Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28516 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, August 26, 2017 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28516 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28516 – 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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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
After a fairly strenuous test yesterday, today we are subjected to a rather more gentle workout.On Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Big Dave's mention of entering some of his garden produce in the annual Hanley Village Show leads visitors to his site into a discussion of the state of their gardening endeavours. In case the terms are unfamiliar to you, courgette is the British name for a zucchini, aubergine is eggplant, and runner beans are scarlet runners.
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 semi-all-in-one (semi-&lit.) clues. All-in-one (&lit.) clues and cryptic definitions are marked with a dotted underline. Explicit link words and phrases are enclosed in forward slashes (/link/) and implicit links are shown as double forward slashes (//).
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 semi-all-in-one (semi-&lit.) clues. All-in-one (&lit.) clues and cryptic definitions are marked with a dotted underline. Explicit link words and phrases are enclosed in forward slashes (/link/) and implicit links are shown as double forward slashes (//).
Across
1a National falsification /in/ general situation (3,2,3,4)
Here and There
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The lie of the land[5] (North American the lay of the land) is an expression meaning:
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I wonder, might translating this clue to North American English produce:
- Woman loved by all in general situation (3,2,3,4)
9a One attacks // popular Star Wars character (7)
Darth Vader[7], also known by his birth name Anakin Skywalker, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise.
Delving Deeper
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| Originally a Jedi prophesied to bring balance to the Force, Vader falls to the dark side of the Force and serves the evil Galactic
Empire at the right hand of his Sith master, Palpatine (also known as
Darth Sidious). Darth Vader has become one of the most iconic villains in popular culture, and has been listed among the greatest villains and fictional characters ever. The American Film Institute listed him as the third greatest movie villain in cinema history on 100 Years... 100 Heroes and Villains, behind Hannibal Lecter and Norman Bates. |
10a Killjoy /makes/ joke about woman (7)
11a Serious // attention needed by cosy home (7)
12a Skit about Liberal /is/ standard for Scots (7)
"Liberal" = L (show explanation )
The Liberal Party[5] (abbreviation Lib.[5] or L[2])* in Britain emerged in the 1860s from the old Whig Party and until the First World War was one of the two major parties in Britain. In 1988 the party regrouped with elements of the Social Democratic Party to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, now known as the Liberal Democrats. However, a small Liberal Party still exists although it has no representation in the UK Parliament, no Members of the European Parliament (MEP), no members of the Scottish Parliament, nor any members of the National Assembly for Wales.[7]
* Although Lib.[5] may be the more common abbreviation for the Liberal Party in Britain — likely to distinguish it from the the Labour Party[5] (abbreviation Lab.[5]) — Chambers 21st Century Dictionary indicates that L[2] may also be used.
hide explanation
The Liberal Party[5] (abbreviation Lib.[5] or L[2])* in Britain emerged in the 1860s from the old Whig Party and until the First World War was one of the two major parties in Britain. In 1988 the party regrouped with elements of the Social Democratic Party to form the Social and Liberal Democrats, now known as the Liberal Democrats. However, a small Liberal Party still exists although it has no representation in the UK Parliament, no Members of the European Parliament (MEP), no members of the Scottish Parliament, nor any members of the National Assembly for Wales.[7]
* Although Lib.[5] may be the more common abbreviation for the Liberal Party in Britain — likely to distinguish it from the the Labour Party[5] (abbreviation Lab.[5]) — Chambers 21st Century Dictionary indicates that L[2] may also be used.
hide explanation
* In heraldry, an ordinary[5] is any of the simplest principal charges[5] (devices or bearings placed on a shield or crest) used in coats of arms (especially chief, pale, bend, fess, bar, chevron, cross, saltire). In a prime example of circular logic, Oxford Dictionaries (having defined charge as a device or bearing) defines a bearing[5] as a device or charge ⇒
armorial bearings. We finally escape from the loop with device[5] which is defined as an emblematic or heraldic design ⇒
their shields bear the device of the Blazing Sun.
13a More than one mythic creature // still lives (5)
The Abominable Snowman[5] (also called yeti) is a large hairy creature resembling a human or bear, said to live in the highest part of the Himalayas.
14a Evaluating totality /of/ comments from judge (7-2)
The first definition is a cryptic description of the process by which a grand total is calculated.
16a Series of balls are due // to exceed budget (9)
Here we need not just a single series of balls, but two or more series of balls.
In cricket, an over[5] is a division of play consisting of a sequence of six balls bowled by a bowler from one end of the pitch, after which another bowler takes over from the other end.
19a What's beginning to deal with downpour? (5)
In this semi-&lit. clue — or, as some prefer to call it, semi-all-in-one clue — the definition is provided by the entire clue while the wordplay (the portion with the dashed underline) is found embedded within the definition (show further explanation ).
In an &lit. clue[7] (or, as some prefer to call it, all-in-one clue) the entire clue provides not only the definition (when read one way), but under a different interpretation also serves as the wordplay.
In a semi-&lit. clue (or, as some prefer to call it, semi-all-in-one clue), either:
In an &lit. clue[7] (or, as some prefer to call it, all-in-one clue) the entire clue provides not only the definition (when read one way), but under a different interpretation also serves as the wordplay.
In a semi-&lit. clue (or, as some prefer to call it, semi-all-in-one clue), either:
- the entire clue acts as the definition while a portion of the clue provides the wordplay; or
- the entire clue acts as the wordplay while a portion of the clue provides the definition.
21a Payments demanded to secure North /for/ king's followers? (7)
In this case, the followers are those in line to succeed the king.
23a Cause pain to // stern arresting French cop (7)
Flic[5] is an informal term for a French policeman.
What is she talking about?
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In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, crypticsue alludes to a couple of BBC television programmes from yesteryear — 'Allo 'Allo! and Maigret. The former I have never seen but the latter I did watch in the 1960s in Canada.'Allo 'Allo![7] is a British sitcom that was first broadcast on the BBC from 1982 to 1992. Set in a small town in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, 'Allo 'Allo! tells the story of café owner René Artois (played by English comic Gordon Kaye). Réné, whilst trying to remain impartial, has been dragged into the war by both sides. The Germans are threatening to shoot him if he does not secretly hide valuable looted artefacts; the Résistance is using his café as a safe-house for shot-down British airmen; and on top of that, he is trying to keep his passionate love affairs with the café waitresses secret from his wife. Two German officers are pressuring René to hide several paintings so they can keep them for themselves following the war. However, Hitler also wants the paintings, and sends Herr Flick of the Gestapo to the town to find them. |
24a Unpleasant // moonies out of order (7)
Scratching the Surface
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| Moonie*[5] is an informal, derogatory term for a member of the Unification Church. * from the name of the church's founder, Sun Myung Moon |
25a Go round volcano /in/ Asian country (7)
26a Someone coming from Paris, say, // to trampoline acrobatically (12)
A metropolitan[5] is an inhabitant of a metropolis ⇒
a sophisticated metropolitan.
Down
1d Young runner // always filling in permit (7)
A leveret[5] is a young hare in its first year.
2d Some spend lesson // without finishing (7)
3d A sample of what could be /in/ store, fate possibly (9)
4d Wishes // that man is accepting work (5)
"work" = OP (show explanation )
In music, an opus[5] (plural opuses or opera) is a separate composition or set of compositions.
The abbreviation Op.[5] (also op.), denoting opus, is used before a number given to each work of a particular composer, usually indicating the order of publication. The plural form of Op. is Opp..
Opus[5] can also be used in a more general sense to mean an artistic work, especially one on a large scale ⇒
hide explanation
In music, an opus[5] (plural opuses or opera) is a separate composition or set of compositions.
The abbreviation Op.[5] (also op.), denoting opus, is used before a number given to each work of a particular composer, usually indicating the order of publication. The plural form of Op. is Opp..
Opus[5] can also be used in a more general sense to mean an artistic work, especially one on a large scale ⇒
he was writing an opus on Mexico.
hide explanation
5d Enchanting singer // learning to accompany Hawaiian band (7)
A lei[5] is a Polynesian garland of flowers.
Lorelei[5] is a siren said to live on the Lorelei rock, a rock on the bank of the Rhine. She is held by legend to lure boatmen to destruction with her enchanting song.
6d Making // fishermen's equipment (7)
7d Irritable people one associates with // ancient guild (6,7)
Livery[10] is another word for liverish[10] which means disagreeable or peevish.
A livery company*[5] is any of a number of Companies of the City of London (show explanation ) descended from the medieval trade guilds. They are now largely social
and charitable organizations.
* so named because of the distinctive costume formerly used for special occasions, livery[5] denoting a special uniform worn by a servant, an official, or a member of a City Company ⇒ (i)
The City of London[5] is not to be confused with the city of London.
The City of London[7] is a city and ceremonial county within London. It constituted most of London from its settlement by the Romans in the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages, but the conurbation has since grown far beyond the City's borders. The City is now only a tiny part of the metropolis of London, though it remains a notable part of central London. It is one of two districts of London to hold city status, the other being the adjacent City of Westminster.
It is widely referred to simply as the City (often written as just "City" and differentiated from the phrase "the city of London" by capitalising "City") and is also colloquially known as the Square Mile, as it is 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2), in area. Both of these terms are also often used as metonyms for the United Kingdom's trading and financial services industries, which continue a notable history of being largely based in the City. This is analogous to the use of the terms Wall Street and Bay Street to refer to the financial institutions located in New York and Toronto respectively.
hide explanation
* so named because of the distinctive costume formerly used for special occasions, livery[5] denoting a special uniform worn by a servant, an official, or a member of a City Company ⇒ (i)
yeomen of the guard wearing a royal red and gold livery; (ii)
pageboys in scarlet and green livery.
The City of London[5] is not to be confused with the city of London.
The City of London[7] is a city and ceremonial county within London. It constituted most of London from its settlement by the Romans in the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages, but the conurbation has since grown far beyond the City's borders. The City is now only a tiny part of the metropolis of London, though it remains a notable part of central London. It is one of two districts of London to hold city status, the other being the adjacent City of Westminster.
It is widely referred to simply as the City (often written as just "City" and differentiated from the phrase "the city of London" by capitalising "City") and is also colloquially known as the Square Mile, as it is 1.12 sq mi (2.90 km2), in area. Both of these terms are also often used as metonyms for the United Kingdom's trading and financial services industries, which continue a notable history of being largely based in the City. This is analogous to the use of the terms Wall Street and Bay Street to refer to the financial institutions located in New York and Toronto respectively.
hide explanation
8d Continue a poem that’s rewritten // start of story (4,4,1,4)
15d Press and TV upset Aussie tennis star that's dropped right // out of the Dark Ages (9)
Rod Laver[5] is an Australian former tennis player. In 1962 he became the second man (after Don Budge in 1938) to win the four major singles championships (British, American, French, and Australian) in one year; in 1969 he was the first to repeat this.
17d English having endless deficit after crash /that's/ building (7)
18d Encourage // dupe by speech (7)
19d Rat circling lake // to change direction (7)
Here and There
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| The connotation of rat as being a deserter would appear to be stronger in the UK than in North America. Rat[3] is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as slang for a despicable person, especially one who betrays or informs upon associates (which seems to fall a bit short of being a deserter). The Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary moves quite a ways in the direction of deserter, defining rat[11] as slang for an informer or a person who abandons or betrays associates. However, Collins English Dictionary is unequivocal in defining rat[4] as an informal term for a person who deserts his or her friends or associates, especially in time of trouble adding that the word is also chiefly US slang for an informer or, in other words, a stool pigeon. |
20d River sheltering rowdy gin // palace and bridge found here in France (7)
Avignon[5] is a city on the Rhône in south-eastern France. From 1309 until 1377 it was the residence of the popes during their exile from Rome, and was papal property until the French Revolution. The Palais des Papes (Papal Palace) and Pont Saint-Bénézet (Saint Benezet Bridge) are major landmarks of the city.
Delving Deeper
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| The Palais des Papes[7] (Papal palace)
is a historical palace located in Avignon. It is one of the largest and
most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Once a fortress and
palace, the papal residence was the seat of Western Christianity during
the 14th century when six papal conclaves were held in the Palais. The Pont Saint-Bénézet[7], also known as the Pont d'Avignon, is a famous medieval bridge in Avignon (the inspiration for the song Sur le pont d'Avignon). Originally built in the 12th century, and rebuilt in the 13th century after being destroyed in a siege, the bridge was abandoned in the mid-17th century following repeated collapses during floods. The four surviving arches on the bank of the Rhône are believed to have been built in around 1345 by Pope Clement VI during the Avignon Papacy. The Chapel of Saint Nicholas which sits on the second pier of the bridge was constructed in the second half of 12th century but has since been substantially altered. The western terminal, the Tour Philippe-le-Bel, is also preserved. In 1995, the surviving arches of the bridge, together with the Palais des Papes and Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Doms were classified as a World Heritage Site. |
22d Undresses going up /for/ a rest (5)
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)
