Tuesday, June 26, 2018 — DT 28666

Puzzle at a Glance

Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph DT 28666
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph Monday, February 19, 2018
Setter Mister Ron (Chris Lancaster)
Link to Full Review Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28666]
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By Miffypops
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

Today's puzzle is a very enjoyable and not overly difficult offering from Mister Ron — or, as the Brits now seem to have dubbed him, Sir Ron (in honour of his elevation to the post of puzzles editor at The Daily Telegraph).

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: "*" anagram "~" sounds like "<" indicates that the preceding letters are reversed "( )" encloses contained letters "_" replaces letters that have been deleted "†" indicates that the word is present in the clue

The review of a clue takes the following general structure:

#a/d   Clue containing parsing markup (num^*)

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^* num = numeration

Explanations pertaining to the wordplay (or first definition in a double definition)

(Horizontal separator)

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Explanations pertaining to the definition (or second definition in a double definition) and solution.

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: Scratching the Surface - an explanation of the surface reading of the clue Delving Deeper - in-depth information pertaining to a subject mentioned in an explanation Behind the Picture - for weekday puzzles, information about an illustration found on Big Dave's Crossword Blog What did he/she/they say? - for weekday puzzles, an explanation of a remark made in a review or comment on Big Dave's Crossword Blog What are they talking about? - for weekday puzzles, an explanation of a discussion on Big Dave's Crossword Blog One box that may provide information that could prove helpful in solving the clue is the following: Here and There - for weekday puzzles, discusses words whose British meaning differs from their North American meaning

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.

Examples

A few examples may help to illustrate these points more clearly.

The first example is a clue used by Jay in DT 28573:

• 4d   Fellow left work // a failure (4)

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).

The second example is a clue used by Giovanni in DT 28575:

• 29a   Female going to match // travels with mother in advance (10)

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.

The third example is a clue used by Rufus is DT 28583:

• 18d   Knight caught by misplaced big blow /is/ staggering (8)

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/).

I 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.

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)

As the entire clue is a cryptic definition, it is marked with a dotted underline. The 'precise definition' is "heroic exploit" and is indicated by a solid underline.

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.

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Across

1a   Record songs /and/ leave (4,6)

In this double definition, the first is a literal interpretation of the solution.

Make tracks (for)^[5] is an informal phrase meaning to leave (for a place) ⇒ (i) I suppose I ought to be making tracks; (ii) we made tracks for home.

6a   Sausage dog, somewhat // past it (4)

9a   Crime, say, recalled // fire damage (5)

10a   Fancy rich lass carrying unknown // flier's case? (9)

"unknown" = Y (show explanation )

In mathematics (algebra, in particular), an unknown^[10] is a variable, or the quantity it represents, the value of which is to be discovered by solving an equation ⇒ 3y = 4x + 5 is an equation in two unknowns. [Unknowns are customarily represented symbolically by the letters x, y and z.]

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Chrysalis^[5] may denote either:

• a quiescent insect pupa, especially of a butterfly or moth ⇒ the transformation from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and, finally, adult
• the hard outer case enclosing a chrysalis ⇒ the splitting of the chrysalis and the slow unfolding of the wings

12a   Put off // wrecked actors captured by surreal painter (13)

14a   Vehicle one lost /is/ gone (8)

15a   Misplaced lust about reversible // coat (6)

An ulster^[5] is a man’s long, loose overcoat of rough cloth, typically with a belt at the back.

17a   Identification of an overthrown // dynasty (6)

Ming^[5] is the name of the dynasty that ruled China 1368–1644 founded by Zhu Yuanzhang (1328–1398).

19a   Disputed region broadcast // fine material (8)

Kashmir^[5] is a region on the northern border of India and north-eastern Pakistan. Formerly a state of India, it has been disputed between India and Pakistan since partition in 1947, with sporadic outbreaks of fighting. The north-western part is controlled by Pakistan, most of it forming the state of Azad Kashmir, while the remainder is incorporated into the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Cashmere^[5] may denote either:

• fine, soft wool, originally that from the Kashmir goat
• woollen material made from or resembling cashmere

21a   Powerless to accept reviled revolutionary // with incorrect address? (13)

Although Miffypops identifies the cryptic device used in the wordplay as an anagram, it is in fact a reversal with the wordplay parsing as UNABLE (powerless) containing (to accept) a reversal (revolutionary) of REVILED. In his defence, I suppose one could argue that a reversal is merely a special case of an anagram.

24a   Line one resents playing /for/ radio audience? (9)

"line" = L (show explanation )

In textual references, the abbreviation for line is l.^[5] ⇒ l. 648.

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25a   Before lunch, 15 regularly // entertain (5)

The numeral "15" is a cross reference indicator ... (show more )

To complete the clue, a solver must replace the cross reference indicator with the solution to the clue starting in the light^* identified by the cross reference indicator.

The cross reference indicator may include a directional indicator but this is customarily done only in situations where there are both Across and Down clues starting in the light that is being referenced.

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^* light-coloured cell in the grid

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26a   Plaything // American's greeting twice (2-2)

Yo^[1,2,5,10] is an informal exclamation used to greet someone, attract their attention, or express excitement ⇒ ‘Yo, Ben!’ ‘Hey Eugene, I thought it was you.’.

Although Miffypops remarks show that he is not familiar with this word, British dictionaries do not show it as being an Americanism when used as a greeting. However, The Chambers Dictionary and Chambers 21st Century do describe its use to indicate one's presence (e.g., at a roll-call) or to acknowledge an order or request, etc. as "especially US".

27a   Masses sent out /for/ appraisal (10)

Down

1d   The old woman has hot // food (4)

Mash^[5] is an informal British term for mashed potato ⇒ for supper there was sausages and mash.

2d   Family doctor at home /for/ VIP (7)

3d   Police // those playing for Man City? (3,4,2,4)

Boys in blue^[5] is an informal term for policemen or the police ⇒ two dozen boys in blue arrive in full riot gear.

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Manchester City Football Club^[7] (often referred to simply as City) is an English professional football [soccer] club, based in Manchester, England, that plays in the Premier League (the top level in the English football league system). Manchester City's home colours are sky blue and white.

Behind the Picture

The picture in Miffypops' review depicts not Man City but Coventry City and shows the team in 1987 when it won the FA Cup — emblematic of English football supremacy. At the time, Coventry City Football Club[7] played in the Premier League (tier 1 of the English football league system). However, the team subsequently endured a series of relegations — to tier 2 in 2001, to tier 3 in 2012, and to tier 4 in 2017. Their efforts this year earned them promotion back to tier 3 next year.

4d   Hateful // person charged to limit resistance (8)

"resistance" = R (show explanation )

In physics, R^[5] is a symbol used to represent electrical resistance in mathematical formulae.

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5d   Enterprise leader initially supports // churches (5)

James T. Kirk^[7] is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise. As the captain of the starship USS Enterprise, Kirk leads his crew as they explore "where no man has gone before".

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Kirk^[5] is a Scottish and Northern English term for a church.

7d   Heroic // worker weighed down by bitterness (7)

"worker" = ANT (show explanation )

The word "worker" and the phrase "social worker" are commonly used in cryptic crossword puzzles to clue ANT or BEE.

A worker^[5] is a neuter or undeveloped female bee, wasp, ant, or other social insect, large numbers of which do the basic work of the colony.

In crossword puzzles, "worker" will most frequently be used to clue ANT and occasionally BEE but I have yet to see it used to clue WASP. Of course, "worker" is sometimes also used to clue HAND or MAN.

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8d   Depress // a resident being moved around hospital (10)

11d   Have an accident in the kitchen? // Tell all! (5,3,5)

A double definition with the first being a literal interpretation of the solution.

13d   Happening to meet posh friend // at last (10)

"posh" = U (show explanation )

In Britain, U^[5] is used informally as an adjective (in respect to language or social behaviour) meaning characteristic of or appropriate to the upper social classes ⇒ U manners.

The term, an abbreviation of  upper class, was coined in 1954 by Alan S. C. Ross, professor of linguistics, and popularized by its use in Nancy Mitford's Noblesse Oblige (1956).

In Crosswordland, the letter U is frequently clued by words denoting "characteristic of the upper class" (such as posh or superior) or "appropriate to the upper class" (such as acceptable). 

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What is he talking about?

On Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Miffypops tells us that the "happening" in the clue is an occurrence such as The Cheltenham Festival or Glastonbury. The Cheltenham Festival[7] is a major meeting on the horse racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. However, I suspect that Miffypops may actually be referring to the Cheltenham Festivals[7], a series of four festivals held every year in the spa town of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. The constituent festivals are the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the Cheltenham Science Festival, the Cheltenham Music Festival, and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. Glastonbury Festival[7] is a five-day festival of contemporary performing arts that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England. In addition to contemporary music, the festival hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts.

16d   Like half of the clues in the French // game (8)

"the French" = LE (show explanation )

In French, the masculine singular form of the definite article is le^[8].

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18d   Self-consciousness /of/ style with pen (7)

20d   Do // finish off (7)

Behind the Video

Miffypops illustrates his hint with an excerpt from the satirical BBC sitcom Blackadder Goes Forth[7] which originally aired in 1989. In this episode, Captain Blackadder justifies the shooting for food of a carrier pigeon (which turns out to be the pet, Speckled Jim, of his boss and nemesis General Melchett) by saying, "With 50,000 men getting killed a week, who's going to miss a pigeon?" Blackadder is sentenced to death by firing squad for the act, a reference to the capital sentences carried out under the laws of war in force at the time.

22d   Write-ups on lost // vistas (5)

The wordplay parses as [RE]VIEWS (write-ups) with RE (on; about or concerning) removed (lost).

23d   Joke /with/ son on board plane (4)

Key to Reference Sources: 

^[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)

Signing off for today — Falcon