Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28062 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28062] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Gazza | |
BD Rating
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| 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
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Notes
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The National Post has skipped DT 28061 which was published in The Daily Telegraph on Monday, March 14, 2016.
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Introduction
There seems to be a bit of a winter recreation theme in today's puzzle. Quite refreshing with the mercury pushing 30° C. As Gazza points out in his review at Big Dave's Crossword Blog, there is also an abundance of North American references in this puzzle.I invite you to leave a comment to let us know how you fared with the puzzle.
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. Explicit link words and phrases are enclosed in forward slashes (/link/) and implicit links are shown as double forward slashes (//). Definitions presented in blue text are for terms that appear frequently.
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. Explicit link words and phrases are enclosed in forward slashes (/link/) and implicit links are shown as double forward slashes (//). Definitions presented in blue text are for terms that appear frequently.
Across
1a Earthenware pot // bishop brought into model prison? (4-3)
"bishop" = B (show explanation )
Toby jug[5] (also called toby[10]) is a chiefly British term for a beer jug [pitcher] or mug in the form of a stout old man wearing a three-cornered hat.
5a Policeman // in charge on board tender (7)
"in charge" = IC (show explanation )
The abbreviation i/c[5] can be short for either
The abbreviation i/c[5] can be short for either
- (especially in military contexts) in charge of ⇒
the Quartermaster General is i/c rations
; or - in command ⇒
2 i/c = second in command
.
9a Red-haired man, // fine American attached to game (5)
"fine" = F (show explanation )
F[5] is an abbreviation for fine, as used in describing grades of pencil lead [a usage that Oxford Dictionaries surprisingly characterizes as British].
hide explanation
F[5] is an abbreviation for fine, as used in describing grades of pencil lead [a usage that Oxford Dictionaries surprisingly characterizes as British].
hide explanation
Rugby union[10] (abbreviation RU[5]) is a form of rugby football played between teams of 15 players (in contrast to rugby league[5], which is played in teams of thirteen).
Rufus was a Roman cognomen which meant "red-haired" in Latin. As a nickname it was used by William II Rufus, a king of England, because of his red hair.
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Gazza refers to rugby union asOn March 12, 2016 England defeated Wales 25-21 in a fourth round match in the 2016 Six Nations Championship[7]. When Scotland defeated France the next day, England was guaranteed the championship even with the fifth and final week of the tournament yet to be played.a game that I’ve no desire to discuss further after last weekend. It should not be difficult to guess that Wales is Gazza's team. |
10a A speech about daughter/'s/ deep love (9)
11a Perfectly at home always? // Surely not! (4,1,5)
Well I never![10] is an exclamation meaning surely not!
12a Tooth // extractor? Surgeon, at heart (4)
Extractor[10], short for extractor fan[10] (or extraction fan), is a seemingly British term for a fan used in kitchens, bathrooms, workshops, etc, to remove stale air or fumes. Personally, I would call such a device an exhaust fan.
14a Greatly superior // ways associated with a school principal (7,5)
In Britain, head[5] is short for headmaster[5] (a man who is the head teacher in a school), headmistress[5] (a woman who is the head teacher in a school), or head teacher[5] (the teacher in charge of a school).
Streets ahead[5] is an informal British expression meaning greatly superior ⇒
the restaurant is streets ahead of its local rivals. Personally, I would say miles ahead [which perhaps is a reflection of our vastly larger geography].
18a Entered Miami, excitedly, // before noon (4,8)
21a Character/'s/ parking technique (4)
22a Discuss flop, /and/ don't mince words! (4,6)
As I suspected, turkey[5] is an informal, chiefly North American term for something that is extremely or completely unsuccessful, especially a play or film ⇒
the movie flopped—the second in a trio of turkeys.
Furthermore, talk turkey[5] is an informal, North American expression denoting to discuss something frankly and straightforwardly ⇒
she promised to go talk turkey with the representatives.
25a Wrong choice before important // game (3,6)
... a game well-known in Canada.
26a Girl // employed by Carolina Diamonds (5)
Scratching the Surface
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| The Carolina Diamonds[7] was a women's softball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina that folded in 2013. |
27a Pot // volunteers drank, strangely (7)
"volunteers" = TA (show explanation )
In the UK, Territorial Army[5] (abbreviation TA[5]) was, at one time, the name of a volunteer force founded in 1908 to provide a reserve of trained and disciplined military personnel for use in an emergency. Since 2013, this organization has been called the Army Reserve.
hide explanation
In the UK, Territorial Army[5] (abbreviation TA[5]) was, at one time, the name of a volunteer force founded in 1908 to provide a reserve of trained and disciplined military personnel for use in an emergency. Since 2013, this organization has been called the Army Reserve.
hide explanation
28a Form of entertainment, // Korean primarily, a Korean almost ruined (7)
Down
1d Perplexed // cast (6)
2d Confound // the Spanish female with extremely good climbing (6)
"the Spanish" = EL (show explanation )
3d Boy appearing on stage // at the last moment (4,2,4)
Staying with the North American theme of the puzzle, Gazza chooses to illustrate the clue with a picture of a Canadian. He could have — but thankfully didn't — equally well chosen Justin Bieber.
4d Grand party, // of importance (5)
"grand" = G (show explanation )
Grand[5] is an informal term for a thousand dollars or pounds ⇒
G is defined in various British dictionaries as follows:
Grand[5] is an informal term for a thousand dollars or pounds ⇒
he gets thirty-five grand a year. While the term "grand" itself would seem to be commonly used in the UK, the informal abbreviation G[5] meaning grand appears to be regarded as a North American usage ⇒
I was up nine Gs on the blackjack tables.
G is defined in various British dictionaries as follows:
- Oxford Dictionaries: (North American informal) abbreviation for grand, a thousand dollars)[5];
- Chambers 21st Century Dictionary: (North American slang) abbreviation for a grand, 1000 dollars[2];
- Collins English Dictionary: (mainly US slang) a symbol for grand (a thousand dollars or pounds)[10] .
5d So, no end to working // alone (2,4,3)
On one's tod[10] is British slang meaning on one's own (rhyming slang Tod Sloan/alone, after Tod Sloan, a jockey).
6d Crescent, perhaps /in/ decline (4)
Crescent[5] denotes a representation of a crescent used as an emblem of Islam or of Turkey ⇒
on the flag was embroidered the Turkish crescent.
Just as the American flag is known as the Stars and Stripes and the Canadian flag as the Maple Leaf, the Turkish flag is undoubtedly referred to as the Crescent.
7d Mate, ahead of meal, /makes/ a drink (5,3)
In Britain, china[5] is an informal term for a friend (or, as the Brits would say, a mate[5]). This comes from Cockney rhyming slang, where china is the shortened form of china plate which rhymes with 'mate'.
Tea may be either a drink or a meal, especially in Britain. (more )
The British distinguish between afternoon tea and high tea, although both may be referred to simply as tea[10]. Afternoon tea[2,5,7,10] (or low tea) is a light afternoon meal, typically eaten between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, at which tea, sandwiches, biscuits [British term for cookies or crackers] and cakes are served.
High tea[7] (also known as meat tea) is the evening meal or dinner of the working class, typically eaten between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It typically consists of a hot dish such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or macaroni cheese [macaroni and cheese to North Americans], followed by cakes and bread, butter and jam. Occasionally there would be cold cuts of meat, such as ham salad. Traditionally high tea was eaten by middle to upper class children (whose parents would have a more formal dinner later) or by labourers, miners and the like when they came home from work. The term was first used around 1825 and high is used in the sense of well-advanced (like high noon, for example) to signify that it was taken later in the day.
hide explanation
The British distinguish between afternoon tea and high tea, although both may be referred to simply as tea[10]. Afternoon tea[2,5,7,10] (or low tea) is a light afternoon meal, typically eaten between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, at which tea, sandwiches, biscuits [British term for cookies or crackers] and cakes are served.
High tea[7] (also known as meat tea) is the evening meal or dinner of the working class, typically eaten between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It typically consists of a hot dish such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or macaroni cheese [macaroni and cheese to North Americans], followed by cakes and bread, butter and jam. Occasionally there would be cold cuts of meat, such as ham salad. Traditionally high tea was eaten by middle to upper class children (whose parents would have a more formal dinner later) or by labourers, miners and the like when they came home from work. The term was first used around 1825 and high is used in the sense of well-advanced (like high noon, for example) to signify that it was taken later in the day.
hide explanation
China tea[5] is tea made from a small-leaved type of tea plant grown in China, typically flavoured by smoke curing or the addition of flower petals.
8d Traitor /may cause/ awful danger, round East End initially (8)
Scratching the Surface
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| The East End[5] is the part of London [England] east of the City as far as the River Lea, including the Docklands. It is area of London in which the cockney population is found. A cockney[5,10] is a native of East London [specifically that part of East London known as the East End[5]], traditionally one born within hearing of Bow Bells (the bells of St Mary-le-Bow[7] church). Cockney is also the name of the dialect or accent typical of cockneys, which is characterised by dropping the H from the beginning of words and the use of rhyming slang[5]. |
13d Compelling work, // original in Prado, by mature English painter (4-6)
The Prado[5] is the Spanish national art gallery in Madrid, established in 1818.
J. M. W. Turner[5] (1775–1851) was an English painter; full name Joseph Mallord William Turner. He made his name with landscapes and stormy seascapes, becoming increasingly concerned with depicting the power of light by the use of primary colours, often arranged in a swirling vortex. Notable works: Rain, Steam, Speed (1844); The Fighting Téméraire (1838).
15d Organ, stained, // put aside (9)
16d Trouble concealing blemish? The opposite /with/ cosmetics (3,5)
Warpaint[5] (or war paint[10] ) is an informal term for elaborate or excessively applied make-up ⇒ (i)
a drag queen in warpaint; (ii)
her eyes were beautiful even through the warpaint.
17d Political leader, // one conducting operation involving centre of parties (8)
Nicola Sturgeon[7] is the fifth and current First Minister of Scotland [a position roughly equivalent to that of the Premier of a Canadian province] and the Leader of the Scottish National Party. She is the first woman to hold either position.
19d Child put in very old // snowmobile (6)
Skidoo[5] (also skidoo) is a trademark and chiefly North American term for a type of snowmobile.
20d Wicket accepting your // spin (6)
A wicket[5] (also wicket door or wicket gate) is a small door or gate, especially one beside or in a larger one.
By the way, wicket[5] in the sense of an opening in a door or wall, often fitted with glass or a grille and used for selling tickets or a similar purpose is a North American usage.
The abbreviation for your is yr[5].
Scratching the Surface
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The surface reading may allude to cricket where wicket[5] can mean any of the following:
Nevertheless, I remain at a loss to make sense of the surface reading. |
23d Canoe up and down (5)
I view this as a cryptic definition consisting of a straight definition (canoe) combined with a bit of cryptic elaboration (up and down) which indicates that the solution is a palindrome.
It would appear to be common British practice to consider a kayak to be a canoe. British dictionaries all define kayak[5] along the lines of a canoe of a type used originally by the Inuit, made of a light frame with a watertight covering having a small opening in the top to sit in.
24d Rubbish a // work schedule (4)
Rubbish[3,4,11] is used in the sense of foolish words or speech; in other words, nonsense. I note that Oxford Dictionaries considers the noun rubbish[5] (in all senses) to be chiefly British — despite it not being characterized as such by American dictionaries.
Rota[5] is a British term for a list showing when each of a number of people has to do a particular job ⇒
a cleaning rota.
Scratching the Surface
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Rubbish[5] (used as a verb) is an informal British term meaning to criticize severely and reject as worthless ⇒ he rubbished the idea of a European Community-wide carbon tax. |
Key to Reference Sources:Signing off for today — Falcon
[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)
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