Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31267
Hints and tips by Huntsman
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***/****
After a dreary start to the morning the sun is out here in Harpenden & we look set for a lovely day which will help to compensate for the likely disappointment of another inept performance on the golf course this afternoon.
I’d judge today’s puzzle pretty Quiptic even by Tuesday standards so it will no doubt be welcomed by those bemoaning yesterday’s offering having been decidedly trickier than Mondays of late. As ever nicely & concisely clued throughout with some neat surfaces. Thanks to (I assume) Anthony Plumb.
For any seeking a further challenge Gila over in t’other place is in no way venomous & well having a stab at. Whybird will I’m sure be delighted to hear your thoughts.
As usual there is a selection of music to enjoy or ignore.
In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED & the crossword technique “indicator words” are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons. Please leave a comment below telling us what you thought & how you got on with the puzzle.
Across
1a Rugby leader possibly could make her team sad (10)
HEADMASTER: an anagram (possibly could make) of HER TEAM SAD. Nowt to do with 🏉.
6a Father Brown’s somewhat sage? (4)
HERB: hidden (somewhat).
10a Depression returned before adult left the pub (5)
LOCAL: a reversed (returned) geographic term for a depression or mountain pass precedes (before) the single letter for A[dult] & for L[eft].
11a Tries cutting actual practice (9)
REHEARSAL: insert (cutting) a verb meaning tries in the legal sense into an adjectival synonym for actual or genuine.
12a Loftiness relative regretted on reflection (8)
GRANDEUR: link an informal abbreviated term for an older relative with a reversed (on reflection) synonym for regretted.
13a Strangely sordid play – every other character’s stripped off (5)
ODDLY: the alternate letters of the 2nd & 3rd words of the clue (every other character’s stripped off). Neat surface – nowt to do Oh! Calcutta! or Hair.
15a A veto on academic impulsiveness (7)
ABANDON: A from the clue + a noun for veto + a term for an academic in further education.
17a Particular places I redeveloped (7)
SPECIAL: an anagram (redeveloped) of PLACES I.
19a Archives including university yearbooks (7)
ANNUALS: a synonym for archives contains the single letter for U[niversity].
21a Drink at college for Barney (5-2)
PUNCH UP: a fruit based drink that may be both non-alcoholic & guaranteed to produce a blistering hangover if laced with all sorts of spirits + a somewhat old fashioned term for being at college. The capitalisation in the definition is deliberately misleading.
22a Monkey ignoring first mistake (5)
ERROR: remove the initial letter (ignoring first) from a synonym of monkey in the context of a term for an ill-behaved youngster.
24a Quiet outrage after prisoner’s plot (8)
CONSPIRE: place the musical single letter for quiet between an informal term for prisoner’s & a synonym for outrage/anger.
27a Found his table’s broken (9)
ESTABLISH: an anagram (broken) of HIS TABLES.
28a Deliver prize (5)
UTTER: a double definition – the latter functions as an adjective modifying a noun to emphasise that it is absolute/out-and-out.
29a Rubbish old spades in the last shed (4)
TOSH: insert (in) the single letter for O[ld] + the card suit abbreviation for S[pades) in between TH[e] (last shed). Another neat surface.
30a Cold female inside inn, rudely shivering (10)
UNFRIENDLY: insert (inside) the single letter for F[emale] into an anagram (shivering) of INN RUDELY.
Down
1d Healthy hot drink (4)
HALE: the single letter for H[ot] + a beery tipple.
2d Prove adult succeeded? Sure (9)
ASCERTAIN: the single letter for A[dult] & for S[ucceeded] + an adjectival synonym for sure/without doubt.
3d Italian leader cut fruit (5)
MELON: remove the last letter (cut) from the surname of Italy’s Prime Minister.
4d Rush over with lines, essentially, for someone in the theatre? (7)
SURGEON: a rush/sudden deluge + the cricket abbreviation for O[ver] & the central letter (essentially) of li[N]es.
5d Former lover put on garment with no top, generating urges (7)
EXHORTS: the usual for a former lover followed by an article of clothing less the 1st letter (no top).
7d Stamped addressed envelope turned up, editor’s relieved (5)
EASED: reverse (turned up/down clue) the abbreviation for the envelope & append the usual abbreviation for the newspaper boss.
8d Things you don’t want in the pool? Spare tyre and turkeys (5,5)
BELLY FLOPS: link two synonyms that are nowt to do with the pics – spare tyre in the context of an informal description for unwanted fat around the waist & turkeys in the sense of failures or disasters.
9d Name a European – one short military commander (8)
NAPOLEON: the single letter for N[ame] + A from the clue + a Central European national + ON[e] (short/abridged). Sneaky wordplay given that the fella was only 5ft 6in.
14d Chaps wearing magenta pants, running (10)
MANAGEMENT: a synonym for chaps goes inside (wearing) an anagram (our favourite indicator – pants) of MAGENTA.
16d Support mounting with group’s verbal attack (8)
DIATRIBE: reverse (mounting/down clue) a verb or noun meaning support then append a synonym for group in the context of ethnicity.
18d Came into the diner excited about second of dishes (9)
INHERITED: an anagram (excited) of THE DINER goes around d[I]shes (second of)
20d Piece from religious order – something positive or negative? (7)
SECTION: a religious faction/cult perhaps + any atom or molecule that possesses a net electrical charge – Mr G tells me the positive ones are called cations & the negative ones are anions.
21d Poacher perhaps on river, following the big cat (7)
PANTHER: the perhaps gives us a clue that poacher in this context is an item of cookware. Link with THE in the clue then append the map reference single letter for R[iver]. Hands up any like me who briefly wondered if the first bit had owt to do with the God of the forests in Greek myth.
23d Judge’s fees (5)
RATES: a straightforward double definition.
25d Check Tom’s feet, we’re told?
PAUSE: a homophone (we’re told) of a male unneutered cat’s feet or those of Jerry’s sparring partner.
26d Snoop around the rear of stone quarry (4)
PREY: insert (around) ston[E] (rear of) into a synonym for snoop/nose into.
The clues I liked best today were 6,13& 29a along with 8,9&18d. Please let us know which ones ticked your boxes.
Today’s Quick Crossword pun: EYE + FELT + HOUR = EIFFEL TOWER
+ a bonus one maybe (spotted by Steve) along the bottom: RARE + FAIR + EID = REFEREED
This morning’s listening while preparing the blog (my 150th) has been Joe Bonamassa’s terrific album celebrating what would have been BB King’s 100th birthday. He has managed to get together a host of top quality artists to interpret the great man’s songs. Here’s one great collaboration (among many) with Michael McDonald, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks.
Typically Tuesdayish with a steady solve accompanying the Bridgewater mug of Taylors Rich Italian. Unusually, I had more across clues solved than downs on the first pass. It’s usually the other way round. A nice misdirection at 1a with the rugby leader and the college drink at 21a raised a smile. The poacher at 21d nearly made it to the top spot but I have to award COTD to the spare tyre and turkeys in the pool at 8d.
I liked the Quickie pun. Is there is a second one on the bottom line?
Thank you, Professor for the fun. Thank you, Hintsman for the hunts.
I’ve added it Steve. I did solve the Quickie but it didn’t register.
I took it to be something different, Huntsman – rather topical given the world cup going on at the moment.
yep – got it I think.
That’s it. 👍
Also congratulations on your milestone, Andy.
An enjoyable and not overly challenging Tuesday offering, presumably from AP. All fairly straightforward until my last which was 28a where I had to think hard to understand the prize element; (I decided ‘prize idiot’ was a good example). 18d is my favourite. Many thanks to AP and Huntsman 1*/3*
An AP production that clicked with me from the beginning. Honorable mentions to 8d, 21a and 21d, but cotd goes to 12a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman
Although the clues were well constructed, I found this puzzle to be very unchallenging. I wasn’t aware of the current Italian Prime Minister but the fruit was obvious. I did have a slight hold up when I parsed the definition for 20D to be the first four words of the clue and the positive element to be something that was true along with the correct last three letters however the checkers corrected this. Thanks as always to Huntsman for the hints and to the setter.
Thai corner.
As has become obvious the Thai language relies heavily on context, so you will probably not be surprised to learn that Thais do not distinguish between veterinary surgeons and doctors. The Thai word for both is exactly the same.
I’m not entirely reassured by that, ATiB!
Were you aware that another commenter on these blogs (DickieR) is also resident in Thailand? This is a good cosmopolitan site!
I wasn’t aware of a fellow expat being on the site. I hope my posts strike a chord with him and don’t grate due to inaccuracy and my lack of knowledge. I also hope he’s enjoying living here as much as I do.
Look at yesterday’s comments – he won the mythical!
Curses!! 😡
😊
Thanks, now I’m really jealous.
You and me both, Thaikey! 😊
A nice gentle puzzle for a grey but dry day here in the South West.
Top picks for me were 8d, 12a, 1a, 21d and 25d.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
Could the bottom pun be a more topical one: refereed ?
Lovely “quicktic” for a Tuesday mid-morning coffee. AP really is a consummate master when it comes to setting puzzles – all clues perfectly instructed, GK is fair, good surfaces, and he maintains the same consistent level week in, week out.
Honours to 12a, 5d (loud snigger at the surface!) and 18d.
Many thanks to AP and to Huntsman
Enjoyable while it lasted with the short general at 9d my COTD. I did manage to land upon an incorrect deliver/prize combo at 28a, which held me up a bit. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman for the double helping of smooth vocal performances from Mike McDonald.
Very gentle and very enjoyable – thanks to our setter and Huntsman (and congratulations on reaching the milestone).
Top clues for me were 5d, 8d and 9d.
Tuesday perfection for a lovely sunny morning here in Shropshire. It may have been a very comfortable solve but it was still a very rewarding and enjoyable experience as usual. For a favourite I went for 9d.
My thanks to AP and The Hintsman.
1*/4*. TT – light and great fun.
My podium selection is 5d, 9d & 18d.
Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman.
Had more question marks than ticks. Lots of straightforward obvious clues and then a fog would come down. So a crossword of extremes for me. However did get there unaided and as usual last one in 25 down was a favourite. For 2 down I did spell it wrongly but if I had read the clue properly the second letter would have been an S and not a C. Will I ever learn !
Fairly clued and most enjoyable . It would be – it’s Mr. Plumb . Thankyou Huntsman.
As Typically Tuesdayish as ever – **/*****
Candidates for favourite – 11a, 12a, 21a, 4d, and 25d – and the winner is 21a.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman, keep ’em coming!
* / ****
Probably the quickest professorial outing for me. No less enjoyable for that. Ticked a few but top of the podium went to the documentary of my prowess around a pool in 8d!!!
Many thanks to Professor Plum and Huntsman
Late due to Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay.
Grand guzzle.
Our new kitchen has to be partially dismantled next week due to the wrong washing machine being installed; plus the vent above the hob blows air in to the kitchen instead of whisking it away, and the microwave is scratched. I blame Brexit, Rebecca Vardy, and Charli xcx.
Thanks to the setter and Andy On The First Tee.
Oh dear Terence that is bad luck with the kitchen.
Brexit has a lot to answer for.
We need to call the prof ‘The Postman’ as he always delivers.
The l_u_r_k_e_r made me chuckle as did 5d. I enjoyed 21a because barney is such a good word as is 29a. Annoyingly, barney is an ‘unknown origin’ jobbie though there is a theory that it derives from Barnard Castle and The Rising of the North in the 1500s.
My picks are 1a, 8d (a great scene!) and 9d.
MTTTA and Hoots (congrats on your ton and a half milestone – a fine effort….and thank you)
1*/5*
1* / 4* Strangely couldn’t get a start in the NW, so moved to the NE and everything went smoothly thereafter.
A very enjoyable puzzle with my fop three being the big moggy at 21d, moggy’s feet at 25d and the fruit at 3d
Many thanks to compiler and Huntsman
An enjoyable puzzle for me today.
Favourite 8d. I leave you to guess why.
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
Grey and cool here today….good job I have plenty to do indoors.
I’m getting on reasonably well with the Toughie by Gila. It’s worth a look.
Gentle puzzle quickly completed with every clue a gem. Warm and sunny here in Bucks. Thanks to setter and blogger.
Steady solve. I agree with Huntsman re 9d it could almost be an “all in one”.
Last in 20d.
Cotd 25d.
Thanks to setter and Huntsman.
I found this a Typical Tuesday sort of puzzle this week.
2*/3.5*
Favourites include 6a, 21a, 27a, 4d, 8d & 25d — with winners 8d & 25d that both made me smile
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
A nice gentle Tuesday offering. Have been away so a good way to start. 28a gave me pause for thought but with the checkers in place it couldn’t be anything else.
5d favourite today
Thanks to AP and Huntsman
Didn’t get round to yesterday’s so did it before tackling today’s. Both on the friendlier side with only a couple of head scratchers. Great fun – thanks to setters.
Bryan Adams on the turntable for these 🎸
Once again Tuesday provides an easier ride than Monday. DT crossword vocabulary certainly is becoming more “informal” these days. Perhaps I need to mve with the times! Needed confirmation that my 20d solution was correct and plumped for incorrect unparsed 21d.
Thank you AP and Hintsman.
Once again Tuesday provides an easier ride than Monday. DT crossword vocabulary certainly is becoming more “informal” these days. Perhaps I need to move with the times! Needed confirmation that my 20d solution was correct and plumped for incorrect unparsed 21d.
Thank you AP and Hintsman.
Apologies for repetition. I thought I had removed Comment 25 after correcting typo.
Another enjoyable puzzle from AP. It just all fell into place nicely. When I read 1a starting with Rugby my heart sank but quickly realised it was nothing to do with sport! The lucky roll has continued but it’s Wednesday tomorrow so mustn’t get too excited. Many thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
I did enjoy this one, especially the simple but clever little 25d which was new to me and made me smile. Thanks to our entertaining setter and Huntsman
A lovely puzzle which I completed this morning, lots to enjoy with 1a my favourite.
Many thanks to the setter and to huntsman for the hints.
Solving was one thing, parsing was another thing entirely but managed to do both. Lots to like and enjoy. Favourite, from numerous contenders was 9d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Just finished, Tuesday morning being Old Guy’s Football. Generally a straightforward solve and a bit easier than yesterday. That said, the SE corner caused me to pause, especially 28a where I needed to check my understanding after I had entered the letters, although with all the others in place it could only be one thing.
Favourites today were 1a, had me thinking of William Webb Ellis, scrum half, hooker, etc., until the penny dropped and 8d, things to avoid in the pool.
Thank you to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
A nice and gentle offering for a Tuesday. I’ve been blogging now for a couple of years , and often see the comments as today …’must be Anthony Plumb’. I just wonder how you all know it’s him ? Is it because it’s Tuesday or does he have a certain style or calling card ? Meanwhile thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
Senf told me originally & the recent puzzles newsletter referenced Anthony Plumb as the regular Tuesday setter
Great thanks for clarifying!
Ahhh, gentler times. I needed that today. And my kind of amusing surfaces!
Pody picks – 8D’s unwanted pool things (loved that), 14D’s pants and 6A’s neat little wise lurker.
Huntsman – wonderful to see The League of Gentleman in the clips, and I enjoyed the Tom Waits song, I know so little of his intriguing catalogue.
Thanks to setter and to Huntsman ⭐️
Congratulations on the milestone, Huntsman! And “Thank You for the Music” and the Blog.
A little distracted during the solve (cricket rather than the football), a little stiff after shifting my wood pile to a neighbour’s following the replacement of my death trap log burner, and didn’t really get properly engaged with this. 14d and 21d are rather clever, and get my joint prize. Thanks to our Setter.