Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28889 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, November 6, 2018 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28889] | |
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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Notes
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This puzzle appears on the Monday Diversions page in the Saturday, April 27, 2019 edition of the National Post.
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Introduction
Today, a fairly gentle British "Tuesday" puzzle to start our week. This puzzle appeared in the UK on the day of the American mid-term elections.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 program, 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 directly from a dictionary or at least phrased in a non-misleading fashion similar to one that would be found in a dictionary
- 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 (for example, defining topiary as "clip art")
- a "whimsical definition": a definition "invented" by the setter often by extrapolating a non-existent meaning for a word from a similar word (for example, defining a bird as a "winger" [something possessing wings] or a river as a ''flower" [something that flows] or to extrapolate that, since disembowel means 'to remove the innards of ', that discontent must mean 'to remove the contents of')
- a "definition by example": the presence of one of these is often flagged with a question mark (for example, defining atoll as "coral?" where an atoll is but one form that coral may take).
I identify precise definitions by marking them with a solid underline in the clue and other varieties of definition (such as cryptic definitions, whimsical definitions, definitions by example, etc.) 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 Section of Rubicon I consider // very famous (6)
The Rubicon[5] is a stream in north-eastern Italy that marked the ancient boundary between Italy and Cisalpine Gaul. Julius Caesar led his army across it into Italy in 49 BC, breaking the law forbidding a general to lead an army out of his province, and so committing himself to war against the Senate and Pompey. The ensuing civil war resulted in victory for Caesar after three years.
5a Turncoat // failing men (8)
"men" = OR [other ranks] (show explanation )
In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
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In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
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9a Popular party game, unfinished // as a result (2,11)
Consequences[7] is an old parlour game in which each player takes a turn writing a word or phrase forming part of a set structure in order to build a story. The resulting story — often comical or nonsensical — is then read aloud. The game is traditionally played by writing the words on paper and folding the paper so as to hide the previous words before passing it to the next player.
10a American soldier cutting orange in pieces /for/ girl (8)
"American soldier" = GI (show explanation )
A GI[5] is a private soldier in the US army ⇒
Origin: Contrary to popular belief, the term apparently is not an abbreviation for general infantryman, but rather derives from the term government (or general) issue (originally denoting equipment supplied to US forces).
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A GI[5] is a private soldier in the US army ⇒
she went off with a GI during the war.
Origin: Contrary to popular belief, the term apparently is not an abbreviation for general infantryman, but rather derives from the term government (or general) issue (originally denoting equipment supplied to US forces).
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11a Fertiliser /in/ plant container has worked (6)
Potash[7] is any of various mined and manufactured salts that contain potassium in water-soluble form. It is as a major component of fertilizer, potassium being the third major plant and crop nutrient after nitrogen and phosphorus.
Facts: The name derives from pot ash, which refers to plant ashes soaked in water in a pot, the primary means of manufacturing the product before the industrial era. The word potassium is derived from potash. Canada holds the largest global reserves of potash (more than 25%) and is by far the largest producer of potash on the planet (accounting for nearly 30% of world production).
12a Dance, ignoring a // Greek character (6)
The lambada[5] is a fast erotic Brazilian dance which couples perform in close physical contact.
Lambda[5] is the eleventh letter of the Greek alphabet (Λ, λ).
14a Instrument: // I'm clued cryptically, by first of reversals (8)
The dulcimer[5] is a musical instrument with a sounding board or box, typically trapezoid in shape, over which strings of graduated length are stretched, played by plucking or especially by being struck with handheld hammers. The term hammered dulcimer is sometimes used, especially in the US, to distinguish these from plucked instruments such as the Appalachian dulcimer.
16a Visit Democrat /in/ decline (2,2,4)
"Democrat" = D (show explanation )
A Democrat[5] (abbreviation D[5]) is a member or supporter of the Democratic Party[5], one of the two main US political parties (the other being the Republican Party), which follows a broadly liberal programme, tending to support social reform and minority rights.
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A Democrat[5] (abbreviation D[5]) is a member or supporter of the Democratic Party[5], one of the two main US political parties (the other being the Republican Party), which follows a broadly liberal programme, tending to support social reform and minority rights.
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Scratching the Surface
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| This puzzle was published in The Daily Telegraph on the day of the US mid-term elections — in which the Democrats were anything but in decline! |
19a Mentally slow, // not acute? (6)
An acute angle[5] is one that is less than 90°.
An obtuse angle[5] is one that is more than 90° and less than 180°.
21a A poet eating nothing // on a train perhaps (6)
23a Clear French own goal /in/ game (8)
In soccer, an own goal[5] (abbreviation o.g.[10]) is a goal scored inadvertently when the ball is struck into the goal by a player on the defensive team.
25a Astonished /as/ lorry makes a loud noise at the front (13)
Lorry[5] is the common name in the UK* for the vehicle known in North America as a truck[5].
* The word truck would also seem to be well known to the Brits. In fact, Oxford Dictionaries Online rather circularly defines a lorry as being a truck and a truck as being a lorry.
26a Piece of evidence, not so great, /leaves one/ bewildered (8)
The link phrase "leaves one" can be interpreted as 'produces the result for the one solving the puzzle'.
27a Stop working /and/ go to bed (6)
Down
2d Fancy // that man entering running race (7)
A chimera[5] (also chimaera) is a thing that is hoped or wished for but in fact is illusory or impossible to achieve ⇒
the economic sovereignty you claim to defend is a chimera.* }
* In Greek mythology, the Chimera[5] was a fire-breathing female monster with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.
The Story Behind the Picture
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| Mr K's takes a biological approach in illustrating his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog with a picture of a genetic chimera[5], an organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissues, formed by processes such as fusion of early embryos, grafting, or mutation. |
3d More attractive // Mediterranean resort close to Gibraltar (5)
Nice[5] is a resort city on the French Riviera, near the border with Italy.
Scratching the Surface
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Gibraltar[5] is a British overseas territory near the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, at the eastern end of the Strait of Gibraltar (show more ).
Occupying a site of great strategic importance, Gibraltar consists of a fortified town and military base at the foot of a rocky headland, the Rock of Gibraltar. Britain captured it during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704 and is responsible for its defence, external affairs, and internal security. hide |
4d Potential MP maybe // frank over high tea (9)
Scratching the Surface
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| Tea may be either a drink or a meal, especially in Britain. 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. 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. |
5d Stop living with firm // traditionalist (7)
6d Dowdy woman // following behind (5)
"following" = F [publishing] (show explanation )
In publishing, the abbreviation f.[10] (plural ff.) is used to denote following (page).
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In publishing, the abbreviation f.[10] (plural ff.) is used to denote following (page).
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7d Against inflexible // limit (9)
8d Be responsible for // poetry written in Old English (7)
Old English[5] (abbreviation OE[5]), also known as Anglo-Saxon, was the language of the Anglo-Saxons (up to about 1150), a highly inflected language with a largely Germanic vocabulary, very different from modern English.
13d Lose one's temper /with/ a female wearing shirt-like garment (4,1,4)
15d Take care of // a rook left injured (4,5)
Scratching the Surface
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| The rook[5] is a gregarious Eurasian crow with black plumage and a bare face, nesting in colonies in treetops. |
17d Like the M25 // section spoken about? (7)
As an adjective*, orbital[5] is a British term meaning (with respect to a road) passing round the outside of a town.
* As a noun, orbital[5] is short for orbital road[5], a British term for a road passing round the outside of a town.
The M25[7] or London Orbital Motorway* is a 117 mile (188 km) long highway encircling almost all of Greater London, England.
* Motorway[2,5] (abbreviation M[5]) is a British, Australian, and New Zealand term for a dual-carriageway road [divided highway] designed for fast-moving traffic, especially one with three lanes per carriageway [direction of travel] and limited access and exit points [controlled access].
18d Spanish girl // learning to gatecrash parties (7)
Dolores[7] is a feminine given name of Spanish origin.
Delving Deeper
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| The Spanish word dolores is the plural form of dolor, meaning either sorrow or pain. However, the usage of Dolores as a given name has its origins in the strong influence that the Roman Catholic Church has on Spain and, by extension, Spanish-speaking countries. The name is a reference to Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, one of the many titles of Mary, Mother of Jesus, typically translated to Our Lady of Sorrows in English. |
20d Corner netted by rising reserve /in/ game (7)
A reserve[5] (abbreviation res.[2]) is an extra player in* a team, serving as a possible substitute ⇒
he was reserve hooker [a position on a rugby team] for the World Cup team.
* Note that the Brits say "in a team" rather than "on a team"
22d Avoid // bumper car? Not quite (5)
Dodgem[5] (also dodgem car) is a British term for a bumper car[5], a small electrically powered car with rubber bumpers all round, driven in an enclosure at a funfair [a fair consisting of rides, sideshows, and other amusements] with the aim of bumping into other such cars ⇒
he wanted to go on the dodgems.
Origin: 1920s: US proprietary name (as Dodg'em), from the phrase dodge them.
24d Source of inspiration /in/ spring (5)
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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