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DT 30940

by Mr K  

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30940

Hints and tips by Mr K

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BD Rating  -  Difficulty ** -  Enjoyment ***

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Friday.      . 

In the hints below most indicators are italicized, and underlining identifies precise definitions and cryptic definitions. Clicking on the answer buttons will reveal the answers. Please leave a comment telling us how you got on.

 

Across

1a    Detectives appeal with certain anger (11)
DISPLEASURE:  Join together some usual abbreviated detectives, a serious appeal, and a synonym of certain 

7a    Juliet at ease, ignoring Romeo's teasing (7)
JESTING:  The letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by Juliet is followed by ā€œat easeā€ or relaxing minus (ignoring) the letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by Romeo

8a    Going through middle of pound with stray dog brought back (5,2)
USING UP:  The middle letter of POUND is followed by stray or err and the reversal (brought back) of a breed of dog with a wrinkled face

10a   Father retired with little desire (8)
APPETITE:  The reversal (retired) of an informal word for father is followed by a French adjective meaning little 

11a   Bots endlessly seen in tech company - is that so? (2,4)
DO TELL:  BOTS minus its outer letters (endlessly) is inserted in (seen in) an American computer company 

13a   Turning, almost hit nose (4)
CONK:  The reversal (turning) of all but the last letter (almost) of rap or hit

14a   Warning editor about participants for show being predicted (10)
FORECASTED:  A warning heard on a golf course and the abbreviation for editor are sandwiching (about) some active participants in a show 

16a   Most recent holiday destination that's used in desperation (4,6)
LAST RESORT:  Link words for ā€œmost recentā€ and for a type of holiday destination 

18a   Shop very lacking in supply (4)
DELI:  A synonym of supply minus (lacking) VERY from the clue 

21a   Strong effect of deed on goblin (6)
IMPACT:  Another word for a deed comes after a goblin or mischievous child

22a   Very loud American, one hugged by First Lady gushing (8)
EFFUSIVE:  The fusion of the musical abbreviation for very loud and an abbreviation for American is inserted in (hugged by) the first lady appearing in the Bible 

24a   Adjusted telescope after missing company's tall structure (7)
STEEPLE:  An anagram (adjusted) of TELESCOPE minus (after missing) an abbreviation for company 

25a   Settles comfortably within finest lesson (7)
NESTLES:  The answer is hidden within FINEST LESSON

26a   Car not entirely activated with parts of feet (3,2,6)
SET OF WHEELS:  Activated or detonated minus its last letter (not entirely) is followed by the single letter for with and some feet parts 

 

Down

1d    Household item oddly released odours with new fitting mounted (7)
DUSTPAN:  The even letters (oddly released) of ODOURS is followed by the reversal (mounted, in a down clue) of bother the single letter for new and a word meaning fitting or appropriate 

2d    Small number abandoned by leader becoming annoyed (6)
SHIRTY:  The single letter for small with all but the first letter (abandoned by leader) of a number thatā€™s a multiple of ten

3d    Delicate operation cladding outside of hero's tower (10)
LIGHTHOUSE:  Synonyms of delicate and operation are sandwiching (cladding) the outside letters of HERO 

4d    Water collected in seaquake (4)
AQUA:  The answer is hidden in (collected in) SEAQUAKE 

5d    Five in university once, all regularly avoiding ambiguity (8)
UNIVOCAL:  Link together an informal contraction of university, the Roman five, and alternate letters (regularly) of ONCE ALL 

6d    Most nervous steed buckled carrying US soldier (7)
EDGIEST:  An anagram (buckled) of STEED containing (carrying) an abbreviated US soldier 

7d    Model on call joins actress (4,7)
JOAN COLLINS:  An anagram (model) of ON CALL JOINS 

9d    Construction tools Greek character conveyed on waterways (4-7)
PILE-DRIVERS:  Put together a character in the Greek alphabet, a synonym of conveyed, and some generic waterways 

12d   Zulu chief with bran scattered for stripy bird (5,5)
ZEBRA FINCH:  The letter represented in the NATO phonetic alphabet by Zulu is followed by an anagram (scattered) of CHIEF BRAN 

15d   Attempt snooker shot that's crazy (8)
CRACKPOT:  An attempt or go is followed by a snooker shot 

17d   Sisters on vacation eating top meals (7)
SUPPERS:  The outer letters (on vacation) of SISTERS containing (eating) a synonym of top 

19d   Food beside nuts covering top of loaf (7)
EDIBLES:  An anagram (nuts) of BESIDE containing (covering) the first letter of (top of) LOAF 

20d   Gold ship that is coming from big island (6)
AUSSIE:  Combine together the chemical symbol for gold, the abbreviation for steamship, and the Latin abbreviation meaning ā€œthat isā€

23d   Bereft losing every third argument (4)
BEEF:  BEREFT losing every third letter 

 

Thanks to todayā€™s setter. Which clues did you like best?

The Quick Crossword pun:  TOOT + ODES + LOAF = TWO-TOED SLOTH

51 comments on “DT 30940”

  1. Brilliant! I loved todayā€™s guzzle because it had a few laughs and needed thought to get across the line. I will admit to consulting Mr G for 2d because I simply could not suss it out. Of course, once I had the answer there was a huge slap of the forehead. I had ā€œuniverseā€ for 5d until the crossers showed me the error of my ways. So many glues to like itā€™s difficult to pick one for the top spot. The snooker shot at 15d raised a smile as did the delicate operation at 3d but I will go for the Greek at 9d as my COTD.

    Thank you, setter for a great Friday challenge. Thank you, Mr. K. for the hints.

  2. Nicely balanced puzzle for a Friday with some chuckles and some teasing out required in places. Thought 2d was clever and liked the construction of 22a. Cotd though has to be 9d. Thanks to compiler and Mr K

  3. I was expecting trouble it being Friday but was pleasantly surprised at my steady progress.

    I eventually had to resort to some e-help to crack 5D which is not a word I’m familiar with.

    Lots to like, but I’ll plump for the nutty snooker shot.

    Thanks to the setter and Mr K.

  4. 4*/5*. I thought that today’s x-less pangram was challenging but a joy to solve.

    With plenty of choice for favouritism, 9d gets my vote.

    Many thanks to proXimal and to Mr K.

  5. Yes a challenging guzzle but I was lucky 3nouugh to get 1a early on, which helped a lot. I loved the Lego clue bird at 17d, the anagram at 7d abd the Lego clue with the Greek alphabet letter at 7d. Thanks to the compiler for an interesting fuzzle and to Mr K for thehonts

  6. pro_imal at his best! A most enjoyable end to the week – 2.5*/4.5*.

    Several options for favourite but I will opt for 16a.

    Thanks to pro_imal and MrK.

    A kiitty 13a forward:

  7. A great fuzzle today. I had to check 5d as I was unfamiliar with the word.

    Top picks for me are 20d, 11a, 2d and 9d.

    I also liked the Quickie pun.
    Thanks to Mr K and the setter.

  8. Looking as though 9d is likely to be crowned ‘clue of the day’ and I’d certainly go along with that. My heart sank a little when it came to bots and tech companies but in the event I needn’t have worried – it was the sound of the horn in the Quickie that gave me far more trouble!

    Thanks to proXimal for a great Friday challenge and also to Mr K for the review.

    1. Iā€™m going for 7d as clue of the day just because I think we old ladies should show solidarity!

  9. A first-class Friday puzzle – thanks to Mr X and Mr K.
    My ticks were awarded to 8a, 26a, 1d, 2d and 9d.

  10. Fantastic Friday fun, and an unexpected surprise in that I could manage it unaided. So many great clues itā€™s hard to choose a favourite but I will go with 9d with 15d hot on its heels.

    Many thanks to the setter and to Mr K for the hints.

  11. An easier Friday puzzle again this week with Thursday being much more difficult for me. At least the parsing was understood in this one.

    2*/4* for me

    Favourites 10a, 16a, 22a, 26a, 9d & 12d ā€” with winner 9d
    Chuckles for 11a, 22a, 26a & 20a

    Thanks to proXimal & Mr K.

  12. A very enjoyable finish to the week with Proximal in fine form.

    12d was of course a new one for me as was 5d. I’m surprised the latter isn’t in common parlance as it’s a nice word to say that has a simple etymology.

    13a is such a great word as is 22a that is almost onomatopoeic.

    My pody is 7a and 15d for their surfaces with the gold going to the most excellent 7d.

    Gotta luv, Leonard.

    MT to the aforementioned and Mr K.

    2*/4*

    1. Ah, fantastic memories of the great adverts of you yesteryear! šŸ¤£
      Thanks for that, TDS65.

      1. Leonard Rossiter was a special talent who is up there with the other behemoths from the 70s, Morecambe, Barker, Cleese and Cooper.

        Iā€™m sure Iā€™ve missed a couple.

  13. 3*/4*
    Challenging in places and great fun overall. Perfect for a Friday.
    I liked the use of a different tech company at 11a and will go with that as favourite.

  14. All but finished but for 3 down . There seemed too many possibilities for getting the answer so I gave in and now have a fit of pique. Favourite was 26 across. I had a friend who was much older than me and she often used the phrase of 11 across which was some 20 years ago and it seemed old fashioned then.Many thanks to setter and hint giver.

  15. A thoroughly enjoyable Friday puzzle from proXimal for which many thanks.

    Podium places in no particular order: 8a (Going through), 26a (car) and 9d (Construction tools).

    The Quickie pun also deserves a mention!

    Thanks also to Mr. K.

    ps. One small pedantic point: doesnā€™t the official NATO phonetic alphabet have Juliett with 2 Tā€™s?

      1. The NATO Phonetic Alphabet spells Juliett with two TS and Whiskey with an e

  16. With 4d, 5d and 7d amongst my first in, went onto pangram watch early on. Then forgot about it until the end and went back to discover the ‘x’-less pangram, so thanks to proXimal!

    Really enjoyed this one, whilst recovering from the mirth of being referred to as “popsicle” by the ‘disappointing one’ yesterday ā˜ŗ! Don’t think my lifestyle or appearance would ever substantiate that title.

    I digress. Gave ticks to the 3d tower; 10a desire; the 13a nose – what a word, love it and COTD the 9d tools. Needed the hint to explain the parsing of 26a, thanks Mr K and the holdouts extending the solving time were 2d and 5d with 5d being a new word for me, as was the bird in 12d.

    A very enjoyable end to the week! May be quiet for a few weeks from me as we’re off on holibobs to Cape Verde with no desktop, laptop, printer and hopefully poor wifi!

    Have fun all.

    Thanks to proXimal and Mr K.

    1. My apologies for calling you Popsicle, Popsicle.

      That reminds me of a brilliant quote from the Aussie great Bill Woodfull.

      In the Bodyline series, Englandā€™s captain, Douglas Jardine, was extremely upset as one of the Aussies swore at him when he was batting.

      So, he stormed into their dressing room, demanding that Bill get his teammate to apologise but he didnā€™t know who it was.

      Woody came out with the immortal lineā€¦ā€™ā€™Which one of you b******s called this b*****d a b*****d?ā€™ā€™

      Marvellous

      1. No apologies necessary TDS, gave me quite a giggle – so close to TMS given your great quote, used to have a book with lots of those.

    2. AP, did you know that Cape Verde has changed its name to Cabo Verde?

      Seeing as itā€™s Friday, hereā€™s a quick quiz question for everyoneā€¦

      Give me the four countries that have changed their name since the above that happened in 2013?

      1. Czechia from Czech Republic 2016

        Eswatini from Swaziland 2018

        Myanmar from Burma 2019

        TĆ¼rkiye from Turkey 2022

        I think!

        1. One is a quack quack oops though Iā€™m impressed with the year knowledge.

          Myanmar changed in the lateā€”80s.

          1. Macedonia to North Macedonia? Feels like that happened fairly recently … though often when I check ā€œfairly recentā€ things, they turn out to be from decades ago!

        1. ā€¦and quite right too.

          I still call it Constantinople!

            1. Weā€™re off on the Road to Moroccoā€¦

              We love Bing and Bob

  17. I found this pretty friendly for a Friday, yet it was absolutely excellent and a real pleasure to solve. 9d seems to be getting a goodly number of votes, so I shall go with the flow and add my name to the list. Terrific fun.

    My thanks to proXimal and Mr K.

  18. Couldn’t have managed without Mr. Google. Couldn’t parse my (feasible)alternative answer for 7a. 11a hardly synonymous with is that so. 5d stumped me. Never heard of a 9d. Altogether a bit of a cheerless slog. Thank you Mysterone and MrK of 2 stars.

  19. Didn’t know 5d but it had to be, so I checked and it was. By the time I checked the pangra I’d got all the letters minus the ‘X’ so it didn’t help. Great fun though. I’ll go with 9d as favourite. Thanks to ProXimal and Mr. K.

  20. Really enjoyed this one as mostly DIY solving worked. Held up by 7a, and 11a as I would never have thought along those lines. Like Steve Cowling, I had completely forgotten 2d, but then I donā€™t think Iā€™ve ever heard it said outside of our house over here. Didnā€™t know the 12d bird, but once the checkers went in it just had to be. Thanks for the setter for not making me feel brain dead, and for Mr K for helping explain the above problems.

  21. Absolute cracker – managed to tune-in from the start and all was finished before 6am, a great start to the day. COTD 13a, with 2d & 7d joining it oĀ¬n the podium.

    Many thanks to ProXimal, presumably, and MrK

  23. Nice tail end to the week šŸ˜ƒ Favourites 12d, 16a & 2d šŸ‘ having got 12d was bamboozled by the answer to the ā€œQuickyā€!! Thanks to proximal and to Mr K. Enjoy the sunny weekend šŸŒž

  24. I thought this a comparatively easy Friday However I’ve only been crypticing for around a year, but haven’t come across “on vacation” meaning the ‘outer letters’ before; Anyone care to share the thinking behind this particular indicator? – seems a bit…. cryptic šŸ˜

    1. Hello CM. Read “on vacation” as “upon vacation” or “after emptying”.

    2. I gave up on 11a, and after seeing the answer here and looking it up it seems that it has different usage in the American version of English. In the UK it does not mean ā€œis that so?ā€. It just means what it says.

  25. Did not know the bird but it had to be. Great guzzle, fine end to the week. 7d favourite, I do not like the word at 13a. I cannot believe that we are.about to enter June – where has this year gone? Many thanks to Messrs Setter & Hinter.

  26. Not sure what happened to my comment – seems to have vanished. Suffice to say enjoyed the puzzle.
    3&9d + 26a my picks. The bird & 5d both unfamiliar & required post completion confirmation. Didnā€™t peg the likelihood of an X-less pangram until 12d.
    Thanks to proXimal & to Mr K

  28. We went to a zoo today (so I haven’t even looked at the cryptic crossword yet) where we saw the creature from the quickie pun. And we learnt from a nearby sign that, incredibly, their feet have … 3 toes!

    (Their hands do, however, have only 2 fingers.)

  29. Worked out 5d but then had to check the meaning. Also, needed my sonā€™s help for the second word of 8a: I just couldnā€™t get the meaning. Otherwise, I solved this crozzie this evening steadily, which surprised me for a Friday; I was expecting to need a few goes at it this weekend. LOI 3d. COTD 7a, a lovely clue, beautifully constructed with an excellent surface. Thank you to ProXimal and Mr K. As always, I enjoyed the comments. **/****

  30. A proper Friday challenge 3.5* / 4*, liked 3d tower, 7d not a great actress and the stripy bird at 12d
    Also probably the best quickie pun for some time
    Thanks to Proximal and Mr K

  31. 4*/3* …
    liked 22A “Very loud American, one hugged by First Lady gushing (8)”

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