Puzzle at a Glance
|
---|
Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28661 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, February 13, 2018 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28661] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Mr K | |
BD Rating
| |
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
|
Introduction
The clue at 1d gave rise to a discussion on Big Dave's Crossword Blog dealing with differences between British and US English during which links were provided to a couple of interesting articles on the BBC America website that you may find interesting: Punctuation Day: Why Do Brits Call a Period a Full Stop and Why Did America Drop The 'U' In British Spellings? Of course, in Canada we are subject to both influences and so may sometimes see British usages and sometimes American usages — and sometimes both will appear intermixed in the same text.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.
Click here for an explanation of conventions and symbols used in explaining the parsing of clues.
The purpose of this article is to explain the conventions and symbols that I use on this blog in explaining the parsing of clues.
Legend: The following symbols are used in reviews:
|
The review of a clue takes the following general structure:
#a/d Clue containing parsing markup (num*)
* num = numeration
Explanations pertaining to the wordplay (or first definition in a double definition)
(Horizontal separator)
Explanatory Box
| |
---|---|
An explanatory box provides additional information about the clue. In most cases this information will not necessarily help in solving the clue but provides information about the clue. In the case of the weekday syndicated Daily Telegraph puzzles, such information is often intended to help the North American solver appreciate how the clue may be perceived by a British solver. These boxes may also provide information on people, places, films, television programmes, works of art and literature, etc. mentioned in the clue. Although the titles of these boxes will usually be drawn from a standard list, I do occasionally throw in a title specifically suggested by the subject at hand. The standard titles include:
|
Note that there are many types of cryptic crossword clue and it is not my intention to exhaustively go through all of them here. I will only deal with clue types to the extent necessary to explain the conventions and symbols used on the blog. Furthermore, be aware that, in the world of cryptic crosswords, there seems to be an exception to every rule.
With one exception that I can think of, cryptic crossword clues provide two routes to the solution. These are commonly referred to as the definition and wordplay. While these terms serve well for most clues, there are some cases where the more formal terms of primary indication and subsidiary indication may be more appropriate.
Most cryptic crossword clues consist of a definition (primary indication) and wordplay (subsidiary indication). The definition may be a "precise definition" (a definition that is either taken straight from a dictionary or at least phrased in a non-misleading fashion) or it may be a "cryptic definition" (a definition misleadingly phrased so as to misdirect the solver either with respect to the meaning of the definition as a whole or to an incorrect sense of a word used in the definition).
The only type of clue that I can think of where there are not two ways of finding the solution are those in which the entire clue is a cryptic definition.
I identify precise definitions by marking them with a solid underline in the clue and cryptic definitions by marking them with a dotted underline.In clues in which both definition and wordplay are present, the two parts of the clue combine to provide an overall meaningful statement (the surface reading) which usually bears no relationship to the underlying cryptic reading of the clue. In some cases, an extra word or phrase will be inserted into the clue to create a meaningful link between the definition and wordplay. I define clues which contain such a link word or link phrase as having an explicit link and clues which contain no link word or link phrase as having an implicit link.
I mark the existence of an explicit link by enclosing the link word or link phrase between forward slashes (/link/) and mark the existence of an implicit link with double forward slashes (//) positioned between the definition and wordplay.
ExamplesI also use distinctive underlining to mark &lit.[7] and semi-&lit. clues. Note that the reviewers on Big Dave's Crossword Blog generally prefer to refer to these clue types by the less pretentious names of all-in-one or semi-all-in-one clues respectively.
A few examples may help to illustrate these points more clearly.
The first example is a clue used by Jay in DT 28573:
Here the definition is "a failure" which is marked with a solid underline to show that it is a precise definition. The wordplay parses as F (fellow; abbrev.) + L (left; abbrev.) + OP (work; abbrev. used in music) which gives us the solution F|L|OP. The double forward slashes (//) between the definition and wordplay indicate the existence of an "implicit link" between the two parts of the clue (that is, no extra words are inserted into the clue to form the link).
- 4d Fellow left work // a failure (4)
The second example is a clue used by Giovanni in DT 28575:
Here the definition "female going to match" is cryptic (the setter is attempting to misdirect our thoughts to a sports event rather than a marriage ceremony) and thus is marked with a a dotted underline. The wordplay is {RIDES (travels) + (with) MA (mother)} contained in (in) BID (advance) giving us the solution B(RIDES|MA)ID. As in the first example, the double forward slashes indicate the presence of an implicit link.
- 29a Female going to match // travels with mother in advance (10)
The third example is a clue used by Rufus is DT 28583:
Here the definition is "staggering" which is marked with a solid underline to show that it is a precise definition. The wordplay parses as N ([chess symbol for] knight) contained in (caught in) an anagram (misplaced) of BIG BLOW producing the solution WOBBLI(N)G. Finally, forward slashes mark the link word (/is/).
- 18d Knight caught by misplaced big blow /is/ staggering (8)
In an &lit. clue[7] (or 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 future, I will mark such clues with a combined solid and dashed underline. Although this is a departure from past practice, it would seem to make more sense than using a dotted underline as I have in the past). Henceforth, the dotted underline will be reserved for cryptic definitions.In a semi-&lit. clue (or 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.
For these clues, I will mark the definition with a solid underline and the wordplay with a dashed underline. This means that a portion of the clue may have a solid underline, a portion of the clue may have a dashed underline and a portion of the clue may have a combined solid and dashed underline.One final clue type is what I characterize as a cryptic definition comprised of a precise definition combined with cryptic elaboration. For example, in DT 28560 (setter unknown) the following clue appears:
- 26d Heroic exploit, whichever way you look at it (4)
Given the numeration, the precise definition could give rise to at least two solutions, DEED or FEAT. However, the 'cryptic elaboration' ("whichever way you look at it") indicates that the solution is a palindrome thereby immediately eliminating one of the two obvious choices.
Note that the part of the clue that I have called 'cryptic elaboration' does not provide a second independent route to the solution (as the wordplay would do in most other types of clue). Rather it merely provides a piece of additional information (elaboration) related to the 'precise definition'.
Again, this approach is a departure from past practice, but like the other changes mentioned previously is intended to remove inconsistencies in the way that I have been applying parsing markup to clues. The markup rules that I have been using until now evolved bit-by-bit over a long period of time resulting in some degree of internal inconsistency.
hide explanation
Across
3a Track // record originally set by champion, programme /reveals/ (10)
Bringing up the rear ...
| |
---|---|
For cryptic effect, the setter has employed a syntax known as
"fronting". As a result, the link word "reveals" is positioned at the end of the clue rather than in the middle where it would be found had the setter used the following normal declarative syntax:
|
8a Sister crossing area by church /in/ shade (6)
"church" = CE (show explanation )
The Church of England[10] (abbreviation CE[10]) is the reformed established state Church in England, Catholic in order and basic doctrine, with the Sovereign as its temporal head.
hide explanation
The Church of England[10] (abbreviation CE[10]) is the reformed established state Church in England, Catholic in order and basic doctrine, with the Sovereign as its temporal head.
hide explanation
9a Actress who played Norma Desmond -- good /in/ last performance (8)
Gloria Swanson[5] (1899–1983) was an American actress; born Gloria May Josephine Svensson. She was a major star of silent films such as Sadie Thompson (1928) but is now chiefly known for her performance as the fading movie star in Sunset Boulevard (1950).
"good" = G (show explanation )
The abbreviation G[a] for good comes from its use in education as a mark for scholastic assignments or tests.
[a] Collins English to Spanish Dictionary
hide explanation
The abbreviation G[a] for good comes from its use in education as a mark for scholastic assignments or tests.
[a] Collins English to Spanish Dictionary
hide explanation
10a Calling urgently about one // petitioner (8)
Clamant[5] (adjective) means urgently demanding attention ⇒
the proper use of biotechnology has become a clamant question.
Origin: from Latin clamant- ‘crying out’, from the verb clamare
11a Set on fire // in the course of campaign, it exploded (6)
12a Soldiers // initially observe German man breaking into military vehicles (5,5)
Herr[5] is:
- a title or form of address used of or to a German-speaking man,
corresponding to Mr and also used before a rank or occupation ⇒ (i)
good morning, Herr Weber
; (ii)my trip with the Herr Doktor was postponed
- a German man
14a In favour of person helping /to produce/ rapid growth (13)
Life[10] is used in the sense of a living person or being ⇒
to save a life.
20a Heartless first leader disturbed // one backing union of states (10)
22a Unfortunate result /for/ province (6)
Ulster[10] is a widely-used (albeit inaccurate*) informal name for Northern Ireland.
* Properly Ulster is an area that was a province and former kingdom of northern Ireland which passed to the English Crown in 1461. Following centuries of conflict, Ulster was partitioned in 1921, with six counties [Antrim, Down, Armagh, Londonderry, Tyrone, and Fermanagh] forming Northern Ireland (a region within the United Kingdom) and three counties [Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan] joining the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland[5] is the only major division of the United Kingdom to hold the status of province, with England[5], Scotland[5] and Wales[5] being regarded as countries.
23a One on raid /given/ order before start of operation (8)
24a Sit astride /and/ go off, following street on right (8)
Go off[5] is a British (or, at least, chiefly British[3]) term meaning (said of food or drink) to begin to decompose and become inedible ⇒
milk went off so quickly in hot weather.
Addle[10] means to make or become rotten.
In his review, Mr K points to a different meaning of addle, one which I don't see as being a particularly good match.
25a Ballesteros catching the French // liner (6)
Seve Ballesteros[5] (1957–2011) was a Spanish golfer; full name Severiano Ballesteros Sota. In 1979 he became the youngest player in the 20th century to win the British Open; the following year he was the youngest-ever winner of the US Masters.
"the French" = LE (show explanation )
26a Long leases arranged /in/ US city (3,7)
Down
1d Complete rest // period for Americans (4,4)
The punctuation mark (.) known as a period[5] in North America is called a full stop[5] by the British.
2d On the air, weird // protagonist lacking traditional virtues (4-4)
3d Put right // about item? (6)
4d Pitch // players used (4)
5d Is the old lady after cleaner /that shows/ pulling power? (8)
Char[5] is an informal British term for charwoman[5] (or charlady[5]), a dated British name for a woman employed as a cleaner in a house or office.
6d Resembling a certain big animal /from/ island nursed by remarkable nurse (6)
7d Reason // fool imprisoned by state (6)
Nit[5] (short for nitwit[10]) is an informal British term for a foolish person ⇒
you stupid nit!.
13d Very much // ungoverned, oddly defective (2,3)
The setter uses the phrase "oddly defective" to indicate that the odd letters of uNgOvErNeD have flown the coop.
15d In northern part of France, excavate // beneath one (5,3)
Infra dig[5] is an informal British term meaning beneath one or demeaning ⇒
she regarded playing for the Pony Club as deeply infra dig. The term is an abbreviation of Latin infra dignitatem 'beneath (one's) dignity'.
16d Not in good health? Corpulent editor /may be/ unlucky (3-5)
17d Steep decline // in doves flying close to shore (8)
18d Wasted // opening in board game (6)
In addition to being another term for lottery, lotto[5] is the name of a children's game similar to bingo, in which numbered or illustrated counters or cards are drawn by the players.
19d Over-the-top articles about Western // capital (6)
"over-the-top" = OTT (show explanation )
OTT[5] (short for over the top) is an informal British expression denoting excessive or exaggerated ⇒
hide explanation
OTT[5] (short for over the top) is an informal British expression denoting excessive or exaggerated ⇒
presenting him as a goalscoring Superman seems a bit OTT.
hide explanation
21d Engineers are absent from /being/ lax (6)
"engineers" = RE (show explanation )
The Corps of Royal Engineers[7], usually just called the Royal Engineers (abbreviation RE), and commonly known as the Sappers[7], is a corps of the British Army that provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces.
hide explanation
The Corps of Royal Engineers[7], usually just called the Royal Engineers (abbreviation RE), and commonly known as the Sappers[7], is a corps of the British Army that provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces.
hide explanation
23d One-roomed dwelling // to dispose of, reportedly (4)
A cell[5] is a small room in which a prisoner is locked up or in which a monk or nun sleeps.
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)
[14] - CollinsDictionary.com (COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.