Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3380
A full review by Rahmat Ali
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on 2nd August 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A really entertaining puzzle from Dada this Sunday and now I present to you a full review of his puzzle for your kind perusal and valuable feedback and comments.
I was familiar with satsumas, the answer to 28 Across. After solving the puzzle, I explored the internet and was fascinated to discover a great deal of interesting information about the name, its origin and history. The word ‘satsuma’ has a significant history because it is both a geographical name and the name of a familiar fruit. A satsuma is a small, seedless or nearly seedless citrus fruit, closely related to the mandarin orange. It has a loose, easily removed skin and a sweet, juicy flesh. In British English, satsuma is a particularly common name for this type of citrus fruit, especially during the winter months. The name comes from Satsuma, the former name of a province in southern Japan, now largely part of Kagoshima Prefecture. The fruit is believed to have originated in China and subsequently reached Japan, where it became associated with Satsuma. In the nineteenth century, satsumas were introduced to the West and the Japanese name was adopted in English. Satsumas became especially popular in Britain because they are easy to peel and eat, have a pleasant sweetness and are generally seedless. They are often included in Christmas stockings and seasonal fruit bowls, giving the word a particularly familiar place in British culture. Although satsumas are available at other times of the year, their association with winter remains strong. The word is an example of a place name becoming the ordinary name of a commodity. Similar developments have occurred with words such as damson, denim and turkey, although their histories differ. In the case of satsuma, the geographical association with Japan has been retained directly in the English word. There is also an interesting historical use of Satsuma outside botany. Satsuma ware refers to a distinctive type of Japanese pottery associated with the Satsuma region. Consequently, the word can occur in English in two quite different contexts: one referring to a citrus fruit and another to Japanese ceramics. Thus, satsuma illustrates how trade, geography and language interact. A fruit associated with a Japanese province acquired its Japanese place-name in English and eventually became an everyday word, particularly in Britain, where the satsuma remains a small but much-loved symbol of winter.
Bantam, the answer to the clue at 22 Down, was a word I was unfamiliar with. My curiosity about it led me to discover a great deal of fascinating information on the internet as well. The word ‘bantam’ has an interesting history and several related meanings. In its original sense, a bantam is a small domestic fowl, especially a miniature chicken. Bantams are not simply young chickens; they are naturally small varieties, many of which have been bred selectively for their distinctive appearance, plumage and behaviour. They are popular among poultry keepers because they require relatively little space and can be remarkably attractive birds. The name is generally believed to have originated from Bantam, the former name of a port and region in Java, now in Indonesia. European sailors are said to have encountered small chickens there and brought them back to Europe. The name of the place consequently became associated with the diminutive birds. From the seventeenth century onwards, ‘bantam’ was used in English for these small fowls. The word subsequently acquired a figurative meaning. Since bantam chickens are small but often conspicuously active, assertive and spirited, ‘bantam’ came to describe a small but vigorous, confident or pugnacious person. Thus, expressions such as ‘a bantam fighter’ or ‘a bantam politician’ suggest someone who may be physically or socially small but possesses considerable energy, determination or combativeness. The adjective ‘bantam’ can therefore carry an affectionate, admiring or slightly humorous implication.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Villain, poor choice of poacher? (3,3)
BAD EGG: The definition of an informal phrase referring to a dishonest, untrustworthy or unprincipled person or someone who does bad things, an example of which is a villain i.e. a scoundrel or an evil or wicked person is reached from a charade of BAD (poor) as an adjective denoting poor or not achieving an adequate standard and EGG (choice of poacher) as referring to the oval-shaped nutritious food obtained from birds such as hen etc or the choice of a poacher i.e. a kitchen utensil or a chef who cooks eggs in simmering liquid
4a Branch from base holds pipe down (8)
OFFSHOOT: The definition of a branch, descendant or member of a family or social group or a branch growing from the main stem of a plant is arrived at from OF (from) as a preposition denoting from, specifically or from the whole or total number, constituting followed by FOOT (base) as base, bottom or lowest part of any vertical structure or object taking inside (holds) SH (pipe down) as an exclamation used to tell someone to be quiet or silent, an example of which is to pipe down i.e. a phrasal verb meaning to be quiet or to stop talking or making unnecessary noise
9a Fix decay, fish on the turn (6)
DOCTOR: The definition of a verb meaning to fix, mend, repair or to restore to proper conditioning or functioning is got from a combo of ROT (decay) as to decay or undergo decomposition and COD (fish) as a large marine fish with a small barbel on the chin returning from the other side (on the turn) as reversals in the across clue
10a Lots adopting a pig, reddish-brown (8)
MAHOGANY: MANY (lots) as lots, plenty or heaps taking inside (adopting) a combo of A from the clue and HOG (pig) as a domesticated pig, especially a castrated male reared for slaughter takes to the definition denoting a reddish-brown colour
12a Name of person entered, by initials – forget it! (4)
NOPE: Each of the initial or first letters (by initials) of N[AME] O[F] P[ERSON] E[NTERED] takes to the definition of an informal adverb denoting no or not so or used to express negation, dissent, denial or refusal, an example of which is ‘forget it’ i.e. an idiomatic phrase used to tell someone that something is not important or to refuse a request or dismiss an idea completely
13a Striker in form at Chelsea (5)
MATCH: Double definition; the second denoting a football match or sporting fixture involving Chelsea Football Club, which is a professional sports team based in Chelsea, West London that takes to the first referring to a matchstick or something that strikes or ignites to produce a flame
14a Accordingly, working tomorrow, perhaps? (4)
SOON: A charade of SO (accordingly) as an adverb meaning accordingly, in the way or manner indicated or to the extent or degree specified and ON (working) as working, functioning or operating guides to the definition of an adverb meaning shortly or in the near future, an example of which is tomorrow i.e. the day after today or a time in the near future
17a Feature of planet gets predator trembling (5,3,4)
GREAT RED SPOT: The definition of a prominent, long-lived, high-pressure storm system in the atmosphere of Jupiter and the most conspicuous feature of the visible cloud surface of the planet is arrived at from an anagram (trembling) of GETS PREDATOR
20a Commander’s rent for shop (7,5)
GENERAL STORE: A charade of GENERAL’S (Commander’) as of or belonging to a commander of an army or an army officer of very high rank and TORE (rent) as a verb in the past tense meaning rent or pulled apart or into pieces by force leads to the definition of a shop that sells a wide variety of goods, typically one in a small town or village
23a Highlight colours (4)
FLAG: Double definition; the second being a piece, usually of bunting or other cloth with a particular design, used as an emblem for military or naval purposes or representing a country, party, association etc, an example of which is colours i.e. the flag of a country or of a regiment or ship that takes to the first a verb meaning to highlight, point out, mark or draw attention to something
24a Look into human family (5)
BLOOD: LO (look) as an interjection denoting look, behold or see placed inside (into) BOD (human) as a short slang for a human body leads to the definition of family, in the sense of descent, lineage or kinship
25a Surrender when top tennis player’s announced? (4)
CEDE: The definition of a verb meaning to surrender, relinquish or give up power or territory is reached from SEED (top tennis player) as a tennis player who has been ranked according to their ability, serving as a homophone heard by the audience (is announced); player’s being taken as ‘player is’
28a Fruit posed problem, being that (8)
SATSUMAS: The definition of a plural noun referring to a type of small, sweet, seedless citrus fruit closely related to the mandarin orange is reached from a charade of SAT (posed) as a verb in the past tense meaning posed for a portrait or picture, followed by SUM (problem) as a noun denoting a mathematical or arithmetical problem and AS (being that) as a conjunction meaning being that what is indicated
29a Trendy comedian bashed (4,2)
WITH IT: The definition of an informal phrase denoting trendy, stylish or fashionable is obtained from a charade of WIT (comedian) as a noun denoting a comedian, humourist, wag or joker and HIT (bashed) as a verb in the past tense meaning bashed, slapped, whopped or whacked
30a Cheek still turned, value in that (8)
TEMERITY: The definition of a noun meaning audacity, nerve or cheek is got from YET (still) as a conjunction denoting still, though or nevertheless coming from the other end (turned) as a reversal in the across clue retaining inside (in that) MERIT (value) as a noun denoting value, worth or credit
31a Vulgar belly pushed back into filthy hole (6)
SMUTTY: The definition of an adjective meaning vulgar, obscene or indecent is obtained from TUM (belly) as a contraction for tummy, a colloquial or childish term for a stomach coming from the other end (pushed back) as a reversal in the across clue and placed inside (into) STY (filthy hole) as any squalid or dirty place, an example of which is a filthy hole i.e. a squalid dirty or contemptible place
Down
1d Symbol to include in a witty talk (8)
BADINAGE: BADGE (symbol) as to take inside (include in) IN A from the clue that guides to the definition of a humorous or witty talk or conversation
2d Crack that’s hot in pierced rubbish (8)
DECIPHER: The definition of a verb meaning to crack, decode or unravel is arrived at from H (hot) as the abbreviation for hot, especially with reference to water on a faucet placed inside (in) an anagram (rubbish) of PIERCED
3d Thug, don’t stop! (4)
GOON: The definition of a thug hired to intimidate or harm opponents is reached from GO ON (don’t stop) as to continue, proceed or keep on doing and not to stop
5d Currency is with cash brought home for artist (7,5)
FRANCIS BACON: FRANC (currency) as the primary unit of currency in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Monaco before the adoption of the euro, followed by IS from the clue and (with) BACON (cash brought home) as a slang term for cash or livelihood earned, especially in the idiomatic phrase ‘bring home the bacon’ i.e. to earn a living, make money or achieve material success to support a family guides to the definition of the Irish-born British figurative painter celebrated for his raw, unsettling imagery
6d Tot filmed (4)
SHOT: Double definition; the second being a verb in the past tense third person singular form referring to a scene or movie that was filmed, photographed or recorded on camera that leads to the first a noun meaning a tot i.e. small measure of spirits or alcohol
7d Piece from stentor, a tortured speaker (6)
ORATOR: Part of or hidden inside (piece from) [STENT]OR, A TOR[TURED] leads to the definition of an eloquent and skilled public speaker
8d Irksome busting a gut? (6)
TRYING: Double definition; the second being a verb in the continuous form denoting making an effort to do or accomplish something, an example of which is busting a gut i.e. putting forth a great deal of effort or straining oneself to accomplish something that takes to the first an adjective meaning irksome, irritating, annoying or vexatious
11d Sweet pastry cook I suppose so snarky (8,4)
BAKEWELL TART: The definition of a flan consisting of a pastry base spread with jam and a filling made of eggs, sugar, butter and ground almonds is reached from a charade of BAKE (cook) as to cook food with dry heat, especially in an oven, WELL (I suppose so) as a conversational interjection used to qualify or respond to a statement or used to correct something one has just said e.g. ‘I suppose so’ or ‘yes, indeed’ and TART (snarky) as an adjective denoting harsh, sharp, unpleasant or caustic, an example of which is snarky i.e. unpleasant, scornful or rudely sarcastic
15d Material of sword, bargain by the sound of it? (5)
STEEL: The definition of a noun referring to a hard, strong alloy of iron and carbon traditionally used as the material for making swords, blades, or weapons is reached from a homophone (by the sound of it) of STEAL (bargain) as a slang term for a bargain or something acquired at a cost far below its real value
16d Timid type given the push by computer operator? (5)
MOUSE: Double nounal definition; the second referring to a computer mouse that is a hand-held hardware input peripheral that is physically moved or pushed across a flat surface by a computer operator that leads to the first denoting a cowardly or timid person
18d A little woe, maths proving complex (8)
SOMEWHAT: The definition of an adverb meaning a little, slightly or to some extent or degree is reached from an anagram (proving complex) of WOE, MATHS from the clue
19d Coin locked up in bank not long ago (8)
RECENTLY: CENT (coin) as a unit of money worth one-hundredth of a dollar or a coin with this value kept inside (locked up in) RELY (bank) as a verb meaning to bank or depend upon that leads to the definition of an adverb denoting not long ago, of late or currently
21d Counterbalance rotten lot (6)
OFFSET: The definition of a noun meaning a counterbalance or a compensating equivalent is arrived a from a charade of OFF (rotten) as an adjective meaning rotten, rancid or sour and SET (lot) as a lot, band or circle
22d Embargo on domesticated, tailless chicken (6)
BANTAM: BAN (embargo) as a noun denoting embargo, block or restriction placed upon in the down clue (on) TAM[E] (domesticated) as an adjective meaning domesticated or changed from the wild or savage state that is devoid of its tail or last letter (tailless) that takes to the definition of a chicken of any of several varieties or breeds characterised by very small size
26d Irregular at the end, polish up rough edge (4)
BURR: A combo of the ending or terminal letter (at the end) of [IRREGULA]R and RUB (polish) as to polish, shine or clean going up in the down clue (up) as reversals in the down clue guides to the definition of a rough edge or area remaining on material such as metal, after it has been cast, cut or drilled
27d Hard wood, top of mantelpiece (4)
FIRM: The definition of an adjective meaning hard, stiff or rigid is yielded from FIR (wood) as referring to the wood of any of the coniferous tree belonging to the pine family and the topmost letter in the down clue (top) of M[ANTELPIECE]
There were many clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 1a, 17a, 20a, 29a, 30a, 31a, 1d, 3d, 5d, 8d, 11d and 16d; 20a being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Dada for the entertainment. Looking forward to being here again. Have a good day.
3*/4* …
liked 31A “Vulgar belly pushed back into filthy hole (6)”