Wednesday, August 29, 2018 — DT 28714

Puzzle at a Glance

Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph DT 28714
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph Monday, April 16, 2018
Setter (Most likely) Mister Ron (Chris Lancaster)
Link to Full Review Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28714]
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 offering is a nice bit of midweek fun — supposedly from Mister Ron.

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 The Story 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   Private // dance, silent, moving (11)

9a   Leaves // time for bed? (6,3)

Here But Not There

Light out[5] is an informal North American expression meaning to depart hurriedly ⇒ he lit out for California to ‘find’ himself. As is often the case, the appearance of an unindicated Americanism caused the hair to bristle on some British necks. At Comment #1 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Rabbit Dave remarks "My Americanism radar bleeped loudly over “leaves”* in 9a." When Merusa asks "What was so bad about it being an Americanism?", BobH replies "Its (sic) not English and therefore unfathomable to us UK mortals." * It is not the word "leaves" that is of concern, but rather its synonym "lights out". Rabbit Dave indicates this by placing the word "leaves" in quotation marks to avoid giving away the answer to the clue.

10a   Make old books /for/ spy (5)

In Crosswordland, the term "books" or phrases such as "collection of books" or "religious books" are commonly used to clue either the Old Testament (OT) or the New Testament (NT). Today, as is frequently the case, the clue provides no indication whether the reference is to the former or the latter. In fact, the setter even throws in some misdirection likely to point us toward the wrong set of books.

11a   Wrongly arrest // existentialist (6)

Jean-Paul Sartre^[5] (1905–1980) was a French philosopher, novelist, playwright, and critic. A leading existentialist, he dealt in his work with the nature of human life and the structures of consciousness. He refused the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964. Notable works: Nausée (novel, 1938), Being and Nothingness (treatise, 1943), and Huis clos (play, 1944).

12a   Upset after performance // one's created (8)

13a   A university bags retiring // writer (6)

Jane Austen^[5] (1775–1817) was an English novelist. Her major novels are Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1818), and Persuasion (1818). They are notable for skilful characterization, dry wit, and penetrating social observation.

What did he say?

In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Miffypops writesAfter many years of questioning I still cannot understand why retiring is a reversal indicator. In case this burning question is bothering others, I would say that as a reversal indicator, the word retire[5] is used in the sense (said of a military force) to retreat [go back] from an enemy or an attacking position ⇒ lack of numbers compelled the British force to retire.

15a   Plot // scam with father to seize power (8)

"power" = P (show explanation )

In physics, P^[10] is a symbol used to represent power [among other things] in mathematical formulae.

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18a   Be with artist breaking // tiles in church (8)

Tile^[10] is old-fashioned British slang for a hat.

Sorting the Tiles

In fact, this expression may be English slang, and specifically cockney slang. However, it is apparently not rhyming slang but merely an allusion to the fact that "roofs are covered with tiles, heads with hats"[a]. The tile[5] forming the basis of this allusion is a roofing tile, a thin rectangular slab of baked clay or other material, used in overlapping rows for covering roofs. This is probably the most common roofing material in Britain. The Chambers Dictionary states that tile[1] is slang for a hat or a Scottish term for a top hat. Various other sources define tile (or tile hat) as an informal term for a stiff hat or high silk hat. Another informal term for such a hat is a stovepipe hat. In this case, the allusion is to a different type of tile[2], a tube-shaped piece of fired clay used for building drains. a from the website English Forums

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 A biretta^[5] is a square cap with three flat projections on top, worn by Roman Catholic clergymen.

19a   Jump to follow cool // modern music style (3-3)

21a   Cleric short of work wears precious stone /that's/ worthless (8)

"work" = OP (show explanation )

In music, an opus^[5] (Latin 'work', 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.

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23a   Attack // part of latest RAF effort (6)

26a   Shouts of encouragement about good // looks (5)

Olé^[5] is a Spanish exclamation meaning bravo^*.

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^* Could one not equally well define bravo as an Italian exclamation meaning olé.

"good" = G (show explanation )

The abbreviation G^[a] for good comes from its use in education as a mark awarded on scholastic assignments or tests.

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^[a] Collins English to Spanish Dictionary

hide explanation

27a   Complaint about parking left // anger (9)

In Crosswordland, complaints and problems are often medical in nature.

28a   Deny temp had worked // without reward (5-6)

Down

1d   Select a fancy // keyboard (7)

A celesta^[5] is a small keyboard instrument in which felted hammers strike a row of steel plates suspended over wooden resonators, giving an ethereal bell-like sound.

2d   Risk losing daughter/'s/ needle (5)

3d   Discourage fellow // cleaner (9)

4d   Leave // part of London when husband's promoted (4)

Here the word "leave" is a verb used in the imperative mood.

Soho^[7] is an area of the City of Westminster and part of the West End of London. Long established as an entertainment district, for much of the 20th century Soho had a reputation for sex shops as well as night life and film industry. Since the early 1980s, the area has undergone considerable transformation. It now is predominantly a fashionable district of upmarket restaurants and media offices, with only a small remnant of sex industry venues.

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Origin: The name Soho^[5] dates to the mid 17th century and probably derives from the old word soho, used as a hunting cry: the area was a royal park in Tudor times.

Not To Be Confused With ...
SoHo[5] is an area of Manhattan, New York City. Origin: SoHo is an abbreviation that derives from SOuth of HOuston Street.

5d   Phone system/'s/ temporary, the second one replaced by company (8)

6d   Cheer // European and others on the way up (5)

7d   Instruction to ignore // Beatles song (3,2,2)

"Let It Be"^[7] is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, released in March 1970 as a single, and (in an alternate mix) as the title track of their album Let It Be. At the time, it had the highest debut on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning its chart run at number 6. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney. It was their final single before McCartney announced his departure from the band.

8d   Stone // married English girl, then engineered hit (8)

Scratching the Surface
The surface reading would appear to be an allusion to a member of the English rock group The Rolling Stones[5].

14d   Crowd supports occasionally sick // game (8)

Scrabble^[5] (trademark) is a game in which players build up words on a board from small lettered squares or tiles.

16d   Trace // audible fault with steering mechanism (9)

The word "tiller" , when pronounced in a non-rhotic (show explanation ) accent typical of dialects found in many parts of Britain (especially southeastern England), sounds like "tilla".

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.

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17d   Clean // finished? (6-2)

I would say that Miffypops has the explanation of the definitions reversed in his review.

In the first definition, the word "clean" is used as an adjective.

Here and There

Wash up[5] is a British expression meaning to clean crockery and cutlery after use ⇒ (i) I cook for him, but he must wash up; (ii) wash up the teacups*. * North Americans would say either "wash" or "wash the dishes" depending on the context ⇒ (i) I cook for him, but he must wash the dishes; (ii) wash the teacups. Wash up[5] is a North American expression meaning to clean one's hands and face ⇒ supper's almost ready—go wash up.

18d   Reportedly shout verse // that's scanned (7)

The implied definition is "[something] that's scanned".

20d   Imagine /being/ before nurse (7)

22d   Problem // children (5)

Jumping to a Hasty (or Nasty) Conclusion

In Comment #13 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, H refers to the word "issue" in the sense of children as a "nasty Americanism". Not only is the comment rude but appears to be unfounded. This meaning of issue[1,2,4,5,10] appears in all my British dictionaries without being characterized as being American. A couple of dictionaries describe it as a "formal"[2] term or even a "formal" term in the field of law[5]. Issue[5] is a formal term in law denoting children of one's own ⇒ the earl died without male issue. The usage example alone should suffice to refute any claim to this  being an Americanism. It would seem that some Brits assume that any word with which they are unfamiliar must be an Americanism.

24d   Fighting in Bill/'s/ honour (5)

25d   See // 'The Sixth Sense' on YouTube initially (4)

Scratching the Surface

The Sixth Sense[7] is a 1999 American supernatural horror film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The film tells the story of Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), a troubled, isolated boy who is able to see and talk to the dead, and an equally troubled child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) who tries to help him. The film established Shyamalan as a writer and director, and introduced the cinema public to his traits, most notably his affinity for surprise endings. The Sixth Sense was the second-highest-grossing film of 1999 (behind Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace).

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