Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28762 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Monday, June 11, 2018 | |
Setter
Dada (John Halpern) | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28762] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Miffypops | |
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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Introduction
For the most part, I found this puzzle to be on the less difficult end of the spectrum although a few clues slowed my pace toward the end of the solve. At 20d, a bit of dubious French presents a hurdle one must contend with.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:
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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
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| 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:
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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
1a River Test // commercial (10)
The setter deceptively capitalizes the word "test" so as to make us think that the clue is a reference to the River Test in England (see box).
Scratching the Surface
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| The River Test[7] is a river in Hampshire, England. It has a total length of 40 miles (64 km) and it flows through downland from its source near Ashe to the sea at the head of Southampton Water. In its upper reaches it is a chalk stream, and is used for fly fishing for trout. The river plays a significant part in Richard Adams' novel Watership Down. |
6a Novel // ending mercifully, maybe another starts? (4)
Emma[7] is a novel by English writer Jane Austen (1775–1817) that was first published in December 1815.
10a Confused, // like a sailor? (2,3)
The question mark indicates that the solution to the second definition is a particular case; i.e., a place where a sailor might typically — but not necessarily — be found.
11a Lost cause, rotten // stew (9)
Cassoulet[5] is a French stew made with meat (typically pork, goose, and duck) and beans.
12a A payment secured by friend // of father and mother? (8)
13a Half a score otherwise /for/ singer (5)
15a Capitol out // of sight (7)
The Capitol[5] is the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill in ancient Rome. In the US, a capitol[5] is a building housing a legislative assembly ⇒
the work is on display at the Utah state capitol; in particular, the Capitol[5] is the seat of the US Congress in Washington DC.
17a Shingle shifted /from/ some UK shores? (7)
A word describing some — but not all — UK shores. In a "belt and suspenders"* scenario, the setter indicates that the solution is a particular case by using both the word "some" as well as a question mark.
* For Brits, I guess this would be "belt and braces" situation. In Britain, suspenders hold up one's socks rather than ones trousers.
Scratching the Surface
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In this context, shingle[5] is a mass of small rounded pebbles, especially on a seashore ⇒ (i) a wonderful beach of fine shingle; (ii) natural features like sand dunes and shingle banks. |
19a Drug used in growing muscle, // or in weight-loss programmes, contrarily (7)
21a Poisoner // tainted sarnie with dash of cyanide (7)
Scratching the Surface
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| Sarnie[5] is an informal British term for a sandwich. |
22a How much interest regarding // pinafore! (5)
APR[5] is the abbreviation for annual or annualized percentage rate (used typically of interest on loans or credit).
In this case, pinafore[5] is a British term for a sleeveless apron-like garment worn over a young girl's dress, typically having ties or buttons at the back.
Pinafore[5] is also a British term for:
- a collarless sleeveless dress worn over a blouse or jumper*
- a woman's loose sleeveless garment, typically full length and worn over clothes to keep them clean
* In Britain, a jumper[5] is a sweater — in particular, a pullover. Ironically, the dress that we in North America call a jumper[5] is known to the Brits as a pinafore[5].
24a One // thus set on fire, a refinery gutted (8)
27a Member is slow // to establish laws (9)
To address Miffypops' comment in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog (
The final part of this clue doesn’t work for me. Slow = late. Please enlighten me.), I believe that slow[10] is being used in the sense of lacking promptness or immediacy ⇒
a slow answer.
28a Dash // can get shortened (5)
29a Essence: // it is in pub (4)
Public house[5] (abbreviation PH[a]) is the formal British name for a pub.
[a] TheFreeDictionary.com
30a Beauty -- // small-minded nature about right (10)
Down
1d Yours truly is a leader in mosque! (4)
I'm afraid that I don't quite see eye to eye with Miffypops when he says
the whole clue is meant to be the definition. While the whole clue certainly does serve as the wordplay, I consider only the latter part to be the definition.
2d Demolish // testament in dreadful tirade, ultimately (9)
3d Say // 'Florida', possibly? (5)
Another "belt and suspenders" situation.
4d Reading // article the wrong way (7)
5d Clear // answers billions initially work out (7)
7d Fruit // eaten up by rhino, lemons (5)
8d Sweet wine /gets/ more trembling? (10)
Sweet[5] is a British term for a sweet dish forming a course of a meal; in other words, a dessert.
Afters[5] is an informal British term for the sweet course following the main course of a meal.
Hock[5] is a British term for a dry white wine from the German Rhineland.
9d Prisons around extravagant // country residences (8)
"extravagant" = 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
Cottage[10] is used in the general sense of a small, simple house, especially in a rural area rather than in the more specific North American sense of a vacation home.
14d Rubbish // fish's served with batter (10)
In the surface reading, rubbish[3,4,11] (noun) is used in the sense* of foolish words or speech; in other words, nonsense.
* Oxford Dictionaries considers the word rubbish[5] (in all senses) to be British — despite it not being characterized as such by American dictionaries. I would think that, as a noun, the word has long ago become accepted in North America. That is not the case, however, when used as an adjective or verb.
Codswallop[5] is an informal British term meaning nonsense ⇒
I think that’s a right load of old codswallop.
16d Comedic, // common error that's come up in church (8)
18d One racing out of control, /showing/ lack of awareness (9)
20d Loss of hope // in the French couple (7)
The words "in the" are being used to clue the French word des which can mean either 'of the' or 'from the'. The only justification that I can see for translating "in the" as des is the rare situation in English where one might replace the word "of" by the word "in". Thus, a phrase such as "loss of income" that might also be expressed in English as "loss in income" would translate into French as "perte des revenus" (literally 'loss of the income'). [see also the discussion on Big Dave's Crossword Blog in the thread arising from Comment #5]
21d Illness -- // I left people in bath scratching both ends! (7)
23d Tory // privilege (5)
25d Grabbing first of toys, old king and I // play together (5)
Tutankhamen[5] (also Tutankhamun) (died c.1352 BC) [familiarly known as King Tut] was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 18th dynasty, reigned c.1361–c.1352 BC. His tomb, containing a wealth of rich and varied contents, was discovered virtually intact by the English archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922.
In music, tutti[5] is a direction indicating that a passage is to be performed with all voices or instruments together.
26d God /has/ Egyptian seaport to set up (4)
Suez[10] is a port in northeastern Egypt, at the head of the Gulf of Suez at the southern end of the Suez Canal. An ancient trading site and a major naval station under the Ottoman Empire, it is now a port of departure for pilgrims to Mecca and an oil-refining centre. It suffered severely in the Arab-Israeli conflicts of 1967 and 1973.
In Greek mythology, Zeus[5] is the supreme god, the son of Cronus (whom he dethroned) and Rhea, and husband of Hera. Zeus was the protector and ruler of humankind, the dispenser of good and evil, and the god of weather and atmospheric phenomena (such as rain and thunder). The Roman equivalent is Jupiter.
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)
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