Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3394 (Hints)
Hints and tips by Senf
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A very good Sunday morning from Winnipeg. Thanks to Huntsman for subbing on Thursday while I was away on an unexpected enjoyable travel event. Slightly shorter than planned otherwise you would be ‘seeing’ Cryptic Sue again today.
For me, and I stress for me,© – lateral thinking required! Three anagrams (one partial), two lurkers (not hinted, so don’t forget the ‘if all else fails look for . . .’), and no homophones, all in a symmetric 28 clues; with 14 hints ‘sprinkled’ throughout the grid, all BRB verified where necessary, you should/might be able to get some of the checkers to enable the solving of the unhinted clues. I hope you have your Crimson Tomes at hand! You might even need your favourite e-search ‘assistant’!
Remember that Reading the Hints before commenting can be beneficial!
If it is some time since you read, or if you have never read the instructions in RED below the hints then please consider doing so before commenting today as my electronic blue pencil is at the ready and the Naughty Step is OPEN!
Candidates for favourite – 13a, 20a, 28a, 2d, 4d, 8d, 18d, 26d, and an HM for the Pun.
As is usual for the weekend prize crosswords, a number of the what I very subjectively perceive to be the more difficult clues have been selected and hints provided for them.
Most of the terms used in these hints are explained in the Glossary and examples are available by clicking on the entry under “See also”. Where the hint describes a construct as “usual” this means that more help can be found in The Usual Suspects, which gives a number of the elements commonly used in the wordplay. Another useful page is Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, which features words with meanings that are not always immediately obvious.
A full review of this puzzle will be published after the closing date for submissions.
Some hints follow:
Across
1a Get down and chase butterfly (11)
A single word term equivalent to get down (food) and synonym of chase.
11a Drop of martini initially with sweet vermouth (4)
The initially letters of Of and Martini and (with) an informal synonym for sweet vermouth.
16a Typo, one alongside em dash (8)
The Roman numeral for one placed after (alongside) the letter that sounds like em followed by a synonym of dash (on foot).
17a Bluff sheltering some in deep valley (6)
A synonym of bluff (criminally?) containing (sheltering) a synonym of some.
20a Not right, person tethering scamp? (8)
A back to front clue – start with a synonym of scamp (for a child) and follow it with a single word term for a person tethering (a horse?).
27a Walk following the correct course in the country? (14)
A double definition – the first is a health benefit?
28a Small change in farm diet (11)
Another double definition – the illustration should provide the answer.
Down
2d Achieve big noise with march saving pieces for oboe, say (4,10)
I am sure someone must have heard the tea tray PDM at 1:40am GMT! A three letter term for achieve, a synonym of big noise, and (with) a synonym of march containing (saving) the 32 pieces on a board of 64 squares.
3d Veg out that made me laugh and laugh at first (4)
Apologies, my 14d does occasionally lapse. The first four letters of the words preceding first. Text speak for laugh and the first letter of Laugh.
6d Possible destination of UK ferry, a state in America (4)
A three letter abbreviation of a possible(?) destination of UK ferry followed by A from the clue.
8d Near-ancient wrinkly? (11)
An anagram (wrinkly) of NEAR ANCIENT.
14d Organ: it has left part of the UK (5)
A part of the UK with IT deleted (has left).
18d Love brawl to get hold of that empty dish (8)
The letter that can represent love in a racquet game score and a synonym of brawl containing (to get hold of) ThaT with the interior letters removed (empty).
26d Raised whip driving game (4)
The reversal of a synonym of whip for a game with a description widely—and mistakenly—attributed to Mark Twain.
Quick Crossword Pun:
ARMY + KNEE + BUZZ + SEDITION = OMNIBUS EDITION
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Musician, singer and songwriter Roy Wood, founder member of the freakbeat (I have no idea what that means) group The Move was born on this day in 1946. He was band leader, lead guitarist, and main songwriter and wrote the group’s only number one hit Blackberry Way which reached that position in 1968 – I think he is the ‘shaggy’ one on the LH side of the line up:
Welcome back!
I loved 2d too, but maybe a little later than 01:40.
I came to check if you were back and if you were going with your usual Evening Hymn for Remembrance Day, but I guess you are saving it for Wednesday
Thanks to Dada and Senf, I’ll be back to tackle the rest of this after I have seen The Light in t’other place
A typical Dada Sunday Prize Puzzle.
I have just taken my two canine charges for a 27a and 9a I’ll be sorting out the 28a for my feathered charges. Hopefully our neighbours will be back from a visit to, and overnight stay at, Legoland around lunchtime, so I can relax this afternoon
Thanks to Dada and Senf
Nice use of the clues, CS!
I thought this was a wonderful puzzle which took me a while to get into. However once in, it all unravelled nicely with lots of excellent clues whereby you simply had to follow the instructions. Thanks to all and off soon to lunch at the Lighthouse in Aldeburgh run by the convivial Sam and his merry gang.
Thanks to our setter today and Senf whose hints I didn’t need but like to read anyway.
What a fab part of the world Aldeburgh is, M.
Have a great lunch.
Yes, lovely part of the world and yummy lunch. Yet again chose Korean duck confit with a bottle of Viognier and here is Mr Manders with Sam if I’m clever enough to post it!!!
You certainly are, you modern gadget guru!
What a great pic. Good to see he is sporting a fine Salcombe-based brand. Another beautiful part of the world.
I haven’t been there in 20+ years and hear that the delightful Claire’s is no more.
I was told by a friend that the restaurant had closed down. But, it looks like I’m wrong,
Is anyone able to confirm?
Which restaurant TD?
Claire’s in Salcombe. Yer fella is wearing a top from Quba who are based in Salcombe.
I’m hoping someone on the blog lives in the area.
There is a branch of Cuba in Aldeburgh and we nip in whenever we are down there. We both love the clothing. Mr M has loads and I bought a lovely jumper in the sale yesterday. Great shop.
Sorry you are correct its Quba!
Good to know.
For no reason at all…
007 is having a (Havana) Cuban cigar in a Q Bar in Cuba.
Good to hear you had a good lunch Manders and Mr M looks very happy.
Lovely photo of Mr Manders and the Korean duck confit sounds tasty!
The later comment about Quba made me get up and check the origin of my favourite well used coat. As thought, by Quba and purchased when visiting Aldeburgh, whilst holidaying at Southwold.
I thought that this was tough. On first read through I had 7d and that was about it. Thought it was going to be a could not start let alone a dnf. Having given it a break to do some jobs for Mrs P, had another look and slowly cracked the rest. 10d took me an age to parse and I’m not convinced by 3d, but no doubt it’s in the BRB. My podium comprises 6d, 15d and 28a. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
2*/4*. I enjoyed this a lot. It all came together quite smoothly although the final couple of answers took a bit of teasing out.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
A very gentle and enjoyable puzzle today.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf.
I think the hint to 3d needs a tweak.
On the other channel I am finding Light anything but!
Quite a gentle challenge but very enjoyable to solve with excellent surfaces and plenty of humour. My only complaint would be that if an obscure bit of general knowledge is required for it to form half of a four letter word it does not seem fair. I will leave it to the holder of the red pen to decide if the last sentence is redacted. As I’m living in exile I thought 15D was a brilliant clue as it reminds me of ISIHAC and the supremely enjoyable Uxbridge English Dictionary round. It may be my personal political leaning but I wonder if 27A was a commentary inspired by current events across the pond. Other contenders for the podium were 17A and 28A with the latter being awarded the crown. Thanks to Senf for the hints and to the compiler for a very enjoyable puzzle,
I’m not sure about your answer to 3D. That was my initial thought then, I but hit upon using the text speak for laughing then laughing (at first) which seems to fit the definition better.
I agree
I agree. I am also confused about the hint to 2D. I’m sure I’m missing something I would be grateful for clarification.
Senf has it correct in his hint: synonym of achieve, synonym of big noise, a five letter word meaning march, into which is inserted (saving) pieces (on a board).
It was this part of the hint that confused me. ”I am sure someone must have head the tea tray PDM at 1:40am GMT!”.
The 2d hint should read “heard” not “head”.
Yes, a 16a on my part now fixed.
That’s what I had.
I’ve just emailed Senf to point this out so hopefully he’ll change the hint soon
Thanks for clarifying this as the first 4 letter approach didn’t make sense to me either. At least I changedy answer before submitting the winning entry for the mythical.
I agree too!
Now fixed – thanks to all.
I agree with the LoL parsing. 😊
What a great puzzle. I had no ticks against anything for ages and then suddenly my page was covered in them.
Top picks for me were 20a, 15d, 2d, 8d, 17a, 13a and 14d.
I liked the Quickie pun.
Thanks to Senf and Dada.
A very entertaining puzzle from Dada this week – thanks to him and Senf.
I very rarely pick an anagram as my favourite clue but I thought that 8d was excellent, Other ticks went to 28a, 2d and 3d.
Finished with help from CS but my brain hurts! V clever clues but at the very end of my somewhat limited ability. Thx to all.
Our regular Sunday setter was on fine form this morning, with a sparkling puzzle that was full of terrific clues and nice misdirection. I had 2 and 8d as co-favourites.
My thanks as always to both Dada and Senf.
The hint for 3d is not correct.
See Comment thread 8 and bear in mind that Senf is in Canada and may not be up yet
Not much in the top half on the first pass, but the south was more productive and the rest flowed quite nicely, especially after I remembered the US author. Nicely devious in it’s constructions and highly entertaining. Apart from the change to 3d where I went along the same route as Senf (see comment 8), it was completed unaided. My favourites were 10d, 28a and 7d.
Many thanks to Dada and Senf
I found this week’s Dada puzzle not exactly one of his friendliest I have encountered. Certainly his personal thesaurus was in use as was his ability to be quirky throughout the grid.
3*/3* for me
Favourites include 1a, 9a, 4d, 6d, 8d & 15d — with winner 9a
Thanks to Dada & Senf
A very nicely crafted puzzle from Radio that was a pleasure to solve.
I always feel like Jason, sailing through the Strait of Messina, when trying to solve the quartet of five letter clues in the middle, praying that at least four of the eight checkers are consonants. Happily, there were five. So, I managed to negotiate them with my LOI being the splendid 15d. Clues with this ending or ‘ish’ are great fun.
I managed to recall the synonym for ‘walk’. Goodness knows how. I knew the meaning of ’em’ but have never heard of the term ’em dash’ even though it makes complete sense. Nor did I know that a minibeast is an invertebrate. Every day and all that nonsense…
Doesn’t the lorry in 21d need an antipodean indicator?
My picks are 9a, 25d and the absolutely superb 8d. I used to call people of a certain age wrinklies and crumblies. But, I’ve stopped as I’m almost one myself. A brilliant clue.
MTTTA and the Manitoban mountie.
3*/4*
According to one of your least favourite reference books, 21d is a non-regional informal short form of a 15 letter two word phrase.
My dad is from Dorset and has talked of these lorries, in a local work-related sense, since I was young.
Thanks, S.
Obviously, the reference book means nothing to me. But, having just done some online research, I see that it’s used in the Yorkie world and originated in old Blighty not ‘Dan Unda’. I stand erected (the sort of thing Stanley Unwin would say).
Ta muchly, once more, for answering my question.
Attended a black-tie event this weekend as a guest of a local free paper, for whom I write a monthly quick crossword, at the Adur & Worthing Business Awards. They got a commendation (aka runner-up) in the ‘Business in the Community’ category. 🥈
Back to solving, I enjoyed this PP’s style a good deal more than yesterday’s. LOI was 11A, an education re the sweet vermouth synonym – and I do *love* a Negroni these days 🥃
I’m not yet clear on the square-bashing parsing of 23A … can someone assist?
Pody picks – enjoyed the surface/answer tie-in of 16A, the lurking simplicity of the not-long 25A clue, and 28A’s neat double-definition.
Thanks to Dada and to CS ⭐️
Square-bashing is military slang for a type of practicing.
Hi Wriggles
Dada is referring to a parade square.
Good on you for compiling the quick crosswords. You should have a nod to indicate that it’s one of yours. Maybe always have one clue to do with a runner as it has so many meanings: bean, messenger, skate blade, rug, fugitive, smuggler, table decoration or even not paying for a meal! And, of course, an athlete.
Or maybe not.
Thank you both, good to know.
I do like the suggestion Tom, it would likely be lost on most of the audience. With all due respect to them it is, entirely reasonably, not such a committed crosswording audience as this fine community here.
I’m really suggesting it for your personal pleasure…or challenge.
It’s probably too difficult and therefore not worth it.
If I was doing a quickie and knew the day it was coming out, I’d have an answer to do with that day in history. Just the occasional one, mind you.
One doesn’t need to be putting unnecessary pressure on oneself now, does one.
I do like a challenge – speaking of which I’ve put a small puzzle book together as a London Marathon 2027 fund-raiser, but more on that soon …
Splendid.
I look forward to hearing more about it.
An intricate and ingenious puzzle that was a pleasure to finally fathom out.
I’m in the same camp as Senf et al regarding 3d.
24d – am I alone in initially inserting L and then a village in Bucks for the organ?
I liked 7d – another forgotten author.
Thanks to setter and hinter.
Should be 14d not 24d
For me, and I stress for me (© Senf) I’m in tearing haste – The Mighty Chelsea kick orf against the Mackem of Sunderland in eighteen minutes. Brevity is my watchword today.
Yes that’s Roy Wood in the sparkly jacket.
Some glues lemon squeezy; some H-A-R-D but a really good guzzle.
Thanks to Da-doo-ron-ron and The (globe trotting) Man From Manitoba
They Mackem, we tackem
Good to see the Billy Elliot revival at The Sunderland Empire,features Billy in Red and White
Mama Bee is going on her 90yh birthday 27th Nov
It was a sliw astart but years of nature walks with my son came to my aid to fond the clever 1a. It wss2d’s intricate lego construction that came next, followed by my COTD, the wickedly sly geographical clue at 6d. Finally, I have never read any of the books of 7d but enjoyed the clever word play of this clue. Thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints .
Lots to like today with the long wait getting my CotD vote. Thank you Dada and Senf
I thought this was great, a nice steady solve and no special knowledge required. So many great clues almost too many to choose a favourite but I may go for 27a. We rescued a street cat when we lived in the Middle East whom we named Cheeky. He was part Arabian mau and the nosiest cat we have ever owned. Every morning after yowling for his breakfast he would exit through the cat door loudly announcing he was off for his morning 27a. This clue made me smile as I remembered him.
Anyway thanks to Senf and the setter.
In to Milly-la-foret tonight for our last beer o’clock before heading home to Blighty on Tuesday (all bars and and most shops are closed on Monday)
A nice puzzle with just the right level of difficulty for a futile attempt at the mythical (aka Sunday Prize Puzzle) I thought.
2d took an age to parse and had never heard of the term Minibeast, in 24a, before – how long has that been a thing I wonder?
Thanks to Dada for the challenge and to Senf for the hints
Difficult but doable but we got there in the end. Favourite was 2d. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
Lovely puzzle with ticks aplenty – like Gazza 8d was my fav with podium spots for two other long ‘uns at 27&28a. 👍 for the pun in the Quickie pangram. Good to see 7d popping up – remember reading his books at boarding school & Robert Aldrich’s adaptation of Kiss Me Deadly was a hugely influential film that inspired many a film director including Quentin Tarantino.
Thanks to Dada & welcome back to Senf.
3* / 4* A terrific Sunday puzzle, with 11a of all the clues doubling my completion time!
Plenty of favourites to choose from, I’ll go for the dastardly drop at 11a, small change at 28a and the 7d author
Thanks to Senf and compiler
I got off to a slow start but cracking the long clues was really helpful. I realised that 7d was an anagram but never heard of the author. Just looked him up and realise why I didn’t find him under writers! 3d caused a silly delay. Many thanks to Dada and Senf (lovely photo of 1a)
I don’t get chance to comment everyday and may have missed something on the blog but rather concerned that I haven’t seen anything from Daisygirl for awhile?
This was a great puzzle which for me was a steady solve but got held up by a few. Having read the comments I have realised that I have 3d wrong , so the mythical won’t be turning up at my door this week – doh ! I could not get my head around 11a, and it was my last one in. I even questioned if I had the first word of 10d correct as couldn’t parse it until the penny dropped re the word standing. In the end I turned to the BRB , and all became clear. What a brilliant clue it turned out to be. A great workout. Thanks to Dada and Senf.
An enjoyable puzzle and any holdups were probably just down to me and my inability sometimes to recognize which word is the definition. Surprised myself by getting the butterfly. Thanks for Dada and Senf.
Drawing a line from top right to bottom left, I found the clues above the line ok but struggled with those in the lower triangle. All good though.
What a great puzzle, lots of head scratching but so satisfying to complete.i had 2d as my favourite.
Many thanks to Dada and to Senf for the hints.
Is anyone else having trouble loading and printing puzzles? Just recently I tried to print from the DT main app but there is a known glitch apparently and I was told to use the DT puzzles app which takes ages to load and then once in when I click on the puzzle I want to print I just get the little round thingy. Tonight I waited for 25 minutes but still the puzzle wouldn’t load. Is it just me?
No problems for me other than, strangely, the puzzle is often available on the app before it is available on the web site, or vice versa.
I do have to say that the screen shot you have included is nothing like what I see. Do you the latest version of the app?
Anyway you should have today’s puzzle in your mailbox.
P.S. I do access the web page on a laptop rather than my phone
I will try from my laptop despite having been successfully printing from both my iPhone and iPad up until now. I do have the latest version of the app so don’t think that’s the culprit. DT customer service has said it’s being investigated as they are aware of the print problem in the app. Thanks again for your help and sending me today’s puzzle. I can’t get to sleep without the DT crossword!
My MacBook is fine but I have had problems using the app on my iPad. It just has the round circle that goes round and nothing happens. Restarting my iPad solves it but it’s a bit of a nuisance. It doesn’t happen all the time. It happens on my wife’s iPad too.
Good morning
I could kick myself! I really could. Last night I hoyed the sponge in with 21d and 28a left to go. My poor little braincell had begun to hurt, so I called it quiteroonies for the night.
Went straight to Senf’s blog this morning, looked at the hint, and bang! Instant twigging, after which 21d fell into place.
Facepalm moment!
Thank you to Dada and to Senf.