Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31381
Hints and tips by Huntsman
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BD Rating – Difficulty * Enjoyment ***/****
After a pretty miserable start to the morning it has brightened up nicely here in Harpenden so I might even venture out onto the course this afternoon to see quite how sodden it is.
Today’s Anthony Plumb production wasn’t quite, for me at least, the Quickie pun that I found yesterday’s puzzle. I’d still judge it typically Tuesdayish and as ever it was nicely clued throughout & very enjoyable. I look forward to seeing what others make of it.
Hudson is on duty over in t’other place with his usual delightful & very accessible puzzle to kick off the new Toughie week. Whybird is on jury service so ALP is back in his old slot with, no doubt, an eclectic assortment of tunes.
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 Strange sailor rejected dance (5)
RUMBA: an adjective for strange/peculiar + a reversal (rejected) of a two-letter deck rating in the maritime service.
4a Turn up with a drink, admitting adult’s sorry? (4,5)
COME AGAIN: a verb for turn up/arrive + A from the clue then append an alcoholic drink into which you insert (admitting) the single letter for A[dult]. The definition context is a response to a failure to hear.
9a Speech includes concerning command (9)
DIRECTION: insert (includes) the usual for concerning/in respect of into a synonym for speech as in elocution or enunciation.
10a Maybe Ruby, we hear, shows some energy (5)
JOULE: a homophone (we hear) of what a ruby is an example of.
11a Scout repaired this writer’s outfit (7)
COSTUME: a first-person singular pronoun for this writer preceded by an anagram (repaired) of SCOUT.
12a Profound after religious education (7)
SINCERE: a conjunction for after/subsequent + the usual abbreviation for divinity, which is what the lessons were called in my school.
13a Urge that is consuming leaders from new companies in Tokyo (6)
INCITE: place (consuming) the 1st letters (leaders from) the last 4 words in the clue between the usual two letters for that is.
15a Hit by prat? This should protect you in a car (4,4)
SEAT BELT: a verb for hit/whack preceded by a synonym for prat in an anatomical context that dates back to 16th century slang – thinks pants.
18a Lots of our men worried us (8)
NUMEROUS: an anagram (worried) of OUR MEN then append US from the clue.
20a Fool husband with last bit of veggie wrap (6)
CLOTHE: fool/nitwit + H[usband] + [veggi]E (last bit of).
23a Dad, at home with flu, awfully tender (7)
PAINFUL: a folksy alternative for dad + the usual for at home + an anagram (awfully) of FLU.
24a Touch prisoner with sensitivity (7)
CONTACT: an informal abbreviation for a prisoner + a synonym for sensitivity/diplomacy.
26a Cries if you don’t mind leaving Spain (5)
PLEAS: remove the IVR code for Spain from a polite interjection/adverb meaning if you don’t mind.
27a The match official wore no top for that reason (9)
THEREFORE: link THE from the clue with an abbreviated term for a match official then, again from the clue, append [w]ORE omitting the 1st letter (no top).
28a I sneered nastily going round cold home (9)
RESIDENCE: insert (goes round) C[old] into an anagram (nastily) of I SNEERED.
29a Tit’s oddly captivating little cheep (5)
TWEET: place an informal synonym for little between (captivating) the alternate letters of T[i]T[s] (oddly).
Down
1d Commotion about editor making cutback (9)
REDUCTION: the usual two-letter newspaper boss abbreviation placed inside of (about) a commotion/rumpus.
2d Celebrates communist on the radio (5)
MARKS: a homophone (on the radio) of the surname of Highgate cemetery’s famous resident.
3d Story from American about member of the nobility (7)
ACCOUNT: A[merican] + the single Latin letter for about/concerning + a European rank of nobility or the rank of a major player in recent by-elections.
4d Revolts after Conservative catastrophes (6)
CRISES: a verb for revolts/rebels preceded by (after) C[onservative].
5d Church protects current member of the clergy (8)
MINISTER: an honorific title given to a large church goes round (protects) the single letter for electrical current. A surface read that sadly I fear may still be true today in spite of recent controversies.
6d Subordinate in tuxedo, French one, coming into work (7)
ADJUNCT: three elements to this charade – link the two-letter abbreviation for a tux/dinner jacket + the French numeral & place within a verb for work or perform.
7d A tense mum desperate for entertainment (9)
AMUSEMENT: an anagram (desperate) of A TENSE MUM.
8d Pleasant hugging mate’s close relative (5)
NIECE: a synonym for pleasant/agreeable goes round [mat]E (hugging/close).
14d Setters beginning to chap lips with more barking (9)
COMPILERS: C[haps] (beginning to) followed by an anagram (barking) of LIPS MORE. Neat surface.
16d Handling tamer cuckoo in tent (9)
TREATMENT: place an anagram (cuckoo) of TAMER inside of TENT from the clue.
17d Lower temperature in a German newscast (8)
BULLETIN: the usual misleading crossword context of lower (this one’s a male) then insert T[emperature] into the German for ‘a’.
19d Gave the thumbs down to rubbish day (7)
REFUSED: rubbish/garbage + the single letter for day.
21d Most spread out pine forest? Not half! (7)
LONGEST: a verb for pine/yearn + [for]est (not half).
22d Upsetting manuscript containing revolutionary European plan (6)
SCHEME: place our favourite 2d(ist) Argentine revolutionary inside of a reversal (up in a down clue) of the two-letter abbreviation for manuscript then append E[uropean].
23d Photograph former queen for The Telegraph? (5)
PAPER: a synonym for photograph that can function either as a noun or a verb (deriving from the term for intrusive freelance snappers) + the royal cypher for Elizabeth II.
25d A flower emerged (5)
AROSE: A from the clue then pick a bloom.
5&14d were the two clues I liked best in today’s puzzle. Please let us know which ones ticked your boxes.
Today’s Quick crossword pun: PEA + SUCK + ACHE = PIECE OF CAKE
Very enjoyable and not too taxing. I liked 4a and 14d, but cotd for me is 10a. Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
I found this to be a little bit more challenging than yesterday’s puzzle, but not quite as charming or humorous. The clues were excellent though, but none stood out for a podium place. Thanks to Huntsman for the hints and to the compiler.
Thai corner
Most of the solving was done in an open-air café in my village, online on my laptop, whilst eating a dish of stir-fried beef with holy basil on Thai fragrant rice with a fried egg. Total price 96 Baht, around £2. Aside from taking the opportunity to gloat at those of you who completed the puzzle in less desirable circumstances, a blogger (sorry, don’t remember who) raised the issue of how annoying the app was when it skips the letters you have already entered, which is one of my pet peeves. I totally concur with this feeling—and then, when in rational mode, wonder why I don’t feel the same anger when using a pen, where I never forget to skip the letters I have already entered!
You can adjust the app settings so it doesn’t do that, ATIB.
Top right of the app there should be a button that says ‘more’ – click that and you should get a drop down menu – uncheck ‘skip filled squares’
This is for Android app – goodness only knows how much more complicated Apple will make it!
Same on an iPhone
“wonder why I don’t feel the same anger when using a pen, where I never forget to skip the letters I have already entered!”
When you’re using a pen you’re looking at the letters appear directly in the grid. Pecking away at a mini-keyboard below the grid disconnects you from the output, so you miss the fact their are some letters already there.
A didn’t find this as straightforward as I’m sure some will, the NE corner taking me most time.
LOI was 10a which I really liked once it hit me. Didn’t know the prat meaning needed for 15a but it couldn’t have been anything else.
Loved the Quickie pun.
Top picks for me were 10a, 27a and 6d.
Thanks to Huntsman and Mr Plumb.
One or two slightly more involved clue constructions than is often the case for an early-week backpager, means I’d have added another star for difficulty.
Some convincing surfaces too, my picks are the subordinate in 6d, the newscast at 17d and 22d’s plan.
My thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
Perfection from il professore.
I’ve put a ‘surface’ tick by almost every clue.
I didn’t know what prat meant but pratfall now makes sense.
People often misspell 8d. I tell them that my 8d is from Northern Ireland (NI).
Not easy to pick three but I’ll go with 18a, 1d and the apt 14d.
MTTTA and Hoots!
1*/5*
Oh, I forgot to add ‘and’ to yesterday’s misused list. Can anyone work it out? Setters sometimes use it to make the surface of a clue work which I’m not happy with but understand why they do.
Re misuse of ‘and’: sometimes ‘and’ is used instead of ‘to’?
Nicely done, Sparky.
An unusually slow start for a Typically Tuesdayish challenge but then I accelerated to Warp Factor 10 for the finish – **/****
Candidates for favourite – 4a, 11a, 27a, 2d, and 4d – and the winner is 2d.
Thanks to Mr Plumb and Huntsman.
I wasn’t quite sure about the first word of 15a, but apart from that a very enjoyable and entertaining puzzle.
10a gets my vote – very clever!
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman.
Straightforward on a par with yesterday’s puzzle – thanks to our setter and Huntsman.
I liked 4a, 15a, 6d and the Quickie pun.
I found that tougher than many a Tuesday offering but then I’m suffering from man flu, which might be actual flu according to my smart watch. The assistant at 6d was my favourite. Thanks very much to the setter and to Huntsman for the tunes etc.
Another very accessible and enjoyable puzzle from our regular Tuesday setter. As always, it was elegantly clued and all you had to do was follow the instructions and you were done. Lots of potential winners, but my favourite was the popular 10a.
My thanks to AP and The Hintsman.
A good selection of clues made this puzzle a delight to solve. Couldn’t work out why the answer to 15a was ‘seat belt’ so thanks to Huntsman et al for enlightening me! Favourite clues included 10a, 27a, 6d and 22d. Thanks to AP and Huntsman for the hints.
A painless puzzle pleasingly practicable.
My favourites were Karl and Che, 2d and 22d.
The derivation of “prat” is interesting – 15a.
Thanks to setter and hinter.
I know many will be aching to know this – the bin men were very late today so I have only just retrieved the bins from the neighbouring county, where they had been abandoned.
In other out of date news – yes I agree that Cole Palmer’s first offence should have been a red card. It looked that way in the stadium and replays confirmed that view. He is usually quite a serence fellow (though a bit of a moaner) so the two incidents were a surprise. Adrenaline perhaps.
Grand guzzle – tricky but within my grasp.
Thanks to Mr Perpendicular, and Andy (in his wellies) On The First Tee
Love the way you have made a portmanteau our of serene and Terence
Like a swan gliding across a lake, calm above, furious paddling below
Found this much harder than yesterday and also not as entertaining.
Mostly a Typical Tuesday for me.
2*/3.5*
Favourites 10a, 23a, 24a, 5d, 19d & 25d — with winner 23a
Thanks to AP & Huntsman
A very enjoyable solve today with the NE corner providing the stumbling block. Why I couldn’t see 10a …. grrr I was a scientist in a former life. Lots of smiles today, my favourite being the cooler German news report at 17d. Also good to see I’m not the only one who was ignorant re prat – now if only I can get that nugget to stick in my brain. Thanks to setter and hintsman.
Another very enjoyable puzzle which I found a bit more taxing than yesterday. I had the wrong answer in for 10 across, that which appears in fruit rather than the more sensible correct word. My favourites were 4 across and 15. Thanks to Tom D, I managed to get there in the end. Thanks to the setter and to Huntman.
Well done, Etienne.
Tomorrow tends to be a step up in difficulty.
Brace yourself….
Another very enjoyable puzzle which I found a bit more taxing than yesterday. I had the wrong answer in for 10 across, that which appears in fruit rather than the more sensible correct word. My favourites were 4 across and 15. Thanks to Tom D, I managed to get there in the end. Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the tips.
A very good Tuesday puzzle with a few head scratchers with prat being the only unknown.
Many thanks to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints.
1*/4*. TT with 10a my favourite of many ticked clues joined on my podium by 15a & 6d.
Many thanks to AP and to Hintsman.
This seemed harder to get into today but maybe it is just me (or should I say us. George is usually sitting next to me as we guzzle). Favourites were 4,13,26a and 4,&14d. I liked the idea of compilers being barking. 15a was last one in as I couldn’t justify seat’ but if the boss says it is OK then it must be so. Many thanks to our Setter (does he have lovely russet coloured hair as in the picture?) and to the Hintsman who, I guess, is enjoying the same sort of weather as we have some miles up the road.
I did not find this as straightforward as many seem to have.
I was a bit bothered by some of the definitions too…does 12a really mean profound ? Or 4d mean subordinate?
I was not aware of the definition of prat….thanks Huntsman.
Favourite 20a
Thanks to the setter and to Huntsman
Very stormy here today ( and worse last night with torrential rain as well as high winds) but thankfully things seem to be abating now….a bit. Not a day for going outside , that’s for sure. Fortunately not much damage in the garden except for some fencing which always comes down in a bad storm.
Found this much more testing than one star difficulty and way trickier than yesterday. Looking back it is hard to see quite why that was the case.
Thanks to the setter and to the man with the hints
A small step up in difficulty from yesterday with the NE providing one head scratcher, to wit the 6d subordinate, with LOI the energy an immediate write in. I needed the BRB to confirm the usage of photograph in 23d and the prat in the car at 15a, otherwise an enjoyable and satisfying romp from AP. All completed before I went out for an enjoyable and satisfying romp around the golf course. Now to see what Hudson has to offer.
My thanks to AP and Huntsman
1*/3.5*
Slow start but picked up once we (gf and me) got going. Did it corner by corner, NE last with 6d and 10a last in.
Re 15a, calling someone a prat is the same insult as calling them an arse. I appear to be a ruder person than most of you nice bloggers who didn’t know the word!
1.5*/3.5* Excellent quickie pun and another fairly straightforward and enjoyable puzzle for a Tuesday
Best of a good bunch include the 17d newscast , 4a sorry and 28a lots
Thanks to the compiler and The Huntsman
I liked seeing a German under the lower, and the rest was as Typically Tuesdayish as they come.
I’ll join the club of those that learned that prat was synonymous with (_!_)
Thanks to AP and Huntsman
Another enjoyable puzzle, maybe not quite on a par with yesterday’s but a pleasant solve. Sort confirmation for 10a, first word of 15a and 23d. Many thanks to the setter and Huntsman.
An enjoyable romp and finished, unaided, in a respectable time. No great favourites today but thank you to the setter and to Huntsman for the hints, which I will now peruse.
*** / ***
Get excuses in early: blocked drains, Seven Trent haven’t fixed it yet, daughter’s birthday, grandkids everywhere, father-in-law in town etc etc. found this really hard but as each fell became convinced that on another day this might only have been a 1* diifuclty and 4* enjoyment. Oh and I forgot madness at work. Thanks to the Prof and Huntsman
1*/3* for me. Rather a quickie pun, really. I liked 17d, though. Thanks to both setter and reviewer.
I’m with the minority who found this extremely difficult, harder than the toughie actually. 15a and 23d were bung ins for reasons mentioned by others and I wasn’t entirely convinced by 12a either. Not really one for me and no real favourite but if pressed I’d go with 27a. Thanks to AP anyway and Huntsman.
I never find Tuesday particularly easy nor that enjoyable really, I just can’t seem to get on the setter’s wavelength. Very often the toughie is easier and more enjoyable for me. The Hudson toughie this week was a delight to solve.
For me this was a little harder than yesterdays , but an enjoyable solve with some great clues. I felt very pleased to parse 6d , as I had heard the word but didn’t know its meaning. That said not many words with dj in them. Yesterday there was a powercut, so did yesterday’s candlelit in front of the fire, I didn’t blog as was saving my batteries. Thankfully power came back in the early hours of this morning but was out for 15 hours . Anyway makes one think about how we take things for granted, and of course being prepared , which I sort of was. I was really glad for a cup of tea this morning ! Thanks to AP and Huntsman.
Not as straightforward as most Tuesdays but did get there in the end with the West coming on board ahead of the East. Some flimsy synonyms e.g. 21d. Fail to parse 15a although am aware of “prat”. Thanks AP and Hintsman.
Not much time for the crosswords currently. Still, a nice way to end the day.
A handful held me up a little, the 6D and 10A pair being the last to go.
Pody places go to the Lego of 17D (answer came a while before the parsing), 18A’s surface and the 27A reasoned construction.
Thanks to AP and Huntsman ⭐️ Withnail & I – must watch that again soon, maybe I’ll manage at Xmas 📺