ST 3335 (Hints)

49 comments on “ST 3335 (Hints)”

1. A wonderful puzzle from Dada today. I didn’t really get going until after the long one at 16a fell but that gave me loads of checkers to get into the rest. Some really good clues today and a couple that kind of dawned on me as I looked at them. One lurker was very well hidden and I didn’t see it for ages. Obviously, I cannot say which clue because I don’t think there is cake on the Naughty Step. I thought the measure at 6d was very clever but my COTD is the swimmer at 17d.

   Thank you, Dada for a great start to the week. Thank you, Colonel for the hints.

2. 2.5*/4*. I enjoyed this a lot with 16a and 3d fighting it out for first place.

   Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.

3. I haven’t finished this yet – I’m finding it a little on the chewy (but enjoyable) side – But I had to come here to report my experience with 3d.
   I had, at that time, only letters 2 and 4 of the second word of the answer (I can’t say more for fear of the naughty step) and the only phrase I could think of – which exactly matches the presumed definition, was a rather rude one that I couldn’t believe would be in a DT Crossword (sometimes used with the addition of the word “Sherlock”).
   Needless to say, hard though it was to let go of this wonderful answer, I eventually got the correct (I hope) phrase!
   With thanks to Dada, and to Senf, whose hints I will come back and look at when I have done my best to finish this lovely puzzle.

   1. So glad someone else also thought of the rude one!

      1. Embarrassed to admit that was my first thought as well!

      2. Moi aussi!

         1. Et moi

      3. And me 🤣

   2. I must have led a very sheltered life because I have no idea what the rude answer might be . 🤔

      1. Xx xxx In answer to your comment and the clue. I’m glad I’m not the only one. Almost worth going to the naughty step for. It just seemed so obvious, then I thought this is the DT crossword and rubbed it out, then I put it in again….

         1. There comes a time in a very busy morning when one has to remind people that wrong answers and references to them contravene the Red Instructions

            1. Sincere apologies, CS, but it got the frustration off my chest. Never again.

4. I struggled with this, especially in the south, but once completion wondered what the fuss I made of it all was about. Cotd, for smile factor alone, is 3d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

5. What a great puzzle. Lots of smiles among the chewy moments.
   Top picks for me were 3d, 20d, 19d, 22d and 23a.

   Thanks to Senf and Dada.

6. Good fun from Dada this morning – thanks to him and Senf.
   Choices for my podium are 23a, 3d (LOL) and 20d.

7. Terrific puzzle though not completely straightforward for me. After going fairly steadily I froze and I struggled a lot with the last five clues in the SW despite getting the lurker. In the end I had to get help with the elusive 21a Dessert…. and this opened up the other four nearby answers. Amongst a surfeit of excellent clues I particularly liked 16a, 27a and 6d. Thank you Dada and Senf

8. Took a while for common sense to prevail over 3d but gave me a good giggle in the meantime and deserves a rosette as a result. Other winners were 27a & 9d.

   Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints – really enjoyed that version of the March Past and it looks as though the quartet had beautiful surroundings for their performance.

9. I am trying to work out what the saucy 3d is – I’m such an innocent. Just popped in to say firstly – an unusual grid, secondly an enjoyable solve. Early today as one of George’s old folks ( George is 93 in January) whom he takes to Lads Lunch at the pub each week, is taking us out to lunch in a posh pub as a thank you. Is t that nice! I’ll come back later ant read the comments but in the meantime, thanks to the Setter and the man in the Red Scarf.

   1. Thanks DG – I have no idea, but dare not discuss further – despite Senf making a comment – in case I get put on the naughty step

      1. I fully appreciate that I’m risking having something naughty but nice with Pat Coombs but, for DayZee, JB, SC and possibly others, the ‘wey hey!’ version of 3d would be [redacted –it’s a prize puzzle].

         And the verdict of the Canadian jury is….

   2. On this drunk (2,4).

10. Another lovely puzzle, we are being spoilt. I thought there was a very good mix of clue types and once the long one across the middle the south became possible.

    Any thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.

11. A good Sunday puzzle. While my RAF service was only 2 years I was on parade twice on B of B Sunday and the second time finished a steady march through the streets of Norwich with one of the official bands of the RAF playing this tune, which smarten us up no end! I liked this version but I don’t think it would have had the same effect!
    Thanks to the setter and Senf for the much needed explanations

12. A gentle and very enjoyable first cryptic of the day, with honours to 23a, 17d and 3d.

    Many thanks to Dada and Senf

13. Thanks to Dada and Senf. Smiling at comments about 3D. Of course being the Telegraph it couldn’t possibly be that! A fairy easy solve for a Sunday. Off out for a carvery lunch at local pub to add to 16a! COTD 17d.

14. Sorted the North without too much aggro but the South was a different kettle of fish and it beat me so threw in the towel. Thanks anyway Dada – of course, you can’t please all of the people all of the time – and Senf for trying to help. Doesn’t 21a depend on French pronunciation? Fav 3d.

    1. But the English pronunciation is basically the same as the French (ie silent vowel at the end) I think. It’s not something I’ve ever ordered or cooked so I needed Google to the answer I am afraid.

15. For me, and I stress for me (© Senf), this was a grand guzzle. Many of the glues were great fun.

    English weather, eh? On Friday we were at Cliveden where (wait for this) I took my waistcoat off due to the heat. Yesterday, we went for a lovely walk around Shere and had to dash into a pub as the heavens opened, with the temperature about ten degrees colder. I’m still aching for California.

    Cliveden is odd. With the gardens looked after by the National Trust and the main house now operating, independently, as a hotel, there are too many opportunities for rather jobsworthy people to ask one if the intention is to take afternoon tea or explore the parterre. There are too many checkpoints, and people in grubby hi-vis jackets. Guests should be made to feel welcome and not looked upon as potential intruders.

    Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and The Man From Manitoba (thank you for those twenty four years of service)

16. Well this Dada puzzle was for me at the gentler end of his spectrum this week. Not quirky and no personal thesaurus use either.

    1*/4.5*

    Favourites 10a, 13a, 15a, 16a,3d & 26a — with winner with a chuckle 3d
    Smiles too from 15a, 16a, 4d & 26a

    Thanks to Dada & Senf

17. I too thought Dada was pretty friendly today , only held up for a bit at the end in the SW. I couldn’t figure the parsing of 23d so just checked the hint and of course as always it was obvious. I just worked out the rude 3d and laughed out loud ! The real answer I think was my favourite clue. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

18. A very nice crossy from Dada which fell into place quickly, having got 16a off the bat (a goodie).

    1d is one of those words I have learnt from solving crosswords as I’ve never heard it used which is a shame as it’s a most excellent word.

    My podium is 27a, 3d and 17d.

    MT to the aforementioned and Senf.

    1*/4*

19. Whenever I see the answer to 27a, I always think of Alice Tinker in the Vicar of Dibley!

    1. Brilliant!

    2. Priceless. Wasn’t that a lively programme?

       1. Oh flip. LOVELY.

20. I do wish the alternative (albeit nowt to do with the wordplay) had registered at 3d but 75% of this flew in & was all set for a * time finish until complete brain fog in the SW extended the solve to over double that. An enjoyable puzzle – 16,21,23,27&28a plus 17&19d my picks from a good bunch.
    Thanks to D&S

21. I rarely do the quick crossword but gave it a go and it is a pangram without a d (for Dada) which is probably a coincidence.

22. Like others the top half went straight in, the SE followed soon after and the SW took a little longer. We got 3d straight off from the clue so the alternative never occurred to us. An enjoyable diversion. Favourite was 19d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.

23. Really enjoyed this but needed Senf’s help with the servant clue. Thank you as always Dada

24. Top entertainment this afternoon with 3d emerging as my favourite and 28a my final answer. This was Dada at the very top of his game and a worthy tussle for a Prize Puzzle.

    Thanks to the aforementioned and Sue.

25. 24 years service is something to be very proud of, Senf. Chapeau, mate!
    Hilarious to think so many of us had the same thought at 3d…
    The swimmer given a lift in 17d and the bar raised in 21d were my picks.
    Many thanks to Dada and our esteemed blogger.

26. Afternoon all .. can anyone help me parse 11a please? Just can’t see it …. Thanks

    1. single letter abbreviation + synonym = the elements (no fun if on the golf course)

       1. Thank you … but I think your help related to 12a – agreed about it not being much fun on a golf course 😂.
          But it’s 11a that I couldn’t sort.

    2. I think Huntsman refers to 12a.
       11a is a child containing a word for close.

       1. Ah … thank you. Penny’s dropped 😂

27. Solved in fits and starts around Mama Bee and t’other blog. The wrong bung in for the warming drink delayed me the most.
    Thanks to Dada and especially to Senf for his service to The Queen (and Big Dave)

    1. You & me both with the drink

28. 2* / 4* An enjoyable solve, got bogged down in the SW, walked the dog, came back and everything became clear. Great misdirection and wit, favourites include 16a corporation, 17d country and the popular pig’s ear covering at 3d, brilliant
    Thanks to Dada and Senf

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