Tuesday, January 19, 2010 (DT 26048)

This puzzle was originally published Thursday, October 1, 2009 in The Daily Telegraph

Introduction

Today's puzzle was a bit more of a challenge than the one yesterday. It took me a while to find a starting point, but once I did, I was able to make steady progress. I almost surrendered with one clue unsolved, but decided to take one last crack at it before heading to Big Dave's site - and was successful.

This puzzle having been published in the U.K. on Thursday means that Big Dave also released the final review of the prize puzzle that appeared the previous Saturday in The Daily Telegraph (DT 26044). As you may know, for some time now, the puzzles published on Saturday in Britain have not been carried by the National Post. Today when I arrived at Big Dave's site, I inadvertently selected the wrong review. However, I'm glad I did as I discovered not only that the theme of the Saturday puzzle had been Big Dave himself, but I also learned from Tilsit what a Nina is. Should you be curious, you can find the answer at Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog [DT 26044]-Review.

Today's Glossary

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

flysheet - noun 1 Brit. a fabric cover pitched over a tent to give extra protection against bad weather 2 a tract or circular of two or four pages [Note: in North America, the former would probably be called just a fly and the latter a flyer].

shop - verb 3 informal, chiefly Brit. inform on

toff - noun Brit. informal, derogatory a rich or upper-class person

U² - adjective Brit colloq said especially of language: typical of or acceptable to the upper classes [I wonder how Bono would feel about this definition ;-)]

Today's Links

Libellule's review of today's puzzle may be found at Big Dave's Telegraph Crossword Blog [DT 26048].

Commentary on Today's Puzzle

15a Relaxation provided for professors of heavy metal music? (7,6)

At an early stage in the solving process, I had R???ING ??????. A lot of possibilities might fit this pattern, among them ROLLING STONES and RESTING PERIOD. I must say that it brought a smile to my face when the correct solution finally hit me. Judging by comments on Big Dave's blog, this may be a clue that has been used before (perhaps even overused). However, on encountering it for the first time, I did enjoy it.

22a One rakes it in when the chips are down (8)

In cryptic clues, the most obvious reading is generally not the correct reading. Here, my initial impression was that the indicator of the solution must be the word "it" (i.e., What does one rake in when the chips are down?), and I thought perhaps it might be WINNINGS. I eventually had to erase that attempt, and (following a bit of reflection) I realized that the indicator of the solution is actually the word "one" (i.e., Who rakes it in when the chips are down?).

26a National institution started by old valet (5)

This was the last clue to be solved, but a final concentrated effort achieved success. My initial difficulty arose from associating "national" with British, rather than a foreign national. The clue could have perhaps been phrased "Arab institution started by old valet" - but maybe that would be perceived as too easy.

14d Unattractive quality of American adopting single lunatic (8)

Libellule asks "Did the setter deliberately juxtapose 1d and 17d ...?" I believe he may very well have done so. The obviously well-read Gazza has noted the literary reference in 26a to My Man Jeeves, a collection of short stories by P.G. Wodehouse published in 1919 (thus the old valet). However, no one on Big Dave's blog appears to have picked up on a similar literary reference that I believe is found in this clue. The Ugly American is the title of a 1958 political novel by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer, which (in 1963) was made into a film starring Marlon Brando.

As for the clue in the mirroring position (10d), while a flysheet may not be very literary, it could perhaps be well read.

Signing off for today - Falcon