Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31205
A full review by Rahmat Ali
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This puzzle was published on 4th April 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty *** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A bit tough yet entertaining Saturday puzzle from Twmbarlwm that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback.
After solving the puzzle, I learnt more about autocue, the answer to the clue at 9a, from the internet. An autocue, also known as a teleprompter, is a device used to display a script or speech in a way that allows the speaker to read it while maintaining eye contact with the audience or camera. It is widely used in television broadcasting, public speaking and filmmaking. The text scrolls smoothly on a screen positioned in front of the speaker, often reflected onto a transparent panel so that it is invisible to viewers. The primary advantage of an autocue is that it helps presenters deliver information accurately and confidently without memorising large amounts of text. News anchors, politicians and public figures rely on it to ensure clarity, precision and consistency in their communication. It also reduces hesitation and errors, making the delivery appear more natural and professional. Modern autocues are often digital and can be controlled remotely, allowing the speed of the scrolling text to be adjusted according to the speaker’s pace. Some systems even allow real-time editing, which is particularly useful during live broadcasts. However, effective use of an autocue requires practice. If used poorly, a speaker may appear stiff or overly dependent on the screen. Skilled presenters learn to balance reading with natural expression, making their delivery engaging and authentic. The autocue is an essential tool in modern communication, enabling smooth, polished and reliable presentation of scripted content across various media platforms.
Chica, the answer to the clue at 21a, was known to me in the mid-nineties, when I, along with my youngest sister, was learning Spanish at Centro Cultural Cervantes in the-then Calcutta. Both of us liked the language, particularly its simple pronunciation. ‘Un chico’ refers to a boy or young man, while ‘una chica’ refers to a girl or young woman. Spanish nouns have gender. Masculine nouns usually end in ‘o’ and feminine nouns usually end in ‘a’. For example, ‘hermano’ is brother and ‘hermana’ is sister, ‘tío’ is uncle and ‘tía’ is aunt, ‘sobrino’ is nephew and ‘sobrina’ is niece, ‘abuelo’ is grandfather and ‘abuela’ is grandmother, ‘esposo’ is husband and ‘esposa’ is wife. Exceptions include ‘padre’ and ‘madre’, which denote father and mother, respectively. Plural formation in Spanish follows a few consistent rules based on how the word ends and how it sounds. For words ending in a vowel, we need to add ‘s’ and those ending in a consonant, ‘es’ is required to be added barring a few exceptions. Words ending in ‘z’ has ‘c’ taking the place of ‘z’ before the addition of ‘es’. Words ending in ‘ión’ is changed to ‘iones’ (‘í’ loses its accent because the stress shifts naturally when ‘es’ is added). Words ending in ‘s’ or ‘x’ and stress on the last syllable, ‘es’ is added, but the accent sign is removed e.g. ‘autobús’ becomes ‘autobuses’. The language with particular vowel ending denoting masculine or feminine gender appears somewhat similar to Hindi in this regard. If the masculine nouns and verbs in Hindi end in ‘a’ (‘a’ as in father), feminine nouns and verbs will end in ‘i’ (‘i’ as in fee). For example, ‘ladka’ is boy and ‘ladki’ is girl, ‘chacha’ is paternal uncle and ‘chachi’ is paternal aunt, ‘mama’ is maternal uncle and ‘mami’ is maternal aunt, ‘bhatija’ is paternal nephew and ‘bhatiji’ is paternal niece, ‘bhanja’ is maternal nephew and ‘bhanji’ is maternal niece, ‘dada’, ‘dadi’ ‘nana’ and ‘nani’ are paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother, maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother respectively. Exceptions, among others, include ‘pita’ (father), ‘mata’ (mother), ‘bhai’ (brother) and ‘behen’ (sister). Examples of verbs are ‘wo likhta hai’ meaning ‘he writes’ and ‘wo likhti hai’ meaning ‘she writes’. Likewise, ‘wo khata hai’ denotes ‘he eats’ and ‘wo khati hai’ denotes ‘she eats’, while ‘wo sota hai’ means ‘he sleeps’ and ‘wo soti hai’ means ‘she sleeps’.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a A delusion Hamlet suffers in film (6,3,6)
THELMA AND LOUISE: An anagram (suffers) of A DELUSION HAMLET leads to the definition of a 1991 American buddy comedy-drama film, starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon that became a landmark of feminist film
9a One scrolling text in car in front of Rod (7)
AUTOCUE: The definition of a device showing a television speaker the text of what he or she has arranged to say is arrived at from AUTO (car) as a short form for automobile used in the United States that is equivalent of car of the United Kingdom placed before (in front of) CUE (rod) as a tapering rod, tipped with leather, used to strike the ball in pools, billiards etc
10a Taking up less time, kind Queen capturing hearts (7)
SHORTER: The definition of an adjective meaning lasting or taking a small amount of time is got from a combo of SORT (kind) as a type or a kind of something and ER (Queen) as the abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina, the name taken on by Queen Elizabeth upon ascending the throne, the word ‘regina’ being the Latin name for ‘queen’ bringing inside (capturing) H (hearts) as the abbreviation for the card suit of Hearts
11a Ridiculously late, one certainly not hurrying (2,7)
AT LEISURE: An anagram (ridiculously) of LATE followed by I (one) as the Roman numeral for one and SURE (certainly) as an informal term for an adverb used for emphasis meaning certainly guides to the definition of a phrase meaning in a relaxed or unhurried way i.e. not hurrying
12a Cool novel (5)
FRESH: Double adjectival definition; the second denoting novel, new, recent or not the same as what was previously known or done that takes to the first meaning cool, pure and refreshing
13a Sighs maybe once, husband and son drinking beer (7)
EXHALES: The definition of a verb in the third person singular present tense denoting sighs or gives out breath is arrived at from EX (maybe once) as referring to someone is no longer what he or she was once, followed by a combo of H (husband) as the genealogical abbreviation for husband and S (son) as the genealogical abbreviation for son taking inside (drinking) ALE (beer) as a type of beer, especially one that is darker and more bitter than other beers like lager, stout and porter
15a Expert US lawyer pursued by group outside hotel (3,4)
DAB HAND: The definition of an expert or a person skilled in a particular activity is reached from DA (US lawyer) as the abbreviation for District Attorney who is a lawyer in the United States working for a city, state or federal government and putting on trial people who are accused of crimes followed by (pursued by) BAND (group) as a company or group of people bound together for any common purpose placed around or surrounded by (outside) H (hotel) as the letter represented by Hotel in the Nato phonetic alphabet
17a Army officer‘s gist in speech (7)
COLONEL: The definition of an army officer in charge of a regiment is obtained from KERNEL (gist) as the central or most important part of something, an example of which is gist i.e. the substance or general meaning of a speech or text serving as a homophone heard by the audience (in speech)
19a European, cross with nurses, carries on (7)
EXTENDS: A charade of E (European) as the abbreviation for European as EU in European Union, X (cross) as a symbol for the word cross, or used in combination, as in Xing for crossing and (with) TENDS (nurses) as a verb in the third person singular present tense denoting takes care of, looks after or nurses guides to the definition of a verb again in the third person singular present tense meaning carries on or continues
21a Hispanic girl from stylish area (5)
CHICA: The definition of the Spanish word for girl is reached from a charade of CHIC (stylish) as an adjective denoting stylish, smart, elegant or fashionable and A (area) as the abbreviation for area
23a In vain, perhaps save more litres close to July (9)
USELESSLY: The definition of an adverb meaning in vain, pointlessly or in a useless manner is got from USE LESS (perhaps save more) as to take a small amount of a resource that is to save more of that resource instead followed by L (litres) as the abbreviation for litres and the end or terminal letter of (close to) [JUL]Y
25a Charlie and Dizzy originally improvised jazz? (7)
NOODLED: NOODLE (Charlie) as a colloquial term for a simpleton or blockhead, an example of which is Charlie i.e. an informal term denoting a silly person or fool, often in the phrase ‘a proper Charlie’ followed by the original or initial letter (originally) of D[IZZY] leads to the definition of a verb in the past tense meaning improvised on a musical instrument in a casual or desultory way, especially in jazz
26a Lots here fighting around university (7)
AUCTION: The definition of a public sale in which property or items of merchandise or lots i.e. several, miscellaneous articles as one unit are sold to the highest bidder is obtained from ACTION (fighting) as a battle or fighting, especially by military on land and naval forces at sea placed about (around) U (university) as the abbreviation for university
27a People who hold their elders in high esteem? (4,11)
TREE WORSHIPPERS: A cryptic definition of a community of people who revere trees and obviously the elders that are small trees or shrubs with pithy stems, white flowers and bluish-black or red berries
Down
1d Leaving female in cafe, take out bun (7)
TEACAKE: An anagram (out) of CA[F]E, TAKE ignoring or without (leaving) F (female) as the genealogical abbreviation for female takes to the definition of a glazed currant bun, usually eaten toasted
2d Praise Evelyn’s xylophone tone one loves first of all (5)
EXTOL: The definition of a verb meaning to praise, glorify or honour is reached from each of the first or initial letters of (first of all) E[VELYN’S] X[YLOPHONE] T[ONE] O[NE] L[OVES]
3d Old PM, Conservative visiting bustling main mall (9)
MACMILLAN: The definition of the British statesman and Conservative politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963 and whose full name was Maurice Harold Macmillan is reached from C (Conservative) as the abbreviation for Conservative going inside (visiting) an anagram (bustling) of MAIN MALL
4d Approaches American meeting places (7)
AVENUES: The definition of the plural of the principal approach to a country-house, usually bordered with trees is obtained from a charade of A (American) as the abbreviation for American and VENUES (meeting places) as the plural of a meeting-place or rendezvous
5d Drop key kept in study by day (7)
DESCEND: The definition of a verb meaning to drop, fall or come down is fetched from ESC (key) as referring to the Esc key, short for ‘Escape’, a versatile little button on a computer keyboard with different uses depending on the context placed inside (kept in) DEN (study) as a room, often secluded, in a house or apartment, designed to provide a quiet and informal atmosphere for conversation, reading, writing, academic work etc having alongside (by) D (day) as the abbreviation for day
6d Working away, unsteady (2-3)
ON-OFF: A charade of ON (working) as working or operating and OFF (away) as away from the place in question and away or relieved from duty takes to the definition of an adjective meaning not continuous or steady, especially of a relationship
7d Where you might catch Ray, for the most part (2,3,4)
IN THE MAIN: The obvious response that one might catch a ray i.e. a broad flat marine or freshwater fish with a cartilaginous skeleton in the main, that is the high sea leads to the definition of a phrase denoting mostly, to the greater extent or for the most part
8d Organ the dean’s opening, safe from electric shocks (7)
EARTHED: EAR (organ) as the organ of hearing and equilibrium in humans and other vertebrate animals, followed by THE from the clue and the opening or initial letter of D[EAN] (dean’s) leads to the definition of an adjective meaning having an electrical connection to earth i.e. electrically grounded or safe from electric shocks
14d Order hoe online using links, a rare event (4,2,3)
HOLE IN ONE: An anagram (order) of HOE ONLINE leads to the definition of a shot from the tee that goes into the hole and so completes the hole in a single stroke that is a very uncommon event at golf links or courses
16d Book competition defends absolute bloomer (9)
BUTTERCUP: A combo of B (book) as the abbreviation for book and CUP (competition) as a sporting contest in which a cup is awarded to a winner protects by keeping inside (defends) UTTER (absolute) as an adjective denoting complete, total, entire or absolute, guiding to the definition of a bright yellow, cup-shaped flower that typically blooms in spring and summer
17d Famous clown fan, fair target? (7)
COCONUT: A charade of COCO (famous clown) as referring to Coco the Clown, arguably the most famous clown in the United Kingdom in the mid-twentieth century and whose original name was Nikolai Poliakoff and NUT (fan) as an informal term for a fan, buff or enthusiast takes to the definition referring to the large hard-shelled seed of the coconut palm that is a target at a fairground throwing game more specifically called ‘coconut shy’ and prizes awarded to the winners
18d City junior to do the cleaning and ironing (7)
LAUNDER: A charade of LA (city) as the abbreviation for Los Angeles that is a US city and UNDER (junior) as junior, subordinate or below another in standing or importance guides to the definition of a verb meaning to undergo washing and ironing
19d Heard yours truly used to be hot? Nonsense (7)
EYEWASH: A homophone (heard) of I (yours truly) as a pronoun used to refer to oneself as speaker or writer, an example of which is yours truly, that is an informal term for pronoun for I, myself or me, WAS (used to be) as indicating the past tense of ‘to be’ that is used to be and H (hot) as the abbreviation for hot, especially with reference to water on a faucet takes to the definition of an informal term for a noun meaning nonsense or rubbish
20d E.g. McCartney’s band topped slogans (7)
SAYINGS: SAY (e.g.) as an adverb denoting ‘for example’, more commonly used as the letter ‘eg’ that stands as the abbreviation for the Latin phrase exempli gratia meaning ‘for example’ followed by [W]INGS (McCartney’s band) as the name of the British rock band led by Paul McCartney from 1971 to 1981 after the Beatles’ break-up in 1970 having the topmost letter in the down clue taken off or removed (topped) leads to the definition of words or phrases that particular people use in particular situations, e.g. slogans, each of which can be a favourite saying of a sect or political group
22d Let everyone on narrowboat in the middle (5)
ALLOW: The definition of a verb meaning to let or permit to do something is arrived at from ALL (everyone) as a pronoun referring to everyone or everything placed upon in the down clue (on) [NARR]OW[BOAT] that serves as the middle or innermost letters (in the middle)
24d Racket held up by Stefan Edberg, initially scornful (5)
SNIDE: DIN (racket) as racket, noise or row in an upward direction (up) as a reversal in the down clue placed inside (held … by) the initial or first letters (initially) of S[TEFAN] E[DBERG] guides to the definition of adjective denoting sneering, malicious or scornful
There were several clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 15a, 17a, 23a, 25a, 27a, 3d, 17d, 19d and 20d; 27a being the best of the lot. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Twmbarlwm for the entertainment. Looking forward to seeing you here again. Have a nice day.
2*/3* ….
liked 18D “City junior to do the cleaning and ironing (7)”