Tuesday, November 10, 2009 (DT 25981)

This puzzle was originally published Wednesday, July 15, 2009 in The Daily Telegraph

Introduction

A rather nicely crafted puzzle today - about average in difficulty and quite enjoyable to do.

Today's Glossary

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

IR - abbrev. Inland Revenue: "the Tax Man" in Britain

Leyton Orient F.C. - an English professional football club based in east London

Andrew Strauss - captain of the England cricket team

up - adverb (defn. 9) Brit. to or at college or university

upmarket - Brit. upscale

Today's Links

Big Dave's review of today's puzzle may be found at Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog [DT 25981].

Commentary on Today's Puzzle

9a Owner backing company trophy by worker (8)

My first reaction to this clue was that an occupant is not necessarily the owner. This is certainly true in the case of an apartment (flat), where the occupant may be a renter. However, Oxford defines occupant as "1 a person who occupies a place at a given time" and "2 the holder of a position or office". I suppose, in the former sense, someone who occupies a spot (area on a beach, table at a nightclub, etc.) could be said to "own" it. Similarly, a holder of an office might be said to "own" it (until such time as he/she is removed from office).

12a Some advice captain had for very chilly region (6)

I quickly discovered that this "this very chilly region" is not the Arctic - but it may be found there.

13a Item broadcast before family rejected anti-war activist (8)

"Broadcast" is often an anagram indicator, but in this clue (and again at 22d) it is a homonym (sounds like) indicator.

2d Subtle line about Barack's latest small change in Washington? (6)

Here, "small change in Washington" is a NICKEL which is comprised of "subtle (anagram indicator) LINE (= NIEL) around (containing) baraCK's latest (last part of baraCK)". While constructions such as this ("Barack's latest") often signal merely the last letter, they may sometimes (as is the case today) indicate more than just the last letter. One might possibly imagine "Barack's latest" to be K and "small change" to be C. However, that theory would meet with at least two objections. First, the letters would be in the wrong order; and second, "small change" forms part of the definition "small change in Washington".

19d Rate end of game after tie's reviewed (8)

On first reading, one might surmise that "end of game" indicates the last letter of "game". However, look again. After you check, you will find the conclusion to a game of chess.

Signing off for today - Falcon