Daily Telegraph Vintage No 17
Hints and Tips by Rossophile
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BD Rating – Difficulty *** Enjoyment ***
An erudite offering today, where a grasp of the classics and good general knowledge will help. Starting to feel like our modern puzzles. I was able to hint this more quickly today having discovered the Windows Key + H comes up which brings up a dictation window. Also, Shift, Windows Key and S, will allow you to open a resizable panel, and copy the contents of another window to the clipboard. The door is still open for any “wannabe” hinters; join this exclusive group on the World’s best crossword blog and get your nickname in lights. Yes hinting, can be harder than solving some clues, but is a rewarding and educational pastime.
As before, the pictorial content PDF is here, with the solutions blanked. Only accredited hinters get access to full WordPress editing.
https://www.macdonnell.co.uk/DT/V17.pdf
Across
1a Upset depending on the schoolboy’s head? (7)
CAPSIZE: What might happen if you upset the balance in a boat. Also, two words *** **** that will determine the correct dimensions for schoolboy’s headwear
5a The third letter or the fourth in line maybe (4)
CORD: The third letter in the alphabet, (OR) from the clue, then the fourth letter of the alphabet. A synonym of LINE.
9a The invention of the chiming clock was presumably hailed as one! (8,7)
STRIKING SUCCESS: A two word achievement to enable sound to occur at intervals on a clock, and a phrase to describe a remarkable achievement
10a A club one takes right on (4)
IRON: One (I) takes right (R) (ON)
11a Not exactly a trial of strength (5)
ABOUT: Synonym (preposition) of roughly, approximately. Also (A) and four letter noun to describe a timed event (ie) a round in a boxing ring
12a He really has no supporter present (4)
HERE: Lurker in the first two words
15a Convert lira, see? Into money, of course (7)
REALISE: Anagram of “lira see”: What you do when you sell an asset and get cash
16a A first one may be particularly valuable (7)
EDITION: Refers to the first release of a book
17a Happen to disagree rather violently, perhaps (4,3)
FALL OUT: A phrasal verb (verb followed by preposition) that describes a situation where two people disagree. Also, a more literal phrasal verb that may result in injury.
19a Two Poles in a characteristic conveyance (7)
TRANSIT: A 5 letter word which is a cinnamon synonym for characteristic T***T. Into this is inserted the abbreviation for North and South constructing a word that is also a famous van made by Ford
21a Old instrument used as a stop-gap? (4)
LUTE: Double definition. Four stringed instrument that was precursor to the guitar. Also , from the Latin”lutum” (mud), a sticky clay or cement used to close up a gap.
22a Expressions for those who won’t settle on the spot! (5)
TERMS: Another double definition, but there could be plenty more. From Latin “terminus , boundary or end. First, a noun or verb phrase from a specialised area of knowledge. Second, a time limitation for a contractual agreement.
23a Piece of ground much fought over during the Crusades (4)
ACRE. Another double definition. An area of land (said to be that which could be ploughed in one day by one man) . Also, the siege of **** (a medieval city in the Holy Land) in 1291, resulting in a defeat of the Crusaders. Another siege in 1799 (Napoleon)
26a Shelter set erect after being dismantled in Durham (7-2-6)
CHESTER-LE-STREET: An anagram (dismantled) of “shelter set erect” indicating a town in Durham
27a Neat cut (4)
TRIM: double definition. Synonym of neat, and also of cut
28a Harassed form of anodyne (7)
ANNOYED: Anagram (form) of anodyne
Down
1d Ignominiously dismiss a man in a position of trust (7)
CASHIER: Double definition. A cashier trustfully handles your money. Also , from the French casser (break up) ; if a ranking military officer is *******ED, or dismissed, this is often accompanied by the dramatic breaking of his sword
2d A communication addressed to the individual private landlord? (8,6)
PERSONAL LETTER: A missive addressed directly to you come up or description of an individual landlord
3d ” ‘Tis not alone my — cloak, good mother” (Hamlet) (4)
INKY: A good knowledge of the classics is obviously helpful in this somewhat erudite, general knowledge type clue. Nothing to do with pens, the colour fabric maybe comes stained with blood
4d Put into a superior class? (7)
ENNOBLE: Not very cryptic.. The act of bestowing an honour or grace on an individual i.e. inviting them to become a member of the upper house.
5d Some T.U.C. assembly wear (7)
COSTUME: Anagram (assembly) of some TUC
6d It’s naturally hard to sway (4)
ROCK: The stuff of mountains, or a gentle to-and-fro motion
7d We back in the main the kind of film in which there’s plenty of exciting action! (7)
WESTERN: (We) from the clue, and the rear of a boat in the main (sea)
8d Welfare organisation explaining what the philanthropist wants to do (7,7)
BENEFIT SOCIETY: a noun for a benefits organisation, and verb what a person with morals and lots of money would like to do.
13d He’s simply wrong about the doctor! (5)
SIMON: Activity that is wrong in a religious sense with the abbreviation for doctor (MO) inserted. Not very PC description of the lad.
14d A man is undoubtedly best without one! (5)
RIVAL: May relate to marriage: there should only be one best man
17d Egyptian craft out of which one might make a cafe with endless luck! (7)
FELUCCA: A shallow-draught sailing boat found on the Nile; Anagram of CAFÉ, with LUC(K) (endless) inserted
18d A proposition Tom confused with 12 across (7)
THEOREM: Anagram of TOM and the solution to 12a
19d One small representative encountered coming back for a wash! (7)
TEMPERA: (A) (REP)resentative backwards, preceded by encountered (MET) backwards. A type of painting medium, with the pigments suspended in a water-soluble solution
20d Given medical attention at someone else’s expense? (7)
TREATED: Double definition. Past participle of the attention by a doctor, or a special bonus often given to Fido
24d Most armies incorporate this reward for service (4)
STAR: Think of the decoration worn by a senior general
25d Things cracked up merely to cause bewilderment! (4)
STUN: A word (plural) for a snack, PEA***, WAL***, CASHEW***, spelt backwards.
An enjoyable puzzle – thanks to Rossophile for the blog.
Sexual quality obviously hadn’t fully arrived by 1966 (e.g. ‘a man’ rather than ‘someone’ in 1d).
The clues I liked best were 9a, 12a and 22a.