Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 30963
Hints and tips by Shabbo
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Good morning, fellow puzzlers. Chris Lancaster has thrown a bit of a curve ball today, as it is definitely Thursday and this is definitely not RayT and nor does it feel like a Silvanus puzzle. I am going to have to check the small print of my blogging contract, as this has completely thrown me!
That is not to say that I didn’t enjoy it – I did. Two very impressive long hidden words, a very smooth anagram at 13d and a well-read footballer at 20d. My CoD however, goes to the lovely 21a with a nod to the Quickie Pun, which took me ages to see.
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. Please also try to be positive – it’s only a bit of fun.
Many thanks to our setter and the DT Crossword Team.
Across
1a Book Ravi, a nifty comic (6,4)
VANITY FAIR: anagram (comic) of RAVI A NIFTY.
6a Initially, Boris led our Conservatives United group (4)
BLOC: initial letters of words 2-5.
9a Sweet old boy sent back honour (5)
BOMBE: abbreviation for Old Boy backwards (sent back) + a British honour.
10a Hanging in Bilbao, Dali’s questionable Slave in the Harem (9)
ODALISQUE: hidden word (hanging in). Our solution is a “female slave in a harem” and can be found lurking within words 3-5. My research reveals that Slave in the Harem is indeed a painting, although sadly not by Dali. A fabulous hidden word clue.
12a Vulgarity that escapes the tongue? (13)
TASTELESSNESS: a double definition, the second one slightly cryptic.
14a Woman of substance that could be sweet (8)
ANGELICA: another double definition. 1. A woman’s name. 2. A plant whose stem might be crystallised.
15a Extravagantly playful, free European city (6)
MADRID: synonym of extravagantly playful + synonym of free (a verb).
17a French dramatist popular among competition (6)
RACINE: synonym of popular or fashionable inside (among) synonym of athletic competition.
19a Reportedly meet Olaf changing stage name for singer (4,4)
MEAT LOAF: homophone (reportedly) of meet + anagram (changing) of OLAF reveal the stage name of a large, hirsute former American singer and actor.
21a A quick one followed by a few chasers in typical country pub (4,3,6)
HARE AND HOUNDS: a quick animal + animals that might give chase reveal a common pub name – a regular stopping-off point for me back in the day on the way to/from Twickenham. A lovely surface read.
24a Captures chappies regularly getting stripped in painting (9)
LANDSCAPE: synonym of captures (think fishing?) + the odd letters (regularly) of ChApPiEs.
25a Tiny egg to do with Christmas, we gather (5)
OVULE: two-letter word meaning “to do with” + homophone (we gather) of Yule.
26a Still one notorious mountain dweller (4)
YETI: synonym of still + I.
27a System sound check? (6,4)
STRESS TEST: a cryptic definition, I think. Something that checks whether a system is sound. Alternative suggestions welcome.
Down
1d Very current live buzz (4)
VIBE: abbreviation for Very + abbreviation for electrIc current (physics) + synonym of live. That’s a lot of work for a four-letter word. You are now entitled to a brief rest.
2d One bearing title of horse broken by Spooner? (4,3)
NAME TAG: a spoonerism which will no doubt divide the room. We need to make a spoonerism of a horse that has been broken or trained.
3d Clothes salon I answered, penning letters sent in Greek (13)
THESSALONIANS: hidden word (penning) within words 1-4. A slightly odd surface read, but a very impressive 13-letter hidden word.
4d Beginning to film Italian actress on walls of castle in Tuscan location (8)
FLORENCE: initial letter (beginning) of Film + one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood + the first and last letters (walls) of CastlE.
5d Perhaps Jack Sparrow blowing his top, angry (5)
IRATE: a fictional maritime brigand without the initial letter (blowing his top).
7d I’d put out readily convertible currency for after-dinner drink (7)
LIQUEUR: a word meaning “readily convertible” without ID at the end (I’d put out) + abbreviation for European currency.
8d Fed up daughter, maybe 13 tops, leaving (7,3)
CHEESED OFF: the generic term for 13d sits on top of the abbreviation for Daughter + a three-letter word meaning leaving.
11d Momentary sensation aunt made a drama of (13)
INSTANTANEOUS: anagram (made a drama of) of SENSATION AUNT.
13d Pale, richly crafted cheese (10)
CAERPHILLY: another anagram (crafted) of PALE RICHLY. A beautifully smooth surface read. It is also a homophone of how hedgehogs mate.
16d Paraffin increased in price in Wounded Knee (8)
KEROSENE: synonym of “increased in price” inside (in) anagram (wounded) of KNEE.
18d My old, open fabric ornamental headdress (7)
CORONET: synonym of my (an expression of surprise) + abbreviation for Old + synonym of an open fabric.
20d Like bookish Jude Bellingham’s debut in new course (7)
OBSCURE: no knowledge of football required here! Take the first letter of Bellingham and put it inside an anagram (new) of COURSE. The solution is a reference to a book by Thomas Hardy. Clever.
22d Doctor behind preliminary outline (5)
DRAFT: abbreviation for DoctoR + synonym of behind (think boats).
23d Handled soft material (4)
FELT: double definition.
Quickie Pun: COCK + QUAY + SAND + SHACK = COQUILLES ST JACQUES (scallops)
Getting 1a, 6a and 9a straightaway gave me a false sense of security because I then solved nary a one until I met Jack Sparrow at 5d. The cheese at 13d opened a few across clues and I was off for a very enjoyable solve. I don’t tend to frequent harems so 13a was a new word. However, it was a gettable anagram once the checkers arrived. I wonder if it will make the list? Lots of clues to choose from the quick one at 21a to Wounded Knee at 16d. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee is a great book. However, my COTD because of its exquisite neatness is the small Christmas egg at 25a.
Thank you, setter for a wonderful guzzle. Thank you, Shabbo for the hints.
I’m afraid I can’t make anything of the Quickie pun. Ah now I see it! Very clever and one of my favourite foods.
Thought I was off to a flyer getting the first few in quick succession, but the setter soon put paid to that!
A good dose of ‘Jude’ general knowledge was needed today, some of which I readily admit I was not equipped with.
Never heard of 10a (but couldn’t be much else from the clue), and completely stumped by 25a, my last one, and had to revert to my ancient Franklin Solver for that one. An addition to the list needed here please.
Can’t see why 14a works, so will see the hints, and also intrigued to see who the setter was.
All in all very tough but very good fun, many thanks to whoever set it today.
I agree with Shabbo not a RayT although there are elements of his style apparent. I am not a fan of Mr Spooner but did enjoy 2d which is my COTD. Fair clueing throughout and I thought */**** and a nice lurker in 3d. Very enjoyable. Let’s hope our setter reveals himself. Or herself of course if there are any. Many thanks Shabbo as well.
There is Chalicea. 😊
Very belated thanks Steve
This was a reasonably gentle workout for a Thursday and a pleasant solve.
As lurkers go, 3d was an outstanding effort. I always applaud one that is more than 10 letters. The other lurker is a splendid word that has been added to the crib sheet.
I liked 25a’s ‘to do with Christmas’ and 6d’s acrostic was nicely thought out.
Whoever has compiled the Anagram Indicator list of 1000+ words was clearly on something. The first five synonyms I found online for comic were humorous, funny, droll, amusing and entertaining. Out of those ‘funny’ has another meaning, i.e strange which is an AI. Is that where the setter is coming from? Surely not.
And as for ‘made a drama of’….
AIs are now my bête noire.
My podium is 9a, 21a and 4d.
MT to the setter and Shabbs
2*/4*
I do enjoy your little homilies!
Thank you, Day Zee, and happy birthday, btw!
I sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo want to see you do the splits when you get to 100, a world first.
The record is 99 and she had to be at an Olympic level to do it! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81gnes_Keleti
It’s going to happen.
I have to agree with our blogger and his choice of COTD – it has to be 21a, quite superb. Overall this was a fairly straightforward solve with very few if any delays, but it was supremely entertaining as befits a Thursday slot. I have no idea who the setter might be, but I hope he/she pops in to claim ownership.
Many thanks to our Mr(s) Ron and Shabbo.
I particularly enjoyed the General Knowledge element and the anagrams in thiss guzzle. 1a, 13d and 1a0a were excellent examples of the latter and 3d was a great lurker the 17a French playwright was agood Legi clue and thw cryptic definition at 8d was cleverly linked to 113d. Thank you , cimpuler, rhat was right up my strasse, as our friend Mwrusa used to say. Thanks to Shabbo forvrhe hints, thankfully not needed today
We’re having a good week – well I am! Another enjoyable offering without too much head scratching but sufficient challenge to exercise the little grey cells. I thought both lurkers were very cleverly clued. Surely Terence must have gathered the committee to discuss 10a’s promotion to the LIST. Lots of ticks today; favourite was 21a with 25a, 2d, 18d and 20d vying for podium places. Thanks to our setter and Shabbo.
An enjoyable puzzle with a few curveballs thrown in. 10a was new to me though easily gettable once some checking letters were in. I think it highly likely to be added to The List.
17a was also new to me but couldn’t have been much else.
This puzzle must be the only time I’ve been glad to read that particular Hardy book.
Top picks for me were 25a, 12a and 4d.
I couldn’t decipher the quickie pun so was glad of Shabbo’s help there.
Thanks to Shabbo and the setter.
Definitely not Ray T as his alter ego Beam is on Toughie duty, and like our blogger, who will need a very strong magnifying glass to check the smallest of the small print of his blogging contract, it doesn’t ‘feel’ like Silvanus is the setter. So, a real ‘guess the setter’ Thursday for a very enjoyable challenge, especially for having to identify some ‘novel’ anagram indicators – 2.5*/4.5*
Candidates for favourite – 9a, 15a, 21a, 8d, and 22d – and the winner is 15a.
Thanks to whomsoever and Shabbo.
Funnily enough, there’s a reference to Her Late Majesty in the Times today, although no sweetheart!
Gentle for a Thursday but very enjoyable indeed nonetheless. Some absolute crackers all the way through, though 4 anagrams in 5 down clues is too repetitive for me (ditto Monday’s puzzle with 4 in 4) – no reason why they cannot be a bit more scattered around the lists.
Ticks everywhere, so honours to the cryptic 21a, superb lurking 10a, and 11d; runners-up 25a and 3d.
Many thanks to the setter (Donny, possibly, though it could still just about be Silvanus) and to Shabbo
Fairly rattled off the stylus this morning, A different 21a a fave haunt of mine too. Some fine art to look up too.
Thanks to Shabbo and Setter and a glad to have met again to Shabbo and the current Mrs Shabbo.
Good to see you too.
For many years there has been an empty plinth next to ‘seraglio’ in anticipation that one day 10a would be nominated for THE LIST.
After the debacle of the last meeting on Teams, the committee met in person this morning.
Colonel Bagshot recused himself from the vote as he stated that he had inside knowledge from his days ‘on the Western Front’. Miss Abinger fainted at this, but was revived by a glass of Miss Gomshall’s elderflower wine. Colonel Bagshot offered to help Miss Abinger home, but was dissuaded.
Grand guzzle – thanks to the setter and Shabba-dabba-doo
After a slow start once I got going I thoroughly enjoyed this. So many excellent clues particularly the anagrams and the long lurkers, just as well 10a was one or I wouldn’t have got it. I can’t pick one favourite today as I enjoyed too many clues including the dreaded spooner.
Many thanks to the mystery setter and to Shabbo for the hints.
Very entertaining and not too tricky – thanks to our mystery setter and to Shabbo.
I pinned my rosettes on 10a, 21a, 2d and 7d.
Wonderful as was yesterday’s offering but I was out all day so didn’t post.
Had ticks all over the place. Never thought I would vote a Spoonerism as a favourite clue ! The only caveat was for 27 across which I bunged in.
Lots of thanks all round
For me as this puzzle is a non RayT production, I did much better than normal on the solve. One word I did not know in the whole grid, but sussed it out with cross check letters and e-check. Liked the Spoonerism too!!
2.5*/3.5*
Favourites 15a, 25a, 2d, 3d, 16d & 22d — with winner 25a
Smiles for 26a, 2d & 16d
Thanks to setter & Shabbo
This was a straightforward and nifty solve , enjoyable nevertheless. My last in was 25a , the tiny egg , but I got the parsing wrong so in the end looked at the hint to get the last letter, as I didn’t get the Christmas reference but of course , all obvious in hindsight. Thanks to our mystery setter and to Shabbo.
A bit of a curate’s egg in my opinion. Some crackers (21a, 2d and 20d) and a few questionable ones (14a, 25a and 27a). I give it a **/**. Thanks to the setter (hope they pop in and clarify 27a!) and of course to Shabbo for the excellent hints
Hi @Magichatuk
My intention with the clue for STRESS TEST (a check to see if a system, eg the banking system, is sound and can withstand a shock) was to conjure up an image of a male roadie with an epic beard, most likely wearing a T-shirt with the AC/DC logo, shouting “one two, one two” into a live microphone. Sorry if that vision didn’t materialise!
Best wishes to all, Rob/Hudson
Thanks for the crossword, Hudson. Very enjoyable.
The lurker in 3d must have been so satisfying to put together as it’s a belter.
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I think I must have been in a bit of a grumpy mood this morning!
Congratulations on 21a – an absolute gem of a clue!
Thank you for dropping in Hudson.
A lovely puzzle with plenty of smiles.
Thank you for a great guzzle, Hudson and for popping in. 👍
A splendid crossword which was on the friendly side for a Thursday
I think I have a good idea who set this one so many thanks to him and Shabbo
What a wonderful site this is. I love reading all your comments. Thoroughly enjoyed the guzzle and I have to pay homage to Mr Setter for 3d. How long have you been waiting to slip that one in? Corinthians next no doubt. Poor Terence is being somewhat overworked, I fear and The List may need an annexe. Thanks to Messrs Setter & Shabbo. Off to afternoon tea at Scottsdale’s.
Arizona seems a long way to go for a cuppa
I thoroughly enjoyed this, held up only slightly in the SE until the anvil dropped with a mighty clang when 20d came to mind and it released the rest. I think that 10a is a great word and a brilliantly constructed lurker to boot. However it’s just pipped to the podium by 20d, 2d and 21a in top spot. Thanks to compiler and Shabbo.
Entertaining throughout with the country pub as a terrific smooth clue. Thank you Compiler and Shabbo
Off to a flier with this but ground to a halt with my last two in 14a .. don’t know many Angelicas I’m afraid that I completely missed the lurker at 3d ..how well hidden was that! I’ still a wee bit mystified at 25a but I’m assuming homophone of “of yule” .. sometimes these don’t work very well.
… and not usually being a fan of the Rev Spooner I need to give him podium place today
Angelica was Caroline here and propagated a Neil Diamond Earworm until checkers forced a change of mind
Friendly enough with a couple of cleverly concealed lurkers in 10a and 3d, and a fine Spoonerism in 2d. Also ticked is the wounded knee deception in 16d.
Thanks to the setter and Shabbo.
2*/ 4* A French dramatist, and a painting I’d never heard of, but still getable, I think that’s a great skill. Also a nice spoonerism and a 13 letter lurker made this a top puzzle
Favourites 21a boozer, 3d Greek lurker and the big anagram at 13d
Thanks to setter and Shabbo
Ps never heard of the quickie scallops, not on the menu in my chippy
Hi Impy
The painting by Dali is made up.
Setters often do this by putting before it ‘questionable’ or a word with a similar meaning.
👍
This took me a bit of a while because I’m not all that good! Great clues (once I got there) thoroughly enjoyed it, the pub was the best. Thank you Shabbo and Setter
A steady solve and a completion without reference to hints or other sources. Must be on a roll!
A few clues completed on the first pass with the NE corner being completed early on then a steady accumulation of solves, with 25a the last to go, which I have to confess was a bit of a guess. For COTD, three nominations from me, 3d, not the sort of clue I would normally nominate but very impressive, 20d and 9a. The latter because it reminded me of the nickname for the machines which helped break the Enigma and the link to Bletchley Park and a certain Telegraph crossword.
Thank you as always to the setter and for Shabo for the hints.
Started after lunch today, managed the first few easily then some hesitation before progressing steadily and enjoyably, with LOI the city at 15a. Had to check the hints afterwards for some of the parsing (7d and 18d) but as other commentators have stated, some beautifully constructed clues. Difficult to choose a winner: 13d (for its elegance) and 20d (for its cleverness), share the podium. Thanks to Hudson and Shabbo. Off on holiday soon to Spain (Salou) so will not be commenting for two weeks. **/****
Had to leave this puzzle half way through this morning, and it was difficult having to tear myself away. Now back home and have just finished the second half. Started in NW corner and finished in the SW. Couldn’t believe my luck as the answers came to me! Even the Spooner clue (2d) was easily solved. LOI was 27a – did have to consult my husband though. (Quicker than Mr Google!). Didn’t know 10a but worked out it was a lurker. So, a great crossword and I’m feeling very happy. It’s **/**** from me. Thank you Hudson and also thanks to Shabbo for the explanations which I always enjoy reading.
Looks as though I forgot to press ‘send’ this morning but wanted to say that I rather enjoyed solving this puzzle and thought the pub clue was quite outstanding. Red rosette for that one with others going to the Rev Spooner and the Sparrow blowing his top – never seen Mr Depp look as good as he did in that film!
Thanks to Hudson and to Shabbo for the review.
Wasn’t going to comment as, unlike everyone else, I found this to be mostly incomprehensible. 10a, never heard of, a Spoonerism, a clue using “a woman’s name”, mad = playful?, etc. etc. Clearly was way above my head, and congrats to all who found this easy. Admitting my bafflement so the lurkers out there won’t feel so bad. Where is Brian when I need him? Thanks to Hudson and Shabbo.
Completed in the Lanzarote sunshine, but had to pop in to check that 10a had made the list. A very enjoyable puzzle well worth taking time out of “relaxing” around a pool.
Thanks to Hudson and Shabbo
Tough and did not finish due to missing the lurker at 3d . Found 25 difficult even with the second part worked out . Not sure about that, but I thought 25a in a class of it’s own and my clue of the day . 20d would reach the podium along with 7d . Many thanks to all .
Lovely puzzle start to finish. So many candidates for COTD, with 21A absolutely hilarious. But as a Dorset native my choice must be 20D.
VMT Hudson & Shabbo.
I really enjoyed today’s puzzle but was held up on 20d and 25a. As a lover of anagrams and lurkers it floated my boated. Having checked that the answer for 10a did exist, I immediately thought of Terence and ‘the List’! As I failed to get 25a I would like Terence to consider it worthy of the ‘runners up’ at the end of the ‘List’. Many thanks to the setter, Hudson, for popping in and to Shabbo.
Belated Birthday wishes to Daisygirl. I’m sure your diary must be ‘chocabloc’ as you live such an energetic and interesting life. I will raise my glass of wine to you later, Daisy. Cheers and Good Health!
Good evening
One of those crozzies today that leads you in with a few readily solvable clues, and then bites you on the backside! I had to put it away earlier this afty, and then come back to it after dinner.
Some GK needed today; I figured 10a for a lurker (all other options having been considered) without knowing the word; similarly 17a was an unfamiliar name. 3d was a little belter of a clue; my COTD, though, is my last to fall, 18d.
Many thanks to Hudson and to Shabbo
I thought this was about right for a Thursday despite 10a (glad to see it made ‘the list’) and 3d but both were fairly clued. Needed the hint to fully parse 7d as I didn’t realise there was an abbreviation for Euro apart from €. It’s such a short word anyway taking off one letter wouldn’t save much ink. Enough of the waffle. Favourite was 4d. Thanks to Hudson and Shabbo.
2*/5*. I really enjoyed this when I completed it over breakfast, and I have been out all day travelling to and playing cricket so have not been able to post until now.
I didn’t know who set this until I looked at the blog this evening. It was certainly up there in terms of enjoyment and I thought whilst I was solving that it might be Hudson or Karla.
10a was a new word for me, and I am not surprised to see that is is being considered for The List.
With plenty of ticks to pick from, 21a gets my vote as favourite.
Many thanks to Hudson and Shaboo.
P.S. Now to tackle the Beam Toughie!
Excellent puzzle, thanks Hudson. I’m in the mainstream with liking 10a and 21a. I got Hudson’s image for 27a as a well disguised cryptic definition, the “?” Suggesting that all wasn’t quite straightforward.
Thanks Shabbo for the blog
Like RD solved early doors (& made harder work of it than others evidently did) but out all day & the first opportunity to read the blog & comment. Wouldn’t have gone all in like last week but was pretty confident Hudson’s fingerprints were all over this one & another gem it was too. 2 cracking lurkers (one new to me but not to Colonel Bagshot apparently – suggest Miss Abinger steers well clear), a nifty Spoonerism, a plethora of ticks (another vote for 21a as pick of ‘em) elsewhere & a super Quickie pun into the bargain. Like TG the euro abbreviation required investigation.
Thanks to Hudson & for popping in & to Shabbo for his usual excellent review – wasn’t 13d the answer to John Halpern’s (Dada) fav clue set as Paul in the Graun – To make cheese, how do you milk a Welsh hedgehog.
I knew I’d come across that “clue” somewhere before. I’m not proud, I’ll nick gags off anyone!
I had a smooth ride this morning and then ground to a halt so threw in my hand but on picking it up just now had no real difficulty and enjoyed finishing the solve with NE holding out the longest. Not sure about use of word “substance” in 14a or am I missing something? 3d is clever lurker which I had not sussed but with all the crossers in I was able to solve. Thanks Hudson and Shabbo.
I had a smooth ride for a bit this morning and then ground to a halt so threw in my hand but on picking it up just now had no real difficulty and enjoyed finishing the solve with the NE holding out the longest. Not sure about use of “substance” in 14a. 3d is a clever lurker which I had missed but with all the crossers in was able to suss. Thanks Hudson and Shabbo.
Sorry about duplication – I obviously double clicked by mistake but then couldn’t erase original.
At this ungodly hour and just before retiring to my pit I have just got around to the Quickie but in spite of repeating the words out loud several times I did not pick up the clever pun.
Swiftest solve for a long time. Solved by the light of a mini torch in bed after midnight. I could not believe it when I was writing them in on autopilot. I was only left with a couple which I solved without aids together with 27a. Could not get horse out of my mind so 21a took longer than it should. Definitely up my strasse and on my wavelength so more from Hudson please.
Fell at the last.
27a a bit too cryptic for me.
Kicking myself for not getting 23d.
Thanks to Hudson & Shabbo.
3*/3* ….
liked 2D “One bearing the title of horse broken by Spooner ? (4,3)”