Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31397 (Hints)
The Saturday Crossword Club
(hosted by crypticsue)
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A lovely sunny morning with quite a heavy frost brings a Saturday Prize Puzzle which wasn’t that difficult but with lots to smile at throughout, including a tiny bit of a theme
Please ask for help if you are stuck on clues I haven’t hinted, but before doing so, please read the comments that appear before yours, so that you are not duplicating questions, and make sure you obey both THE INSTRUCTIONS IN RED at the end of the Hints and the blog’s Comment Etiquette – Big Dave’s Crossword Blog)
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Across
1a Fleshy feature Dublin Echo put out (6,4)
An anagram (put out) of DUBLIN ECHO
10a Assistant brought in well-known stationery (7)
An abbreviated assistant inserted into well-known or eminent
11a See king in duke’s shop (7)
An archaic word for see and the Latin abbreviation for king inserted into part of the hand, the slang name for which is a duke
17a Delay arresting university doctor over complaint (7)
A delay ‘arresting’ the abbreviation for University, an abbreviated doctor and the cricket abbreviation for Over
21a Relatives in BBC succeeded (7)
The informal name for the BBC and the abbreviation for Succeeded
24a Animal trained to look for an owner? (5,3)
A very nice cryptic definition of an animal that isn’t a search animal!
27a Block that is restricting motorway flow (7)
The abbreviation for that is ‘restricting’ the abbreviation for Motorway and a verb meaning to flow
30a Wife inside had red dye mixed for literary 15 Across (6,4)
I don’t think I ever knew this character’s first name but the literary 15a is an anagram (mixed) of HAD RED DYE into which is inserted the abbreviation for Wife
Down
1d Stoop pronounced in Hamlet? (4)
A homophone (pronounced) of a verb meaning to condescend or stoop to do something
4d Body of vehicle Cameron’s aboard (7)
A diminutive form of the forename of the Prime Minister, Mr Cameron, inserted (aboard) a vehicle – I felt compelled to check whether this was an American term, but it is a medical one!
5d One lacking faith in candidates elevating Democrat (7)
IN (from the clue) and a list of candidates where the abbreviation for Democrat is moved further up the word
9d Viking occasionally rushed invading an island? (8)
The odd (occasionally) letters of RuShEd inserted into the first part of a phrase in a John Donne poem relating to the fact that we are all connected to others
16d Gauche? Play fewer roles after time (8)
A phrase meaning to play fewer roles goes after the abbreviation for Time
20d Extremely brainy sort prone to cracking? (7)
This informal term for an extremely brainy person could also describe something that cracks easily
23d Senior police officer exceptionally good (5)
I’ve only hinted this double definition purely because it made me smile at the idea of an informal short form of the rank of a senior police officer might make him exceptionally good
26d Hebridean isle finally approves link by bridge (4)
An accurate piece of wordplay for this Hebridean island found in the final letters of the last four words of the clue
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The Quick Crossword pun: LESS + DOOR + SUN = LES DAWSON
An enjoyable Saturday saunter, much gentler than yesterday’s, still with a few chewy challenges.
Pody picks – 1D my LOI, satisfying to wrap things up with crossword solver’s tools of a thesaurus and Google (poor Hamlet knowledge). Also 24A’s nice looker clue, and enjoyed the 28A column surface very much.
Thanks to setter and to CS ⭐️
Adding a shout out for the cryptic heavyweight of 9D’s island 👏🏻
A very gentle challenge which, for me, was over far too quickly. I did think, however, that the compiling was first-class, with my only quibble being 6A. There must be some reason—perhaps the frequency of certain letters in the English language, or maybe just a trick of the memory—why 22A and 13A seem to be a compiler’s favourites, both as a solution and as clue fodder. I knew I had the correct solution to 5D, though the parsing took an age to resolve. 11A, 2D, 9D and 16D were all competing strongly for COTD, but the crown goes to 28A for its connection to something that used to make me laugh—though I can’t explain further for fear of the red pen! Thanks to CS for the hints and to the setter for a great puzzle.
Thai Corner
We seem to be in birthday season at the moment, and I was tasked with designing and printing out birthday cards for two family friends who were celebrating their 70th. As usual, the technology sensed the importance of the occasion: my software refused to let me format the cards as I wanted, and the printer went into perpetual reboot mode. After an hour of stressful labour, I finally produced what I thought were witty, appropriate, and attractive cards, which I duly handed to the septuagenarians at the restaurant we went to—only to be extremely disappointed when they were put straight into their bags unopened. When I expressed my displeasure to my wife, she informed me that in Thai culture it is considered impolite to open cards or presents in front of the giver!
Once my brain was engaged this was a steady unaided solve. Nothing too onerous for a SPP although several needed a second read before registering. Difficult to pick a winner from my short list of 17a, 24a, 30a, 2d and 16d.
Many thanks to the setter and crypticsue.
Slow work through from southn to north with the NW bits finally going in.
Would never have thought of the parsing for 9d – my thanks to CS for the brilliant hint.
Now to enjoy the sunny cool outside.
Many thanks to the setter and CS
I thought this was one of the most enjoyable Saturday puzzles for a while.
The only one I needed to confirm on Google was 8d.
Top two were 24a and 25d.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS.
This was perfect for a sunny if cold Shropshire Saturday morning. It was certainly less chewy than yesterday’s offering, and I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. 28a and 9d were my top two. Nice theme too.
My thanks to both our setter and Sue.
This was on the money for a Saturday challenge that will please all-comers.
I loved ‘an island’ in 9d and thought the lurker in 15a was nicely done.
My picks are 17a (neat construction) 24a and 14d.
Many thanks to the setter (no ideas) and CS.
2*/4*
What a lovely puzzle with examples of so many different clue types. 1d was last in and I liked 28a best.
Many thanks to the setter and to CS for the hints.
Nicely chewy in places. I thought the parsing of 9d was excellent and I certainly needed CS’ hint to get that one. I spent too long trying to shoehorn in the usual crossword island. For smile factor alone, however, 24a has to be my cotd. Thanks to compiler and CS.
A bit, dare I say it, amateurish. The answer to 19a and syrup are entirely different things. 6a – if you think they are pronounced the same you need English lessons. Some nice clues but on the whole “must try harder”.
Hi S
Setters always ask for a bit of latitude with homophones because there are so many differing accents.
Being from The Smoke, it’s an exact homophone for me but won’t be for others, like your good self.
Would you mind expanding on ‘amateurish’? I’m sure the setter would like to know where they can improve and I’m curious too.
A bit, dare I say it, amateurish. ? 6a – if you think they are pronounced the same you need English lessons. ?????
What snobbish, unpleasant comments. Completely unworthy of this blog. I’m so angry!!
Me? I loved the puzzle and I do not need to be told how to pronounce 6a in either form. Thanks to Setter and Sue.
I wondered if anyone would take the bait & respond – you’ve saved me the trouble. The ‘please learn to live with it’ in her response to Tom wasn’t necessary either.
I thought the puzzle pretty fruity so I guess I’m in the ‘what a peach brigade’ & this Coventrian is still trying to pronounce GBS in a way that isn’t homophonic with the answer 🤔
No I don’t, but thanks for stretching my mind while I tried to work out from where in the world that idea might spoken.
There was some guessw ork over the parsing of some of the cluebut tbere were alot of steaight forward ones to get astart with. I liked the anagram at 1a, the lego clues at 14d and 30a and the geographical clue at 21d. Thanks to the compiler and to CS for the hints
A crop of crackers in this pre-Christmas puzzle, which I found relatively easy to solve. In a way, my favourite kind of puzzle, from the (seemingly elusive, if that’s a fair remark to make) ‘easy but good’ category.
So, lots to like, with ‘almost in dress’, ‘gym on steroids’, ‘an island’ etc, in a packed field, but I’m another one enthralled by the marvellous 24A.
Many thanks to Sue for the hints, and to the setter: no linked entries, but the style is sending me in the direction of you-know-who.
Edit: I see that Chambers defines 19A just as the setter has it. For 6A it seems I am one that DOES ‘need English lessons’, although other regional variations are available.
6a Another occasion when homonyms don’t work because the setter’s English accent is different from mine.
I am not going to get hung up about a dodgy homophone, they work for someone for sure.
Bunging the wrong body in held me up.
Thanks to Sue and Setter.
I bumped into Smylers at a concert in Harrogate, and imagine he had this done over breakfast
New York girls for a NY doorknob ?
Very amused by 9d. Rolling my eyes at myself for needing the hint for 1d.
What a great puzzle, I’ve ticks all over my page.
Top picks for me were 4d, 16d, 13a, 11a, 24a, 1d and 9d.
Thanks to CrypticSue and the setter.
Another slightly tricky Saturday puzzle again this week. No multi-word clues this week though. Overall a fun solve.
2.5*/3.5*
Favourites 1a, 13a, 21a, 24a, 14d & 26d — with co-winners 21a & 24a
Smiles from 6a, 21a & 20d
Thanks to setter & CS
Reply to disappointing Tom re amateurish. 19a and syrup are entirely different things. We may have called them the same as children. Maybe childish would have been better than amateurish. I am as entitled to my opinion as much the “oh what a peach” brigade. Please learn to live with it.
Of course you are and that’s the beauty of the blog. We can say what we want.
I assumed that, as you opened your post saying ‘amateurish’, you were referring to the crossword, in general, as opposed to just the syrup synonym.
‘Oh, what a peach’ reminds me of Dan Maskell. He didn’t say much. But, when he did, the words landed.
I had a very slow start with nothing at all filled in in the top half so I took a short break and began again in the bottom half. Suddenly I clicked onto the setter’s wavelength and it all came together smoothly. I really enjoyed it and it gets a 5* enjoyment rating.
9d is a work of genius and gets my vote as favourite.
Many thanks to the setter (perhaps Chris Lancaster?) and to CS.
Incidentally, I’m from the smoke as well.
London has many accents. I’m from the South West. So, the homophone works for me. Would you mind telling me where you’re from as I’m intrigued to know which part pronounces it differently to me?
I’m also a south Londoner, north Surrey actually, but have worked all over the UK and quite honestly can’t see how any confusion could arise between the pronunciation of the synonym for confident and the dramatist.
Please can you add something to your name so we can tell the difference between you and another Sheila who is a regular commenter
We have SheilaC. So, how about SheilaO, SheilaX or SheilaY?
It’s been a while since I commented; a nasty dose of Covid laid me low for far too long. I enjoyed today’s SPP, although a couple of parsings escape me. I was foxed for a while by 1D, but it raised a smile when the penny dropped. Many thanks to the setter and to crypticsue for the hints.
Good afternoon
I’m going to dip a toe into the murky water that is the disputed homophone debate. I’m from God’s Country (Northumberland, y’knar) so my pronunciation of the “homophone” for 6a is a long way from being a true homophone. But I’ve lived in the Sarf long enough to recognise it. In Northumberland, the words for “labour” and “ambulate” are homophones, hence the one about the Geordie who goes to the doctor about his gammy leg. The doctor says “can you walk?” to which Geordie replies “giv’ower, doc! Aa can hardly waak!”
So, to the crozzie. Time, tea, and my Lucky Green Pen got me over the finishing line. An enjoyable solve, for which thanks go to our setter and to CS.
There’s a place in Northumberland called Wark, and locals enjoy saying walk to work at wark.
🤣
Good afternoon everyone.
I’m glad for professional reasons to see that almost all today’s comments were positive, and pleased also to note that ‘Sheila’ has been able to make an excellent recovery from a nasty dose of something that wasn’t Covid between comments 10 and 20.
On reflection I do think ‘did you say’, or ‘as some say’ might have better served as the indicator for 6 Across: as for her assertion regarding 19 Across, it’s probably best to consult at least some of the major dictionaries before diving in to offer opinions about what thing is entirely different from another thing, as Chambers, Collins and SOED all support the definition used here today.
Thanks all, and especial thanks as ever to Sue.
NYDK
I thought this was one of yours as it was such fun.
Apparently we have two Sheilas and the post COVID one really liked the crossword
As for 19a, my researches have revealed that in the olden days, this was the name given to all types of sugary syrup which is probably how one of my favourite puddings got its name
Ah well, apologies to Sheila @ 21 then. Sheila @ 10 & 20 seems to be the other one.
What an interesting, spicy serving of comments today! Although I hail from the far north I had no problems with the homophone but would love to see a broad Glaswegian one from time to time. Give us a dose of Stanley Baxter!
Some lovely surfaces with 22a, 24a and 9d being the favourites. The SE corner finally yielded once a landlocked European state had been discarded (it almost parses). Great entertainment from our setter today and thanks to CS for the blog.
We enjoyed today’s puzzle, Mr SC votes for the viking in 9D as the favourite today. Lots of variety in the clueing as others have said.
Not going to weigh in on the discussions however I am about to make my Christmas cake which includes some syrup in the form of xxxxxxx (redacted – comments on Prize Puzzles should not include the solution)
Thanks to NYDK and CS
Oops sorry about that
Oh what a peach!
Late December back in ’63Amateurish? My giddy goodness – the brilliance of our setters never ceases to bring joy to my mornings. I admire them all.
So – a great guzzle which was enormous fun to unravel.
Love to Daisy ‘n’ George, and all the best to Steve for an ongoing, speedy recovery
Thanks to USA Eastern City Entryway Furniture, and dear Super Sue
Just to be clear, there are 2 Sheilas posting today. This has happened before, and I thought the 2nd Sheila was asked to edit her name in some way to avoid confusion. I am the post-covid Sheila, and have been commenting here irregularly for several years. From now on I will try to be SheilaC, although I might forget sometimes! PS I have no issue with any of the clues.
I will have another go at trying to persuade the other Sheila to add something so we can tell the two of you apart
Just wondering if a couple of the answers are in reference to a number of current news stories….
Once completed I wondered why it took me so long. I suppose that it’s the skill of the setter.
I loved 19a on bread when I was young, which probably explains why my teeth went bad.
29a – she’s cropped up again after two weeks and is my favourite.
Thanks to setter and CS
On reflection, I think my 19a was golden syrup.
Hadn’t read through all of the comments when replying to Shropshirebloke. Enjoyed the puzzle & didn’t peg it as Doorknob production. On wavelength from the off for a swift grid fill marred only by an inexcusable failure to twig the why at 9d (distracted by the Irish sea) despite being familiar with the piece – knew the 1st & last 2 lines but had to ask Mr G to remind me of the in-between.
Ticks aplenty – 11,12,24&27a + 2,5&20d but fav has to be 9d.
Thanks to Donny & CS – good setter spot.
Just a shout out for DuncanWJ’s NTSPP which is very gentle & good fun.
Needed the hint to parse 9d but apart from that no problems elsewhere. Thanks to Donnybrook and CS.
Got there in the end, not quite as difficult as the past two days. That said I certainly had need of the grey cells. SE corner was the last area to be completed with 25d my last entry. One or two chuckles along the way, 1d where I was thinking small village rather than the obvious, but my COTD goes to 24a.
As ever, thank you to the setter and to CS for the hints, which I will now peruse.