ST 3201 (Hints) – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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ST 3201 (Hints)

by Senf  

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3201 (Hints)

Hints and tips by Senf

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we have been back in the deep freeze for most of the week but the forecast is suggesting a few days of minus single digit highs which of course means that it will be warm enough (a relative term) for some more snow.

For me, and I stress for me, Dada quite quirky today, with eight anagrams (three partials), one lurker (reversed), and two homophones (one partial), all in a very asymmetric 29 clues; with 15 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues.

Candidates for favourite – 8a, 19a, 24a, 27a, 1d, 20d, and the Pun.

As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.

Don’t forget to follow BD’s instructions in RED at the bottom of the hints!

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.

Some hints follow:

Across

8a Note written about a surplus (9)
A type of note (referring to a future event?) containing (written about) A from the clue.

11a Things wrong with cast: error in group of players (6,9)
An anagram (wrong) of THINGS and (with) CAST ERROR.

13a Superficial swine passing round room (7)
A female swine containing (passing round) a type of room (often associated with the entrance to a house).

19a On being consumed by deluge, flattened (7)
Our favourite two letter synonym of on contained (consumed) by a synonym of deluge.

24a Unremarkable location of white lines? (6-2-3-4)
A double definition(?) – the illustration should help.

27a Soldier on manoeuvres ever trailing as such (9)
An anagram (well move one letter, manoeuvres) of EVER placed after (trailing) a (3,2) phrase equivalent to as such – pay careful attention to how many and which words make up the definition.

Down

1d Teacher I stood up, bit of a looker? (4)
An honorific, used by school students, for a (male) teacher (is it still used?) and I from the clue all reversed (stood up).

2d Indication in slang isn’t taken the wrong way (6)
The reversed lurker (in . . . taken the wrong way) found in the words ‘sandwiched’ by the indicator.

5d I’m a twerp to rectify distortion of science-fiction (4,4)
An anagram (to rectify) of I’M A TWERP.

12d Crook in workforce? (5)
A double definition(?) – the first is a synonym for an item that may be used by a shepherd.

14d Eye ticker (5)
Another double definition – the second can be on a chain.

16d Hasty touch coming round ends in unfortunate goal (8)
A synonym of touch (affectionately) containing (coming round) the last letters in (ends of) unfortunatE and goaL.

18d Bitter about a rocker’s rival being fashionable (1,2,4)
What bitter is a three letter alcoholic type of (containing) about all of A from the clue and a (1960s) rocker’s rival.

21d Hanging head in disgrace, unknown have-nots turned up (6)
The first letter of (head in) Disgrace, followed by the reversal (turned up) of all of an (algebraic) unknown and a single word (probably woke) term for have-nots.

25d Act the same either way (4)
A palindromic (the same either way) synonym of act.

Quick Crossword Pun:

FALLS + AISLE + ASHES = FALSE EYELASHES

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Retired English singer, from Dagenham, Sandie Shaw MBE is 76 years young today. Probably best known for winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1967, her first Number One was in 1964 with (There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me and here it is:

49 comments on “ST 3201 (Hints)”

  1. Another mini gem from the Sunday Maestro. Ticks aplenty but I’ll mention 12&19a plus the lol 4 (one of my favourite “bloomers”) 20&21d with the superb 27a, an early contender for clue of the week taking top spot. Great stuff
    Many thanks to Dada and Senf.

  2. Classic Dada today, and I agree with Stephen about 27a–absolutely brilliant, that one–and I also relished 21, 20, & 18d. Oh yes, the pun too. What a total pleasure. Thanks to Senf and Dada. **/****

    Our unrelenting February heat wave in the Southeast continues unabated, with a blessed (if unfortunately brief) dip to 16C (61F) this morning here in Charleston, as LA and Southern California deal with wild blizzards.

  3. 2*/4*. Dada in very brief mode today with a light puzzle which was a lot of fun despite a few strange surfaces along the way.

    My podium comprises 27a, 18d & 20d.

    Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

  4. Pure delight from Dada today. Yet another puzzle with ticks all over the paper but stand out clues for me are 22a, 1d and 18d with the latter being my COTD. I couldn’t parse 16d at first but the penny soon dropped.

    Many thanks to Dada for the fun and Senf for the hints.

    Still cold in The Marches so the garden will have to wait. Plenty to do inside where it’s warm.

    1. Yesterday you showed us your lovely cribbage board. I have tried on several occasions to learn how to play but never really got very far. I have a home made board which has been around for years and it was only recently I turned it over and saw my great grandfather’s initials on the back in little brass nails. He was born in 1853. I was really overcome with emotion and that little piece of wood became very precious!

            1. Well blow me, SJB and Jose! No way can I wriggle out of such a blunder! As I usually check my contribution once posted in order to correct errors, I have absolutely no excuse.

              Except Perks and Hudson were both seeking my attention at the time and then ….. (stop digging the hole, Cowling!) 🙄

  5. Great fun is somewhat anagram-heavy. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
    Top clue for me was 27a with honourable mentions for 15a and 18d.

  6. Gentle offering from Dada.
    Last in 15a, albeit an anagram!
    In summary, */4*
    Many thanks and to Senf.

      1. Given Hrothgar’s comment above yours and your apparently saying that you have 15a correct then there is not a lot left in the clue for the definition.

  7. Challenging at times but very entertaining, this Dada puzzle was the epitome of balance between over-rigorous and read and write. Thank you Dada, it was near perfect for a SPP. i loved the anagrams and geographical references. 15a, 3d andc11a were my favourites. Thanks to Senf for the hints.

  8. An enjoyable solve, with the anagrams allowing me to get a foothold. Only holdups were 14d where I bunged in xxxxxxx and justified it by thinking of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; and 27a which also became my COTD.
    The penny still has dropped for me on 11a from yesterday if anyone has some advice.
    Thanks to Dada and Senf

    1. All I can really do where a prize puzzle is concerned is to point out that the definition of yesterday’s 11a relates to the last two words of the clue – hope that helps.

      1. Did you hear the clang? Thank you Jane.
        And apologies to Senf for overstepping the mark with my comment, I wasn’t aware that discussing incorrect answers was forbidden.

  9. Plenty of giants and porkers from our setter today! The surface read of 13a made me smile – pigs might fly?
    I’ll pop that one on the podium along with 18&20d.

    Thanks to Dada for the fun and to Senf for the hints and music – wonder whether Ms Shaw still prefers to go barefoot?

  10. For me, and I stress for me, (!) Dada was in kindlier form today. A struggle for me in places but completion achieved without referring to Senf (unusual for me on a Sunday).

    We went for a lovely walk yesterday in Cucknell’s Wood, near Shamley Green. A splendid unspoiled ancient woodland.

    Today – Tottenham v Chelsea. What could possibly go wrong for my expensively procured chaps in blue?

    Thanks to Dada and The Man From Manitoba.

    1. Everything? And, as it is our Dear Leader’s favourite we are all, or should be, de facto fans of the North London team!

  11. Can’t believe that I have completed today’s puzzle so soon despite going out for a dog walk in between and hanging out 2 loads of washing. I’m patting myself on the back as I couldn’t finish yesterday’s because of 11a despite seeing Jane’s hint above. Lots of good clues with some mis-direction and other brought a smile to my face. Many thanks to Dada and Senf.

    1. You’ve put me to shame, I’ve matched your dog walk but have only managed one load of washing. The day is young!

      Pleased to finish this after DNFing yesterday to end a good run of solving.

    2. Doh! 10 mins later in the middle of chores 11a (Sat ) came to me. Why did I think it was difficult?!

  12. Far more satisfying solve today, with lots of well crafted clues & smooth surfaces.

    2*/4*

    Fav 18d LOI 27a

    Thanks to Dada & Senf

  13. Thoroughly enjoyed this and Gazza, never too many anagrams for me. I am the Anagram Queen. And modest withal. I particularly liked 11,13,15&27a and 5,18&20 d. 27a possibly the favourite because of the wonderfully misleading clue. Thanks to Messrs Dada & Senf. Heigh ho, another week gone, where does the time go?

  14. A fun solve today although I think I found it more challenging than some have. First one in 24a, which raised a smile and put me in the right mood for the rest. I liked all the long clues and the ‘giant’ references. Otherwise, I particularly liked 12a, 19a, 18d and my overall favourite 27a. Thank -you to Dada for the absolute pleasure and Senf for the memories conjured up by the motorbike pic!

  15. Difficult in places but became easier as the checkers appeared. Enjoyable though. Favourite was 22a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

  16. Solved and parsed everything today with the exception of 27a…..solved but needed Senf to parse then kicked myself.
    Unusual for me on a Sunday, so I am pleased.
    Did it in 2 halves, before and after taking the son to the railway station on the first leg of his return to Norway after a short visit. Sigh….

    Thanks to Dada and to Senf

  17. A great puzzle which I have finally completed. I often struggle to see the anagram indicators even though I know they are there but I am improving. I needed the wonderful hints to understand why 27a was the answer. 5d made me laugh as yesterday we went to the science fiction exhibition at the science museum so it seemed appropriate.
    I can’t claim to have done washing today but have cleaned cars and been for a walk!

    I was pleased to see we are not the only people who enjoy Canasta, we play whenever possible and crib was my grandfathers favourite game so I learnt from him and still have the board.

    Many thanks to Senf and Dada

  18. For this week, thought this quirkier than normal for Dada, but still a good challenge that was enjoyable.

    2.5*/4* for me

    Favourites include 11a, 15a, 24a, 4d & 18d with winner 18d

    Thanks to Dada and Senf for the hints.
    Still snowing here as of 8am this morning … 12 hours of it …

  19. I used to play cribbage all the time when I was younger. Today after watching the news and a porridge breakfast, I tiled a third of our new kitchen. That is also something I used to do when I was younger. I decided to do it after an expensive quote. I had to buy a cheap tile cutter (the cheapest on A……n) which works very well. I can only do 1/2 a day at a time but that’s not a problem. The crossword was benign and enjoyable.
    Thanks to all.
    Ps cold but sunny here in Gloucestershire
    */****

  21. Not too tricky but I did have to play close attention to the definition of 27a as Senf said and suddenly the soldier I initially had disappeared in a puff of smoke
    Thanks to Dada and Senf

  23. That was a pleasant Sunday workout with the East presenting fewer hurdles than West. (Now that I think I have found Dada’s wavelength I find him less daunting). Suppose touch in 16d works. Fav was 20d but have to admit that had I parsed 27a that would have been. Clever Quickie pun. Thank you Dada and Senf.

  24. Super-Sunday – a feast of sport and a feast of crosswords. Dada on good form with plenty to like though wasn’t keen on wordplay of 17d. I didn’t parse 27a and needed Senf’s hints to confirm my bung-in. Otherwise all good with plenty of smiles, thanks to both.

  25. 2/4. Really enjoyed this puzzle. My favourite was 18d. Thanks to Dada and Senf. Snow melting rapidly and I’ve already cleared the sidewalk and driveway.

  26. I really enjoyed this. I always find Dada tricky but lots to smile about. I can’t parse 9d but I think my answer must be right. Loved all the animals, pigs and giants and so forth. I don’t know why I automatically think of the US when I see N. America, that slowed up solving 3d. I liked 24a, thought 27a really clever, but fave has to be 15a.
    Thanks Dada for the fun and Senf for unravelling some.

    1. Merusa, [redacted – it’s a prize puzzle – read the instructions in RED below the hints] and the word following it.

        1. I don’t see why my comment was bleeped out, but I’ll pay the piper and go hungry without my cake.

          1. In the opinion of this administrator your comment was a hint and not allowed per the instructions in red below the hints.

  27. Just what was needed after a day hanging wallpaper! An enjoyable crossword, thanks to Dada. I enjoyed the three long ones but especially 15a.
    The churchyard in a neighbouring village was carpeted in 4 down’s bloomers last year, a real picture.
    Thanks to Senf, especially for 2d…am I the only one who thought the anagram of slang was a letter short??!!

  28. T’was very gentle & the fastest fill in of the week but delightfully clued & great fun. 27a comfortably pick of the crop with ticks also for 15a plus 4,18,20&21d.
    Thanks to D&S

  29. At a first look I thought I was really going to struggle with this today, when I got a foothold top right area gave some problems as I had an incorrect answer in 6d. After that it went well apart from 27a until the penny dropped about the definition. Thanks to Dada and Senf

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