This puzzle, by Shamus, was originally published in The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Introduction
I was relieved to see that Gazza awarded this puzzle four stars for difficulty as my Tool Chest was hauled out early today and its contents subjected to intensive use. I finally threw in the towel with the wordplay in one clue still a mystery. As I discovered from Gazza's review, my problem was due to having an incorrect solution for that clue. Only one letter was wrong - but it might as well have been all of them.
Today's Glossary
Some possibly unfamiliar abbreviations, people, places, words and expressions used in today's puzzle
Used in Clues:
transfix - verb 2 pierce with a sharp implement or weapon: a field mouse is transfixed by the curved talons of an owl.
Used in Solutions:
bin - verb 1 informal throw (something) away by putting it in a bin: piles of junk that should have been binned years ago. [Note: This usage is new to me, despite also appearing in American dictionaries]
hat trick - noun three successes of the same kind within a limited period, in particular (in soccer) the scoring of three goals in a game by one player or (in cricket) the taking of three wickets by the same bowler with successive balls. Origin: late 19th century, originally referring to the club presentation of a new hat (or some equivalent) to a bowler taking three wickets successively.
OR - abbreviation Military, British other ranks (as opposed to commissioned officers).
sombre - [American Heritage Dictionary] adjective Chiefly British variant of somber.
tick1 - noun 2 British informal a moment: I shan't be a tick; I'll be with you in a tick.
Today's Links
Gazza's review of today's puzzle may be found at Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 26255].
Commentary on Today's Puzzle
10a Bowler, maybe, getting first of records in instant - with this? (3,5)
The clue is built around cricket imagery. In cricket, the taking of three wickets by the same bowler with successive balls is known as a hat trick. But the term is also used in other sports.
In hockey, as in soccer, the scoring of three goals in one game by an individual player is called a hat trick. When this feat is accomplished, it is customary for hockey fans to toss their hats onto the ice (playing surface).
1d A chapel that's empty in service say showing sentimentality (7)
I came very close to finding the solution, but missed by the narrowest of margins. I thought that the definition was "showing sentimentality" for which I figured the solution would have to be TREACLY. Unfortunately, for me, the definition is merely "sentimentality" and the solution is TREACLE. I see from the chatter on Big Dave's site that I am not alone in taking a wrong turn on this clue.
14d Evidence of flagging? It's raised raw feeling (9)
I thought that "raw looking" might have been more apt than "raw feeling" here.
Signing off for today - Falcon
Toughie 3257
10 hours ago
Re 10a there is also the angle that a bowler is a type of hat so that 'bowler maybe' leads you to 'hat'.
ReplyDeleteHi anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the bowler being a type of hat. I didn't go into that aspect as Gazza covered it in his review. In my commentary, I aim to complement what has already been written on Big Dave's site and I try to avoid duplicating what already appears there. But yes, as Gazza says "Put the item of clothing that a bowler is an example of (maybe) in front of a short time (instant) with the first letter of R(ecords) inside." That is, the wordplay is HAT (bowler maybe) + (getting) {R (first of records) contained in (in) TICK (instant)}.
Falcon