Wednesday, February 6, 2019 — DT 28831

Puzzle at a Glance

Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph DT 28831
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph Thursday, August 30, 2018
Setter Unknown
Link to Full Review Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28831]
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By Falcon
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

For once, I quickly recognized this as a puzzle I had blogged on Big Dave's Crossword Blog. Often, I have finished half or more of the puzzle before I twig to having seen it before.

I invite you to leave a comment to let us know how you fared with the puzzle.

Error in Tomorrow's Puzzle

Heads up! I fully expect the error which appeared in The Daily Telegraph in August to be present in the puzzle published in the National Post tomorrow.

The clue we will likely see is:

• 15d   Maybe having bags to reuse -- otherwise not green! (9)

which was later amended on the Telegraph Puzzles website to read:

• 15d   Maybe having bags to reuse, mostly -- otherwise not green! (9)

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.

hide explanation

Across

1a   None but the elite runners // break a leg (3,3,4)

The first part of the clue is a literal interpretation of the expression that is the solution.

6a   Jazz singing /that's/ musical, back to front (4)

CATS^[7] is a musical by English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by American-born British writer T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) and produced by British theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh. It premiered in London in 1981 and on Broadway in 1982.

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Scat^[5] is improvised jazz singing in which the voice is used in imitation of an instrument.

9a   Traditional dish -- // price regularly on the house? (7,3)

Cottage pie^[5] is a British term for a dish of minced [ground^[5]] meat topped with browned mashed potato.

Delving Deeper
This dish would appear to be similar to shepherd's pie. a British term for a dish of minced [ground[5]] meat under* a layer of mashed potato. * Presumably the preparation of shepherd's pie may be a more difficult exercise — tucking the meat under the mashed potato may prove to be challenge 😀.

By Convention

The setter has observed the cryptic crossword convention that the word "on" — when used as a positional indicator in an across clue — signifies 'following'  (show explanation ) An often ignored cryptic crossword convention provides that, in an across clue, the construction "A on B" is used to clue B + A. The rationale for this practice is that in order for A to be placed on B, B must already have been positioned (i.e., already have been written). Since the English language is written from left to right, this means that B must come first and A is then appended to it. It is apparent that not all setters subscribe to this convention — or, at least, they do not adhere to it religiously. Perhaps, they rely on the convention when it suits their purpose and ignore it when it becomes an inconvenience. [On second thought, perhaps that is typical of religious observance in general.] In any event, a solver must always be vigilant for instances where setters flout this convention. hide explanation

10a   False witness // found entering Mali, arrested (4)

Scratching the Surface
Mali[5] is a landlocked country in West Africa, south of Algeria. Former name (until 1958) French Sudan. (show more ) Conquered by the French in the late 19th century, Mali became part of French West Africa. It became a partner with Senegal in the Federation of Mali in 1959 and achieved full independence a year later, on the withdrawal of Senegal. hide

12a   Number of passes // in test OK, case under review (6,6)

The clue would seem to suggest that pass is synonymous with ticket. That may be supported to a degree by the definition given by Oxford Dictionaries Online which defines pass^[5] as a card, ticket, or permit giving authorization for the holder to enter or have access to a place, form of transport, or event ⇒ (i) a bus pass; (ii) you could only get in with a pass. However, virtually all of the numerous usage examples given by Oxford Dictionaries Online would seem to imply that a pass is somewhat different from a ticket. This difference is also apparent from the entry in The Chambers Dictionary which defines pass^[1] as a free ticket or a ticket or similar document paid for or received as a concession, allowing free or cheaper use of a facility, e.g. a bus pass.

15a   Love a swimmer /appearing/ stupid (6)

16a   Dash of milk goes in to make a // meal (5,3)

Cream tea^[5,10] is a British term for a meal taken in the afternoon consisting of tea to drink with bread or scones served with clotted cream^* and jam.

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^* Clotted cream^[5] is a chiefly British term for thick cream obtained by heating milk slowly and then allowing it to cool while the cream content rises to the top in coagulated lumps.

Delving Deeper

A cream tea[7] (also known as a Devon cream tea, Devonshire tea, or Cornish cream tea) is a form of afternoon tea light meal, consisting of tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream, and jam. Traditionally a speciality of Devon and Cornwall, cream teas are offered for sale in tea rooms in those two counties, as well as in other parts of England, and elsewhere in the Commonwealth. There are regional variations as to how a cream tea should preferably be eaten. The Devonian (or Devonshire) method is to split the scone in two, cover each half with clotted cream, and then add strawberry jam on top. The Devon method is also commonly used in neighbouring counties and other Commonwealth countries. With the Cornish method, the warm 'bread split' or a 'scone' is first split in two, then spread with strawberry jam, and finally topped with a spoonful of clotted cream. This method is also commonly used elsewhere, notably in London.

18a   Singers incorporating a thousand // quavers (8)

A treble^[2,5] is someone, especially a boy, who has a soprano singing voice ⇒ we had sung together as trebles in the choir.

19a   In Urdu oddly, map /showing/ hilly area (6)

Scratching the Surface
Urdu[5] is an Indic language closely related to Hindi but written in the Persian script and having many loanwords from Persian and Arabic. It is the official language of Pakistan, and is also widely used in India and elsewhere, with about 50 million speakers worldwide.

21a   US state // was riveting, I gathered (4,8)

24a   Awesome // trim (4)

25a   Struggled to get words out /when/ rushed to grasp line, say (10)

"line" = L [publishing term] (show explanation )

In textual references, the abbreviation for line [of written matter] is l.^[5] ⇒ l. 648.

hide explanation

26a   That woman had // somewhere to keep garden tools (4)

27a   Green tin I'd stirred, // food added (10)

Down

1d   Bend // tree that's lacking length (4)

The larch^[5] is a coniferous tree with bunches of deciduous bright green needles, found in cool regions of the northern hemisphere. It is grown for its tough timber and its resin (which yields turpentine).

2d   Discussed money /for/ old instrument (4)

A lute^[5] is a plucked stringed instrument with a long neck bearing frets and a rounded body with a flat front, rather like a halved egg in shape.

3d   Sky is where it is, // for pity's sake! (7,5)

The first part of the clue is a cryptic interpretation of the expression that is the solution.

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Heavens above!^[a] (also heavens! or good heavens!) is an old-fashioned exclamation used to express surprise or anger.

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^[a] Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus

4d   Chest /in which/ devil locks preacher, ultimately (6)

Eye Test
Did you recognize the tower in the illustration for my hint on Big Dave's Crossword Blog? Did you even notice the tower? Miffypops was able to identify it.

5d   Bowlers // the tops? (8)

In cricket, a spinner^[5] is a bowler who is expert in spinning the ball.

7d   Two animals /in/ willow on the field? (7,3)

The white willow^[7] (salix alba) is a species of willow native to Europe and western and central Asia. One particular cultivar, Caerulea or cricket-bat willow, is grown as a specialist timber crop in Britain, mainly for the production of cricket bats, and for other uses where a tough, lightweight wood that does not splinter easily is required.

8d   Death etc // portrayed finally in destruction of star actor (5,5)

11d   Saddened by failure, // released from employment? (12)

The second "definition" is a whimsical take on what the solution might mean.

13d   Work's nifty after breaking /for/ a short rest (5,5)

14d   Pudding to partake of, // fragrant thing (10)

Whereas in North America, the term pudding^[5] denotes specifically a dessert with a soft or creamy consistency, in Britain the term pudding refers to either:

• a cooked sweet dish served after the main course of a meal
• the dessert course of a meal ⇒ what’s for pudding?

Afters^[5] is an informal British term for the sweet course following the main course of a meal; or, in British parlance, pudding ⇒ there was apple pie for afters.

The terms dessert, pudding and afters are synonymous in Britain and the response to What’s for pudding? could well be Apple pie.

17d   Reptile // burying head of prey in the earth (8)

Here and There
A terrapin[5] (called turtle in North America*) is a freshwater turtle, especially one of the smaller kinds of the Old World. * Terrapin[5] is a US term for a small edible turtle with lozenge-shaped markings on its shell, found in coastal marshes of the eastern US.

20d   Alcohol // taster, we hear? (6)

22d   Right // time to regret (4)

23d   Firstly, every day I'm trying // to change (4)

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