Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3252 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg where we have been back in the deep freeze for a few days.
For me, and I stress for me, Dada quirky but not very friendly, but some of that was self inflicted with errors in two answers impacting on two others. Another anagram fest – ten (five partials), but I might have miscounted, one lurker, and one homophone, all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, you should be able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. And, remember, the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 14a, 25a, 7d, and 21d.
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 the 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
1a Thoughts on lack of order in thearchy so unorthodox, nothing taken in (5,6)
An anagram (unorthodox) of THEARCHY SO containing (taken in) the letter that represents nothing.
9a As wind can rise (7)
Just to make sure, the definition is the first word of the clue – an anagram (wind) of CAN RISE.
13a Biblical brother embraces suitable leader (7)
One of the well known OT brothers contains (embraces) a three letter synonym of suitable.
14a Finger or toe like that thing (5)
Written (3,2) a phrase equivalent to like that thing.
17a Wife, say, or the silly husband Alfred (5,4)
An anagram (silly) of OR THE, the single letter for Husband, and a short form of Alfred.
25a Wasted, as are plums! (6)
A double definition – the second refers to what is inside a plum.
27a Call to action in grunt of tennis player? (8,3)
What a grunt may be considered to be by some when made by a tennis player in the phase of play between a serve and the completion of a point?
Down
2d Remote control wedged in couch and settee (7)
The lurker (wedged in) found in the last three words of the clue.
7d Cross with Los Angeles sketch of underwear? (11)
The two letters often used for the short form of Los Angeles, and written (3,6) a phrase that is equivalent to sketch of underwear in which an item of (ladies’) underwear appears first.
11d Blue rant in paper’s leader unfortunately too rude to publish … (11)
An anagram (unfortunately) of BLUE RANT IN and the first letter (leader) of Paper’s
16d … bad last few pages proving vulgar (9)
A synonym of bad and a single word that can mean last few pages (of a novel?)
19d Metal in concrete touching on part of the eye (7)
A three letter metal inserted into (in) a synonym of concrete (nothing to do with the building material).
21d Accuracy, so nailing it (6)
A synonym of so containing (nailing) IT from the clue.
23d Awesome, two straight lines (5)
Oh dear, I think I have been left behind – a three letter synonym of awesome (sl, esp and orig US according to the BRB) and the Roman numerals for two.
Quick Crossword Pun:
TOR + NEIGH + DOH = TORNADO
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Disclaimer – While, as you will read in the narrative, there is a very strong Winnipeg Connection in today’s music and video, I had nothing to do with its selection. All I did was make sure that the details were correct. Drummer Robbie Bachman was born in Winnipeg on this day in 1953. With his guitarist brothers Randy and Tim and guitarist Fred Turner they formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive in Winnipeg in 1973. The group’s most successful record was the 1974 hit, and one to dance around the kitchen to, You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet:
Unusually, I found myself on the right wavelength today, and cantered through this fairly steadily. I was held up by the spelling of 20d – e or o – but the hive mind was clear on this. Enjoyable word play throughout, I thought, especially 9a and 27d for me. Thanks to Dada and Senf. Happy Sunday everyone.
2.5*/4*. I thought Dada was back on form today and I enjoyed this apart from the Americanism popping up in the final clue, 23d. My last two in were 27a & 7d which took my time up above 2*.
My top picks were 9a, 7d, 11d & 21d.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
P.S. “Bazball” has well and truly burst.
With you on 23d, loathe the word.
I managed to work my steadily around the grid today without too many holds-ups. Some great clues though and best of them all for me was the fabulous 7d. Worth the entry fee alone. Thanks to the setter and to Senf for the hints. No deep freeze here in SW land Senf – the sun has just come out!
Had exactly the same thought on 7d, my last one in and raised a big smile.
Cheered me up after the frustrating display at The Cottage yesterday.
A lovely puzzle, thanks to Dada and Senf.
GOLD 7d Cross
SILVER 27a Grunt
BRONZE 9a As (unusual indicator!)
PLATINUM Senf
COPPER, Policeman
9a TANALITH™
Apart from the excessive number of anagrams (reaching double figures and including 50% of the across clues!) I enjoyed this – thanks to Dada and Senf.
For my podium I’ve selected 27a, 21d and 7d with the last on the top step.
For me a Dada that I found much more straightforward with only 7d keeping me guessing. In the end it became my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
A case of more haste less speed. Rattled through but a couple of incorrect entries (25a & the last 3 letters of 16d) which were soon twigged & corrected put paid to a really fast finish. Agree with Gazza that there were too many anagrams but still enjoyed the solve. Liked all the peripheral long uns. 7d easily nabs top spot with 1&27a on the podium. The golf course is shut today following all the overnight rain so an unexpected day off from starter duties which suited me just fine at 6am.
Thanks to D&S
Great crossword apart from 23d, hate the term for the first bit of it, luckily I’m hip and down with the kids (righto chum!) and got it straightaway.
Had absolutely no clue as to what 9a could be for ages, but then accidentally sat on an old razor blade, and the answer came immediately.
Two favourites today were 20a and 21d. Great Sunday fun!
Ho Ho
Very anagram-heavy (as a percentage, it’s way too much) but they were good ones, to be fair, and I enjoyed the solve. Pretty straightforward, with only 7d (excellent) foxing me for a sweaty moment. That first word gets me every time. Will I ever get wise to it? Many thanks to Dada and Senf.
9ac [redacted – it’s a prize puzzle – read the instructions in RED below the hints] for the answer, I felt you didn’t explain that properly.
I’m quite sure that was intentional Lynne. What did you think of the puzzle?
I found it reasonably straightforward. Sometimes on a Sunday I give up!
As suggested by Huntsman the way 9a was hinted was intentional.
I wonder how long it will be before our Sunday setter brings us a puzzle composed entirely of anagrams, he’s certainly putting in some practice! 7d wins by a mile with a nod to 27a.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints. Right, having taken time out to leave a comment and check on the meaning of bazball, I shall now resume dancing round the kitchen to the sound of Bachman-Turner Overdrive – great stuff!
I was amazed to find that Bazball already appears in Collins online (although it has not yet put in appearance in the Chambers app!)
I wonder what Dada was smoking when he set this oddball. Had to look up thearchy, never come across this term before and 23d was plain bizarre (use of all slang terms in crosswords should be banned IMHO).
Completed with help from the excellent hints but def not my favourite Dada by a very long chalk. He is capable of so much better.
*****/*
Nice Sunday breakfast guzzle.
Upvote for Senf’s likes (24,25a,7,22d) but also liked 23d, having first met the first term in Xwordland – and only there!
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf (keep warm, Senf!)
A canter if not a gallop today, but just leaked into ** time. **** for enjoyment. 20d gave me pause for a while – I believe I have it correct but it’s not a word I woiuld use in that context. No hints needed today, but thanks to Dada and Senf.
Loved today’s puzzle with the exception of 23d.
Top picks for me were 9a, 14a and 3d.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A quirky and great fun Dada just right for a leisurely Sunday. I struggled to parse 9a until the obvious hit me right between the eyes, and the SE fell into place once I got the correct ending to 16d. My podium comprises 20 and 27a with top spot going to 7d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
For me, and I stress for me (™ Senf) this was Dada in the midlle of a psychedelic vision. A kaleidoscopic, consciousness-expanding journey into mind-bending word play. Most enjoyable.
Great to see an old favourite at 3d, but sadly missing its twin – the geographical region in Africa, beloved of the band, Toto.
We had a really lovely evening – dinner at the Groucho Club with a spectacularly late night, home at 2:30am. Thus I will be falling asleep at odd times of the day for the next week. Only downside – the relentless, driving rain in central London making the short journey from and to the car a somewhat splish-splash experience.
Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and The Man From Manitoba, who, it is alleged, doesn’t explain matters properly <-insert wink emoji here!
(I enjoyed Bachman, Turner, and their friends, the Overdrives)
H at the Groucho last night, after two strong Cosmopolitans.
Pleased to see that H appears to be in good form after her recent illness.
You would expect me to comment on the over reliance on anagrams today, though I was grateful for the one at 1a where I didn’t need to know the meaning of thearchy to find the answer. Good surface reads throughout. No hold-ups to speak of, the SE corner taking the longest. I don’t like the word at 20d used in that context. Favourite was 9a with 7d and 8d taking podium places. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
I didn’t notice the proliferation of anagrams. However having thought it was going to easily I was brought to a slow canter on a few which turned out to be enjoyable to crack. Disorder in 1a, the hybrid in 7d, the 23d lines, the tennis grunt etc.
Excellent, thanks for the hints.
**/****
As others have noted this was anagram rich, however they were good ones and I certainly enjoyed it.
23d involved a new word for me and I must say did not sit well even after I had looked it up. 9a was also tricky but in this case the answer was clear but the parsing eluded me for ages – now I have understood it I consider it a fair, in fact clever, clue.
And as for 7d, I thought it delightful!
Thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Well this Sunday puzzle, for me from Dada, was at the harder end of his spectrum along with what I think are some entries from his own thesaurus … yikes! Dare I say quirky in some spots.
3*/3.5* for me today
Favourites include 10a, 22a, 2d, 5d, 7d & 18d — with winner 7d
Smiles from 14a, 15a, 7d & 2d
Thanks to Dada & Senf for hints/blog
Determined to parse 23d I managed to find the obscure, to us, American slang word which neither of us will be using in the near future or beyond. We weren’t keen on 20d either. Everything else was pretty straightforward if a little routine. Favourite and LOI was 7d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
A little late on parade for me today but it was worth the wait. A bit of an anagramfest to be sure, but there were enough good clues to keep the interest going. 7d was my top one this afternoon, and I join those who hated 23d.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Whizzed through this apart from 7d, which had me stumped for quite a while, but 100% fair cluing so no complaints and my COTD…like others I had barely heard of the slang term in 23d, but the answer was fairly obvious from the checkers and it came back to me once I had the answer….as always, I greatly enjoyed this – Dada is always slightly quirky but is so imaginative that he remans my favourite setter…
Your comment went into moderation because it appears that you used your full name instead of just your first name as you had done before. Both will work from now on.
Not difficult today, probably due to the number of anagrams – in fact I think it’s about as simple as Dada ever is.
I don’t understand why others are objecting to the first bit of 23d as – or am I being dim?
I liked all the long answers round the outside as several others too including 17 and 20a and 8 and 21d.
Thanks to Dada and to Senf.
Yes Kath. I have an answer for 23d which does not appear to me to be objectionable- now I am beginning to wonder if I have the wrong word! I am getting too old/out of touch for this lark I think. We’ve been to visit our daughter today,most upsetting as usual especially when I discovered her toenails had not been cut for, I would suspect, several years. I feel guilty now that I had never checked this before.
Oh goodness, DG, you cannot be everywhere, give yourself some slack
Very enjoyable with several smiles along the way.
Delayed a bit with my last one in which was 7d, which then became my cotd once the penny dropped. Also very much liked 9a and 27a.
I did this earlier but was interrupted this morning by aide showing me a huge duck sitting on top of the air conditioner in my dining room. I have no idea how it got there, it’s far too big for Amalia cat to have brought it in, but my neighbour came and shepherded it down and out the front door. I’m still in shock! I wish I could send a pic but you have to be an IT-brain to be able to do that.
Ah, the puzzle … yes, a delight from start to finish. I did need Senf’s help to get 9a, the only word I could think of that fit was the right answer but had no idea why. Isn’t that clever? I did need an anagram solver to get 1a, no idea what that is. Fave has got to be 7d, but must mention 25a. Not sure I approve of the “awesome” in 23d.
Thank you Dada for all the fun, and to Senf for helping me across the finish line.
I loved this and found it largely straightforward until I stalled on the last few and needed hints for 7d and an electronic cheat for 27a ! Some excellent clues – loved 7d , 9a and 27d , although I didn’t understand the awesome bit of the clue until I just read the hint. Thanks Dada and Senf.
Managed to rattle this off over coffee and lemon and blueberry cake whilst Mama Bee had Yorkshire T’ea and a Scone.
Dada seemed more like his usual self today
I did like 7d but if you want a dog that doesn’t shed try a Bedlington Terrier I’ve always fancied one
Is that the dog that looks like a large lamb?
It would appear to be the case:
Thanks Senf – they are cute and from very close to Mama Bee’s home town
Very weird ears! Looks like they have been stitched on.
They look better when well trimmed (ears and elsewhere) although they shed little they need regular trims
SjB – I think that is a toy you wind up! Those ears are definitely stitched on!
Still cute and they don’t all have to be trimmed to have those tassels
In Senf’s picture there definitely seems to be a chunk tacked on, even badly stitched, to a floppy ear! Will comment no more on this! Ta to all for the fun.
You cannot beat a poodle for non hair shedding problems and amazing intelligence. Fabulous dogs – those and Alsatians (German shepherds now I believe) we have had both.
I will swim against the tide today and say this was on the benevolent spectrum for Dada, as evidenced by the fact that I almost completed it unaided, just two hints needed. I did have 9a, but looked at the hint to verify and I am no clearer. We had a delightful convertible, red 15a in 1964 and thought we were the bee’s knees riding around in it. Needed hint for 27a. Behind our house is a small lake, and on the other side are our community tennis courts from which we sometimes hear the “grunts”. Didn’t know what they were called, always seems a bit OTT. Thanks to Dada for this lovely Sunday treat on a very wet and soggy day, and to Senf.
Splendid crossword. I moved through it in bite-sized pieces punctuated between a garage clearout, trip to the tip, disagreement and walk.
My second favourites were 27a, 7d (dogs and I don’t get along but obviously something canine has stuck). My absolute favourite was 9a which, as former Chemistry teacher, I loved….very clever (I hope I am not put on the naughty step for that 🙏).
Thanks to the setter for this, which I needed, after a stressful day. Thanks also for the hints.
Very enjoyable and
Not too difficult.
Completion marred only by accidentally
Spotting 7d during a
Dictionary check.
Certainly the best clue,
Had two of its three
Components.
1, 9 and 25a are
Just three of the clever clues.
Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Helped by an abundance of anagrams Dada was quite benevolent today if not more so in the East than West. Needed help with 9a as abbreviation didn’t occur to me. IMHO that which beggar is doing is more than 8d. 1a a new one on me. Not keen on 20d or 23d. As with others 7d was my last in. Fav 27a although have to say I strongly object to tennis players’ loud grunts these days. Thank you to D and S again today.
I enjoyed both yesterday’s and today’s guzzles but have not had time to comment on them. Neither have I submitted them for The Mythical because my tactic has changed. If I submit them nearer the deadline they will be on top of the pile! One way or another I will have The Mythical!
My thanks to CS for the hints yesterday and, of course, to the setter.
Grateful thanks to Dada for another fun challenge today. Thanks you, Senf for the hints.
News about Mrs. C – a care program is being put together so she can come home. It will involve visits from physios and carers four times a day. A couple of months ago, Mrs. C would have flatly refused such help but she now realises it is essential. Trouble is, there is now diarrhoea and sickness on the ward and she is now in isolation! You couldn’t make it up!
That is a bright note, the possibility of coming home I mean! If they can work it, it would be great. Fingers crossed and prayers said.
My thoughts are with you Steve
Oh dear. I am so sorry, poor Mrs C. It will be good to get her back home and away from hospital. On the subject of the mythical – I feel moved to send you one of my pens to cheer you up. Don’t you think all the entries go into a bag and they just pick one out? But how does that work for online entries? This puzzles me.
Knowing Steve, he will want to win it outright! As I would but I rarely enter, too much kerfuffle! Good luck.
I do hope you get her back home soon and that the spell in isolation is not long. All my best wishes to you both.
How wretched for MrsC to have this additional problem. Is it Norovirus? I ask because our local hospital has at least 3 wards closed at present due to that infection, I send very best wishes to MrsC for her recovery and a safe return home 💐 and courage to you in these worrying times 🍷.
Sorry Steve – this should have been a Reply to your Comment.
I did most of this in the back of the car driving up to Worcester. DD2 is a good driver but fast, or maybe it seems extra fast when you are in the back. My heart was in my mouth but all went well until we got to traffic lights 5 miles from home and someone rammed into the back of us when we were stationary. I like anagrams so this suited me, many thanks to Dada and to Senf, although he has made me think I must be wrong
on 23d. I must be out of touch.
Eeek, Daisygirl. Hope you, and the others involved, are unharmed.
I hope you’re all fine, Daisy, and only casualty is the car.
This was my favourite Sunday Dada for some time, despite having so many anagrams, which I often find makes it hard to get into, but I did manage a couple of them early on today.
I particularly liked 9a (“As”), 14a (“like that thing”), 27a (“grunt”), 7d (“cross”), 8d (“royally”), and 23d (the “awesome” one that so many others seemed to dislike or disapprove of). My favourite is the one which (half) reminds us of a sadly missed commenter here.
Thank you to setter, blogger, and commenters, and best wishes to the Cowlings; hope Mrs C does indeed get to come home soon.
We really got stuck on 7d and 27a in an otherwise straightforward puzzle but got there in the end!