Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30687
Hints and tips by Shabbo
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ***
A beautiful morning here in Hertfordshire. I trust the weather gods are being kind where you are. All the hallmarks of a RayT puzzle today, including a couple of swEethearts, albeit one (3d) is a complete dummy! Brevity as usual with an average of 5.25 words/clue, so don’t waste your money betting on anyone else. In fact, the on-line version names Ray Terrell as the compiler – is this a new DT policy?
Hands up who spelt 1a incorrectly at first…..check the anagram fodder properly, Shabbo! A couple of other bear traps – did anyone else bung in SUPPORTER for 15d and ALARUM for 20d? OK, maybe it was only me…
Only two anagrams, which might make establishing a foothold in the puzzle tricky for some? 4d seems a bit of an archaic term in the current era, but a return to the days when you could get on a plane without weaving your way through endless displays of perfume, spirits and cigarettes would be very welcome! CoD for me was the lovely 24a. I’m not sure I have got the Quickie Pun right – I seem to be missing a syllable. Any other suggestions? Good puzzle – thank you Ray.
In the blog below, the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the “Click Here” buttons. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on and what you thought of the puzzle.
Across
1a Dry case cited in action (9)
DESICCATE: anagram (in action) of CASE CITED.
6a Transport from Paddington? (4)
BEAR: double definition.
10a Steps putting America’s leader into slammer (5)
STAIR: first letter of America (America’s leader) inside (into) a slang word for slammer or prison.
11a Trying again, just in case? (9)
REHEARING: a cryptic definition, unless anyone has a better idea?
12a Insect consumes fruit for food (7)
ALIMENT: three-letter insect outside (consumes) a citrus fruit.
13a One’s pragmatic about famous group (7)
REALIST: two-letter abbreviation for “about” + how a group of celebrities might be described.
14a Idiot twice enclosed by killer (8)
ASSASSIN: three-letter synonym of idiot + the same three-letter synonym of idiot + synonym of “enclosed by”.
16a Tip of spiky stiff splinter (5)
SHARD: first letter (tip) of Spiky + synonym of stiff or difficult.
19a Shows sweetheart gift with kiss returned (5)
EXPOS: the heart of swEet and a synonym of gift or bribe + single letter abbreviation for kiss, both reversed (returned).
21a Sloppy kiss embracing the French (8)
CARELESS: synonym of kiss outside (embracing) “the” in French. A lot of kissing going on in this puzzle – it must be the heat, or the romance emanating from the Olympics in Paris?
24a One notices one’s behind in these! (7)
ARREARS: cryptic definition which I eventually got to the bottom of.
25a Person in charge in advance? (7)
OFFICER: an &lit or all-in-one clue. Two-letter abbreviation for “in charge” inside (in) a synonym of advance or give, with the definition being the whole clue.
27a From government, our agenda includes following (9)
ENTOURAGE: hidden word (from or includes – take your pick) inside words 2, 3 & 4. A slightly strange surface read, perhaps?
28a Cherry is blooming! (5)
RUDDY: double definition, the second being a mild expletive.
29a Run from Democrat with skill (4)
DART: abbreviation for Democrat + three-letter synonym of skill.
30a Detective’s second record for protester (9)
DISSENTER: abbreviation for Detective Inspector + s + S + synonym of record or log (a verb)
Down
1d One’s even in time being contrary (9)
DISPARATE: I’S + synonym of even (think golf) inside (in) a four-letter synonym of time.
2d Someone with allegedly mystical insight, initially (5)
SWAMI: a possibly tricky solution fairly clued. Take the initial letters of the first five words to reveal a Hindu mystic.
3d Inside saloons perhaps sweetheart dresses down (7)
CARPETS: no, not bars or inns for saloons – we are looking for motor vehicles. The sweetheart here is not the usual E, but those old enough to remember The Likely Lads will recognise this as a term of endearment.
4d States tour holiday may begin here (8)
AIRSTRIP: synonym of states (as in speaks) + synonym of tour.
5d Implore former partner, right, keeping house (6)
EXHORT: abbreviation for “former partner” + two-letter abbreviation for “right” outside (keeping) two-letter abbreviation for “house”.
7d Dispose of ale, in time, drunk (9)
ELIMINATE: our second anagram clue. Mix up the letters of (drunk) ALE IN TIME.
8d Fitting ceremony for the audience (5)
RIGHT: homophone (for the audience) of a synonym of ceremony.
9d Greek god’s about accepting vacant heathens (6)
PAGANS: a Greek god (the one with pipes and the hind quarters of a goat) + s outside (about) AcceptinG (accepting vacant). Silvanus should have no trouble with this one!
15d Drink with sailor defending Queen’s name (9)
SUPERSTAR: three-letter synonym of drink (a verb) + the normal three-letter slang term for a sailor outside (defending) the regnal cypher of our late Queen + s.
17d Vandal almost quit surrounding ancient city (9)
DESTROYER: please tell me I wasn’t the only one trying to get UR into this clue. No – it’s the other ancient city beloved of crossword setters that we need here. Stick this (surrounding) inside a synonym of quit or abandon without the final letter (almost).
18d Lady in pub’s drinking singles (8)
BARONESS: synonym of pubs outside (drinking) another word for singles (think cricket, perhaps).
20d Panic about undone top showing bust? (6)
STATUE: panic here is a noun masquerading as a verb. Take a synonym of panic or fright (as in “she was in a right panic”) and put it outside (about) the first letter of Undone (undone top).
22d Implement found in garden for certain (7)
ENFORCE: hidden word (found in) inside words 4, 5 & 6. The definition is a verb.
23d Independent small state, possibly (6)
ISLAND: another all-in-one clue. Take abbreviations for Independent and Small and add a synonym of state.
24d Adjust pieces inside plug (5)
AMEND: no amateur electrics required here. The pieces are those gender-neutral ones that one might find on a chess board. Put these inside a two-letter abbreviation for plug (think promotion).
26d Novice feline catching deer occasionally (5)
CADET: synonym of feline outside (catching) the odd letters (occasionally) of DeEr.
Quickie Pun: MAT + MUG + HANDY = MAHATMA GANDHI
I’m afraid I did not get on with the brief master today. I found some clues quite complicated and I struggled to sort them out. I will admit to using Mr G for a couple. The clues were fair but I was just not on wavelength today. I have no favourites, I was pleased to get over the finish line. However, I did think the lurker at 27a was well hidden.
Thank you, Ray T for mangling my grey cells. Thank you, Shabbo for the hints. Yes, I used the incorrect spelling for 1a!😊
Relieved that I was not the only one to find this on the touch side today Steve.
Quite moderate for a RayT despite fewer anagrams than usual I thought at **/***. Some great clues as ever with the neat lurker in 17d and 13&28a and 9d my favourite. I spent a pointless few moments trying to wriggle Ur into 17d before the penny dropped. Thanks for the hints Shabbo so I could fully understand 11a and to our setter.
Me too with Ur!
I got there, but not as enjoyable as some recently.
RayT offering a gentle but most enjoyable puzzle today.
My last one in was 15d – the wordplay was fair, but the synonym for “name” wasn’t the first to spring to mind.
Re 1 accross, I always want to spell it with double s and one c!
Thanks to Shabbo for the write-up.
… and thanks to MrT!
Perfection.
Ray T in splendid form. It’s a shame Mustafa has stopped giving scores as he would definitely give 10 stars for enjoyment as there are only two anagrams.
I loved the ”Oo, matron!” theme with 19a, 21a, 24a and 20d.
Someone once told me a great way to remember how many Ss and Cs in 1a: *********d coconuts (coconuts has the same number of Cs and Ss)
Nigh on impossible to pick a top 3 but I’ll go with 15d, 18d and 20d.
Many thanks to RayT and Shabbs/
2*/5*
I’d certainly give a “Re-Spect!” admiration score of 10/10, Tom. And did the puzzle need any more anagrams than that? Emphatically not. What a great variety of alternative clue types RayT was able to include because of his parsimonious approach to anagrams.
Hats off to RayT as I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a low count.
Our resident Anagran, Day Zee, will feel bereft!
Thank you Tom for the spelling hint.
One across – dry coconuts grated!
My brain is decimated
And cannot be placated.
Mr Slater would have rated
My spelling skills inflated –
S and C were dislocated.
I can’t be vindicated.
(Sorry to have prevaricated).
Nice work, PPP.
Brilliant!
Brilliant
Like Shabbo, I assumed 11a was a cryptic definition. But the “just” – whichever of its meanings one chooses – still seems like padding to me. Some typically amusing surfaces, though – 24a and 20d, etc. Entertaining, as ever. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo.
ALP, I took just to mean only, as the definition only works in the context of a trial.
That is my take too
I take your point, RD. And “rehearing” is an odd word that I can’t imagine is often used in real life. But you could (just about) be trying again/rehearing summat else, surely. An old album perhaps? Chambers gives both definitions, after all. I took “just” to mean “according to justice”. But I may well be wrong, as I often am! Either way, it still seems – to me – a tad de trop. Not a major problem, mind..
ALP. There’s a legal theme throughout the clue. It’s: Trying again, just (only,particularly) in (a legal) case (or trial, lawsuit). In law “rehear” means to hear a case in a court again. In law, “try” means to examine facts in a court of law. Rehear = try again.
Jose, perhaps I am missing a nuance, but I think you have paraphrased my 18 word comment above in 49 words. 😉
Indeed. But ALP didn’t seem fully convinced by your concise explanation – so I decided to give a more elementary/detailed one. It was contra-compendious
This felt quite verbose for RayT, despite the overall low word count, and with two kisses thank heavens there were two sweethearts … maybe a result of all the drinking and bars! Yes, I too fell into the 1a trap, which made 3d my LOI. Fortunately I’d thought supporter but not written it in, and even more fortunately, alarum didn’t even come to mind.
Reasonably straightforward but with sufficient chew. Some absolutely cracking clues, amongst which 28a, 17d & 22d, with podium places to 12a, 20d (COTD) and 25a.
Many thanks to RayT and Shabbo. For brevity, though, last weekend’s David Maclean Sunday Times cryptic (5123) hit an average word count per clue of just 4.8 – I wonder if there’s some rivalry going on between these two great setters!
2*/4*. Another joyful puzzle from the master of brevity. I keep changing my mind about my podium choice, so it’s all or nothing.
Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo.
On wavelength from the off and I’m with Mustafa on the anagram front. They’re not my cup of tea but, perversely, I sometimes have cause to be grateful when finding it difficult to get a foothold. I didn’t fall into the 1a trap but only because I had the answer to 3d first. Unusually for me I’ve chosen the lurker at 27a as favourite with 6d and 20d sharing the podium. Thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.
Not knowing the coconut trick I would have instinctively had 2 Ss & 1 C at 1a had the fodder not set me right. It was a brisk problem free solve until 3 clues in the SW (19&24a & last in 15d) – they took nearly twice as long as the rest of the puzzle for the pennies to drop taking the solve into Friday time territory. Enjoyable as ever & reckon my top two were the hidden ones 22d&27a.
Thanks to Ray T & to Shabbo.
Ps for any Van fans his new release (from 2014) Be Just and Fear Not: Live at Orangefield is now streaming & well worth a listen. Nowt new but a tight band.
I’ll put my hand up to misspelling 1a at first but I realised my mistake when the 3d lego clue, one of my favourites, fell into place. I liked the 16d and 18d lego clues too. In fact, the lego clues made up for the lack of anagrams. Thanks ro Shabbo for the hints and to Ray T , his usual consistent self, for an enjoyable guzzle
A very enjoyable outing for Mr T. Thanks to him and Shabbo.
I liked 25a, 3d and 18d but my favourite was the LOL 20d.
I had to concentrate hard on the 1a fodder to avoid the potential trap – it still looks wrong though!
Such a pleasure to have the maestro in charge today and I could only narrow my top choices down to three in each direction – 21,24&25a plus 3,18&23d.
Devotions as ever to Mr T and many thanks to Shabbo for the review.
Am I missing something or does SOP really mean gift or bribe in 19a? Hopefully someone can explain it to me.
From Collins Online (dictionary):
sop
in British English
(sɒp IPA Pronunciation Guide)
noun
1. (often plural)
food soaked in a liquid before being eaten
2. a concession, bribe, etc, given to placate or mollify
a sop to one’s feelings
3. informal
a foolish or weak person
Ta Jose, a new one for me, every day’s a school day (or seems like it eating Mrs TC’s grub!)
The usual top quality offering from one of our favourite setters; concise, thoughtful and great fun. I am going to opt out of picking a favourite as the list is too long. The whole grid was a delight.
Many thanks to Ray T and Shabbo.
Another great puzzle from Ray T. The usual elegantly compendious clues and a reasonable challenge providing much enjoyment. Many ticks, but I’ll pick 20d as my favourite – reminds me of that Judy Finnigan “incident” at the Brit Awards in 2000. 3*/4*.
I’m with Steve C in finding this a bit of a struggle and needed some electronic help and a few hints to get me over the line. On looking at the completed grid I wondered why I made such heavy weather of it. Having worked for a couple of food companies in my time, 12a was straightforward and I liked the lurkers at 27a and 22d. Cotd goes to the “naughty but nice” 24a. Thanks to Ray T for the mind mangle and Shabbo for the much needed hints and confirmations.
Well I am happy to see we have RayT back this week with one of his usual great puzzles to tackle. For me, I find his puzzles logical and clear to understand. This was no exception.
2*/4* for me
Favourites 1a, 6a, 4d, 7d & 22d — with winner 6a
Smiles for 14a, 21a, 2d & 24d
Thanks to RayT & Shabbo
Thanks to RayT for a great puzzle on a pretty lousy wet day. I wasn’t helped by sticking in ‘supporter’ in 15d. All the usual inuendo and lack of anagrams made it an interesting challenge. Also 2 well-hidden lurkers. Liked 19, 21, 24a, 15, 18 and 20 but my favourite was 22 which I thought was very clever. Thanks to RayT for brightening the day.
A nice amusing crossword, but as should be on a Thursday far more difficult to solve so ****/**** for me 🤔
Favourites 14a, 21a and 18d 😃 The spelling of 1a caught me out and still does not seem correct😳 Many thanks to Ray T and to Shabbo for his much needed assistance. Cold and grey here in the East 😟
Very typical Ray T. I completed it understanding about 2/3 of the clues. I very seldom get in his somewhat quirky wavelength.
Thx to all
****/**
I appreciate that you probably won’t read this, Brian, but your memory isn’t serving you well.
Your comments and ratings for his last two crosswords were: Lovely cryptic 3*/4* and Well-constructed fun 3*/4*
RayT, what a relief. How well I remember the days when I trembled in fear of the mighty RayT, now I love his offerings. I was DNF, my own fault, I was looking for a Greek god at 9d, as soon as I read the hint the penny dropped. Natch, I had to check how to spell 1a, the correct spelling always looks wrong. I liked lots, I can’t choose a fave, too many choices.
Thank you RayT for the fun, and Shabbo for your help finishing.
This did not feel like a RayT to me, a bit more wordy than usual, and for me, decidedly tricky. Hats off to those who found it gentle. Never seen cherry to mean ruddy, and I was totally up the proverbial creek at 3d. But nothing unexpected for a Thursday. Just not my best effort, somewhat alleviated by the *** rating. Thanks to RayT and Shabbo.
I struggled with this today although looking back at it there were no new words. I got 15d but still don’t associate the answer being a synonym of name. I can see that it is, it just doesn’t feel right to me.
Top picks for me were 3d, 24a and 22d.
Thanks to Shabbo and Ray T.
Pigs ears spring to mind, mainly in the bottom left corner which really screwed up everything else.
It was going so well too, I thought!!
I hadn’t messed up the spelling with 1a – that one was OK but everywhere else went wrong!! Oh dear, oh dear!
15d seemed fine except it wasn’t!
I appreciated 11 and 13a and 17 and 20d. I think my favourite was probably 5d.
At this point I think I give in, reasonably gracefully, and say thank you to RayT for the crossword.
Thanks too to Shabbo for the bits that I couldn’t do ‘all on my own self’.
My brain hurts! I managed to make a complete mess of 1A by not checking the fodder closely and entering the wrongly spelt past tense, which mucked up 4 and 5 down. Grrr!
6A was my favourite. Thanks to RT for the exhausting workout and Shabbo for the hints.
****/***
Eventually I got 1a, pip says it all. Thank you RayT and Shabbo
A fun one! Would have fallen into the double-digit camp had I not carefully checked the fodder first! Also took a while thinking about 11a. But the undoubted fave is 20d, which evoked an humorous earworm I’ve had for nearly 65 years, when a pal and I were compiling a humour page for a school magazine. What does one say when telephoning a 20d? “Hello! ‘Stat you?”
Many thanks to RayT (whose name didn’t appear on my online puzzle page) and to Shabbo for the blog.
Evening all. Thanks as always to Shabbo for the review and to everyone who left an observation.
RayT
Good evening, Mr T. Thank you for entertaining us so royally again but I bet I will still try to spell 1a incorrectly next time it pops up!
Some exceptional surfaces today, with 4D and 20D my faves in a very strong field. Many thanks RayT and Shabbo.
Mea culpa Shabbo for 1a but I see I’m far from alone in that.
I live in Herts too..not so nice now.
Yes..hands up…had to check the spelling for DESICCATE….🤣😃
It was lovely in Welwyn Garden City at 08.00, honest! Not so nice after lunch though. 🙁
Wasn’t particularly warm or pleasant playing Mid Herts down the road from you this afternoon – a gentle zephyr it certainly wasn’t
Guilty as charged on 1a. Needed help on a couple of others too. But I’m improving I think! Thanks for the help
Phew, that was a helluva struggle but after celebrating a birthday in style today the last few blanks filled themselves in starting with completion in the East. To whinge a bit I somehow didn’t see the need for the plural in 10a as is perhaps evidenced by the staircase illustration in the hints. Supporter crossed my mind for 15d but had second thoughts as I felt the sailor had to be the ending. 24a was a smileworthy Fav. Thank you RayT and Shabbo.
Happy birthday to you! I’m so glad you got to celebrate “in style”, May you have many more.
Thank you Merusa. I haven’t even had time to watch any tennis today – Montreal, etc.
A game of two half’s for me today. The North went in fairly ok give or take but I struggled a bit especially with the SW but pressed on and pleased to have finished as it was an enjoyable solve all round. Sop meaning gift was a new word for me today . Always good to learn . Thanks Ray T and Shabbo
Also messed up 1A. Knew the answer, could I spell it right, even when Chambers Words told me I still got it wrong… Otherwise 3* enjoyment, 4* difficulty, but got there in the end without the hints.
I normally struggle with RayT and today was no different. A dnf due to 19a and 15d. 24a doesn’t really work for me either.
I particularly disliked 19a.
Not much enjoyment for me I’m afraid but I see many did enjoy this solve.
Thanks to all.
Rayt on top form. Oodles of naughtiness and clever consise cluing, the best one for some time. LOI was 9d for no other reason than it just was. Favourite was 17d. Thanks to Rayt and Shabbo.
Good evening
I’ve not done too badly recently when going into battle against the Mighty Mr T – but defeat had to revisit HM Northumbrian Consulate in Didcot again at some point, and today was the day.
Plenty to chew on, and lots of thinking and working out, but not even my Lucky Green Pen could save me from a DNF. I just couldn’t figure 24a, and I’ll be honest, I’d never have got 15d in a million years. I’m with Shabbo in the “SUPPORTER”s club (as it were!)
Many thanks to the Mighty Mr T; we will cross swords again! Many thanks to Shabbo.
Just back from a busy day out, I completed this tricky puzzle but did not know the why of some of them. Like others I would have misspelt 1a and had to check it when I saw the letters in the anagram. I liked the well disguised 27a. I am pleased that I finished and think I am getting better at RayT puzzles.
Many thanks to RayT and to Shabbo for the hints.
4*/4* ….
liked 18D “Lady in pub’s drinking singles (8)”