Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29159 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29159] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
2Kiwis | |
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
It took a while to get into this puzzle, but it did all come together in the end.I invite you to leave a comment to let us know how you fared with the puzzle.
Abbreviations - Part IV
In today's look at abbreviations, lets examine the field of genealogy given that we encounter two examples within the first four clues in this puzzle. Genealogy provides an abundant supply of opportunities for the setter including H(usband), W(ife), S(on), D(aughter), B(orn), D(ied), M(arried). A closely related area, the study of royal lineages, also gives us S(ucceeded).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.
| Markup Conventions | |
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| Click here for further explanation and usage examples of markup conventions used on this blog. | |
Across
| 1a | Follows // a daughter taking part in demonstrations (7) |
| 9a | Competitor // following popular top-class celebrities (8) |
The term A-list[5] (or B-list) denotes a real or imaginary list of the most (or second most) celebrated or sought-after individuals, especially in show business ⇒ [as modifier]
an A-list celebrity.
| 10a | Discover // nature changes hearts (7) |
| 11a | Married people must accept problem /getting/ running water (8) |
| 12a | Fertilizer /made from/ grass when hot (6) |
| 13a | Fish eat mostly plastics at first, /and/ rubbish (10) |
Codswallop[5] is an informal British term meaning nonsense ⇒
I think that’s a right load of old codswallop.
| 15a | Almost the last round // house (4) |
| 16a | Coach // may see risk cut straddling horse (9) |
Charabanc[5] is a British term for an early form of bus, used typically for pleasure trips.
Origin: The name comes from French char-à-bancs 'carriage with benches' (the original horse-drawn charabancs having rows of bench seats).
What are they talking about?
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The thread arising from Comment #15 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog is kicked off by Daisygirl writingThey are discussing the song "Day Trip to Bangor (Didn't We Have a Lovely Time)"[7], a single by the British folk group Fiddler's Dram. The novelty song was released in 1979 and peaked on the British charts at number 3 at the start of 1980. The single was the group's only chart entry in their career, making them one hit wonders.Didn’t we have a luverly time the day we went to Blackpool – or was it Brighton?.To which Young Salopian repliesI think it was Bangor……... Blackpool, Brighton, and Bangor are all British seaside resorts. Blackpool[7] is located in Northwest England not far from Liverpool and Manchester. Brighton[7] is located in East Sussex on the English Channel south of London. Bangor[7] is located in northwest Wales. LetterboxRoy's comment alludes to a line in the song "But on the way back I cuddled with Jack and we opened a bottle of cider". The song was likely mentioned as a charabanc appears on the record cover:  Here is Fiddler's Dram with the song itself: |
| 21a | Patch test regularly /revealing/ performances (4) |
| 22a | Promising // support with Italian debts on paper (10) |
"Italian " = IT [in reference to either the language or the vermouth]
What did they say?
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In their review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, the 2Kiwis writeThis support might be found in the front row of a scrum in the tournament about to start in Japan.
In rugby, a prop[5] (also called prop forward) is a forward at either end of the front row of a scrum (show more ).
In rugby, a scrum[5] is an ordered formation of players, used to restart play, in which the forwards of a team form up with arms interlocked and heads down, and push forward against a similar group from the opposing side. The ball is thrown into the scrum and the players try to gain possession of it by kicking it backwards towards their own side. The front row of the scrum is comprised of three players — a hooker[5] in the middle with a prop[5] on either side. hide The tournament referred to by the 2Kiwis is the 2019 Rugby World Cup[7], the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It was hosted in Japan from 20 September to 2 November 2019. One would expect the 2Kiwis to be au courant on rugby matters — rugby is New Zealand's National Sport and the country is a rugby powerhouse. South Africa beat England 32−12 in the final to claim their third title, equalling New Zealand's record. The defending champions, New Zealand, finished third after defeating Wales in the bronze final. |
| 24a | Some reports are pooh-poohing revolutionary // works (6) |
| 25a | Bullies should accept mistake, /getting/ flowers (8) |
The cowslip[5] is a European primula with clusters of drooping fragrant yellow flowers in spring, growing on dry grassy banks and in pasture. The name is also common used for any of a number of other herbaceous plants.
| 27a | Mean to have nothing for a // surplus (7) |
| 28a | Listeners will receive call /for/ some jewellery (8) |
Here and There
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Ring[5] is an informal — more or less British (show details ) — term for:
In North America, the word would seem to be more accepted as a noun ( I'll give you a ring) than as a verb ( I'll ring you). According to various dictionaries, the word ring used in this sense is:
hide |
| 29a | To some extent, bewildered roadie backed // bid (7) |
As the definition, the verb bid[5] is used in the past tense of an archaic or literary sense meaning to command or order (someone) to do something ⇒
I did as he bade me. This usage example uses an alternative version of the past tense, bade, which is likely seen more commonly.
Down
| 2d | Be suspended again // the morning after (8) |
In full, the expression is "the morning after the night before"[5].
Although the connection is obvious, my initial thought was that this term couldn't be used as a direct substitute for the word 'hangover'. However, I was able to uncover an instance where the phrase does seem to be used as a metaphor for hangover ⇒
She was introduced to the heady world of alcohol and nightclubs and skipping lectures to deal with the morning after the night before.
| 3d | Striking // a nervous response after short measure (8) |
A measure[2] is a standard unit of size, etc; a standard amount ⇒
a measure of whisky.
Dram[5] is a Scottish term for a small drink of whiskey or other spirits ⇒
a wee dram to ward off the winter chill.
| 4d | Voodoo // women desire service in court (10) |
"service " = RAF
The Royal Air Force[5] (abbreviation RAF) is the British air force, formed in 1918 by amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (founded 1912) and the Royal Naval Air Service (founded 1914).
hide
The Royal Air Force[5] (abbreviation RAF) is the British air force, formed in 1918 by amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (founded 1912) and the Royal Naval Air Service (founded 1914).
hide
What did they say?
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In their review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, the 2Kiwis describe the service mentioned in the clue as the oneThe Red Arrows[7], officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, is the aerobatics display team of the Royal Air Force.that includes ‘The Red Arrows’. |
| 5d | Mo has one // car (4) |
Mo (abbreviation for moment) is an informal term for a short period of time ⇒
Identified by several British dictionaries as being a British[5,14], chiefly British[2,4], or mainly British[10] term. However, one British and two US dictionaries do not specify it as being a British[1,11,12] term. This meaning of the word "mo" is not found in the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language[3].
hide
hang on a mo!— one which may — or may not — beBritish.
Identified by several British dictionaries as being a British[5,14], chiefly British[2,4], or mainly British[10] term. However, one British and two US dictionaries do not specify it as being a British[1,11,12] term. This meaning of the word "mo" is not found in the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language[3].
hide
Mini[7] is an automobile brand, currently owned by BMW, but originally introduced as a model under the Austin and Morris marques by the now defunct British Motor Corporation (BMC).
| 6d | Dish // bound to rise -- flan with no casing (6) |
Paella[5] is a Spanish dish of rice, saffron, chicken, seafood, etc., cooked and served in a large shallow pan.
| 7d | Six score, // most importantly (7) |
| 8d | Try // a lure, catching tons (7) |
| 11d | Most of body supporting press and TV // negotiators (9) |
| 14d | Show race vet working with no cold // at all (10) |
| 17d | Untroubled /seeing/ vehicle needing energy for nothing (8) |
| 18d | Throttle /of/ learner driver in unusual setting (8) |
"learner " = L [driver under instruction]
The cryptic crossword convention of L meaning learner or student arises from the L-plate[7], a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in various jurisdictions (including the UK) if its driver is a learner under instruction.
hide
The cryptic crossword convention of L meaning learner or student arises from the L-plate[7], a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in various jurisdictions (including the UK) if its driver is a learner under instruction.
hide
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| Automobile displaying an L-plate |
| 19d | Class /of/ agents protecting European Commission (7) |
The European Commission[5] (abbreviation EC[5]) is a group, appointed by agreement among the governments of the European Union, which initiates Union action and safeguards its treaties. It meets in Brussels.
| 20d | Presumptuous, // attacking footballer (7) |
A forward[5] is an attacking player in football [soccer], hockey*, or other sports.
* This being a British dictionary, 'hockey' almost certainly means 'field hockey'; otherwise, the editors would have specified 'ice hockey'. However, the term is equally applicable in both sports.
| 23d | At home, son must keep one // set (6) |
Inlay[5] means to embed (material or a design) flush with the surface of an object ⇒
a small silver crown was inlaid in the wood.
| 26d | Call /for/ break going up summit of Everest (4) |
With the 2Kiwis being today's reviewers, it is appropriate to remember that it was their fellow countryman, New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, and his Nepalese guide Tenzig Norgay who — in 1953 — were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
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 Advanced 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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