Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28799 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28799] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Mr K | |
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
Today's puzzle hopefully will not delay you too long in getting on with your last minute Christmas shopping.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 Complete first of circuits, ahead after British // bloomer (9)
The cryptic crossword convention whereby a bloomer is a flowering plant is not entirely whimsical. By dictionary definition, a bloomer[5] is a plant that produces flowers at a specified time ⇒
fragrant night-bloomers such as nicotiana.
6a A container, // partly open (4)
10a Extremist // in Istanbul, trapped (5)
An ultra[3,4,11] is an extremist, as in politics, religion, or fashion.
Scratching the Surface
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Istanbul[5] is a
port in Turkey on the Bosporus, lying partly in Europe, partly in Asia. (show more )
Formerly the Roman city of Constantinople (330–1453), it was built on the site of the ancient Greek city of Byzantium. It was captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1453 and was the capital of Turkey from that time until 1923. hide |
11a Loads // in favour of merger (9)
12a Worry about fellow, the Parisian /in/ a port not far from Perth (9)
"the Parisian" = LE (show explanation )
Fremantle[5] is the principal port of Western Australia, part of the Perth metropolitan area.
14a A dry, freezing cold, unfinished // loft (5)
"dry" = TT (show explanation )
Teetotal[5] (abbreviation TT[5]) means choosing or characterized by abstinence from alcohol ⇒
A teetotaller[5] (US teetotaler; abbreviation TT[5]) is a person who never drinks alcohol.
The term teetotal is an emphatic extension of total, apparently first used by Richard Turner, a worker from Preston [England], in a speech (1833) urging total abstinence from all alcohol, rather than mere abstinence from spirits, as advocated by some early temperance reformers.
hide explanation
Teetotal[5] (abbreviation TT[5]) means choosing or characterized by abstinence from alcohol ⇒
a teetotal lifestyle.
A teetotaller[5] (US teetotaler; abbreviation TT[5]) is a person who never drinks alcohol.
The term teetotal is an emphatic extension of total, apparently first used by Richard Turner, a worker from Preston [England], in a speech (1833) urging total abstinence from all alcohol, rather than mere abstinence from spirits, as advocated by some early temperance reformers.
hide explanation
15a Become physical? // Don't be so naive (3,4)
16a Big boss, // more vague after drink (7)
"drink" = SUP (show explanation )
As a verb, sup[5] is a dated or Northern English term meaning to take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls ⇒ (i)
As a noun, sup[5] means
As a verb, sup[5] is a dated or Northern English term meaning to take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls ⇒ (i)
she supped up her soup delightedly; (ii)
he was supping straight from the bottle.
As a noun, sup[5] means
- a sip of liquid ⇒
he took another sup of wine
- (in Northern England or Ireland) an alcoholic drink ⇒
the latest sup from those blokes at the brewery
Supremo[5] is an informal British term meaning:
- a person in overall charge of an organization or activity ⇒
the Channel Four supremo
- a person with great authority or skill in a certain area ⇒
an interior by design supremo Kelly
18a Coach // beginning to toil, damaged in rear (7)
20a A Burgundy wine /can bring/ great joy, mostly after tea! (7)
Cha (also chai) is an alternative spelling of char[5], an informal British name for tea [as a drink].
Chablis[5] is a dry white burgundy* wine from Chablis in eastern France.
* Burgundy[5] (French name Bourgogne) is a region and former duchy of east central France, centred on Dijon. The region is noted for its wine. A burgundy[5] (a wine from Burgundy) is usually taken to be red unless otherwise specified.
21a Check about ending of gag // rule (5)
23a Clubs dealt -- bar having a flutter on this? (4-5)
The entire clue is a rather whimsical description (as opposed to a precise definition) in which we find the wordplay embedded.
Flutter[5] is an informal British term for a small bet ⇒
a flutter on the horses.
Scratching the Surface
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| I have no idea what meaning the surface reading is intended to convey. Is "bar" used in the sense of a drinking establishment, the legal profession, a verb meaning to prevent, or a preposition denoting except for. |
25a Form of investment, // one thing to have faith in (4,5)
Unit trust[5] is the British name for a mutual fund[10], a collective investment fund that is priced, bought, and sold in units that represent a mixture of the securities underlying the fund.
26a Parachute failing to open -- // wrong 'un (5)
Another definition that is far from precise.
A drogue[5] is a small parachute used as a brake or to pull out a larger parachute or other object from an aircraft in flight or a fast-moving vehicle.
28a Hour with // author (4)
According to The Collins Dictionary, hand[1] denotes (in part) ... a worker, especially in a factory or on a ship; a performer; a doer, author or producer; ...
29a Direct series /causing/ a complete change in opinion (9)
Turnround[5] is an alternative British term for turnaround.
Down
1d Outspoken, // expert about lake (5)
2d Perfectly ignoring adult /and/ small child (3)
The phrase to a T[5] is an informal expression denoting exactly or to perfection ⇒
I baked it to a T, and of course it was delicious.
"adult" = A (show explanation )
The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
hide explanation
The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
hide explanation
3d Dash round implausible island // battle site (2,7)
The Battle of El Alamein[5] was a battle of the Second World War fought in 1942 at El Alamein in Egypt, 90 km (60 miles) west of Alexandria. The German Afrika Korps under Rommel was halted in its advance towards the Nile by the British 8th Army under Montgomery, giving a decisive British victory.
4d During depression, a point raised /in/ State House (7)
A col[5] is the lowest point of a ridge or saddle between two peaks, typically providing a pass from one side of a mountain range to another.
In the US, the term state house [5] denotes the building where the legislature of a state meets.
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.
5d Old wife hemmed in by crowd /shows/ courage (7)
Prowess[5] originally meant bravery in battle ⇒
the hereditary nobility had no monopoly of skill and prowess in war. Readers may well be more familiar with a comparatively recent sense of the word (dating from the early 20th century) denoting skill or expertise in a particular activity or field ⇒ (i)
his prowess as a fisherman; (ii)
her culinary prowess.
7d Connect article with society? // Me too! (4,3,4)
8d Bump into // ladder on a bridge (3,6)
In Britain, ladder[5] denotes:
- (noun) a vertical strip of unravelled fabric in tights or stockings ⇒
one of Sally’s stockings developed a ladder
- (verb) with reference to tights or stockings, to develop or cause to develop a ladder ⇒ (i)
her tights were always laddered
; (ii)they laddered the minute I
9d Fish /and/ a fruit served up (4)
13d Deportation, // one-time practice (11)
15d Search // finished after game (2,7)
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| Go is played on a grid of black lines |
| (usually 19×19). Game pieces, called stones, |
| are played on the lines' intersections. |
From China the game spread, first to Korea and Japan, and eventually worldwide. Despite its relatively simple rules, Go is very complex. Compared to chess, Go has both a larger board with more scope for play and longer games, and, on average, many more alternatives to consider per move. In a simple and anecdotal way of explaining the rules of Go, a teacher simply says to a student "you may place your stone (playing piece) on any point on the board, but if I surround that stone, I may remove it." The name Go is derived from the Japanese name of the game "igo".
hide
17d Art repels crude // artisan (9)
19d Playing field -- game on it /for/ conscript (7)
Here and There
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Rec[5] is an informal British term for a recreation ground whereas in North America it is used as a short form for recreation ⇒ the rec centre. Thus while Brits conduct their sporting activities at the rec, North Americans might pursue theirs at the rec centre. |
"game" = RU (show explanation )
Rugby union[10] (abbreviation RU[5]) is a form of rugby football played between teams of 15 players (in contrast to rugby league[5], which is played in teams of thirteen).
Rugby union[7] is the national sport in New Zealand, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Madagascar.
hide explanation
Rugby union[10] (abbreviation RU[5]) is a form of rugby football played between teams of 15 players (in contrast to rugby league[5], which is played in teams of thirteen).
Rugby union[7] is the national sport in New Zealand, Wales, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Madagascar.
hide explanation
20d Rude men flanking a // museum administrator (7)
"men" = OR (show explanation )
In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
hide explanation
In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
hide explanation
22d Record // message (4)
24d Aim to tour Maine? // Correct (5)
27d Ruminant // from foreign uplands (3)
The gnu[5] (also called wildebeest) is a large dark antelope with a long head, a beard and mane, and a sloping back.
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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