Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28819 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28819] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
pommers | |
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
While I did finish this puzzle without resorting to electronic help, it was only after revisiting the puzzle numerous times and coming very close to throwing in the towel.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 Inconsiderate // way, interrupting royal feasts regularly (10)
6a With father absconding, stops // benefits (4)
9a Might // underwear widen on vacation? (5)
The phrase "on vacation" is an indication to remove the contents (interior letters) from the word "W(ide)N". Vacation[10] is likely used in the sense of the act of departing from or abandoning property, etc. Thus the setter would seem to be suggesting that the interior letters pack up and leave.
10a Not prepared to invest in dodgy vendor // in debt (9)
12a Understand /and/ become wise about topics (3,3,7)
14a Washing up single-handedly, one might bear such // a bloomer (8)
This is a double definition in which the first is a cryptic description of something one might wear when washing the dishes (washing up to the Brits). While one would normally wear a pair of these, only one would be needed if washing up using only a single hand.
Here and There
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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. |
The Story Behind the Picture
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| Marigold is a brand name for gloves, cloths, and scouring pads marketed in the UK by Freudenberg Household Products LP. The company markets similar products in Canada under the Vileda brand. At Comment #9 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Ray S remarks that the British brand name has become fairly generic for these items [gloves], a bit like Hoover for vacuum cleaners. |
15a Shooter/'s/ plot is crushed (6)
17a Fellow barred from plane trips // disembarks (6)
"fellow" = F (show explanation )
F[2] is the abbreviation for Fellow (of a society, etc.). For instance, it is found in professional designations such as FRAIC (Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada).
hide explanation
F[2] is the abbreviation for Fellow (of a society, etc.). For instance, it is found in professional designations such as FRAIC (Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada).
hide explanation
Light[10] is used in the sense of to get down from a horse, vehicle, etc.
19a Shade // okay in animal enclosure (3-5)
21a Tasty-looking // man we outright mauled (13)
24a Stationery // salesman with a huff about retiring (9)
25a Overpowering, // like a boss? (5)
A double definition, the second whimsical.
26a Last of cornflakes with // mass of grains (4)
27a Torturous clue one saw // explained (10)
Down
1d Wine // overturned in hurly-burly (4)
The definition could be a colour ...
- Wine[5] is short for wine red (a shade of the colour red) ⇒
a wine-coloured suit
. - Ruby[5] is an intense purplish-red colour ⇒ (i)
the rich ruby liquid
; (ii)this wine has a youthful ruby-red colour
.
- Ruby port[5] is a deep red port, especially one matured in wood for only a few years and then fined*.
* Fine[5] denotes to clarify (beer or wine) by causing the precipitation of sediment during production.
2d US farmer // phoned European in centre of Belgrade (7)
Granger[10] is a US term for a farmer — which is more than a little bizarre given that grange[5] is a British term for a farm.
Delving Deeper
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| The Grange[7], officially referred to as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry,
is a fraternal organization in the United States that encourages
families to band together to promote the economic and political
well-being of the community and agriculture. The Grange, founded after the Civil War in 1867, is the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national scope. The Grange actively lobbied state legislatures and Congress for political goals, such as the Granger Laws to lower rates charged by railroads, and rural free mail delivery by the Post Office. In 2005, the Grange had a membership of 160,000, with organizations in 2,100 communities in 36 states. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., in a building built by the organization in 1960. Many rural communities in the United States still have a Grange Hall and local Granges still serve as a center of rural life for many farming communities. |
Scratching the Surface
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| Belgrade[5] is the capital of Serbia and formerly of Yugoslavia, situated on the River Danube. |
3d Piranha furiously eating hosiery // efficiently dealt with outfit (3,1,5,4)
4d See old husband entering bar /as/ means of evasion (8)
"see" = LO [archaic] (show explanation )
Lo[5] is an archaic exclamation used to draw attention to an interesting or amazing event ⇒
hide explanation
Lo[5] is an archaic exclamation used to draw attention to an interesting or amazing event ⇒
and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them.
hide explanation
5d Way to cook // small meal, starter of mussels (5)
"small" = S [clothing size] (show explanation )
Tea may be either a drink or a meal, especially in Britain. (more )
The British distinguish between afternoon tea and high tea, although both may be referred to simply as tea[10]. Afternoon tea[2,5,7,10] (or low tea) is a light afternoon meal, typically eaten between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, at which tea, sandwiches, biscuits [British term for cookies or crackers] and cakes are served.
High tea[7] (also known as meat tea) is the evening meal or dinner of the working class, typically eaten between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It typically consists of a hot dish such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or macaroni cheese [macaroni and cheese to North Americans], followed by cakes and bread, butter and jam. Occasionally there would be cold cuts of meat, such as ham salad. Traditionally high tea was eaten by middle to upper class children (whose parents would have a more formal dinner later) or by labourers, miners and the like when they came home from work. The term was first used around 1825 and high is used in the sense of well-advanced (like high noon, for example) to signify that it was taken later in the day.
hide explanation
The British distinguish between afternoon tea and high tea, although both may be referred to simply as tea[10]. Afternoon tea[2,5,7,10] (or low tea) is a light afternoon meal, typically eaten between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, at which tea, sandwiches, biscuits [British term for cookies or crackers] and cakes are served.
High tea[7] (also known as meat tea) is the evening meal or dinner of the working class, typically eaten between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm. It typically consists of a hot dish such as fish and chips, shepherd's pie, or macaroni cheese [macaroni and cheese to North Americans], followed by cakes and bread, butter and jam. Occasionally there would be cold cuts of meat, such as ham salad. Traditionally high tea was eaten by middle to upper class children (whose parents would have a more formal dinner later) or by labourers, miners and the like when they came home from work. The term was first used around 1825 and high is used in the sense of well-advanced (like high noon, for example) to signify that it was taken later in the day.
hide explanation
7d Blubbery creature atop insect /creates/ sticky stuff (7)
8d Southern, apparently subterranean, // English city (10)
Sunderland[5] is an industrial city and metropolitan district in north-eastern England, a port at the mouth of the River Wear.
11d Recognised // noble (13)
13d Ground in temple's probed by minute // gadgets (10)
As an anagram indicator, ground is the past tense or past participle of the verb grind[5]. An anagram indicator is typically a word that denotes movement or transformation. Grind denotes transformation, for example, in the sense of wheat being ground into flour.
16d Alternative to imperial guards leads to emperor's overruling // very fast (8)
18d Gorger /and/ girl unfit, both disheartened with great weight (7)
20d Receiving no good, after bust // implant (7)
While one could further decompose the wordplay into N (no) and G (good; for instance, a grade received on a school assignment or test), NG[3,4,11] (also N.G., ng, and n.g.) are listed in several dictionaries as abbreviations for no good.
22d Shock /from/ thunderclap palpable (5)
23d Dry head at intervals, // having had shock treatment? (4)
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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