Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28815 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, August 11, 2018 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28815 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28815 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Big Dave (Hints)crypticsue (Review) | |
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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Notes
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As this was a Saturday "Prize Puzzle" in Britain, there are two entries related to it on Big Dave's Crossword Blog — the first, posted on the date of publication, contains hints for selected clues while the second is a full review issued following the entry deadline for the contest. The vast majority of reader comments will generally be found attached to the "hints" posting with a minimal number — if any — accompanying the full review.
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Introduction
I sort of completed this puzzle without electronic help. I got the headless donkey without having the slightest idea which letter would form the head (I had originally thought the solution might be [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.
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Across
1a Bed // of troupers unmade (4-6)
6a Bench /gives/ criminal record (4)
Form[10] is a British term for a bench, especially one that is long, low, and backless.
Form[5] is an informal British term for a criminal record ⇒
they both had form.
Scratching the Surface
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The bench[5,10] (or the Bench) denotes:
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9a Reduce security /for/ safety measures? (10)
A fireguard[10] (also called fire screen) is a metal panel or meshed frame put before an open fire to protect against falling logs, sparks, etc.
10a Laws /found in/ part of the New Testament (4)
In the Bible, Acts[10] (short for Acts of the Apostles[10]) is the fifth book of the New Testament, describing the development of the early Church from Christ's ascension into heaven to Paul's sojourn at Rome.
12a Excellent // penalty (4)
13a Bishop leaves companion /in/ impasse (9)
"bishop" = B [chess notation] (show explanation )
B[5] is an abbreviation for bishop that is used in recording moves in chess.
A bishop[5] is a chess piece, typically with its top shaped like a mitre, that can move any number of spaces in any direction along a diagonal on which it stands. Each player starts the game with two bishops, one moving on white squares and the other on black.
hide explanation
B[5] is an abbreviation for bishop that is used in recording moves in chess.
A bishop[5] is a chess piece, typically with its top shaped like a mitre, that can move any number of spaces in any direction along a diagonal on which it stands. Each player starts the game with two bishops, one moving on white squares and the other on black.
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A stablemate[1] (figuratively) is a person from the same club, etc as another.
15a Look on /as/ muscle gets brought into condition (8)
16a Common sense /displayed by/ Norman? (6)
Sir Norman Wisdom[7] (1915–2010) was an English actor, comedian, and singer-songwriter.
Wisdom is best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin. The films usually involved Pitkin in a manual occupation in which he is barely competent and in a junior position to a straight man, often played by Edward Chapman (as Mr Grimsdale) or Jerry Desmonde. From 1995 until 2004 he appeared in the recurring role of Billy Ingleton in the long-running BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine. He retired from acting at the age of 90 after his health deteriorated.
What is she talking about?
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In Comment #7 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Weekend Wanda writesWisdom was a cult figure in Albania, where he was one of the few Western actors whose films were allowed in the country during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. In Hoxha's view, proletarian Norman's ultimately victorious struggles against capitalism, personified by Mr Grimsdale and the effete aristocratic characters played by Jerry Desmonde, were a Communist parable on the class war.I did wonder if anyone would complain about 16a but then decided if he is still famous in Albania he should not prove a stumbling block to our multi-national bloggers. On a visit in 2001, which coincided with the England football [soccer] team playing Albania in the city of Tirana, his appearance at the training ground overshadowed that of football superstar David Beckham. He appeared on the pitch before the start of the Albania v England match wearing a half-Albanian and half-English football shirt. He was well received by the crowd, especially when he performed one of his trademark trips on his way out to the centre circle. |
18a A small clique's // property (6)
20a /Using/ air-conditioning I draw off // form of pollution (4,4)
To enhance its surface reading, the setter has arranged the elements of the clue in a rather convoluted fashion — forcing the link word "using" to the front of the clue. Written in a more straightforward manner, the clue could be expressed (albeit at the expense of the surface reading) as:
- Form of pollution /using/ air-conditioning I draw off (4,4)
23a Reason // to limit supply of beer (9)
24a Con // flier (4)
The rook[5] is a gregarious Eurasian crow with black plumage and a bare face, nesting in colonies in treetops.
26a Laze about /having/ endless money (4)
Lolly[5] is an informal British term for money ⇒
you’ve done brilliantly raising all that lovely lolly.
27a Huge // amount thrown around -- pounds --draws soldiers in (10)
"pounds" = L (show explanation )
The pound[5] (also pound sterling) is the basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence. While the symbol for pound is £, it is often written as L[10].
The Chambers Dictionary defines the upper case L[1] as the abbreviation for pound sterling (usually written £) and the lower case l[1] as the abbreviation for pound weight (usually written lb) — both deriving from the Latin word libra* .
* In ancient Rome, the libra[5] was a unit of weight, equivalent to 12 ounces (0.34 kg). It was the forerunner of the pound.
hide explanation
The pound[5] (also pound sterling) is the basic monetary unit of the UK, equal to 100 pence. While the symbol for pound is £, it is often written as L[10].
The Chambers Dictionary defines the upper case L[1] as the abbreviation for pound sterling (usually written £) and the lower case l[1] as the abbreviation for pound weight (usually written lb) — both deriving from the Latin word libra* .
* In ancient Rome, the libra[5] was a unit of weight, equivalent to 12 ounces (0.34 kg). It was the forerunner of the pound.
hide explanation
28a Head off donkey /in/ a whirl (4)
Neddy[5] is a British child's word for a donkey.
29a Old female relative // carried in ambulance, stressed (10)
Down
1d Musical instrument // somewhere in Scotland (4)
A fife[5] is a kind of small shrill flute used with the drum in military bands.
Fife[5] is a council area and former county of east central Scotland; administrative centre, Glenrothes.
2d Exalt /with/ high-class acclaim (7)
"high-class" = 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 ⇒
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).
hide 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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3d Mate pointing out // blemish? (12)
4d Rare quality /such as/ Bath’s spoken of (8)
Bath[5] is a spa town in southwestern England. The town was founded by the Romans, who called it Aquae Sulis, and was a fashionable spa in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
The word "SPARSITY" , when pronounced in a non-rhotic (show explanation
) accent typical of dialects found in many parts of Britain (especially
southeastern England), sounds like "Spa City".
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.
hide explanation
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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5d Last organ // to attract affection (6)
7d Garden producing fruit // or edible leaves (7)
8d Smart denim worn /for/ quiz (10)
Mastermind[7] is a British television game show, well known for its challenging questions, intimidating setting and air of seriousness.
11d Confusion /of/ less sophisticated people in punt (12)
Punt[2,3,4,5,10,11] is a chiefly British term which means:
- (verb) to gamble or bet, especially against the bank (as in roulette and some card games such as faro) or on horses or other sporting events
- (noun) such a gamble or bet
14d Initially arduous exercise in gym following directions -- // light footwear // needed (10)
In this instance, the structure of the clue pushes the link word "needed" to the back. The clue could be written (less elegantly) as:
- Light footwear /needed/ initially arduous exercise in gym following directions (10)
An espadrille[5] is a light canvas shoe with a plaited fibre sole.
Skipping out early?
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| In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, crypticsue has cut her exercise a tad short. |
17d Avoid turning up following school // timetable (8)
19d Brock's home was first /to be/ established (7)
Brock[5] is a British name for a badger.
A sett[5] (also Australian, British, and New Zealand set) is the underground lair or burrow of a badger.
21d Peter perhaps // bitter about job (7)
Bitter[5] is a British name for beer that is strongly flavoured with hops and has a bitter taste ⇒ (i)
a pint of bitter; (ii)
the company brews a range of bitters.
Saint Peter[7] was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and, in Roman Catholic tradition, the first Bishop of Rome or pope.
22d Islander // succeeded with a complaint (6)
"succeeded" = S (show explanation )
The abbreviation s[5] stands for succeeded, in the sense of to have taken over a throne, office, or other position from ⇒
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The abbreviation s[5] stands for succeeded, in the sense of to have taken over a throne, office, or other position from ⇒
he succeeded Hawke as Prime Minister. It might be seen, for instance, it charts of royal lineages.
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A Samoan[5] is a native or inhabitant of Samoa, a group of islands in Polynesia, divided between American Samoa and the state of Samoa. (show more )
First visited by the Dutch in the early 18th century, the islands were divided administratively in 1899 into American Samoa in the east and German Samoa in the west. After the First World War the nine western islands were mandated to New Zealand, and became an independent republic within the Commonwealth in 1962, as Western Samoa. The country became known as Samoa in 1997.
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First visited by the Dutch in the early 18th century, the islands were divided administratively in 1899 into American Samoa in the east and German Samoa in the west. After the First World War the nine western islands were mandated to New Zealand, and became an independent republic within the Commonwealth in 1962, as Western Samoa. The country became known as Samoa in 1997.
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What did he say?
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In his hint on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Big Dave writes that the final element of the charade isWhereas North Americans merely whine, it would seem that Brits both whine and whinge.a complaint or whinge. Whinge[5] is an informal British term that means:
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25d Range /of/ top-class albums (4)
The Alps[5] are a mountain system in Europe extending in a curve from the coast of southeastern France through northwestern Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, southern Germany, and Austria into Slovenia.
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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