DT 30889

84 comments on “DT 30889”

1. 1.5*/4*. Our regular Tuesday setter is an absolute master of synonyms and homonyms which he uses to provide consistently excellent puzzles which are always light and fun.

   Great Quickie pun today too!

   Many thanks to the Prof and to Hintsman.

2. Very entertaining. 19a’s a cracker. 13a’s a nice play on a chestnut, 18d’s fun and 14a appealed. 21a’s poss S is nicely cheeky too. Many thanks to our setter and Huntsman. Glad you managed to clamber out of that bath to put some tunes up! Top movies and all.

3. I don’t time myself but that must be one of my fastest solves ever and thoroughly enjoyable. The quickie pun takes top spot for me today. Thanks to our setter and Huntsman. Your hints were not needed but, as always, I’m enjoying your music choices.

4. Once again Tuesday kicks off with much cruciverbal fun void of any sweat. Slight delay in the SW corner. Thank you setter (Shamus?) and Huntsman.

   1. For Shamus read MrP.

5. Light and enjoyable, some great surfaces (eg 21d) and some not quite so (eg21a). Probably spent as long on my LOI (14a) as I did the rest of the puzzle. Honours to 19a, 10a (for the surface & red herring) and 21d.

   Thank you to setter and Huntsman

6. Tuesday is certainly Cruiseday.

   But that takes nothing away from the crossy as it’s such an enjoyable experience when the clues are so neatly constructed like 2d, 15d, 21d and 22d.

   My podium is 12a, 19a and 18d.

   Many thanks to The Prof and Hoots!

   1*/4*

   Oh, I think, looking at the clips, it’s safe to say that Huntsman likes film and music.

   1. P.S

      The DT have had consecutive typos (solders in 25a)

      Will it be a hat trick tomorrow?

      I’m still reeling from sunupbeingoneword.

      1. I didn’t notice yesterday’s typo nor this one. It’s no wonder I always read county as country…..

         1. ….and county as something else.

            Oh, stop it, Tom!

         2. Today’s is harder to spot, because ‘solders’ is actually a word, so that can ‘lead’ you astray. Well done, Tom — ‘tin’t easy to spot.

            1. I was temporarily discombobulated by the soldering iron until I realised it had to be.

               1. Hi Day Zee

                  Did you know that GI originally stood for Galvinised Iron? In WW2, they used it for Government (or General or Garrison) Issue as well as General Infantry.

                  It’s a classic quiz question.

                  There endeth the lesson from Fr Tom.

                  1. Always ready for new facts , Tom!

      2. Didn’t spot yesterday’s even after it was pointed out and didn’t spot today’s either! At least the DT team haven’t published a two-pager PDF for a while!

      3. Quite right to complain. There is always plenty of time for the compiler and proof reader to check these vital elements. And with the DT at £3.50 a day we have every right to expect perfection.

      4. Agree, I remember back in the dark ages when you never, ever saw a typo in the DT, and you could believe everything you read in the newspapers.

      5. Agree with sunup. I assumed it was ok in brb, not a typo…. Never noticed today’s though

         1. Thin finger syndrome! Sorry

7. An excellent puzzle!
   As did Mustafa, I spent as long on 14a as I did the rest of the puzzle.
   Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.

   1. Glad I wasn’t the only one !

8. That was over far too quickly but enjoyable all the same. NW last corner to be completed. Although we have bright sunshine it is pretty nippy. Anyway thanks to the setter and to Huntsman whose hints I didn’t need but nice to read them anyway.

9. Despite a slowish start on my part, that felt almost like a tutorial in mastering the DT crossword – not in any way a criticism but a recognition of an expertly compiled puzzle of the less taxing variety. Last in was 19a, which is also my clue of the day. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman for the tips and tunes.

10. As RD says, light and fun; typically Tuesdayish from our regular setter. There is absolutely nothing to dislike in this excellent puzzle, with some fine clueing and gentle humour. Great fun, with 19a my LOI and favourite.

    Many thanks to AP for the challenge and to The Hintsman.

11. Thoroughly enjoyable but still don’t get 14a as far as the definition is concerned.
    Thx to all
    **/*****

    1. No ice in a drink…

       1. Acceptable in a blend but criminal in a good malt.

       2. I didn’t get it at first. Got the net for land which was the hard bit but didn’t connect neat with a drink. Perhaps because I always take mine diluted!

    2. Are you a new Brian? Or the old Brian with a new avatar?

    3. Hey Brian, we missed you, have you been away?

12. As Typically Tuesdayish as it can be – 2*/4.5*

    Candidates for favourite – 1a, 10a, 14a, 1d, 3d, and 17d – and the winner is 14a.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.

13. Very light, very enjoyable and all over far too quickly.
    Admirable brevity at 5.6 words/clue which should keep RayT on his toes!
    Pity about the typo in 25a. I solved it on-line – did it also appear in the paper version?
    As others, 14a was my last one in.
    Thank you setter and Huntsman.

    1. I think so, because PressReader has it with typo, and that’s supposed to be a digital reproduction of the paper paper. But then I also thought that yesterday yet Taylor Gibson reported no typo in their paper.

       

       1. It is April 1, mind!

14. An entertaining and fairly gentle puzzle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
    Top clues for me were 14a and 19a.

15. Strangely enough, my dead tree version didn’t contain yesterday’s typo but I was certainly caught a little off-guard by the American soldering today!
    All the expected neat clueing from the prof on display in this one and a fairly gentle ride although 14a gave me a long pause for thought. Rosettes of various hues handed out to 1a plus 1,20&21d with a special mention for the Quickie pun.

    Thanks to Mr Plumb and to Huntsman for the review.

    1. Even stranger is the American pronunciation of soldering – soddering! I kid you not.

16. I have a problem when doing the cryptic on my iPad. It often suddenly fills in all the squares with one letter. Then I can’t do the puzzle. Does anyone know what might be the cause?

    1. Welcome to the blog

       I’m sure someone who solves the crossword on an iPad will be able to help

    2. I solve the puzzles on the iPad Anne but can’t say I’ve ever encountered that problem so am no help I’m afraid.

    3. Not an Apple person at all but, don’t quote me, I recall other Apple users saying that uninstalling and reinstalling the app is the fix for most problems.

       1. Thanks. I’ll try that. Probably the cause

    4. How annoying for you. Is all your software up to date – both the iPAd iOS operating system and the puzzles app also ? I ve never had that problem myself.

    5. Sorry, only ever use the iPad and have not had that problem. I hope you can fix it. I have a very short fuse for such problems. I don’t do the DT puzzles on the iPad though, such those from the NYT.

    6. I too regularly do the Cryptic on my Ipad but have not experienced that problem.

17. It’s all been said. Very enjoyable. From a plethora of possibles, my podium is 3d, 4d, and 19a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.

18. Flew through most of this very quickly but complete stall at 14a! Liked 18d with the humour and choices of anagram indicator in the surface read.

    Thanks to setter and Huntsman

19. I checked the site last night when I got into bed as is my wont but I could not have pressed enter after having given you the benefit of my views. Silly old bat. Full of praise again today, 14a last one in – I detest ice in most forms. 17and 18d caught my eye but the star of the day is the quickie pun. I’ve fixed up today to go down to the new, super duper Care Home next week to talk to the old dears about their wartime experiences for an article in the (multi award winning) magazine. That led to a discussion over our coffee as to whether we would be better off selling up and moving in! Such are the delights of old age. The blurb says we would have to pay for our own newspapers and beauty treatments.
    Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Hintsman as usual for keeping our brains ticking over.

    1. I’m struggling with the funeral adverts everywhere on the telly….

20. For me, this Tuesday puzzle was a ‘typical Tuesday’ for me, with some great clues and many smiles and grins when solved.

    1.5*/4* for me

    Favourites 12a, 21a, 2d, 7d & 18d — with winner 12a with 18d runner-up
    Many smiles including 21a, 2d, 2d as well as the two favourites

    Thanks to AP & Huntsman

21. 1*/ 4* Plenty to like, the only slight hold up the now obvious 29d, there’s always one!
    Favourites 1a, 19a and 18d and the quickie pun
    Thanks to Huntsman and setter

22. My favourite today is Huntsman’s use of “crumpet scratch” in the explanation for 22d! My favourite clue is 17d, for the neatness of its wordplay. Thank you to setter and blogger.

23. Found this really gentle until 14a and I still hadn’t twigged the parsing until I read the blog hints. What a great clue ! Many thanks setter and to Huntsman

24. Just up my street. Loved it. Top half marginally faster than the other but no long hold ups. SW took a bit longer as I couldn’t parse some and couldn’t see 19a as an anagram. Still can’t. 27 and 29a I wasn’t sure of without the checkers. Thanks setter and Huntsman.

    1. Pea = an anagram of APE & nuts is a potential indicator. Stick ‘em together.

25. Finished unaided and enjoyed the trip. So many people have praised 19 across and I bunged it in but have only just now realised how clever it is. I would give it 2 /3 stars for difficulty.
    Thanks Huntsman and Mr. Plumb

26. Lots to love today and thoroughly enjoyed. Some clever clues, but nothing seemingly designed to thwart the solver. Big thank you to the setter and Huntsman.

27. Very enjoyable although initially I got hardly any across answers but then the downs came easily and then it all fell into place. I wish I understood how my brain works! 19a was my favourite.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.

28. Nice and straight forward 😃 **/*** Favourites were 16a, 24a and 7d 👍 Thanks to the Compiler and to the Huntsman
    Re the Quickie I have always spelt 3a with a double RR, possibly an American spelling 🤔

29. Smooth solve 1a as my favourite thank you compiler and huntsman

30. Didn’t spot the typo and yes it was there in the paper version, it’s not just here as the rest of the paper is littered with them. I put it down to the use of autocorrect and the mistaken belief that computers don’t make mistakes. When I first started doing CAD as opposed to on a drawing board with a pencil the chief draughtsman announced that there was no need to check drawings any more as “computers don’t make mistakes”, well that cost a few tens of thousands of pounds before the decision was reversed. Back to the crossword. An enjoyable solve with no hold ups or parsing issues. LOI was 20d just because it was. Candidates for favourite were 1a, 16a and 18a and I’ll go with 1a although i do like a good reverse anagram. Thanks to AP and Hintsman.

    1. I. I think that proves my point. 🤒

       1. Emoji was supposed to be 😳. That was down to failing eyesight. 🤓

31. Rattled through most of this before work, I only had a few to mop up after work. Strangely enough it was the with no ice that was LOI AS I agree with Huntsman, ice is verboten in a good malt, but essential in a G&T. As spring has Sprung I better fill the ice cube tray as it will soon be Gin o’clock.

    Thanks to Mr P and Andy being careful with his back

    1. Ice may well be verboten, but a splash of a neutral still water to liberate the flavours and scents lifts any malt, IME. So sack me!

       1. No argument there, especially some of the cask strength malts benefit from a bit of water (hopefully nicer than the stuff from the tap tho)

32. Late to the party today as I’ve been out on a mystery coach trip.

    Enjoyable puzzle with my favourite being my LOI 14a

    Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman. I saw that Richard Hawley is doing a tour and will be about 40 miles away from me. I suggested to my partner that we go and he had never heard of him. 😒

33. I feel like there are very few remaining paper solvers. Gives me so much pleasure putting pen to paper. Will be a sad day when online will be the only option 😢

    1. I haven’t bought a Telegraph / Times for I don’t know how long, but I rarely tackle them online – a ghastly experience. Like others here I print them, so still get the pleasure of a pen on paper solve. That option should at least remain available to you Graymatta.

       1. An acceptable compromise I grant you, but I must say the daily shuffle to the newsagents, voucher in hand, does keep the old joints oiled.

    2. I am totally wedded to paper! The scribbles on the Telegraph are part of the whole experience!:

       1. Indeed Artemis!

          1. Especially when advertisers give us an almost whole blank page on the back of the paper! Joy!

34. Thank you Huntsman. I do the crossword later in the evening so I am always behind this great community. I have had a cracking run with the DT crossword for a couple of months. This is in my opinion is not */** 14A, 19A, 4D, 20D were very tricky. Always a joy – my day would not be complete without doing this.

35. Thank you so much for this blog. It’s taken me just over two weeks of your help but I am now starting to get to grips with cryptic crosswords after attempting them on & off over a number of decades.
    This one I was really pleased with as I managed to complete all except two clues with minimal assistance, however, even with your explanations, I cannot work out how 19a works.
    What is a reverse anagram, and “the fodder”? How do I recognise a reverse anagram in the future? And what do you mean by “append a suitable anagram indicator”?

    24a has me similarly puzzled.
    Does “on the contrary” always indicate a wordplay like this? And how does the answer relate to Mate’s?

    Apologies if I’m being thick, but I really can’t work these two out.

    Thank you.
    Michael

    1. Hi Michael & welcome to the blog. Stick with us & we’ll have you completing them in no time. Never be afraid to ask as there will always be someone who will explain & probably far better than I’m about to try & do. Chris Lancaster’s How to Solve Cryptic Crosswords is an excellent book & there is a guide in the Big Dave Home section.
       With regard to the reverse anagram – this could give in the wordplay was what helped me to spot it. The fodder is the term for the letters that comprise the anagram – in this case APE. Usually clues with anagrams have indicators but with this type of clue you’re required to come up with one yourself to arrive at the answer – in this case NUTS.
       24a drinking is the insertion indicator so the clue reads AT HOME/IN with TEA/CHA inserted – on the contrary tells you it’s the other way round. The definition is cockney rhyming slang – china plate for mate.

       1. Thank you Huntsman.
          That definitely makes sense for 24a – I’d missed the insertion indicator.
          Think I need to spot a few more reverse anagrams before I’m going to get my head round that type of clue ……
          And thanks for the book suggestion.

    2. Hi Michael,

       Welcome to the blog. You seem to be making great progress. Warning, you’ll soon be addicted — if not already.

       Reverse anagrams are a concept that many struggle with. In a regular anagram, the wordplay in the clue contains an anagram indicator and the anagram fodder. The fodder consists of the letters that must be rearranged to produce a result that appears in the answer. The indicator is a word or phrase that denotes such things as movement, transformation, mixing, instability, confusion, insanity, intoxication, etc.

       In a reverse anagram, it is the result that appears in the wordplay together with a usually veiled indication that it could be the result of some unspecified cryptic device. The solver must find the indicator and fodder that would produce that result and it is these which appear in the answer.

       However, be aware that clues of this ilk may not nessarily be reverse anagrams as the same concept is used with other types of cryptic clues. For example, in a down clue, EKAC could be the result (appearing in the wordplay) for which the indicator and fodder (appearing in the answer) is UPSIDE DOWN CAKE — which I presume bears the unfortunate name of reverse reversal. (I realize this is a rather poor example used for illustrative purposes only as a setter would be hard pressed to use EKAC in a meaningful clue.)

       Mathematicians likely have no problem with this type of clue as the concept is analogous to that of inverse functions in maths. In fact, I have always thought that inverse anagram and inverse reversal would be far more appropriate terms. But I suspect that idea only appeals to mathematicians such as myself.

       1. Well I predicted someone would explain it far better than I & there you were to prove me right 😀

          1. 🙂

36. Good fun. I don’t mind a surfeit of anagrams now and again. Favourite clue was the &lit at 16 across, which was excellent.

37. 2*/3* …
    liked 21D “University in Turkey prohibits head coverings (7)”

    1. Yes, that was very clever.

       1. Hope the new computer is behaving itself !

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