Monday, July 14, 2014 — DT 27422 (Bonus Puzzle)

Puzzle at a Glance

Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph DT 27422
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Setter Unknown
Link to Full Review Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 27422]
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By Gazza
BD Rating
Difficulty - ★★ / ★★★	Enjoyment - ★★
Falcon's Experience ┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐ ███████████████████████████████████ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ Legend: █ - solved without assistance █ - incorrect prior to use of puzzle solving tools █ - solved with assistance from puzzle solving tools █ - solved with aid of checking letters provided by puzzle solving tools █ - solved but without fully parsing the clue █ - unsolved or incorrect prior to visiting Big Dave's Crossword Blog █ - solved with aid of checking letters provided by solutions from Big Dave's Crossword Blog █ - reviewed by Falcon for Big Dave's Crossword Blog █ - yet to be solved
Notes
The National Post skipped this puzzle which — under its regular publication schedule — would have appeared on Monday, July 7, 2014.

Introduction

During July and August, the National Post does not publish an edition on Monday. In years past, a Monday Diversions page has sometimes been printed in either a preceding or subsequent edition of the paper. However, that practice appears to have been discontinued. As the National Post has been skipping the puzzles that would normally appear on Monday, I thought readers might enjoy the chance to tackle the missing puzzles.

So for those who are suffering from CCWS (Cryptic Crossword Withdrawal Syndrome), I present your Monday fix — namely, the puzzle that was skipped one week ago.

Notes on Today's Puzzle

This commentary is intended to serve as a supplement to the review of this puzzle found at Big Dave's Crossword Blog, to which a link is provided in the table above.

Primary indications (definitions) are marked with a solid underline in the clue; subsidiary indications (be they wordplay or other) are marked with a dashed underline in all-in-one (& lit.) clues, semi-all-in-one (semi-& lit.) clues and cryptic definitions.

Across

1a   We raise rule for ordering casual clothing (11)

9a   Usually characteristic of a period in office? (2,1,4)

I am not entirely convinced by the second definition. But then again, I have no better alternative to offer.

10a   French place in island beset by cold sadly (6)

Calais^[5] is a ferry port in northern France; population 75,790 (2006). Captured by Edward III in 1347 after a long siege, it remained an English possession until it was retaken by the French in 1558.

12a   Popular boxer in very short end to round lacking force? (7)

Muhammad Ali^[5] is an American boxer; born Cassius Marcellus Clay. He won the world heavyweight title in 1964, 1974, and 1978, becoming the only boxer to be world champion three times.

13a   Piano used by conductor giving empty talk (7)

Piano^[3,5] (abbreviation p^[5]), is a musical direction meaning either (as an adjective) soft or quiet or (as an adverb) softly or quietly.

Sir Simon Rattle^[5] is an English conductor. Principal conductor with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra 1980–91, he became chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra in 2000 and its artistic director in 2002.

14a   Athletics event is broadcast (5)

It seems that I was at the wrong event, a RALLY. No wonder I couldn't fathom the second definition.

15a   Like a horse ride without a break? (2,3,4)

On the trot^[5] is an expression meaning continually busy ⇒ I’ve been on the trot all day.

17a   Genuine source of arbitration disputed in the TUC (9)

The Trades Union Congress^[7] (TUC) is a national trade union centre, a federation of trade unions in England and Wales, representing the majority of trade unions.

20a   Musical composition captured in session one time (5)

A nonet^[5] is a musical composition for nine voices or instruments.

22a   A short time in Panama, say, for the environment (7)

24a   Small measure taken before exam? That’s wrong (7)

25a   What fiddler does in predicament (6)

26a   Second type of coffee? (7)

27a   Sushi stolen in buffet? It’s ill-bred behaviour (11)

Down

2d   Friend supporting English queen on a fair basis (7)

3d   Depot and base renovated marine vehicle (9)

4d   Summarise return of fast athlete? (5)

A pacer^[3] (also called pacemaker or pacesetter) is one who sets the pace in a race.

5d   Financial support providing mostly satisfactory food (7)

6d   Johnson, say, a winner, one having replaced leader of charisma (7)

Amy Johnson^[5] ( 1903–1941) was an English aviator. In 1930 she became the first woman to fly solo to Australia. She later set records with her solo flights to Tokyo (1931) and to Cape Town (1932).

It is interesting to note that Oxford Dictionaries Online sees no need to specify where these flights originated. After all, it could be no where other than England, could it?

I also note that Oxford would appear to be incorrect with regard to the flight to Tokyo. It was not a solo flight, as she was accompanied by co-pilot Jack Humphreys.^[7]

7d   Manufacture of a prime cheap material (6-5)

8d   Wonder created by English poet in audience (6)

Andrew Marvell^[5] (1621–1678) was an English metaphysical poet. He was best known during his lifetime for his verse satires and pamphlets attacking the corruption of Charles II and his ministers; most of his poetry was published posthumously and was not recognized until the 20th century. Notable poems: ‘To his Coy Mistress’ and ‘Bermudas’.

11d   Versatile sportsman leapt the net fantastically (11)

16d   Strategic expert showing diplomacy in charge with Scotsman (9)

The abbreviation i/c^[5] (especially in military contexts) is short for in charge of ⇒ the Quartermaster General is i/c rations.

In Crosswordland, a Scotsman is almost invariably named Ian.

In his review, Gazza comments "I’m standing by for protests from the Pedants’ Club" referring to the fact that many people will undoubtedly object to tactics and strategy being equated.

18d   Plant obtained by company following revolutionary explorer (7)

John Cabot^[5] (circa 1450-circa 1498) was an Italian explorer and navigator; Italian name Giovanni Caboto. He sailed from Bristol in 1497 in search of Asia, but in fact landed on the mainland of North America, the first European to do so.

Sebastian Cabot^[5] (circa 1475–1557) was the son of John Cabot. Sebastian accompanied his father on his voyage in 1497 and made further voyages after the latter’s death, most notably to Brazil and the River Plate (1526).

19d   Further tips for contentment in part of work? (7)

20d   Source of retribution is occupying Kent chaps on reflection (7)

Kent^[7] is a county in southeast (SE) England.

21d   Bite to consider reportedly in country (6)

I'm getting better at recognizing these homophone clues that only ring true to the British ear — and then, apparently, only to some British ears. However, this one eluded me.

The word "Norway", when pronounced in a non-rhotic^[5] British accent ("no'way"), sounds like "gnaw way". Non-rhotic accents omit the sound /r/ in certain situations, while rhotic accents generally pronounce /r/ in all contexts.

The other half of the homophone ("weigh" sounding like "way") should ring true to most ears.

23d   Journeys made by king entering very French surroundings (5)

Rex^[5] (abbreviation R^[5]) [Latin for king] denotes the reigning king, used following a name (e.g. Georgius Rex, King George) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Rex v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).

In French, très^[8] is an adverb meaning very.

Key to Reference Sources: 

^[1]   - The Chambers Dictionary, 11th Edition
^[2]   - Search Chambers - (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary)
^[3]   - TheFreeDictionary.com (American Heritage Dictionary)
^[4]   - TheFreeDictionary.com (Collins English Dictionary)
^[5]   - Oxford Dictionaries (Oxford Dictionary of English)
^[6]   - Oxford Dictionaries (Oxford American Dictionary)
^[7]   - Wikipedia
^[8]   - Reverso Online Dictionary (Collins French-English Dictionary)
^[9]   - Infoplease (Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
^[10] - CollinsDictionary.com (Collins English Dictionary)
^[11] - TheFreeDictionary.com (Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary)

Signing off for today — Falcon