Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28354 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, February 18, 2017 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28354 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28354 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Big Dave (Hints)crypticsue (Review) | |
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 28352 and DT 28353 which were published in The Daily Telegraph on Thursday, February 16, 2017 and Friday, February 17, 2017.
As this was a Saturday "Prize Puzzle" in Britain, there are two entries related to it on Big Dave's Crossword Blog — the first, posted on the date of publication, contains hints for selected clues while the second is a full review issued following the entry deadline for the contest. The vast majority of reader comments will generally be found attached to the "hints" posting with a minimal number — if any — accompanying the full review.
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Introduction
Although the puzzle is certainly not overly challenging, I did need to do some research on 1a to understand the solution. In hindsight, I am sure it is not the first time that I have foundered in the East Anglian lakes. Furthermore, I discover that I have apparently been misusing the word in the definition for my entire life.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 Body of water in East Anglia, I hesitate to say, /could be/ clearer (7)
"I hesitate to say" denotes a vocal sign of hesitation.
In East Anglia* dialect, a broad[10] is a shallow lake.
* East Anglia[5] is a region of eastern England consisting of the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, and parts of Essex and Cambridgeshire.
Delving Deeper
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| It would be impossible to delve too deep in these bodies of water. The Broads[10] is a a group of shallow navigable lakes, connected by a network of rivers in Norfolk and Suffolk in eastern England. It is also the name of the region around these lakes, a tourist centre with several bird sanctuaries. |
In the solution, broad[3,5] (adjective) means (of a hint) clear and unambiguous; not subtle ⇒
gave us a broad hint to leave.
Learning Something New
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| It seems that I have long been under the erroneous misconception that a "broad hint" was just the opposite, namely an imprecise hint. |
5a Powerful bishop /and/ pawn on row (7)
"pawn" = P (show explanation )
In chess, P[10] is the symbol for pawn.
A pawn[5] is a chess piece of the smallest size and value, that moves one square forwards along its file if unobstructed (or two on the first move), or one square diagonally forwards when making a capture. Each player begins with eight pawns on the second rank, and can promote a pawn to become any other piece (typically a queen) if it reaches the opponent’s end of the board.
hide explanation
In chess, P[10] is the symbol for pawn.
A pawn[5] is a chess piece of the smallest size and value, that moves one square forwards along its file if unobstructed (or two on the first move), or one square diagonally forwards when making a capture. Each player begins with eight pawns on the second rank, and can promote a pawn to become any other piece (typically a queen) if it reaches the opponent’s end of the board.
hide explanation
9a Credit card with notes lost -- // my mistake (1,5,9)
10a Simple goal -- // mine at home (3-2)
Mine[5] (verb) is used in the sense of to delve into (an abundant source) to extract something of value, especially information or skill ⇒
how do they manage to mine such a rich vein of talent?.
Scratching the Surface
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| The setter likely had football [soccer] in mind, but the clue works equally well for hockey — making the clue very timely here in Canada. |
11a Sample tea, perhaps, // a little at a time (9)
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
12a Provided during the French Revolution? // How long a thing lasts! (4,5)
"the French" = LE (show explanation )
14a Strain within small company /to ge/ capital (5)
Cairo[5] is the capital of Egypt, a port on the Nile River near the head of its delta; population 6,758,600 (est. 2006).
15a Composer // thrown out of Yale? Harvard (5)
Franz Lehár[5] (1870–1948) was a Hungarian composer. He is chiefly known for his operettas, of which the most famous is The Merry Widow (1905).
Scratching the Surface
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| Yale[7] and Harvard[7] are Ivy League universities in the United States. |
16a Cricket team's beginning to enjoy second // drinks break (9)
Eleven[5] is the number of players in* a cricket[7] side or an Association football[7] [soccer] team — and is often used as a metonym for such a team ⇒
at cricket I played in the first eleven.
* Note that, in Britain, a player is "in a side" rather than "on a team" as one would say in North America.
Elevenses[5] is an informal British term for a short break for light refreshments, usually with tea or coffee, taken about eleven o’clock in the morning.
18a Dramatist confronts nits dismissing first character /for/ lack of grit (9)
Sir Noël Coward[5] (1899–1973) was an English dramatist, actor, and composer. He is remembered for witty, satirical plays, such as Hay Fever (1925) and Private Lives (1930), as well as revues and musicals featuring songs such as ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’ (1932).
21a Snappy, // one parking, after pressure is applied, in New York (5)
Nippy[4] means [perhaps more so in Britain than North America] quick, nimble, or active.
22a Leave carrying early paper // celebrating the past (3,3,5,4)
The Times[7] is a British daily national newspaper based in London. The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers, since 1981 a division of News UK, a wholly owned subsidiary of Australian-born American publisher and media entrepreneur Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.
23a Twentieth-century force // ready, prepared to engage Royal Marines (3,4)
"Royal Marines" = RM (show explanation )
The Royal Marines[5] (abbreviation RM)[5] is a British armed service (part of the Royal Navy) founded in 1664, trained for service at sea, or on land under specific circumstances.
hide explanation
The Royal Marines[5] (abbreviation RM)[5] is a British armed service (part of the Royal Navy) founded in 1664, trained for service at sea, or on land under specific circumstances.
hide explanation
The Red Army[5] was the army of the Soviet Union, formed after the Revolution of 1917. The name was officially dropped in 1946.
24a Politician interrupting rises nervously, // smiles coyly (7)
"politician" = MP (show explanation )
In Britain (as in Canada), a politician elected to the House of Commons is known as a Member of Parliament[10] (abbreviation MP[5]) or, informally, as a member[5].
hide explanation
In Britain (as in Canada), a politician elected to the House of Commons is known as a Member of Parliament[10] (abbreviation MP[5]) or, informally, as a member[5].
hide explanation
Down
1d Almost get angry touring round // English city (7)
As a containment indicator, touring is used in the sense of travelling (i.e., going) around — with the emphasis on around.
2d Elated, // as Hillary once was? (2,3,2,3,5)
A double definition, the first figurative and the second literal.
Hillary refers to Sir Edmund, not Mrs. Clinton.
Sir Edmund Hillary[5] (1919–2008) was a New Zealand mountaineer and explorer. In 1953, Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, as members of a British expedition, were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
3d In which rail fare may be taken? (6,3)
4d Go over, // touching ceiling (5)
5d Soldier on // exercises runs hard (9)
"exercises" = PE (show explanation )
PE[5] is the abbreviation for physical education [or Phys Ed, as it was known in my school days].
hide explanation
PE[5] is the abbreviation for physical education [or Phys Ed, as it was known in my school days].
hide explanation
"runs" = R (show explanation )
On cricket scorecards [not to mention baseball scoreboards], the abbreviation R[5] denotes run(s).
In cricket, a run[5] is a unit of scoring achieved by hitting the ball so that both batsmen are able to run between the wickets, or awarded in some other circumstances.
hide explanation
On cricket scorecards [not to mention baseball scoreboards], the abbreviation R[5] denotes run(s).
In cricket, a run[5] is a unit of scoring achieved by hitting the ball so that both batsmen are able to run between the wickets, or awarded in some other circumstances.
hide explanation
6d Relative, // kind to conserve energy (5)
"energy" = E (show explanation )
7d Before anything else, // leading article must be suppressed (2,3,5,5)
8d Sloshed, I initially fell over /in/ opera (7)
Fidelio[7] (originally titled Leonore, oder Der Triumph der ehelichen Liebe; English: Leonore, or The Triumph of Marital Love), Op. 72, is a German opera with spoken dialogue by Ludwig van Beethoven, his only opera.
Delving Deeper
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| The German libretto was originally prepared by Joseph Sonnleithner from the French of Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, with the work premiering at Vienna's Theater an der Wien on 20 November 1805. The following year, Stephan von Breuning helped shorten the work from three acts to two. After further work on the libretto by Georg Friedrich Treitschke, a final version was performed at the Kärntnertortheater on 23 May 1814. By convention, both of the first two versions are referred to as Leonore. |
13d School subject /in/ his term out in the outskirts of Coventry (9)
Scratching the Surface
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| Coventry[5] is an industrial city in central England; population 271,100 (est. 2009). |
14d Mo changes exotic // Chinese dress (6-3)
A cheongsam[5] (also cheong-sam[2]) is a straight, close-fitting silk dress with a high neck, short sleeves, and a slit skirt, worn traditionally by Chinese and Indonesian women.
15d Fortune endlessly provided, put on the Queen /and/ deuce (7)
"the Queen" = ER (show explanation )
The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth is ER[5] — from the Latin Elizabetha Regina.
hide explanation
The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth is ER[5] — from the Latin Elizabetha Regina.
hide explanation
Deuce[5] (the deuce) is an informal term used as a euphemism for “devil” in expressions of annoyance, impatience, or surprise or for emphasis ⇒ (i)
how the deuce are we to make a profit?; (ii)
what the deuce are you trying to do?.
17d Timidity /of/ head following fling (7)
Ness[5] (a term usually found in place names) means a headland or promontory ⇒
Orford Ness.
Shy[5] is a dated term meaning:
- (noun) an act of flinging or throwing something at a target
- (verb) to fling or throw (something) at a
target ⇒
he tore the spectacles off and shied them at her
19d Sovereign // measure (5)
20d Awards for TV programmes, // some of them mystifying (5)
In the US, an Emmy*[5] is a statuette awarded annually to an outstanding television programme or performer.
* The name is said to originate from Immy, short for image orthicon tube (a kind of television camera tube).
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)
[12] - CollinsDictionary.com (Webster’s New World College Dictionary)
[13] - MacmillanDictionary.com (Macmillan Dictionary)
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