Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31333
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***
The sun is shining here in Harpenden but a walk will have to wait as I’m off back to bed to catch up on some much needed kip. Yesterday was a full on day of golf followed by a very pleasant early evening meal at a Turkish restaurant near my course then the trek into Hammersmith to see The Black Keys. Suffice to say I was finally in bed much later than is ideal when you have to get up & write the blog.
As ever with one of AP’s Tuesday puzzles tightly clued & not overly taxing fortunately – on a par with yesterday in terms of difficulty.
I’ve not had a chance to look at it but I see Chalicea is over in t’other place. I’m sure that will be an accessible puzzle well worth having a stab at & Whybird will appreciate your thoughts on it.
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 Start job on the radio (5)
BIRTH: a homophone (on the radio) of a synonym for job/position of employment.
4a Adult upset teen’s mum for fun (9)
AMUSEMENT: A[dult] + an anagram (upset) of TEENS MUM.
9a Over-zealous department – endless debts (9)
OFFICIOUS: remove the last letter (endless) from another term for department then append the usual phonetic abbreviation for debts.
10a Manage holding top of shaving brush (5)
COPSE: place a verb meaning to manage/get by around (holding) S[having] (top of).
11a Gown her husband’s taken off, revealing chest (7)
DRESSER: a synonym for gown/robe + [h]ER (H[usband’s] taken off).
12a Invite cheers returning parcel (7)
ATTRACT: reverse (returning) another casual term for cheers/thanks then append a synonym for parcel (of land maybe).
13a Admits pale and sickly son moves to the back (6)
ALLOWS: think of an adjective meaning pale & sickly & shift the 1st letter from front to back (S[on] moves).
15a Bosses welcoming hospital department’s trainees (8)
STUDENTS: a term for ornamental knobs/rounded decorative protuberances goes round (welcoming) the usual hospital department.
18a Unfortunately, ‘e can’t deny a shed’s leaning (8)
TENDENCY: an anagram (unfortunately) of E C[a]NT DENY (A omitted/shed).
20a Feel hot and sleep at intervals (6)
HANDLE: H[ot] + AND + sLeEp (alternate/at intervals).
23a Book about Spanish golfer securing fifth of majors (7)
RESERVE: the usual preposition for about/concerning is linked with the abbreviated first name of Spain’s finest ever golfer going around (securing) the 5th letter of majo[R]s. I had a tidy wager on him when he won his 5th & final Major at Royal Lytham & St Annes with a final round 65 to beat Nick Price.
24a Show consideration for detail (7)
RESPECT: a double definition.
26a Informed American base about military conflict (5)
AWARE: the term for a military conflict is place between A[merican] & the usual mathematical single letter for base (Euler’s number).
27a Boxers perhaps constrained by sport (9)
UNDERWEAR: link a synonym for constrained/limited with one for sport/dress in. Nowt to do with pugilists.
28a Delight chaps with conclusion of art therapy (9)
TREATMENT: a synonym for delight as in a joy/pleasure + chaps/guys + [ar]T (conclusion of).
29a Cadet? Badly behaved (5)
ACTED: an anagram (badly) of CADET.
Down
1d Bad actors spoilt television programme, possibly (9)
BROADCAST: an anagram (spoilt) of BAD ACTORS.
2d Learner found in extensive hunt (5)
RIFLE: insert (found in) the single letter for L[earner] into a synonym for extensive/widespread.
3d Mediocre writer saying something that’s cutting (7)
HACKSAW: a term for a mediocre writer or journalist + a noun for a saying/adage.
4d Bill hides black paddle on a boat? (6)
ABOARD: insert (hides) B[lack] + another word for a paddle between the two letter abbreviation for a bill/plug.
5d Parvenus at college? Jerks (8)
UPSTARTS: a rather old-fashioned term for attending uni/college + jerks/sudden involuntary movements.
6d Thrilled by mention in East Germany (7)
EXCITED: the letter that can represent by/multiplication + verb meaning mention are placed between (in) E[ast] & the IVR code for Germany.
7d Old Frank and Edward cleared up (9)
EXPLAINED: the usual prefix for old + a synonym for frank/candid + a diminutive for Edward.
8d Flower not finally opening (5)
TRENT: [no]T (finally) + a synonym for opening in the context of ripped/torn.
14d Constable could have made this criminal dance with pals (9)
LANDSCAPE: an anagram (criminal] of DANCE PALS.
16d Protected the elder’s crackers (9)
SHELTERED: another anagram (crackers) of THE ELDERS.
17d Need bullies regularly removed under school’s plan (8)
SCHEDULE: the alternate letters (regularly removed) of the first 2 words in the clue preceded by (under/down clue) the 3 letter school abbreviation.
19d Eagle circles a stone grave (7)
EARNEST: a name for a sea eagle goes round (circles) A from the clue + ST[one] /weight abbreviation.
21d Continent without a large country (7)
AUSTRIA: remove (without) A from the clue + L[arge] from the 7th continent.
22d Acknowledgment about Marxist with sex appeal (6)
CREDIT: the single letter for about/C[irca] + the term for a Marxist & the usual for sex appeal.
23d Criticise a shoe initially boxed by cobblers (5)
ROAST: insert (boxed by) A from the clue + S[hoe] (initially) into cobblers/poppycock
25d Athlete Chris running away from Premier League team (5)
EVERT: remove the usual two letter synonym for running/in operation from the rear end of a Merseyside outfit.
19d just gets the nod over 18a as my pick of the clues today. Please let us know which ones you liked best.
Today’s Quick crossword pun: SUM + MUG + AIMS = SUMMER GAMES
This morning’s listening while struggling to stay awake writing the blog has been last night’s gig setlist. This was one of the highlights for me
A solid puzzle from il professore with lots of nicely constructed clues and no multi-word dooberries.
I’ve never heard of parcel in that context nor the synonym for job in 1a. We do like the word for an upstart, yes, we do.
My picks are 11a, 6d and 17d.
MTTTA and Hoots! (you were busy yesterday!)
1*/4*
How many films did you spot in the dance mash up to the Pointer Sisters tune?
In trying to find (without success) a definitive list of ‘em I came across some other pretty good versions too.
It’s a great video that I’ve seen before.
I remember that there were way over 50 and, having looked it up just now, I see it’s over 80.
Great fun.
I’ve learnt the order of the stars Madonna mentioned in ”Vogue” as it’s a very popular quiz question.
Greta Garbo and Monroe
Dietrich and DiMaggio…
…..Lauren, Katharine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you.
However, the zillions in Billy Joel’s ”We Didn’t Start the Fire” is one step too far. Saying that, I now know the first three (Harry Truman, Doris Day, Johnnie Ray) as that came up in a quiz.
Tom, you saddo or respect?
To quote Mr Crowe, that question could unleash hell…
Generally a cruisey Tuesday offering, though I did need to come back to the earlier clues in NW to finish off once I had some more letters.
Pody picks are 9A’s OTT, leaning towards 18A, and the grave 19A – I didn’t know this eagle.
Thanks to AP and to Huntsman ⭐ I saw The Black Keys on Saturday at Victorious, only the first part of their set as I went with group vote to see a bit of Bastille too.
Am in agreement with TDS re the job in 1a.
25d – not for the less than sporty types especially as the individual retired nearly 40 years ago.
A doable puzzle, enjoyed with a little struggle.
Thanks to setter and hinter.
As Huntsman hinted the toughie is accessible. If I can do it, well……!!!!!
I found today’s offering a little trickier than yesterday mainly because I had to make three visits to the BRB (1a, 3d and 8d).
I liked the 18a leaning shed and 25d once I understood what the clue was telling me to do.
COTD is 7d.
Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman for the hints
8d? Familiar with the Notts cricket ground? Named after a bridge over that ‘flower’.
The usual delays in the puzzle ‘appearing’ on-line as the DT computer once again showed that it cannot cope with the calendar ‘rolling over’ to a new month! But, the usual Typically Tuesdayish fun was worth waiting for – 1.5*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 10a, 27a, 19d, 23d, and 25d – and the winner is 10a.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman who is correct on his thoughts on the Chalicea Toughie.
That took a bit longer than it probably should have done but then I’ve lost my touch after ten days off due to a Scottish holiday, a dance music festival(!) and other distractions. Nevertheless, it felt pretty familiar and 1a was my COTD because it was a bit out of the ordinary. Thanks very much to AP and to Huntsman. I knew nothing about the Black Keys, but I liked that song a lot. It’s odd that Bread have almost been written out of the history of popular music given how big they were in their day.
A very nice puzzle, which held me up for a while in the top left; 1a was my last in.
Favourite was 11a, but I also liked 25d (I seem to remember spending more time focusing on her pins than her forehand in those days!).
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
1*/5*. A superb offering from Mr Tuesday, whose puzzles are consistently light and fun with smooth surfaces. His definitions are precise and can never be classified as stretched.
6d was my favourite of many ticked clues.
Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman.
Have completed but not sure about the puzzle. I don’t hate it but I didn’t love it either. May be because I am in a rush as me and mr SC are witnesses to a civil partnership at 2pm today. First one I will have been to.
Don’t really have a clue if the day.
Cracking track from The Black Keys.
Yesterday, another early morning visit to IKEA – this time to Wembley instead of Reading. However, the staff were equally uninterested and unhelpful (Hello! Click And Collect!). I shall be writing a strongly worded email which, of course, will lead to extensive staff training* across all stores.
*it won’t
Hooray for this lovely but quite taxing guzzle.
Thanks to Mr Perfectly Vertical and Andy snoozing in Harpenden.
George would rather have teeth pulled than go to IKEA. I think it is great fun!
George would rather have teeth pulled than go to IKEA. I love it.
Good Tuesday entertainment – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
My ticks went to 27a, 3d and 6d.
An excellent and not too taxing puzzle , a notch up from yesterday’s I thought. I went clockwise round the grid , finishing up in the NW, 1a being my last one in , and was surprised by the answer, and the synonym. I thought 3d was an excellent clue. Really enjoyed it. Thanks to Anthony Plumb and Huntsman.
A gentle puzzle but not many ticks on my page.
Top picks for me were 19d and 16d.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
* / ****
Very enjoyable with the only hold up being to have to go back to the NW where 4 intersecting clues were holding out. However, when the penny dropped for the partial synonym needed for 9a, everything else fell with immediately with the extra checkers. COTD went to 11a revealed chest!
Many thanks to the Prof and Huntsman.
I agree that this was a great guzzle. I needed to look at the hints to parse the flower (I had it right but couldn’t justify it) and the job at 1a. There were some very clever decoys and it is a good feeling when you break through. Very many thanks to our Setter and the Hintsman.
It’s Tuesday and AP and true to my usual AP form I waded through treacle to the finish and then wondered why. Surely one day the light will dawn and all will be revealed without the usual Tuesday trauma. I live in hope, and will persevere. My cotd is the cheeky 11a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
2*/3* …
liked 19D “Eagle circles a stone grave (7)”
Gentle even by Tuesday back-page standards, but elegantly clued. 1a gets my prize, closely followed by 1d and 2d to make a very strong NE corner. Along with 25d, that should please the PM on his first day at Big School…
Thanks to our Setter and to Huntsman. Utterly defeated on the Tunes front, but in my partial defence I was trying to deal with the confusion I caused myself by solving this in place of the Toughie… (and which has been noted is accessible without being a walkover)
A very good Tuesday puzzle with the north west falling last and 1a LOI as I had never used that term for job, fortunately I guessed correctly.
No single favourite.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints
1* / 3.5* An enjoyable Tuesday puzzle with no dramas.
Liked the over zealous 9a, thrilled at 6d and the 21d country (which seems to crop up frequently)
Thanks to compiler and Huntsman
Late on parade because of a most convivial lunch in Shrewsbury followed by a stroll round The Quarry.
Wonderful puzzle from the professor if somewhat like Goldilocks. It was hard in places, easy in places and just right In others but all of it made for an enjoyable solve. I did like the rather cheeky husband’s chest at 11a and the mediocre writer at 8d where the use of “saw” was brilliant. 18a had me searching for Cockney slang in some form until the light came on. I had never thought of the last part of 12a as a parcel but I suppose a parcel of land is known as a xxxxx. My COTD is the school’s plan at 17d.
Thank you, Professor for the fun. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
Now for Chalicea!
I managed to rattle this off before going to play golf this morning, but in my haste I entered the ‘post’ and not the ‘start’ for 1a, so technically a DNF, or just a plain ol’ “got it wrong”. Smooth surfaces and fairly clued throughout with a minimum of hesitancy. The leaning shed at 18a is my COTD.
Many thanks to AP and Huntsman
1*/3* (bar 1a).
Chalicea proved to be on a par with AP today.
A slow start but gathered pace and finished with almost indecent haste. Oenjoyed every minute of it. Can’t compare it to yesterday’s as I didn’t get a paper. Not had a chance to look at the toughie yet it might have wait until tomorrow. Favourite was 3d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Fairly straightforward today except 1a. Still don’t understand the answer and the synonym of job is not in my BRB.
Thanks to all.
Me neither – I’m guessing it must be berth, but I’ve never heard it used in that context.
Sarah Cox has been announced as filling the berth on the Radio 2 breakfast show following the departure of Scott Mills – was the best I could think of in justifying the synonym other than in a nautical context. Certainly wouldn’t have been the first synonym to spring to mind.
Good evening
Although this proved to be a reasonably straightforward solve, I still had one of those forehead-slapping moments whereby I stared at 27a and stared some more, and thought I’d never get it. Then I twigged 17d and it became blindingly bleedin’ obvious. SLAP! D’ohh!
That aside, it was, as wor lass would say, all good. Or as I would say, very canny!
COTD is my last to fall, 19d.
Many thanks to Prof Plumb and to Huntsman.
Forgot to say I won’t be around tomorrow- I have an appointment at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham.
Play nice, my friends.
Hope all goes well Steve 🤞
The ratings of difficulty are erratic.In my view ,one is too low for this backpager.Tuesdays Toughie was hardly more difficult than this and was graded as a Toughie,2.
They’re very subjective Chris & are really just an indication of the blogger’s solving experience. Cryptic Sue & ALP often rate Toughies that I find virtually impenetrable as 1*.
To be honest I forgot to amend the rating from the previous week & had I done so maybe it would have got an extra half. I also have the advantage of blogging the same compiler every week.
What did you think of the puzzle?