DT 30348 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog
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DT 30348

by pommers  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30348

Hints and tips by pommers

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***

Hola from Almoradí where summer is continuing with temps in the low to mid-thirties every day.  The trouble is that the overnight low is around 25°C so our air conditioners are getting a bit of a beating!

I thought this crossword was a little odd in that there were quite a few gimmes but then a few really tricky ones. Overall I’ve gone for *** but I’ll be interested to see what you all think about it.

As usual my podium three are in blue.  The definitions are underlined in the clues and the answers are under the “click here” buttons so don’t click on them unless you really want to see the answer.  Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.

Across

1a           Wild confusion in industry importing special rum (7)
TURMOIL:  Take a word meaning industry or work and insert (importing) an anagram (special) of RUM.

5a           Document showing achievement of consul? Not completely (7)
DIPLOMA:  What a consul is an example of without its last letter (not completely) gives you an exam certificate.

9a           Actual capital of Minoan domain (5)
REALM:  A word meaning actual followed by an M (capital of Minoan).

10a        Character kind one to emulate (4,5)
ROLE MODEL:  A word for a character in a play followed by a word for kind or example.

11a        What can clear the streets immediately, parking in Berkshire town? (10)
SNOWPLOUGH:  A word for immediately and a P(arking) are inserted into (in) a Berkshire town.

12a        Record find? Not half! (4)
DISC:  This record is the first half of a word meaning to find.

14a        Foreboding now I’m approaching hospital department (12)
PRESENTIMENT:  A word for now or at this time is followed by the IM from the clue and then a hospital department.

18a        Comic character, reckless and wild (9,3)
DESPERATE DAN:  The first word can mean reckless and the second is an anagram (wild) of AND.

21a        Former English county star making comeback (4)
AVON:  A type of star is reversed (making a comeback) to get an English county that ceased to exist in 1996.

22a        Details of a day’s play at Lord’s? (3,3,4)
INS AND OUTS:  A phrase meaning details could also be a cryptic allusion to what goes on in a cricket match.

25a        Prompt choking at a note in book (9)
CATALOGUE:  A word for a prompt goes around (choking) the AT and A from the clue and a word for a note, in a diary perhaps.

26a        Wise person, following university, gets employment (5)
USAGE:  The usual wise person following the usual letter for university.

27a        Philosopher‘s daughter rioted, out of order (7)
DIDEROT:  D(aughter) followed by an anagram (out of order) of RIOTED.

28a        Uncomfortable week stuck in a room in hospital (7)
AWKWARD:  Take the A from the clue and a hospital room and insert (stuck in) the abbreviation of week.

Down

1d           Push one’s way through American street (6)
THRUST:  The American spelling of through followed by the abbreviation of street.

2d           Think logically about a male child (6)
REASON:  Two letter for about followed by the A from the clue and a male child.

3d           Temp reacting with horror in comedy film (2,2,6)
OH MR PORTER:  Anagram (reacting) of TEMP with HORROR gives a comedy film from 1937 starring Will Hay.

4d           Slow learner on Jason’s ship (5)
LARGO:  Musical slow is the usual learner followed by Jason’s ship in which he sought the golden fleece.

5d           Coach showing proper attention (9)
DILIGENCE:  An old word for a type of stagecoach can also mean showing proper attention.

6d           Mass held by father in ceremonial splendour (4)
POMP:  M(ass) inserted into (held by) a word for your father.

7d           Veteran‘s antique watch, for example (3-5)
OLD TIMER:  A word meaning antique followed by what a watch could be an example of.

8d           Place local renovated at end of lane (8)
ALLOCATE:  Anagram (renovated) of LOCAL followed by the AT from the clue and an E (end of lanE).

13d        Cosmetic surgery, inconclusive as to outcome (3,3,4)
NIP AND TUCK:  A phrase meaning inconclusive or very close could also be a cryptic definition of cosmetic surgery.

15d        Seeing about ticket and note for bachelor party (4,5)
STAG NIGHT:  A word for seeing placed around a ticket or label and an N(ote).

16d        Progressed  at a high academic level (8)
ADVANCED:  Double definition.

17d        Consisting of various kinds of arsenic, classified (8)
ASSORTED:  The chemical symbol for arsenic followed by a word meaning classified or arranged.

19d        Man overlooking article on a South American country (6)
GUYANA:  Another for for a man followed by an indefinite article and the A from the clue.


20d        Rise when clubs finish (6)
ASCEND:  A word for when followed by a C(lubs) and a word meaning to finish or the finish.

23d        Region surrounding new stadium (5)
ARENA:  A word  for a region placed around (surrounding) an N(ew).

24d        Slight temptation, briefly, after beginning to slim (4)
SLUR:  Slight as in an insult. A word for a temptation or bait without its last letter (briefly) placed after an S (beginning to Slim).

My podium today is 14a, 22a and Id with 22a on the top step.

Quick crossword puns:

Top line:         BLING     +     CURD     =     BLINKERED

Botttom line:     BEET     +     THYME     =     BEAT TIME

50 comments on “DT 30348”

  1. Quick start, slow middle, quick end bar 22a – forgive the choice of words but, 22 stumped me. (just seen tip – for goodness’ sake, of course! The 1st word was the elusive one, Lol)
    Thought 3, 14 and 18 were pleasant.

  2. A slow but steady solve to get the cruciverbal week off to a good start. Several teasers required some thought while others went in straight away. I had not heard of the philosopher but it could not be anything else if the clue were followed. I solved 3d from a song rather than a film. In fact, I didn’t even know there was a film with that title. Ticks all over the paper including the street cleaner and the comic character. The latter took me back to my childhood and a particular pie with horns sticking out of the crust. However, my COTD is the day’s play at Lords and didn’t England do well at Headingley? Let’s see what Old Trafford brings.

    My thanks to Campbell for the work out and pommers for the hints, which I will now read.

    1. I’m not surprised you hadn’t heard of the film, Steve, as it was made 10 years before even I was born i saw it ince on Sunday afternoon TV. Mum and dad guffawed but I was just puzzled .

      1. I was born in 1953, but knew the film as I like the old comedies. It’s really quite famous.

        1. You’ve expanded the alias that you’ve used previously so this needed moderation. Both versions will work from now on.

    2. I’m really curious as to how a 1937 film makes it into a crossword, I would love the setter to give some insight on that.
      It was at least solvable with all the checkers, and being an anagram, but even so…

  3. Enjoyable coffee-break challenge, a bit more chewy than usual for a Monday, I thought. LOI was 3d, a most unsporting clue: with all the checkers in place I had worked out what it must be, but feel than an anagram of an obscure B&W film from 85 years ago (they’re all obscure at this remove in time) is distinctly below the belt.

    Otherwise, after a slow first couple of minutes a reasonably rapid and straightforward solve with some lovely penny-dropping moments. Clever clueing and good to see only a modest number of anagrams and so a wider variety of clue types, all very fair in their construction. Hon Mentions to 18a, 22a, 25a, 7d & 17d.

    2* / 3.5*

    Many thanks to Campbelll & to Senf

  4. I agree with our esteemed blogger that was a mixture of easy and harder clues, but all were fairly compiled so absolutely no complaints. Having had a day at Lord’s recently, and been totally absorbed by the three tests thus far, I have to go for 22a as my favourite.

    Thanks to Campbell for the Monday challenge, and to pommers.

  5. 2*/4*. I too agree that this was a mixture of easier and harder clues, but it was all good fun with 22a my favourite.

    I didn’t know the old word for a coach, but the BRB soon put me wise on that one.

    Many thanks to Campbell and to pommers.

  6. I thought your scoring was spot on, pommers. Definitely chewier than usual for a Monday. That bloomin’ film! Even the philosopher stretched my terrible memory. But it was all fairly clued and a lot of fun. Thanks to Campbell, and pommers.

  7. There were some real snorters, worthy of Friday but the more straightforward clues gave me some checkers and an easy way in with each corner. It was OK but not the most enjoyable Monday guzzle I’ve ever seen. I liked 11a, 15a and18a. Thanks to Campbell (?) and to Pommers for the hints.

  8. Grey matter ignited straightaway
    But slowed a bit after, say, 25 clues.
    14a again, popped up last week.
    Last in 19d, delayed as I got stuck
    In a groove of wanting an S in the answer.
    Coin loudly descended, Duh!!
    Big smiles at 11 and the very much
    Topical 22a.
    In summary 1.5*/4.5*
    Many thanks Campbell and pommers.

  9. First chance to pass comment on a puzzle at an early hour for a few days. Agree with Pommers that there were a few chewier ones slipped in that made this guzzle a tad trickier than recent Mondays. Fortunately I knew the Will Hay film, remembered the 5d conveyance from previous appearances & had heard of the philosopher. I’ll second Steve’s COTD choice of 22a. Ticks also for 11,14,18&25a plus 1,15&17d.
    Thanks to Campbell & pommers

  10. A tad slower than usual solve for a Monday. NW corner was last to fall as, like others have already mentioned, I had no knowledge of the old B&W comedy being such a young whipper-snapper! All good fun though and a fair challenge, so no complaints. Thanks for the review pommers.

  11. i agree that this was a bit chewier than our usual Monday fare but still enjoyable. Thanks to Campbell and pommers.
    I knew the 3d answer as a music hall song but needed to check that it was also a film.
    I ticked 14a, 7d and 24d but my runaway favourite was 22a.

  12. Agree this was a bit harder for a Monday, with a few general knowledge clues adding to the difficulty. Fortunately I’d heard, but not seen, the said film which fell into place after I had all the checker’s.

    2*/3*

    Fav 13d LOI 27a.

    Thanks to Campbell and pommers.

  13. It’s Monday :good: It’s Campbell :good: but, to borrow Huntsman’s term, chewier than usual for a Monday – 2.5*/3.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 21a, 22a, and 19d – and the winner is 22a.

    Thanks to Campbell and pommers.

  14. A little toughier than most Mondays, but very enjoyable. I didn’t know the film, and with a date of 1937 I’m feeling rather glad about that! Thanks Campbell and pommers.

  15. I found the bottom half easier than the top
    The film was a bit hoary wasn’t it
    Although it’s a bit of a chestnut, I liked 5d

  16. Two hiccoughs for me – the film which I only knew as a song and the old coach which we’ve seen so many times but I’d managed to forget.
    Several ‘medical’ clues which made it to my podium – 14&28a plus 13d and I also liked 22a plus 1&2d – which is doubtless an old chestnut.

    Thanks to Campbell and to pommers for the review and the stirring music.

  17. Initially thought I was doomed as only 3 answers on first pass! Slowly I got on wavelength and finally got there. Just as well 3d and 27a were anagrams as I knew neither so they were guesses. I enjoyed the challenge even though it was trickier than some. I am having 14a as my favourite as I am pleased I remembered the word!

    Many thanks Pommers for the hints and Campbell for the challenge!

  18. A relatively straightforward Monday puzzle from Campbell this week that caused a few head scratches, but overall went well.

    2*/4* for me.

    Favourites include 11a, 12a, 18a, 25a, 1d & 2d — with winner 11a
    18a brought back memories from my childhood in England!
    11a and 22a both gave me a chuckle too!

    Thanks to Campbell and pommers for hints and blog

  19. Enjoyed the puzzle, a step up for the usual Mondays, remembered the 3d song but not the film,
    Quite a few favourites especially 18a and 22a, just recovering from the nail biting Test Match- what a series.
    Going for a ***/****.
    Thanks to our setter and Pommers

  20. Thanks to Pommers and Campbell for making Monday a good day for solving. On my podium today, 11, 17 & 22a.

  21. I had never heard of it, but wasn’t too bothered about the use of a (purportedly good) 1937 film. If general knowledge is permitted, then I’m not entirely sure why such a 1937 film would be any more out of bounds than, say, the Duchess of Malfi play. I was more disappointed by the American colloquialisms in 1d and 6d. I see them more as words, which should be locatable in in the English Chambers dictionary, than general knowledge. Needed Google’s help to get the film, the philosopher, and the Berkshire town. Struggled with 1 down, until I saw it was using a spelling useful for Twitter. I didn’t know 5d was a coach until I consulted the Oxford dictionary (never used such a coach – seems that it preceded the film by quite a margin!). Otherwise, it was accessible to me with a bit of thought. Overall I would agree with Pommers’ difficulty rating (and thanks for the hints Pommers), and for me, it was nearly too time consuming to warrant the time spent on a Monday, but I guess that’s because of holes in my general knowledge.

  23. Reciting Monty Python’s Philosophers Song at full volume failed to bring the right chap to mind and least said soonest mended about my ancient film knowledge but a enjoyable test on a Monday. Thanks to Pommers and Campbell

  24. Only four answers at first pass, and a slow slog after that. Disappointingly tricky for a Monday, especially the film that was even older than me. It’s not even a famous one. A few gems sprinkled in, including 10a and 11a, and the gift of 14a (which I saw in another puzzle this week). But at least I reached the dizzy heights in Spelling Bee twice last week, which helped boost my morale. Thanks to Campbell for the workout and Pommers.
    Recently thoroughly enjoyed the series finale of Endeavour, and still thinking about it now. It was nice that all the loose ends were tied up, and a very brief acknowledgement of the elder Inspector Morse. We are lucky that our local PBS station offers a lot of British dramas, far superior to anything we can find over here.

  25. Loved this! Solved in 2* time with just a couple of clues which eluded me. Have never heard of a stagecoach called a ‘Diligence’ but managed to solve it from the clue and was grateful to Pommers for the explanation. Like several others have remarked, the Americanism for through in 1d took ages for the penny to drop after I had exhausted all possibilities of US/st being part of the answer! Several favourites including 18a, 22a and 15d but COTD goes to 11a, although did get a bit of help from hubby when I asked him to name a Berkshire town and he immediately said Slough. Enjoyment rated at 4*. Many thanks to Campbell and Pommers for a great start to the week.

    1. Living in Slough from age 8 to 12 helped me too, although when I lived there it was in Buckinghamshire. My parents decided to move there from Twickenham for a bigger house. On reflection, I wish they had stayed put 😊.

  26. Found this rather poor overall even with the cricket clue. An obscure philosopher few will have heard of and and obscure coach didn’t help.
    Not up to the Mondays usual standard.
    ***/**
    Thx for the hints

  27. A bit of a slow start, but a race to the finish. I have ticks all over the page, so can’t name a favourite. Thank you setter and Pommers.

  28. Another good Monday work out; Campbell does not disappoint (despite the obscure comedy and philosopher). Thank you Pommers – agree with the *** rating

  29. Came to this late after an indifferent lunch and an interesting talk on silver pennies by a man from St Ives museum. 11a my favourite with 15d as runner up. Why are my sweet peas so short? They smell delicious but are very short stemmed, is it true that you have to cut off all the tendrils? Awaiting a flood of advice, in the meantime many thanks to Dada and Pommers for an entertaining guzzle

    1. A friend of mine says you need to cut off all the tendrils as they put all their energy those – I reckon it’s a load of tosh – mine are fine and it’s too much of a faff any way.

  30. Late here – doing other stuff all earlier on and then watching the tennis.
    Well, that was definitely quite chewy – nearly spit some bits out too.
    Campbell seems to go from one easy week and then the next really tough.
    It all looks odd to see a pic of 11a when we’re in the middle of summer – never mind.
    I like 12 and 25a and 7 and 16d.
    Thanks to Campbell for the crossword and to pommers for the hints.

  32. Well, I for one was delighted to see the film appear, but if you haven’t heard of it, you haven’t heard of it.
    For perspective, it does still have a reputation as one of the finest British comedy films of all time, and is one of the few films to get a perfect rating from Leslie Halliwell in his Film Guide, full of memorably funny scenes.

    1. Hmm not sure I’d go that far T but it was pretty good & certainly Will Hay’s best work

      1. I have all his films and two biographies so I’m admittedly hardly impartial! As you probably know, he was also a gifted astronomer, the first to discover the return of Saturn’s Great White Spot in 1933.

  33. I struggled with this. An obscure and very old film as well as a philosopher that both had anagrams. Even with all the checkers it was a struggle.

    I needed to confirm 5d with Google. Just about every word in the English language is a type of coach.

    Thanks to all.

  34. Chewy seems to be the word of the day today .

    A mixture of relatively easy and real head scratchers for me. I did know the film ( and the song) but had forgotten the carriage. Last one in for me was 19d, though once the penny dropped I really couldn’t see why it had caused me so much trouble.
    Thanks to the setter and to pommers.

    Raining here now after a lovely day and I am informed ( though I did not ask any questions) that it is likely to rain here for the next few days. Sigh……

  35. It was the cricket clue I was temporarily stuck on unto the penny dropped or the ball bounced. I had not heard of the coach but solved it from the rest of the clue. I dredged the philosopher up from deep recesses in my brain somehow. I did t know the film but got it from the checkers. Favourites 5 8 and 11a and 1d. Thank you Campbell and Pommers

  36. Monday back to being the new Friday with 27a, 4d and 5d being the main offenders, never heard of any of them. Some others just being difficult but doable. I’ll pick 18a as favourite. Thanks to Campbell anyway and Pommers.

  37. With a good Scots name like Campbell I think its time to give a rest to the unfathomable cricket clues. How about a Shinty clue Campbell?! Cheers from the Scottish Highlands.

  38. 3*/4* …
    liked 24D “Slight temptation, briefly, after beginning to slim (4)”

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