Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3381
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 9th August 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
Greetings from Kolkata. Dada has given us a slightly tough puzzle this Sunday that was still enjoyable to solve and now I present to you a full review of his puzzle. Hope to have your valuable feedback and comments.
Pomade, the answer to the clue at 21 Down, was a word I thought I knew much better than I actually did. After solving the puzzle, I searched the internet and learned some significant information about it. Pomade is a traditional hair-styling product used to shape, smooth and hold the hair. It is usually a greasy or waxy substance, although modern pomades may be water-based and lighter in texture. By giving the hair a controlled, polished appearance, pomade has long been associated with neat and carefully arranged hairstyles. The history of pomade goes back several centuries. Earlier preparations were often made from animal fats or other oils and were used to soften and dress the hair. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, pomade became particularly popular among men who favoured styles with a glossy finish and strong hold. Classic hairstyles such as the pompadour and slicked-back hair helped establish its place in popular culture. Today, pomades are available in many formulations. Oil-based varieties generally provide a strong hold and distinctive shine, whereas water-based products are easier to wash out and may feel less greasy. Some modern pomades offer a matte finish for a more natural appearance. Pomade remains popular because it combines styling control with versatility. A small amount can tame stray hairs, define a parting or create a carefully structured style. However, excessive use may make the hair appear oily or weighed down. Used sparingly and applied evenly, pomade can be an effective way of maintaining a tidy and stylish appearance.
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Across
7a Put in established pattern, decorative design (7) milky mist
ROSETTE: SET (put) as a verb meaning to put, lay or stand something in a specified place or position placed inside (in) ROTE (established pattern) as a fixed, mechanical or established routine or pattern of learning guides to the definition of a decoration resembling a rose, especially an arrangement of ribbons or strips formed into a rose-shaped design and worn as a badge or presented as a prize
10a Holidaymaker in suit or pants, cap in turquoise (7)
TOURIST: The definition of a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure, an example of which is a holidaymaker i.e. a person who is on a holiday at a place for enjoyment and recreation, rather than for business or work is reached from an anagram (pants) of SUIT OR followed by the leading or cover letter (cap) in T[URQUOISE]
11a Dry days in September, including first of that month? (7)
THIRSTY: The definition of an adjective meaning dry, arid, parched or needing or desiring drink is reached from THIRTY (days in September) as representing the total number of days in the month of September having inside (including) the first or initial letter (first) of S[EPTEMBER] (that month) as referring to the month already stated earlier in the clue
12a Punishment, writer given cane, unfortunately (7)
PENANCE: The definition of a punishment inflicted on oneself as an outward expression of repentance for wrongdoing is reached from PEN (writer) as an instrument used for writing followed by (given) an anagram (unfortunately) of CANE
13a Overcome a verbose drunk grabbing yours truly (4,5)
RISE ABOVE: The definition of a verb meaning to overcome or be unaffected by something mean or contemptible or to overcome difficulties, negativity or petty behaviour by maintaining a higher standard of conduct, strength or integrity is got from an anagram (drunk) of A VERBOSE taking inside (grabbing) I (yours truly) as a pronoun used to refer to oneself as speaker or writer, an example of which is yours truly, that is an informal term for pronoun for I, myself or me
15a Figure revealed by growth in kilos (5)
THINK: The definition of a verb meaning to figure, judge, hold or have an opinion is part of or hidden inside (revealed by) [GROW]TH IN K[ILOS]
16a For atop head, that off immediately! (2,3,4,2,1,3)
AT THE DROP OF A HAT: An anagram (off) of FOR ATOP HEAD, THAT takes to the definition of an idiom meaning immediately, instantly or without hesitation or delay, often in response to the slightest signal or prompting
21a Point where reggae initially gets suffocated by funk (5)
PRONG: The definition referring to a point, tip, spike or any pointed projecting part is obtained from the initial or first letter (initially) of R[EGGAE] and gets held in (suffocated) by PONG (funk) as a strong, unpleasant or offensive smell, an example of which is funk i.e. a strong, unpleasant smell, usually of smoke
23a Head honcho on hand? (3,6)
TOP BANANA: The definition of the leading comedian in musical comedy, vaudeville, burlesque, etc or the most important person in an organisation or activity is cryptically arrived at from ‘on hand’ a phrase meaning readily available as referring to the top banana in a bunch or hand, the term for a cluster of bananas, that is within easy reach or readily available to be picked
25a Yellowish-brown dirt orbiting sun (7)
MUSTARD: The definition of a dark yellow to light olive brown colour is got from MUD (dirt) as dirt, soil or clay going around (orbiting) STAR (sun) as any of a vast number of celestial objects that are visible in the clear night sky as twinkling points of light, an example of which is the sun, the star at the centre of our solar system and the source of light and heat for Earth and other planets
26a Greek character in April recollected flower (7)
PRIMULA: MU (Greek character) as the twelfth letter of the Greek alphabet placed inside (in) an anagram (recollected) of APRIL gives the definition of a flower, referring to a flowering plant of the Primula genus, including the primrose, cowslip, oxlip etc
27a Single girl behind daughter in Irish county (7)
DONEGAL: A combo of ONE (single) as being or amounting to a single unit or individual or entire thing, item or object and GAL (girl) as an informal term for a girl or young woman preceded by or coming after (behind) D (daughter) as the genealogical abbreviation for daughter leads to the definition of the northernmost county on the island of Ireland
28a Fair head of lady cushioned by setter? (7)
CLEMENT: The definition of an adjective meaning fair, mild, fine or calm is reached from the head or leading letter (head) of L[ADY] protected or taken inside (cushioned) by CEMENT (setter) as a substance that sets and hardens to bind other materials together and hence cryptically a setter
Down
1d African city to repair, ruined (8)
PRETORIA: The definition of the executive and administrative capital city of South Africa is reached from an anagram (ruined) of TO REPAIR
2d Wet, bottom piece of hosiery got hitched up (4)
DEWY: The definition of an adjective meaning wet or moist with drops of dew is obtained from a combo of the bottommost or terminal letter in the down clue (bottom piece) of [HOSIER]Y followed by WED (got hitched) as the past tense of a verb meaning got married or got hitched in an ascending fashion (up) as reversals in the down clue
3d Putridness originally in no longer fresh bread and butter (6)
STAPLE: The original or initial letter (originally) of P[UTRIDNESS] placed inside (in) STALE (no longer fresh) as an adjective denoting no longer new or fresh, usually as a result of being kept for too long, especially of food takes to the definition of a main or important product that people eat or use regularly or a basic means of sustenance, an example of which is bread and butter
4d Container, trap for wordplayers? (6)
PUNNET: The definition of a small container, especially a shallow basket or box used for fruit is cryptically arrived at from the NET as a trap, perhaps of the internet or online world, meant for wordplayers who play with words, for example through a Quick Crossword PUN that appears at the end of the hints and tips of a prize puzzle, thus NET for PUN, or precisely PUN NET
5d Very difficult angle cornering I conclude (8)
FIENDISH: The definition of an adjective meaning very difficult and challenging is got from FISH (angle) as to angle or try to catch fish, either for food or as a form of sport or recreation taking inside (cornering) a combo of I from the clue and END (conclude) as a verb denoting to finish or conclude
6d Various takers for succession (6)
STREAK: An anagram (various) of TAKERS leads to the definition of a succession or a continuous series or run of events or occurrences
8d Stumbles in area of field (5)
SLIPS: Double definition; the second being a noun referring to a fielding position or region in cricket that is located directly behind the batsman on the offside, consisting of positions such as first slip, second slip, third slip etc and hence an area of field that takes to the first a verb in the present tense third person singular form denoting stumbles, trips up or makes an error of judgment
9d Left port, sea’s choppy (2,5)
TO SPARE: The definition of a verb meaning left, leftover, remaining or extra, as in time to spare is arrived at from an anagram (choppy) of PORT, SEA (port, sea’s)
14d Blade from hero, a rapier (3)
OAR: The definition of a long shaft having a blade at one end for propelling a boat is part of or hidden inside (from) [HER]O, A R[APIER]
17d Figure you smooth down (8)
THOUSAND: The definition of a figure, or more specifically a number that is written as 1,000 in figure is got from a charade of THOU (you) as an archaic or dialect form of the nominative of the second person singular pronoun ‘you’ and SAND (smooth down) as to smooth or polish with abrasive material or to smooth down wood
18d Go off, old man (3)
POP: Double definition; the second being a noun denoting an informal term for a father, probably derived from baby talk that guides to the first a verb meaning to burst, explode or go off with a bang
19d Vulnerable, newspaper having opened dossier (7)
FRAGILE: The definition of an adjective meaning vulnerable, unstable, weak or delicate is reached from RAG (newspaper) as a newspaper, typically one regarded as being of low quality getting inside by splitting (opened) FILE (dossier) as a dossier or a collection of documents about a particular person, event or subject
20d Formal gathering disconnected, still upset about that (3,5)
TEA PARTY: The definition of a formal afternoon social gathering at which tea, sandwiches and cakes are served is obtained from APART (disconnected) as an adverb meaning disconnected, separated or away from each other having YET (still) as a conjunction denoting still, though or nevertheless going around that word (about that) in an upside-down mode (upset) as a reversal in the down clue
21d Fragrant cream prepared, topped by shell of pistachio (6)
POMADE: The definition of a scented ointment or cream used especially for the hair is got from MADE (prepared) as a verb in the past tense meaning prepared, formed, composed or cooked preceded by or having on the top in the down clue (topped by) the outermost letters (shell) of P[ISTACHI]O
22d Good field for country house (6)
GRANGE: A charade of G (good) as the abbreviation for good used in grading and RANGE (field) as a noun referring to a large, open area of land or field for grazing or hunting leads to the definition of a country house or farmhouse with its stables and other buildings
23d Pint-sized, having had a few pints? (6)
TIDDLY: Double adjectival definition; the second meaning slightly drunk or intoxicated, especially after drinking alcohol i.e. having had a few pints that takes to the first denoting small or tiny, an example of which is pint-sized i.e. very small, usually of a person
24d A minor injury, athlete’s foot severe (5)
ACUTE: A from the clue followed by CUT (minor injury) as a small injury involving a cut or break in the skin and the foot or final letter (foot) of [ATHLET]E (athlete’s) leads to the definition of an adjective meaning extremely sharp or severe
26d Fairy king with goblet raised (4)
PUCK: The definition of the mischievous fairy or sprite in Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is arrived at from a combo of K (king) as the abbreviation for king in chess notation and CUP (goblet) as a small open container, usually having one handle, used for drinking, an example of which is a goblet i.e. a drinking-cup with a thin stem in an ascending mode (raised) as reversals in the down clue
There were many clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 11a, 16a, 23a, 28a, 4d, 5d, 8d, 20d, 23d and 24d; 11a 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 nice day.