Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 28935 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Monday, December 31, 2018 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 28935] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Miffypops | |
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
The Comments section on Big Dave's Crossword Blog today turns into what the Brits call an "agony column" — actually, a "reverse agony column". An agony column[5] is a column in a newspaper or magazine in which the columnist — known as an an agony aunt[5] or agony uncle[5] — offers advice on personal problems to readers who write in. Today, on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, the situation is reversed as it is the readers who write in offering personal advice to Miffypops.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 | Playwright with words to say about singular // lack of courage (12) |
Sir Noël Coward[5] (1899–1973) was an English dramatist, actor, and composer. He is remembered for witty, satirical plays, such as Hay Fever (1925) and Private Lives (1930), as well as revues and musicals featuring songs such as ‘Mad Dogs and Englishmen’ (1932).
"singular" = S [grammar term] (show explanation )
| 9a | Impropriety /of/ popular Italian novelist breaking cylinder (9) |
Umberto Eco[5] (1932–2016) was an Italian novelist and semiotician*. Notable works: The Name of the Rose (novel, 1981), Travels in Hyperreality (writings on semiotics, 1986), and Foucault's Pendulum (novel, 1989).
* Semiotics[5] is the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation.
| 10a | Grown-up // daughter wearing gold locket that's empty (5) |
"daughter" = D [genealogy] (show reference )
"gold" = AU [chemistry symbol] (show explanation )
| 11a | Call the French // pointer (6) |
Call for[5] (usually with negative) denotes demand, need, or reason for ⇒ (i)
there is little call for antique furniture; (ii)
there's no call for secrecy anywhere in a free government.
"the French" = LE (show explanation )
| 12a | Withdraw from // stage unhappy (4,4) |
| 13a | One ascends /to find/ flowers (6) |
| 15a | English writer married off, acquiring wife /in/ US state (8) |
Walter de la Mare[5] (1873–1956) was an English poet, known particularly for his verse for children. Notable works: The Listeners (1912).
"married" = M [genealogy] (show explanation )
| 18a | Stayed at home, mostly to feed boy/'s/ dog (8) |
| 19a | I study head of image caught /that's/ like an emoji? (6) |
"study"= CON (show explanation )
"caught" = C [cricket notation] (show explanation )
In cricket, one way for a batsman to be dismissed is to be caught out[5], that is for a player on the opposing team to catch a ball that has been hit by the batsman before it touches the ground.
On cricket scorecards, the abbreviation c.[2,10] or c[5] denotes caught (by).
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In cricket, one way for a batsman to be dismissed is to be caught out[5], that is for a player on the opposing team to catch a ball that has been hit by the batsman before it touches the ground.
On cricket scorecards, the abbreviation c.[2,10] or c[5] denotes caught (by).
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| 21a | Girl catching it /causes/ extreme amusement (8) |
| 23a | Uncouth person in conveyance lacking power: // Russian conveyance (6) |
Oik[5] is an informal British term for an uncouth or obnoxious person.
A trap[5] is a light, two-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse or pony.
"power" = P [symbol used in physics] (show reference )
A troika[5] is a Russian vehicle pulled by a team of three horses abreast.
| 26a | Extremely savvy fellow backed // church council (5) |
At Oxford and Cambridge universities, a fellow[10] is a member of the governing body of a college who is usually a member of the teaching staff.
A don[10] is a member of the teaching staff at a university or college, especially at Oxford or Cambridge.
A synod[10] is a local or special ecclesiastical council, especially of a diocese, formally convened to discuss ecclesiastical affairs.
| 27a | Picks up in the course of authentic // practice session (9) |
| 28a | Continuing interest /in/ profitable business (5,7) |
The expression going concern[5] denotes a business that is operating and making a profit ⇒
trying to sell the business as a going concern.
Down
| 1d | Note enclosing an invoice, primarily /for/ wine (7) |
A chit[5] is a short official note, typically recording a sum owed ⇒
write out a chit for whatever you take from the drinks cupboard.
Chianti[5] is a dry red Italian wine produced in Tuscany named after the Chianti Mountains, Italy.
| 2d | Club // with advantage (5) |
A wedge[5] is:
- a golf club with a low, angled face for maximum loft
- a shot made with a wedge ⇒
Davies hit a wedge to within a yard of the hole
| 3d | Call to mind // right English prayer (9) |
In church use, collect[5] denotes a a short prayer, especially one assigned to a particular day or season.
| 4d | Musical instrument // used in early recordings (4) |
A lyre[5] is a stringed instrument like a small U-shaped harp with strings fixed to a crossbar, used especially in ancient Greece. Modern instruments of this type are found mainly in East Africa.
| 5d | Gossip about old medium? // It's not important (2,6) |
"medium" = M [clothing size] (show explanation )
I dithered over whether to underline the word "it's" in the clue. Oxford Dictionaries Online settled the question:
- the phrase no matter[5]
means it is of no importance ⇒
no matter, I'll go myself
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| 6d | Onset of storm affected // little monkey (5) |
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Miffypops writesJulian Clary[7] is an English comedian, actor, presenter [radio or television host] and novelist. Openly gay, Clary began appearing on television in the mid-1980s and became known for his deliberately stereotypical camp style.Affected here refers to the manner of comedy actors such as Julian Clary or Graham Norton. Graham William Walker (known professionally as Graham Norton[7]) is an Irish television and radio presenter [host], comedian, actor, author, and commentator based in the United Kingdom. Norton, who is openly gay, is known for his innuendo-laden dialogue and camp and flamboyant presentation style. |
| 7d | Worried about husband blocking an // expressway (8) |
An autobahn[5] is a German, Austrian, or Swiss motorway*.
* 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].
Here and There
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| I was surprised to see the word "expressway" used in this clue. From a British perspective, expressway[5] is a North American term for an urban motorway. I expected to see a comment on Big Dave's Crossword Blog concerning this and Rabbit Dave did not disappoint (Comment #5). |
| 8d | Particular case not in // position (6) |
| 14d | Disrespectful, // having lost nine running (8) |
As an anagram indicator, running[5] is likely used in the sense (of dye or colour) dissolving and spreading when the fabric or paper becomes wet ⇒
the red dye ran when the socks were washed.
| 16d | Get to know // while on express (9) |
Express[2] (adjective) is used in the sense of particular or clear [in other words, leaving no doubt] ⇒
with the express purpose of insulting him.
| 17d | Very strong // players supported by press (4-4) |
| 18d | Horrified // at hags dancing (6) |
| 20d | Old comedy star, // man with short tie (7) |
"man" = CHAP (show more )
Chap[3,4,11] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[3] term for a man or boy — although a term that is certainly not uncommon in Canada. It is a shortened form of chapman[3,4,11], an archaic term for a trader, especially an itinerant pedlar[a,b].
[a] Pedlar is the modern British spelling of peddler[14] which, in most senses, is considered by the Brits to be a US or old-fashioned British spelling. The exception is in the sense of a dealer in illegal drugs which the Brits spell as drug peddler.
[b] The current meaning of chap[2] dates from the 18th century. In the 16th century, chap meant 'a customer'. The dictionaries do not explain how a shortened form of 'chapman' (pedlar) came to mean 'customer'.
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Chap[3,4,11] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[3] term for a man or boy — although a term that is certainly not uncommon in Canada. It is a shortened form of chapman[3,4,11], an archaic term for a trader, especially an itinerant pedlar[a,b].
[a] Pedlar is the modern British spelling of peddler[14] which, in most senses, is considered by the Brits to be a US or old-fashioned British spelling. The exception is in the sense of a dealer in illegal drugs which the Brits spell as drug peddler.
[b] The current meaning of chap[2] dates from the 18th century. In the 16th century, chap meant 'a customer'. The dictionaries do not explain how a shortened form of 'chapman' (pedlar) came to mean 'customer'.
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Charlie Chaplin[5] (1889–1977) was an English film actor and director. He directed and starred in many short silent comedies, mostly playing a bowler-hatted tramp, a character which was his trademark for more than twenty-five years. Notable films: The Kid (1921) and The Gold Rush (1925).
| 22d | Cycled over /for/ cowboy carnival (5) |
"over" = O [cricket term] (show explanation )
| 24d | Publish // result (5) |
Issue (from)[5] means to result (from) or be derived (from) ⇒
the struggles of history issue from the divided heart of humanity.
| 25d | Stylish // young flier king ignored (4) |
"king" = K (show explanation )
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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