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DT 30582

by Falcon  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30582

Hints and tips by Falcon

+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +

BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ***

Greetings from Ottawa, where (when this review is posted) I will be preparing to head out to view the solar eclipse. In Ottawa, the moon will cover only 98.5% of the sun but one only has to travel about 75 km south to reach a location that will experience 100% coverage.

I presume this puzzle is the work of Campbell although – unless I have missed something – it lacks the usual double pun in the Quickie. I also found the Quickie tricky with a handful of initially incorrect entries greatly slowing my progress with it. I also harbour an intense dislike for stand-alone anagrams of which the Quickie has a pair.

In the hints below, underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions, FODDER is capitalized, and indicators are italicized. The answers will be revealed by clicking on the ANSWER buttons.

Please leave a comment telling us what you thought of the puzzle.

Across

1a   Very large bird I disturbed with green rump? Nope (7,7)
EMPEROR PENGUIN — an anagram (disturbed) of I and (with) GREEN RUMP NOPE

10a   Huey plans to get drunk — that’s out of proportion (9)
UNSHAPELY — an anagram (to get drunk) of the first two words of the clue

11a   Small bud, seen in spring? (5)
CAPER — double definition, the second denoting a jump in ballet or dressage

12a   Tenants getting not as much relief, it’s said (7)
LESSEES — a word meaning not as much and a letter combination that sounds like (it’s said) relief or freedom from discomfort

13a   Detective mixing up us with the student found inside (6)
SLEUTH — insert (found inside) the letter representing a student driver into an anagram (mixing up) of US and (with) THE

15a   Somewhat pretentious political organisation losing leader (4)
ARTY — delete the initial letter (losing leader) from a generic political organization

17a   Illicit trader in northern town with two- thirds of Jamaican music sent back (10)
BOOTLEGGER — a Merseyside town and a reversal (sent back) of two-thirds of a genre of Jamaican music

18a   Share title (not English) covering small amount of money (10)
PERCENTAGE — remove the single letter for English from a title or rank of nobility and wrap the result around a small unit of currency in use in much of the world outside the UK

20a   One’s worshipped wildfowl on a regular basis (4)
IDOL — alternate letters (on a regular basis) of WILDFOWL

22a   Sycophants succeeded in Asian country (3-3)
YES-MEN — insert the genealogical abbreviation for succeeded in a southwest Asian country

23a   Fond of a party? Then call! (7)
ADORING — string together A from the clue, a usual informal term for social party, and call on the telephone

26a   Big-looking home, from the inside? (5)
IGLOO — a lurker, hiding (from the inside) in the first word of the clue; I always smile quietly to myself when I see claims that the definition is always the first or last word in the clue

27a   Reportedly scrap outer garment to reveal vest? (9)
WAISTCOAT — a charade of a word that sounds like (reportedly) scrap and an outer garment

28a   Organise any messy stats left inside? This person could do it! (7,7)
SYSTEMS ANALYST — insert (inside) the single letter for left into an anagram (organise) of the three words following the indicator; the pronoun “it” in the definition refers back to the first part of the clue

Down

2d   007’s boss requests face-coverings (5)
MASKS — link together James Bond’s boss and another word for requests

3d   Seen a melon exhibiting a hard outer coating? (6)
ENAMEL — the first three words of the clue are containing (exhibiting) another lurker

4d   Goes too far: makes scornful noises following spell of bowling (10)
OVERSHOOTS — a spell of bowling in cricket consisting of at least a dozen deliveries followed by some noises considered to be scornful (at least when delivered by non-avian creatures)

5d   Settles in French countryside? (4)
PAYS — double definition, le deuxième un mot en français

6d   Unusually clean around the Spanish housing (7)
NACELLE — an anagram (unusually) of CLEAN containing a Spanish grammatical article

7d   Like acoustic music, maybe not promoted? (9)
UNPLUGGED — double definition

8d   Quite a show in the sky — Blackpool Illuminations perhaps (8,6)
NORTHERN LIGHTS — this celestial display might also describe illuminations in places such as Blackpool

9d   Science that sounds like an improvement on the old, murky sort? (7,7)
NUCLEAR PHYSICS — this field of research might sound like (especially when spoken by someone who either has poor enunciaton or has spent too much time in the local) the opposite of an old, murky version of a branch of science

14d   Type of all-male party: people in an unwholesome state (10)
STAGNATION — an all-male party and a community of people sharing common attributes

16d   Birds: teal’s last in, rest shot, flying! (9)
THROSTLES — the final letter (…’s last) of TEAL contained in (in) an anagram (flying) of the two words preceding the indicator

19d   Something ugly I observed, it could be said (7)
EYESORE — sounds like (it could be said) I and a synonym for observed; the usual implied caveat (“in certain dialects”) applies

21d   Left aluminium in entrance (6)
PORTAL — nautical left and the chemical symbol for aluminium

24d   Clubs for Jeremy, perhaps (5)
IRONS — double definition, the first alludes to Huntsman’s favourite pastime and the second refers to a British actor

25d   Keeps within town square (4)
OWNS — our third lurker is concealed (within) the final two words of the clue

As clue of the day, I will go with 26a for demonstrating that definitions don’t necessarily have to be at the beginning or end of a clue.

Quickie Pun (Top Row): STAKE + TA-TA = STEAK TARTAR

92 comments on “DT 30582”

  1. To me, this didn’t feel like Campbell and, unless I’m not getting it, I did not see a second Quickie pun. Quite difficult for a Monday and I hope it does not herald a week of hard guzzles. No COTD today because I was just grateful to finish.

    Thank you to Campbell if it be he or to whomsoever if not. Thank you, Falcon for the hints.

  2. 1.5*/3* for a light and pleasant start to the week. But …

    … no, no, no, NO! Unless you are a North American or an Australian, a vest is not a 27a!

    My top picks were 22a, 7d, 8d & 9d.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Falcon.

    1. PS. For anyone interested (and perhaps for the last time in advance from the old puzzles website :sad: ), this week’s Toughie setters are:
      Tuesday – Donnybrook
      Wednesday – Hudson
      Thursday – Django
      Friday – Sparks

      2. I was hoping we’d get two more Toughie setter updates before we all go into mourning

      3. I copied the lists from the old website and did some sums
        3244 Osmosis 198 of 198
        3245 Kcit 189 of 189
        3246 Dharma 4 of 4
        3247 Beam 157 of 157
        3248 Elgar 248 of 248
        3249 Donnybrook 78 of 78
        3250 Hudson 54 of 54
        3251 Django 38 of 38
        3252 Sparks 90 of 90
        Osmosis is due his 200th toughie soon and Elgar is about to hit 250! I really hope someone at Telegraph Towers keeps and restores this useful info in the new website
        If anyone wants the full spreadsheet from day1 of the toughie I can send it over

        1. Hi John,

          I have kept a running total since BD stopped his one several years back. I have Elgar on 249, Osmosis on 199 and Kcit on 188, but I may be in error rather than you! I agree with your other totals by the way.

    3. I once went in a bar in Darwin Australia and there was a sign on the door which said ‘ Clean Singlets Must be Worn’

      1. Changing the second word of your alias has sent you into moderation. Both versions of your alias will work from now on.

    4. Agree RD. Despite living here since 1982 a vest will always be an undergarment, and the answer something entirely different, worn on top of a shirt.

      1. Often the bottom button proved problematic.

        1. Just doing my late in the day catch up of the blog and stumbled upon this SC. Gosh I’d completely forgotten this but I’m sure I used to hear it on Uncle Mac’s children’s favourites. Lovely memory, thank you ☺️

          1. You’re welcome, MsG. My mother told me off for singing it when I was a child. She thought “bally” was swearing.

  3. I thought a ***/*** today even though there were plenty of anagrams and some lurkers: 13a was a good clue and quite tricky to unravel so my COTD and having a pilot’s licence helped with 6d. Unusual level for a Monday. Thanks Falcon – enjoy your eclipse – and our setter.

  4. Not the easiest start to the crosswording week but I think I made it harder for myself than it actually was by looking for things that weren’t there. That said, all good clean fun with a smattering of very good clues of which 22a was my favourite.

    Thanks to our setter (not Campbell surely) and Falcon.

  5. A well-paced solve following yesterday’s abomination, though lacking wit or sparkle or clever misdirection, for me at least. Monday, I suppose.

    Had not heard of the bird in 16d (I know the more common name, of course) but it was obvious given the clue and the checkers. **/**

  6. Found this Campbell’s
    If indeed he is the setter
    Tougher than his usual.
    Managed, luckily, to correctly
    Construct 6 and 16d,
    Two new words for me.
    Ashamed for not knowing
    The latter.
    Thanks for this puzzle,
    And thanks, Falcon.
    Again, luckily, not referred
    To.

  7. It’s Monday :good: But is it Campbell :unsure: – 2.5*/3.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 27a, 3d, 5d, 8d, and 9d – and the winner is 5d.

    Thanks to whomsoever and to Falcon.

  8. Really liked 1a, and 9d once I’d twigged it, but 6d and 16d new to me. Somewhat trickier for Monday I thought. Thank you compiler and Falcon

  9. Fine fare for the first bit of fun this week.

    6d isn’t your common or garden expression but it’s been logged for future use. It’s so satisfying dredging up a word that hasn’t been on ones radar in 20 years which was the case with 16d (my bird knowledge is truly dire)

    A very nice showcase for all the classic techniques on a very friendly grid.

    My podium is 1a (who doesn’t love a large bird’s green derriere, 23a and 14d for their surfaces.

    Many thanks to Campbell and Falcon.

    2*/4*

      2. Also WBA’s old nickname too. (It’s just an alternative name for the song thrush, for anyone who doesn’t know.)

  10. Please give a hearty welcome as the committee pipes aboard 6d and adds it to THE LIST.
    Fortunately, to misquote Senf, I was able to get the checkers to enable the solving of the clue.

    I found solving, early doors, the four big fellows on the outer regions helped immensely.

    Thanks to the setter and The Bird Of Prey.

    Meanwhile… See My Vest!

      1. Sorry. Put me down in the “ I have never watched” category along with, Big Brother, Strictly and Britain’s Got Talent. 😳

  11. Oooh, a Monday puzzle I can almost do! I got way further than I typically manage on Mondays. Thank you to the setter for the fun, and Senf for a couple of hints and parsings. 6d’s housing is a new word to me (and probably not one I’m going to remember).

    I’ve failed to pick a favourite from 12a’s tenants, 17a’s illicit trader in northern town, 2d’s 007 boss, 7d’s acoustic music and 9d’s science.

    1. Um, and apologies to Falcon for crediting Senf. I didn’t do yesterday’s puzzle, and apparently that’s left me a day out …

    1. … unless it’s on a Boeing, when, like doors etc, it’s as likely not to be part of the aircraft! ;)

    2. It IS part of an aircraft – specifically, an engine housing – hopefully, the definition proved a tad misleading, as intended…

        1. Your style is interesting because although I find it tricky once I get into it it flows and is excellent. More attendances as setter please!

  14. Light, gentle, brisk Monday fare. Some good surfaces and a generally nice variety of clue types. Enjoyable cryptics. Quite agree with RD above re ‘vest’: not on this side of the pond, where the vest is under the shirt. Podium places to 18a, 6d & COTD 9d, but a pretty average puzzle, all in all.

    ≤1* (just for Tom) / 2.5*

    Thank you to the setter (agree with those above, this didn’t ‘feel’ like a Campbell) and to Falcon – enjoy your eclipse!

  15. 17a my pick of a good starter to the new week with 7d next best as it prompted me to play some great acoustic reworkings featured in the series – Clapton, Neil Young & Nirvana.
    Thanks to the setter (surely not Campbell) & to Falcon – enjoy the full eclipse experience

  16. Well, it’s been a while – for reasons I am not able to tell you: but I seem to be back in circulation again. (I was, for a time last year, alternating on Mondays with Cameron, till circumstances changed; but I’m now on the loose again…) There are some nice comments on my clues – thanks – and one criticism of “Vest”: but Chambers only gives it as “chiefly in US”, so I feel justified in using it as an English word (and it nicely fitted the surface reading of the clue). Look for me on some other Mondays, now…😊

    2. Thank you: and great news that we have more Monday puzzles from you to look forward to!

    3. Welcome back X-Type and thank you for this enjoyable puzzle. You may notice that my attribution of the puzzle is couched in somewhat uncertain terms. Ironically, it was the appearance of the American vest that caused me not to completely rule out Campbell.

    5. I just realised I’d said “Cameron” instead of “Campbell”….Ooops! (It must be because Lord David is in the news a lot at the moment.) My apologies to those scratching their heads as to who I was on about…😒

    6. Not sure why people object to “Americanisms”. After all, we gave them the language and all languages develop. UK English has many French words.
      Great puzzle.

  17. Nacelle ? Really ? On Monday?

    Liked the rest though.

    Thanks to the setter and to Falcon….enjoy the eclipse.

      1. I have come across throstles before – they get a mention in Wordsworth’s The Tables Turned. For me, one of his great nature poems….

        And hark! how blithe the throstle sings!
        He, too, is no mean preacher:
        Come forth into the light of things,
        Let Nature be your teacher.

        The last line seems especially relevant these days.

        1. I live in the North of England; and there are several towns in County Durham with a “Throstlenest Avenue” in them – quite a poetic street to live in, I’d say…

        1. If so, I take back what I said about not having heard of them! I’ve read the Secret Garden many times, I wouldn’t mind reading it again.

        2. Wow, and that was my all time favourite book growing up. Our youngest daughter even bought me a tiny ornament of it for our Christmas tree.

  18. Totally on wavelength today and all went together, for a rapid completion. There are a couple of parsing that elude me, so will read Falcon’s blog. But much to like, especially 17a and the four long ones. Cotd however must go to 7d, a real smiler. Thanks to X-type and Falcon.

  19. This didn’t ‘feel’ like a Campbell compilation and I now see that X-Type has popped in to claim it. I blame him entirely for the amount of time I wasted trying to find a second pun in the Quickie! For once, it wasn’t the birds who made it onto the podium – that honour is going to 22a plus 5,8&9d.

    Thanks to X-Type and to Falcon for the review.

  20. An enjoyable puzzle for the most part but 16d threw me even though I got it from the checkers. My avid birder partner hadn’t heard of it either so I don’t feel too bad.
    Top picks for me were 2d, 17a and 26a.
    Thanks to Falcon and X-Type.

  21. Another fine start to Monday with this X-Type puzzle today instead of Campbell, but it certainly seemed to have much the attributes as a Campbell puzzle.

    1.5*/3.5*

    Favourites include 22a, 23a, 2d, 7d, 21d & 25d — with winner 23a & 2d a close second.

    Thanks to X-Type & Falcon for hints/blog

  22. Very enjoyable Monday puzzle 😃 **/****plenty of amusing solutions but I have never thought of a caper as a bud 😬 until today of course. Favourites for me are:1a, 12a and 8d. Thanks to X-Type and to the Falcon, hope the sky is clear for the eclipse! 🌓

  23. I usually struggle a bit with Campbell’s offerings on a Monday but XType was also quite tough and not much fun today. Don’t understand 11a. Agree about the garment in 27a being from across the Atlantic. Unlike some of our bloggers I am no ornithologist so had to check 16d and 6d is a also new one on me – d’oh, that kind of housing! Thank you XType and Falcon.

    1. Can’t remember the last time I saw the Quickie pun on a menu – I used to enjoy them.

  24. Hello X-Type and what a wonderful solve this was – loved it. Managed without hints , and learnt a few new words – 12a is a good one ! Some great surfaces too. Missed both the lurkers until last minute don’t know why (remember the old saying next time Jen ). Thanks too to Falcon and hope the eclipse is good. I’m a bit jealous.

  25. I needed some confidence building after yesterday’s defeat and nearly got there today until the housing clue had other ideas!. Thank you X type and Falcon

  26. I loved it, right on my wavelength. My 40+ years working with the airlines wasn’t wasted, 6d no problem. For some reason I drew a blank with 9d, I had all the checkers and needed ehelp word search to solve. I’d never heard of 16d, I shamelessly used an anagram solver for that. I liked lots, 22a, 5d, 7d, and I could name several more, but fave is 17a, guess why?
    Thank you X-type, you’re a star, and Falcon for the hints and pics.

    1. As an exPat you have an excuse Merusa but I have to admit to needing to consult MrG.

  27. I rather enjoyed this, even though I thought it was harder than an average Monday. I had to check the words in 6d and 16d as I did not know either. The long clues round the edge really helped get a toe hold and I had Ia as my favourite.

    Many thanks to X-Type and to Falcon for the hints.

  28. Typical Campbell puzzle, overly complicated clues many of which are of dubious accuracy. For my money now the worst of the all the DTs setters.
    Real drudge and little fun.
    ****/*
    Thx for the hints

    2. Goodness me, Brian! Can’t you temper it a bit?

      Obviously, you are entitled to say what you want but I don’t understand why you are so tough on setters that don’t do it for you. My guess is that, for most of them, it’s a hobby as I can’t believe it’s their main income though I could be wrong. If you’re paying a decent amount of money for their services then, sure, go for it though I won’t and never will as I hugely appreciate their efforts.

      Imagine if you were on the receiving end of your post. It could crush them.

      Also, you ought to check who set it before hurling your 50 foot ‘Roadrunner’ wrecking ball at them.

      1. In Brian’s defence we are asked to “leave our comments”, and I appreciate that Brian is clearly always honest with his.

        1. “Leave our comments” indeed, Lizzie, but there are limits. X-Type had even claimed authorship of the puzzle several hours before Brian posted. Tom’s remarks are spot on, and the site etiquette is pretty clear. Few enough of the regular setters post here at the best of times, sadly – many here welcome their comment and explanations – and who can blame them when they’re on the receiving end of posts such as that?

          Comment Etiquette

          “2. Don’t leave comments which are rude, insulting or give offence, including, but not limited to, personal insults and religious preferences.

          3. Don’t blame the setter just because you are unable to solve a puzzle.

          4. Do leave comments about what you like or dislike about a puzzle, but please try to justify any negative comments – comments such as “rubbish puzzle” will be deleted.”

      2. It wasn’t that long ago that Brian wrote a moany post that began Might of known this was a Campbell.
        Imagine being a compiler on the receiving end of that standard of English!

      3. Very well said Tom. I’ve no issue with Brian saying the puzzle isn’t for him but there’s an acceptable way of saying so

        1. Agreed, Hintsman. I’m not sure Brian reads the blog after he has posted so our comments will probably fall on not so much deaf ears as unseeing eyes.
          I have never understood why folk blame the setter because they can’t do a guzzle. If I find a guzzle hard, I try to find out why by studying the hints and blog comments. That is how I now manage the occasional Toughie. I would never have got this far by insulting the setter.

          1. Brian (a.k.a Barrie) obviously never reads the comments either before or after posting his offensive and insulting comments. He’s definitely not very good at “spotting the setter”!

  29. Loved this puzzle and was able to solve the majority of it first time round. Unusual for me! Also liked the fact that I did not know 6d but was able to parse it and then check it in the BRB. So joyful when I find it is actually a word! Favourites included 9d and 18a.
    Thanks to X-Type and Falcon.

  30. Where fools rush in… I started off at a gallop with answers falling right in until they didn’t, and disabused me of the notion that this was going to be a gentle Monday. Nevertheless I did have the satisfaction of finishing, albeit needing Falcon’s help for 6d (Peter cannot understand how on earth I could not know that, as someone who builds and flys RC planes), the 16d birds were new to me and I did not know the 11a ballet/dressage term. Thanks to X-type and Falcon.

  31. 1/3.5. Nice start to the week and I note from the comments this is X-Type not Campbell. Perhaps a little heavy on anagrams (full and partial) but enjoyable nonetheless. I have no issues with 27a and am waiting for the synonym for braces to turn up 😊. Thanks to X-Type and Falcon.

  32. Thank you Falcon for the tips
    Hope you saw a good eclipse.

    And thanks to X-Type – welcome back.
    Sorry to read of Brian’s flak.

    2. They are Heroic Couplets Pip!
      21a Lines of verse where Parisian enters mixture of trope and cliche (6,7)

  33. Welcome back X-Type….look forward to a few more puzzles like this one. I liked the four long’uns.
    Thanks to X-Type for the crosswording fun and Falcon for the hints…hope you got to see the eclipse?

  34. I had this down as a Campbell as I was completely off wavelength, obviously I was wrong but still off wavelength. Not a Monday puzzle in my view. Thanks to X-Type anyway, who I normally like, and Falcon.

  35. I think the parsing of 5d is slightly wrong – PAYS is country (as in the political entity not countryside) while PAYSAGE is countryside in French. The clue still works as SETTLES = pays is in the french (word for) countryside.
    Happy to be corrected by any better French speakers on the blog.

  36. Solved this fun puzzle earlier but failed to leave a comment at the time. Disconcerting to read a negative comment further up the blog
    though. Am a relative novice on here but have learned a lot from others and regular practice. Some answers seem more intuitive than others but liked the construction of 18a and the clever lurker within 26a.

  37. Brian’s comments are highly amusing, one of the first things I look for. Yes ok, this perhaps not the place for such abrasiveness, anymore than we should venture into politics (viz. the comment yesterday about lunch with Nigel Farage – the man who saved Britain). Enough from me, back to Facebook.

  38. 3*/4* …
    liked 15A “Somewhat pretentious political organization losing leader (4)”

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