/5 for me.
Blinking heck (19A) I thoroughly enjoyed this but for me I wouldn’t have been surprised to meet it later in the week. As always the clues were excellent and I was able to drag out the name of the Maverick from the deep recesses. I bunged in 27A without fully parsing it. My favourites were 1A, 19A, 25A and 28A with COTD going to 1A. Thanks to Huntsman for allowing me to tidy up my parsing with the benefits of the hints and of course to the setter.
Thai corner.
I was amused by a conversation with a Thai friend a few days ago when I showed him a picture of the residential estate I was brought up in on the outskirts of Sheffield and his reaction to it was to ask whether we had electricity in the U.K. at the time. The picture below of my current estate in Thailand perhaps explains his confusion. BTW the property in the pic isn’t mine.
For me, etc©, not so Typically Tuesdayish – 1.5*/3*
Candidates for favourite – 1a, 19a, 1d, 8d, and 18d – and the winner is 18d.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
Great stuff from our ever reliable Tuesday setter with plenty of excellent clues to keep us interested throughout the solve. One of my last entries to fill in proved to be my favourite, 19a.
Many thanks to AP and The Hintsman.
Something strange happened this morning. My wife was expecting a delivery from Amazon (other companies are available) of a bottle of low-salt soy sauce. There was no knock and drop, just an email saying it had been delivered, accompanied by a photo for proof of delivery. Within a few minutes of receiving the notification she opened the side door to find an empty box, the top torn off.. We live in a quiet, private cul-de-sac with no through traffic or pedestrians. Only the driver could have taken it. But who the heck steals soy sauce??
That is soyprising! 😊
A sauce of great frustration, Steve.
🤣🤣
Nice work, gents.
Delivery companies leaving packages in the open is absolute rubbish.
They should leave a note, saying they will retry or leave it somewhere nearby to collect. Amazon have a few lockers but they need loads more. These companies are making a fortune. So, they can afford to do it.
Service first, profit second.
YS, I’m guessing the petty thief just grabs it and looks at what they’ve nicked later.
It can only be the driver Tom. They take a photo of it in situ, then rip open the package to see what they have. It is interesting that it was left by the side door, out of range of doorbell cams. And no knock and run either. It must happen a lot as when my wife went on the the Amazon website there was a drop down menu, and one of the options to choose was ‘package opened’. They offered an immediate refund but that is not the point. It is theft, pure and simple, and like retail theft, it is not a victimless crime and we all end up paying more as a result.
Surely it can’t be the driver. If so, their career with them has to be short-lived or maybe it’s a nice little sideline.
Who would risk their job for, as you say, a bottle of soy sauce?
Either way, it’s very depressing.
Amazon can be so frustrating. Unfortunately they outsource a significant % of deliveries to different couriers including Evri who are 19a useless (a more earthy adverb beginning with same consonant appropriate but don’t want a yellow card).
I’ve always been reluctant to use Amazon because of concerns about the ecology of a multitude of vans delivering small items that can easily be purchased elsewhere but you can’t argue with the value. Despite being provided with specific & easy to follow delivery instructions my last 3 deliveries have been left outside (there’s a trade button that can be pressed to access the building) & on one occasion dumped in the car park.
Amazon have got everything with their service except the last bit.
Outsourcing clowns.
Wow that was a tough Tuesday! I put it down to the Nigel Kennedy concert last night that went on until twenty to eleven. Superb concert and great to see musicians so tight in their playing you couldn’t get a tissue paper between them. Kennedy doesn’t play the music he is the music. Still, getting to bed at 11.30 and making the mistake of having a stiff scotch to unwind meant a slight head this morning. Then I see that others found it harder than usual for a Tuesday so I feel relieved. I found it such a struggle that I don’t have a favourite but Hudson insists I mention the barking dog at 18d.
Thank you, Professor but you mangled me today. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
Don’t know if you have tackled Hudson yet but he’s very playful & if anything gentler than the Prof.
I’m just about to, Andy. Thanks. 👍
Nigel Kennedy was performing in Crawley on the 27th. I should have gone as I have enjoyed his playing many times in the past. It sounds as if he is still in great for and was always so enthusiastic.
He did play a little too much Polish music for my taste but just watching him play is a treat. There were about three standing ovations especially after he played the final movement of Summer from the Four Seasons.
A very entertaining puzzle, proving once again that crosswords don’t have to be very difficult to be enjoyable – thanks to our setter and Huntsman,
It was good to be reminded of my favourite TV Western series,
I gave ticks to 1a, 24a and 6d.
2*/4*. Mr Tuesday Consistency continues his rich vein of light and very enjoyable puzzles.
18d was my favourite.
Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman,
Once again, I’m pleased to see that I wasn’t the only person worrying about mental decline on encountering this puzzle, which was markedly tougher than most Tuesday offerings. If it’s any consolation to our blogger, I didn’t understand 19a until I read the hints. Some lovely cluing throughout, and 1a and 18d were my favourites. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman. I suspect I’ll have that superfine McDonald backing vocal in my head for much of the day.
A beautifully compiled crossword from the prof that flowed from the off.
I’ve ticked nearly all of the clues for their surfaces and constructions. Mastery at work.
Putting in reproduce (a perfect anagram) for 12a didn’t help matters and I enjoyed recalling 29a as it made me think of Jim Rockford. What a series!
My picks are 28a, 18d and 21d.
MTTTA and Hoots!
1*/5*
A nice mix of the straightforward and crumpet scratchers. This has resulted in ticks aplenty on my page. I stared at 19a for an age until the doh moment smacked me between the ears. Honorable mentions go to 1a, 5a, 8d and 21a but cotd has to go to 29a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Nice use of ‘earthy’ in the 19a hint, Huntsman, providing a handy example for those unfamiliar with that meaning yesterday!
For me a trickier Tuesday offering today.
Lots to like and smile about though, nonetheless.
1.5*/3.5*
Favourites 5a, 12a, 30a, 2d, 8d & 18d — with winner 18d
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
Huntsman, you might want to edit the title of the blog today which contains a couple of spurious Bs:
bbDaily Telegraph Cryptic No 31279
Ta – don’t know where they appeared from
A crossword in many parts….sit down to start, Openreach arrive and occupy an hour of my time, start again, reminder I have a car full of rubbish to take to the recycling centre, start again, Lady P wants a hand with shopping, finally finish the crossword. The puzzle didn’t flow and was tricky in places but I think that was 90% my fault.
COTD was either the fish pate at 25a or the erotic strip show at 6d.
Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints
Found today’s offering easier than yesterday and had no hiccups. Probably because it is Mr. Plumb and I am a fan.
Favourite was 8 down which came very easily because in my antique dealing days we often would refer to certain damaged china in such a way.
Thanks to Huntsman for being on duty although for once I got there unaided. Thanks as ever to Mr. Plumb
As with some others NE held out until the end; thank you Huntsman for explaining 1a. Fun puzzle
I didn’t find this one too bad today, maybe I was on the setters wavelength. That said 19a was my last in, and I knew it was going to be a ‘cuss’ word but I could only think of one obvious that started with F , and the ING at the end meant I couldn’t envisage a curtailed bird name either. As always it was a big ‘duh’ moment , when I started going through the alphabet and got to FL and it was as always obvious. That is the joy of doing these things ! Thanks so much to Anthony Plumb and Huntsman.
*** / **
Found this much more difficult than a typical Tuesday and had a rather low enjoyment factor. Instead of the usual ‘oh wow’ moments when a solution came to mind, there were more ‘say what’ reactions. Must be me, must be having a bad day but sorry, this didn’t float my boat today. Did tick the 13a Jail by a lake and 6d erotic strip shows though – they went in early and raised quite a smile so all is not lost for the day.
Many thanks to the Prof and Huntsman.
I managed to rattle this off before going out to golf this morning. Held myself up for a while by bunging in the only other anagram for cope + ruder at 12a, but sussed my error when none of the downs fitted. Showed my age by remembering not only Maverick but the actor as well. 1a is my COTD.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
1*/3*
1*/ 4* An enjoyable puzzle with no hold ups, lots of clever clues and humour.
Hard to whittle down, but top three are the tripe at 1a, the Maverick actor at 29a and the blinking 19a
Thanks to compiler and Huntsman
Ps Also liked the quickie pun
Great puzzle which I managed to complete in a good time, for me! 6d made me smile thinking of some of our male bloggers and their boyish titters! Enjoyed the Quickie pun. Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman. The long anticipated rain is now truly coming down but at least we got the lawns mown and garden tidied before the 2.30pm forecast?!
Titter ye not.
Nay, nay. Thrice nay.
The boys at the back of the coach going to the swimming baths, being extremely puerile….we love it!
Good, good times.
😊😊😊
Some nice clues but a few were off eg flaming = blinking? 27a?
Anyhow a pleasant hour or so listening to Francis Rossi 🎸
The new mini cryptic in the Daily Telegraph are great for beginners to hone their skills.
I am glad others thought this was harder than average for a Tuesday. 19a took ages and then became my favourite although I wasn’t sure it was the same as blinking. It was very entertaining to complete.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman
Harder than normal, I thought, but a very high standard of clueing. We’ve been very fortunate today for both inside and outside puzzles. 17d gets my prize, even as a non-golfist.
Thanks to our setter and to Huntsman, as ever for the blog and musical selection. Funny, The Birdie Song might have been chosen twice today. I wonder how it missed out … 🙄
I did enjoy this – I thought I was finding it tricky however when finished it had only taken me a little longer than usual.
My favourite was the last in 19a.
I notice some have questioned blinking/flaming, are they not both mild swear words along the lines of blimey crikey and good grief?
They are indeed as I’d hoped the explanation indicated.
And re yesterday’s back-pager – thank you for giving me an earthy / rude example 🙂
One of those days where it was gentler for me than for many here – a rare day for sure.
Pody picks … 12A’s anagram was oddly tricky, 25A for the excellent record included in the hints, and 18D’s busy barking dog.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman ⭐️
I found this very hard with the SW being my downfall.
Scrolling through the comments revealed 19a (Grrr!). Once I had this the rest fell into place. Heard of the bird in 24a but no idea what it was.
Thanks to all.
Add me to the list of those who found less than straightforward. If this level of difficulty increases I could find myself in deep do do (just following the trend of replacing offensive words with innocent ones) by the end of the week. Not that I didn’t enjoy as I did. Favourite was 1a, splendid word. Thanks to AP and Huntsman
Late on parade here in Brisbane but I’ve had a great night’s sleep. I bunged in French for 5a without having a close read of the clue. Took a while to figure out it was incorrect. Hence the NE corner was last to go in. As we use to say at uni, RT *%#+Q😜
Just finished and like a few others came to a juddering halt in the SW corner so had to refer to Huntsman’s hints. Kicking myself for not seeing the anagrams at 17 & 18 d. I found this slightly harder than a 2* but maybe that was just me. COTD goes to 1a.
Thank you to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.