Daily Telegraph Puzzle Number DT 26336 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph Friday, September 3, 2010 | |
Setter Giovanni | |
Link to Full Review Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 26336] | |
Big Dave's Review Written By Gazza | |
Big Dave's Rating | |
| Difficulty - *** | Enjoyment - *** |
Falcon's Performance **** | |
Introduction
I seemed to be tuned into the setter's frequency today and thought I might complete the puzzle without opening my Tool Chest. Alas, I stalled on the last clue (which was 24a). Thus, I finished one solution short of a perfect five stars. Furthermore, my performance was tainted by failing to pick up on the subtlety in 5d that is explained by Gazza in his review.
Today's Glossary
Selected abbreviations, people, places, words and expressions appearing in today's puzzle
Appearing in Solutions:
elevated - adjective 5 colloquial [seemingly British] slightly drunk
Inca - [American Heritage Dictionary] noun 1b. A ruler or high-ranking member of the Inca empire
lag 3 - noun British informal a person who has been frequently convicted and sent to prison: both old lags were sentenced to ten years' imprisonment
red top (not hyphenated) - [Oxford Dictionaries Online] noun British a tabloid newspaper
Although Oxford does not hyphenate the word, Collins does. Search Chambers does not include it:rural dean - noun 1 British a member of the clergy exercising supervision over a group of parochial clergy within a division of an archdeaconry
red-top (hyphenated) - [Collins English Dictionary] noun a tabloid newspaper characterized by sensationalism [from the colour of the masthead on these publications]
Territorial Army (abbreviation TA) - noun in the UK: a fully trained volunteer force intended to provide back-up to the regular army in cases of emergency
Commentary on Today's Puzzle
18d Prosperous region as horrible place for one stranded by the coast? (8)
The two most prosperous regions of the UK are London and the area located (ironically) to the south and west of it, South East England. The two regions together constitute what seems to be colloquially referred to as the South East. For a more detailed discussion of this topic see my review of DT 26324.
Signing off for today - Falcon
Again the top left held me up, but completed it this time.
ReplyDeleteLast in: 1a, 4d, 13a, 24a!
Filled in 24a without knowing why, had to see the explanation on BD.
Favorite clue: 5d. Also enjoyed 19a, 11a, 21a, 22a, 15d.
Falcon, take note of 10a! :)
-- Pete
Hi Pete,
ReplyDeleteYes I noted my namesake in 10a. I doubt if there is any connection; however, a British setter once produced a puzzle having Big Dave as the theme.
Falcon