Monday, September 28, 2009 (DT 25928)

This puzzle was originally published Thursday, May 14, 2009 in The Daily Telegraph

Introduction

Today's puzzle, while not especially difficult, contains a number of interesting clues having smooth surface readings that, in many cases, very nicely conceal the underlying wordplay.

Today's Glossary

Some possibly unfamiliar abbreviations, people, places, words and expressions used in today's puzzle

OB - abbrev. old boy: (defn. 1) Brit. a former male pupil of a school

RE - abbrev. Royal Engineers: the Corps of Royal Engineers in the British Army (also known in Britain as sappers)

Today's Links

Gazza's review of today's puzzle may be found at Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog [DT 25928].

Commentary on Today's Puzzle

9a Plain dish with a bun in the middle (7)

To my mind, the leap from "bun in the middle" to "the middle letter of bun" is a bit of a stretch. But then again, all's fair in love, war and crossword puzzle clues.

21a Cheer very quietly during a double somersault (7)

Although easily finding the solution based on the definition and the checking letters, I must admit that I had no idea how one gets from "a double somersault" to "A LAUD" until I read Gazza's review (after which I gave myself a good swift kick for having missed the fairly obvious wordplay).

Signing off for today - Falcon