Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28498 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, August 5, 2017 | |
Setter
Mister Ron (Chris Lancaster) | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28498 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28498 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Big Dave (Hints)gnomethang (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.
This puzzle appears on the Monday Diversions page in the Saturday, November 4, 2017 edition of the National Post.
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Introduction
This was a gentle and enjoyable piece of mental exercise. Nevertheless, it did take me far longer than should have been necessary to figure out the wordplay at 28a.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 Clear article to appear before ruler/'s/ passing (10)
6a Cut flower /makes one/ pleased (4)
With apologies to gnomethang, the pedant in me demands that I point out that glad is short for gladiolus (not gladioli which is a plural form and would be shortened to glads).
I must say that I didn't give a second thought to this being a double definition. A glad is clearly a cut flower[5], that is, any of various showy flowers that have been cut from the plant to be used in fresh arrangements.
I am particularly familiar with this term as my father worked as a grower at a large greenhouse operation that supplied cut flowers — principally roses, chrysanthemums and carnations — to florists. His hobby was growing glads and dahlias — themselves also considered to be cut flowers.
However, the term cut flower is not found in any of my British dictionaries so perhaps it is a North American usage. Big Dave saw "cut flower" as wordplay denoting an abbreviated name for a flower.
10a Call up // the first woman to accept agreement (5)
"the first woman" = EVE (show explanation )
In the Bible, Eve[5,10] is the first woman, mother of the human race, fashioned by God from the rib of Adam, companion of Adam and mother of Cain and Abel*.
* not to mention Seth and her other sons and daughters[Gen 5:4]
hide explanation
In the Bible, Eve[5,10] is the first woman, mother of the human race, fashioned by God from the rib of Adam, companion of Adam and mother of Cain and Abel*.
* not to mention Seth and her other sons and daughters[Gen 5:4]
hide explanation
11a Doggedly obstruct // rural division (9)
12a Model clear top, /showing/ muscle (8)
13a On reflection, that man in pub might end up here? (5)
This is a semi-&lit. (semi-all-in-one) clue in which the entire clue provides the definition while a portion of the clue (the portion with the dashed underlining) serves as the wordplay.
15a Run away from rabbit by large // property (7)
"run" = 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
Rabbit[5] is an informal British term meaning
- (noun) a conversation ⇒
we had quite a heated rabbit about it
- (verb) rabbit[5] to talk at length, especially about trivial matters ⇒
stop rabbiting on, will you, and go to bed!
17a Agitated peers surrounding journalist, // one over 70? (7)
Road speed limits in the United Kingdom[7] are indicated on traffic signs or by the presence of street lighting. The speed limit is 70 mph (112 km/h) on motorways and dual carriageways, 60 mph (96 km/h) on single carriageways and 30 mph (48 km/h) in areas with street lighting.
Carriageway[2,5] is a British term for the part of a road used by vehicles rather than pedestrians, or a part used by vehicles travelling in one particular direction. In the UK, a divided highway is known as a dual carriageway[5] and a controlled access divided highway is called a motorway[5] ⇒
the eastbound carriageway of the M4*.
19a Order silk in error // that's monumental (7)
"order" = OBE (show explanation )
OBE[5] is the abbreviation for Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The Order of the British Empire[5] is an order of knighthood applicable to the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth realms which was instituted in 1917 and is divided into five classes, each with military and civilian divisions. The classes are: Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). The two highest classes entail the awarding of a knighthood.
hide explanation
OBE[5] is the abbreviation for Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
The Order of the British Empire[5] is an order of knighthood applicable to the United Kingdom and certain Commonwealth realms which was instituted in 1917 and is divided into five classes, each with military and civilian divisions. The classes are: Knight or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE), Knight or Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE), and Member (MBE). The two highest classes entail the awarding of a knighthood.
hide explanation
An obelisk[5] is a tapering stone pillar, typically having a square or rectangular cross section, set up as a monument or landmark.
21a Drink // calms her between shows (7)
Here, There and Elsewhere
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| In North America, sherbet[5] is another name for sorbet or, as the British might call it, water ice. In Britain, sherbet[5] is a flavoured sweet effervescent powder eaten alone or made into a drink ⇒ disks of fruit-flavoured rice paper filled with sherbet. In Australia, on the other hand, sherbet[5] is a humorous term for beer ⇒ I went down the local pub for a few sherbets. |
22a Loaded /and/ left port (5)
Aden[5] is a port in Yemen at the mouth of the Red Sea. Aden was formerly under British rule, first as part of British India (from 1839), then from 1935 as a Crown Colony. It was capital of the former South Yemen from 1967 until 1990.
24a Things made // for pipes (8)
27a Resolve broken by retrograde exercise, // have a lie-in (9)
"exercise" = 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
28a Additional payment from sailor transporting Poles? (5)
A bosun*[5] (also bo'sun) is a ship's officer in charge of equipment and the crew.
* variant spelling of boatswain
29a Country // singer famous for reggae broadcast (4)
The name "Marley" , when pronounced in a non-rhotic (show explanation ) accent typical of dialects found in many parts of Britain, sounds virtually identical to the way the Brits pronounce "Mali" .
Non-rhotic accents omit the sound < r > in certain situations, while rhotic accents generally pronounce < r > in all contexts. Among the several dozen British English accents which exist, many are non-rhotic while American English (US and Canadian) is mainly rhotic. This is, however, a generalisation, as there are areas of Britain that are rhotic, and areas of America that are non-rhotic. For more information, see this guide to pronouncing < r > in British English.
hide explanation
Non-rhotic accents omit the sound < r > in certain situations, while rhotic accents generally pronounce < r > in all contexts. Among the several dozen British English accents which exist, many are non-rhotic while American English (US and Canadian) is mainly rhotic. This is, however, a generalisation, as there are areas of Britain that are rhotic, and areas of America that are non-rhotic. For more information, see this guide to pronouncing < r > in British English.
hide explanation
Bob Marley[5] (1945–81) was a Jamaican reggae singer, guitarist, and songwriter. Having formed the trio the Wailers in 1965, in the 1970s he was instrumental in popularizing reggae. His lyrics often reflected his commitment to Rastafarianism.
Mali[5] is a landlocked country in West Africa, south of Algeria, that was formerly named (until 1958) French Sudan.
30a After trains breaking down, man /is/ caustic (10)
Down
1d Free // love with writer (4)
"love" = O (show explanation )
In tennis, squash, and some other sports, love[5] is a score of zero or nil ⇒
Although folk etymology has connected the word with French l'oeuf 'egg', from the resemblance in shape between an egg and a zero, the term apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).
hide explanation
In tennis, squash, and some other sports, love[5] is a score of zero or nil ⇒
love fifteen. The resemblance of a zero written as a numeral (0) to the letter O leads to the cryptic crossword convention of the word "love" being used to clue this letter.
Although folk etymology has connected the word with French l'oeuf 'egg', from the resemblance in shape between an egg and a zero, the term apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).
hide explanation
Here and There
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The setter has almost certainly used "writer" in the sense of an implement used for writing. While North American dictionaries define pen[3,11] as a writer or an author ⇒ a hired pen, British dictionaries do not list this meaning although they do show pen[2,4] (or the pen[5,10]) as symbolically denoting writing as an occupation. |
2d Let off // former partner with single charge (9)
3d Pretty aunt's last // message on social media (5)
Twee[5] is a British term meaning excessively or affectedly quaint, pretty, or sentimental ⇒
although the film’s a bit twee, it’s watchable.
A tweet[5] is a post made on the social media application Twitter ⇒
he started posting tweets via his mobile phone to let his parents know he was safe.
4d Predator /is/ focus of quickest release (7)
A kestrel[5] is a small falcon that hovers with rapidly beating wings while searching for prey on the ground.
5d Food /that's/ northern? Loads! (7)
7d Reluctant // promise to support Liberal (5)
"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
8d Consider // intentional (10)
9d Salesperson always turned up carrying one // spare (8)
14d Place to find form (10)
In Britain, a form[5] is [or, perhaps more correctly,was] a class or year in a school, usually given a specifying number. Thus what we in North America would call a grade would be — or once was — known in Britain as a form, although the numbering system for forms and grades are vastly different. (show more )
The term "form" seems to have become passé as Miffypops in his review of DT 28163 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog refers to "sixth-former" as "What a schoolchild would be during the year before university back in the old days. This would now be known as year 13 or 14." Furthermore, Wikipedia (see table below) characterizes the term "form" as an "alternative/old name".
A form[7] is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title. Pupils are usually grouped in forms according to age and will remain with the same group for a number of years, or sometimes their entire school career.
Forms are normally identified by a number such as "first form" or "sixth form". A form number may be used for two year groups and differentiated by the terms upper and lower [in general, this would seem to apply primarily for the sixth form]. Usually the sixth form is the senior form of a school [although this apparently does not hold true for New Zealand where they would appear to have a seventh form]. In England, the sixth form is usually divided into two year groups, the lower sixth and upper sixth, owing to the 3-year English college/university system. In Scotland or North America, the 6th form is usually a single year, owing to the 4-year college/university system. If there is more than one form for each year group they will normally be differentiated by letters, e.g., "upper four B", "lower two Y". Schools do not follow a consistent pattern in naming forms [in the foregoing quotation witness Miffypops' reference to "year 14", a term which does not appear in the table below].
Wikipedia would appear to be at best ambiguous and at worst inconsistent on the relationship between the British and American systems of naming school years. The article from which the table below is excerpted shows that the British first form is equivalent to the American 6th grade. On the other hand, the article cited above states "In North America, the 1st Form (or sometimes 'Form I') is equivalent to 7th Grade." However, this latter statement may in fact be a comparison between the few North American schools to use the form system and the vast majority of North American schools that don't rather than a comparison between British and American schools.
hide explanation
The term "form" seems to have become passé as Miffypops in his review of DT 28163 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog refers to "sixth-former" as "What a schoolchild would be during the year before university back in the old days. This would now be known as year 13 or 14." Furthermore, Wikipedia (see table below) characterizes the term "form" as an "alternative/old name".
A form[7] is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title. Pupils are usually grouped in forms according to age and will remain with the same group for a number of years, or sometimes their entire school career.
Forms are normally identified by a number such as "first form" or "sixth form". A form number may be used for two year groups and differentiated by the terms upper and lower [in general, this would seem to apply primarily for the sixth form]. Usually the sixth form is the senior form of a school [although this apparently does not hold true for New Zealand where they would appear to have a seventh form]. In England, the sixth form is usually divided into two year groups, the lower sixth and upper sixth, owing to the 3-year English college/university system. In Scotland or North America, the 6th form is usually a single year, owing to the 4-year college/university system. If there is more than one form for each year group they will normally be differentiated by letters, e.g., "upper four B", "lower two Y". Schools do not follow a consistent pattern in naming forms [in the foregoing quotation witness Miffypops' reference to "year 14", a term which does not appear in the table below].
Wikipedia would appear to be at best ambiguous and at worst inconsistent on the relationship between the British and American systems of naming school years. The article from which the table below is excerpted shows that the British first form is equivalent to the American 6th grade. On the other hand, the article cited above states "In North America, the 1st Form (or sometimes 'Form I') is equivalent to 7th Grade." However, this latter statement may in fact be a comparison between the few North American schools to use the form system and the vast majority of North American schools that don't rather than a comparison between British and American schools.
| Age Range | British System | American System | |
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| Name | Alternative/Old Name | Name | |
| 11-12 | Year 7 | First form | 6th grade |
| 12-13 | Year 8 | Second form | 7th grade |
| 13-14 | Year 9 | Third form | 8th grade |
| 14-15 | Year 10 | Fourth form | 9th grade |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | Fifth form | 10th grade |
| 16-17 | Year 12 | Lower sixth form | 11th grade |
| 17-18 | Year 13 | Upper sixth form | 12th grade |
hide explanation
Scratching the Surface
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| In the surface reading, form could probably take on any of several meanings — with at least one additional option available across the pond. Form[10] is a British term for a bench, especially one that is long, low, and backless. |
16d Extremely poor // local in the street (8)
Local[5] is an informal British term for a pub convenient to a person’s home ⇒
a pint in the local.
18d Writer welcomes TV that's promoted // society girl (9)
Dante[5] (1265–1321), full name Dante Alighieri, was an Italian poet. His reputation rests chiefly on The Divine Comedy (circa 1309–20), an epic poem describing his spiritual journey through Hell and Purgatory and finally to Paradise. His love for Beatrice Portinari is described in Vita nuova (circa 1290-4).
The rational for the word "promoted" being a reversal indicator in a down clue is that it means 'sent up'. Although this explanation works to some extent in the general sense of the word, it is especially apropos in a sports context.
Promote[5] means to transfer (a sports team) to a higher division of a league ⇒
they were promoted from the Third Division [to the Second Division] last season.
The reverse process is called relegation[5], a British term for the transfer of a sports team or player to a lower division of a league ⇒ (i)
the team manager refuses to throw in the towel and admit that relegation is inevitable; (ii)
the club has suffered two successive relegations.
Sports leagues in the UK typically operate on a process of promotion and relegation[7] in which teams are transferred between two divisions based on their performance for the completed season. The best-ranked teams in the lower division are promoted to the division above, and the worst-ranked teams in the higher division are relegated [moved down] to the division below. In some leagues, play-offs or qualifying rounds are also used to determine rankings. This process can continue through several levels, with teams being exchanged between levels 1 and 2, levels 2 and 3, levels 3 and 4, and so on.
An alternate system of league organisation which is used in the US, Canada and Australia is a closed model which always has the same teams playing, with occasional admission of expansion teams and relocation of existing teams, and with no movement between the major league and minor leagues.
20d Swimmers smoked, // some having a rest (7)
I see this clue as a double definition with the first definition being just slightly on the cryptic side. However, in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, gnomethang indicates that he sees the situation as being reversed.
A kipper[5] is a herring or other fish that has been split open and cured by salting and drying it in the open air or in smoke.
Kip[5] is an informal British term meaning:
- (noun) a sleep or nap ⇒ (i)
I might have a little kip
; (ii)he was trying to get some kip
; or - (verb) to sleep ⇒
he can kip on her sofa
.
21d Terribly posh for a // consumer (7)
23d Oil facility above which 500 // live (5)
25d Mostly civilised, // like London or Manchester? (5)
26d Regularly pose with good person -- // this might attract attention (4)
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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