Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29197 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Friday, November 1, 2019 | |
Setter
Giovanni (Don Manley) | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29197] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Deep Threat | |
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, May 30, 2020 edition of the National Post.
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Introduction
Like most of those commenting on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, I found this puzzle to be very difficult — definitely surpassing the three stars awarded by Deep Threat.Should you happen to be curious about the speculation on Big Dave's Crossword Blog concerning the bottom line of the Quickie puzzle, it reads "SIXTY TODAY". In a comment, Giovanni informs us that he did not author the Quickie (unusual as the Cryptic and Quickie puzzles are almost without exception the work of the same setter). I would guess that the Quickie might be the work of Telegraph Puzzles editor Chris Lancaster (but no one on Big Dave's site mentions this possibility).
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.
| Markup Conventions | |
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| Click here for further explanation and usage examples of markup conventions used on this blog. | |
Across
| 1a | Super present from creepy pupil /in/ New York (3,5) |
I have no idea why the pupil is creepy. Not only does Deep Threat make no effort to explain this point in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog but no visitor to the site raises any concern about it either.
| 5a | Tot by sea in Brittany /in/ holiday season (6) |
The French word for 'sea' is mer[8].
Here and There
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The British use the word holiday(s) for what North Americans would call vacation[5]. (read more )
Holiday[5,10] (often holidays) is a chiefly British term for a period in which a break is taken from work or studies for rest, travel, or recreation ⇒ (i) I spent my summer holidays on a farm; (ii) Fred was on holiday in Spain. According to British dictionaries, the usual US and Canadian term for such a break is vacation. However, I am accustomed to hearing the two terms used almost interchangeably in this sense — in much the same manner that I would use fall and autumn interchangeably. This may not be the case in all parts of Canada, but I grew up in the Maritimes and have lived in Eastern Ontario for most of my life, both areas where British influence is particularly strong. In Britain, the word vacation[5] has a very specific meaning, a fixed holiday period between terms in universities and law courts ⇒ the Easter vacation. In North America, such a period might be called a break[7]. hide |
| 9a | Disgraceful // riot soon breaking out -- university steps in (9) |
| 11a | Leading quartet of Cavaliers missing /in/ rolls (5) |
A Cavalier[3,5] (also called Royalist) was a supporter of Charles I of England in his struggles against Parliament in the English Civil War.
| 12a | Sleep needed by relations -- // some linen // must be provided (6) |
The unconventional clue structure used here places the definition in the middle of the clue. A more usual clue structure — but one obviously having an inferior surface reading — would order the components of the clue more along the lines of:
- Sleep needed by relations / provides / some linen (6)
| 13a | Wonderful king embraced by chum /gets/ to soften up (8) |
"king " = R [abbreviation for Rex]
In the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms*, Rex[5] (abbreviation R[5]) [Latin for king] denotes the reigning king, used following a name (e.g. Georgius Rex, King George — often shortened to GR) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Rex v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).
* A Commonwealth realm[7] is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares the same person, currently Elizabeth II, as its head of state and reigning constitutional monarch, but retains a crown legally distinct from the other realms. There are currently sixteen Commonwealth realms, the largest being Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the remainder being smaller Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
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In the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms*, Rex[5] (abbreviation R[5]) [Latin for king] denotes the reigning king, used following a name (e.g. Georgius Rex, King George — often shortened to GR) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Rex v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).
* A Commonwealth realm[7] is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares the same person, currently Elizabeth II, as its head of state and reigning constitutional monarch, but retains a crown legally distinct from the other realms. There are currently sixteen Commonwealth realms, the largest being Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the remainder being smaller Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
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In Britain, mate[5] — in addition to meaning a person’s husband, wife, or other sexual partner — can also be an informal term for a friend or companion ⇒
my best mate Steve.
| 15a | Player on bench that's got diminished /is/ farmed out elsewhere (13) |
| 18a | Transformation of construction // firm --hurt's been nasty (13) |
| 22a | Like teacher, // editor and social worker featured in illustration (8) |
"social worker " = ANT
The terms "worker" and "social worker" are commonly used in cryptic crossword puzzles to clue ANT or BEE.
A worker[5] is a neuter or undeveloped female bee, wasp, ant, or other social insect, large numbers of which do the basic work of the colony.
In crossword puzzles, "worker" will most frequently be used to clue ANT and occasionally BEE but I have yet to see it used to clue WASP. Of course, "worker" is sometimes also used to clue HAND or MAN.
hide
The terms "worker" and "social worker" are commonly used in cryptic crossword puzzles to clue ANT or BEE.
A worker[5] is a neuter or undeveloped female bee, wasp, ant, or other social insect, large numbers of which do the basic work of the colony.
In crossword puzzles, "worker" will most frequently be used to clue ANT and occasionally BEE but I have yet to see it used to clue WASP. Of course, "worker" is sometimes also used to clue HAND or MAN.
hide
| 23a | Water flowing /in/ street in the morning --engineers brought in (6) |
"engineers " = RE [Royal Engineers]
The Corps of Royal Engineers[7], usually just called the Royal Engineers (abbreviation RE), and commonly known as the Sappers[7], is a corps of the British Army that provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces.
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The Corps of Royal Engineers[7], usually just called the Royal Engineers (abbreviation RE), and commonly known as the Sappers[7], is a corps of the British Army that provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces.
hide
| 26a | Old Roman // spies given new name under cover (5) |
The Cinna family played a prominent role in ancient Rome.
Lucius Cornelius Cinna[7] (died 84 BC) was a four-time consul of the Roman Republic, serving four consecutive terms from 87 to 84 BC. He was the father-in-law of Julius Caesar.
His son, also named Lucius Cornelius Cinna[7] was a brother-in-law of Julius Caesar and mistakenly believed — apparently even by Shakespeare* — to have been a part of the plot to assassinate Caesar.
* judging by Deep Threat's comments in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog
"spies " = CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency[5] (abbreviation CIA) is a federal agency in the US responsible for coordinating government intelligence activities. Established in 1947 and originally intended to operate only overseas, it has since also operated in the US.
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The Central Intelligence Agency[5] (abbreviation CIA) is a federal agency in the US responsible for coordinating government intelligence activities. Established in 1947 and originally intended to operate only overseas, it has since also operated in the US.
hide
| 27a | Wacky quality /of/ sentimentality combined with shortage of subtlety (9) |
| 28a | Fruit /in/ cold drink son removed (6) |
| 29a | One who changes sides, /finding/ fault with common soldiers (8) |
"common soldiers " = OR [other ranks]
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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Down
| 1d | African // queen maybe entertaining 999? (8) |
A Beninese[5] is a native or inhabitant of Benin[5], a country of West Africa, immediately west of Nigeria. The country was conquered by the French in 1893 and became part of French West Africa. In 1960 it became fully independent. Former name (until 1975) Dahomey.
| 2d | Rose /in/ journey on male beast (3,2) |
Tup[5] is a British term for a ram ⇒
tups were set free among the ewes for mating.
| 3d | One about to enter Iberian FC // entrance (7) |
Futebol Clube do Porto[7], commonly known as FC Porto or simply Porto, is a Portuguese professional sports club based in Porto. It is best known for the professional football [soccer] team playing in the Primeira Liga, the top flight of Portuguese football.
A portico[5] is a structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building.
| 4d | /This could be/ Anita the writer, // ladies and gentlemen! (4) |
Anita Loos[7] (1889–1981) was an American screenwriter, playwright and author. In 1912, she became the first-ever female staff scriptwriter in Hollywood, when D.W. Griffith put her on the payroll at Triangle Film Corporation. She is best known for her 1925 comic novel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, as well as her 1951 Broadway adaptation of Colette’s novella Gigi.
Loo[5] is an informal British term for a toilet [either as a room or a plumbing fixture].
| 6d | Most horrible // whopper punching guts naughtily (7) |
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, as another term for whopper, Deep Threat offerspork pie. Porky[10] (also pork pie) is mainly British and Australian (rhyming) slang* for a lie [in the sense of an untruth].
* In rhyming slang (show explanation ), porky — shortened from pork pie — is rhyming slang for lie.
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. For example, butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, means ‘look’ in cockney rhyming slang. hide explanation |
| 7d | Composer's sister said to be /in/ ruin (9) |
George Frideric Handel[5] (1685–1759) was a German-born composer and organist, resident in England from 1712; born Georg Friedrich Händel. A prolific composer, he is chiefly remembered for his choral works, especially the oratorio Messiah (1742), and, for orchestra, his Water Music suite (circa 1717) and Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749).
| 8d | One of 11 // misbehaving in resort (6) |
Here, the word "of" denotes "having" or "consisting of". Thus we are looking for something that contains 11 items. A soccer team or cricket side each consists of 11 players so the roster of such a club would be a complement of 11 players.
| 10d | Quiet and initially wild // like a sorcerer? (8) |
| 14d | Splendid // Scottish university, one taken over by English (8) |
The University of Stirling[7] is a public university in Stirling, Scotland, founded by royal charter in 1967.
| 16d | Party /offering/ drinks facility? Then get canned, drunk! (4,5) |
Scratching the Surface
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| Canned is a seemingly chiefly British* slang word for drunk. |
| 17d | A moister ground /arises from/ spray (8) |
As an anagram indicator, ground is used as the past tense or past participle of the verb grind[5]. An anagram indicator is typically a word that denotes movement or transformation. Grind denotes transformation, for example, in the sense of grain being ground into flour.
Spray[5] is used in the sense of a can or container holding a spray.
| 19d | Form of entertainment // that's loud and dishonest (7) |
Funfair[5] is a chiefly British term for a fair consisting of rides, sideshows, and other amusements ⇒ (i)
a travelling funfair set up every year; (ii)
a funfair ride.
| 20d | Emergency set-up, // product that sells quickly (7) |
| 21d | Drug // I accept will work, getting rid of torment finally (6) |
Ipecac[5] (short for ipecacuantha[5]) is the dried rhizome of a South American shrub (also called ipecacuanha), or a drug prepared from this, used as an emetic and expectorant.
| 24d | Woman associated with garden books /as/ part of festival (5) |
"woman associated with garden " = EVE
In the Bible, Eve[5,10] is the first woman, mother of the human race, fashioned by God from the rib of Adam, companion of Adam and mother of Cain and Abel* [Gen 2:18-25].
* not to mention Seth and her other sons and daughters [Gen 5:4]
Disobeying God, Eve[7] succumbs to the serpent's temptation to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and shares the fruit with Adam. As a result, the first humans are expelled from the Garden of Eden.
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In the Bible, Eve[5,10] is the first woman, mother of the human race, fashioned by God from the rib of Adam, companion of Adam and mother of Cain and Abel* [Gen 2:18-25].
* not to mention Seth and her other sons and daughters [Gen 5:4]
Disobeying God, Eve[7] succumbs to the serpent's temptation to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and shares the fruit with Adam. As a result, the first humans are expelled from the Garden of Eden.
hide
"books " = NT
In Crosswordland, the term "books" — and related phrases such as "collection of books" or "religious books" — are commonly used to clue either the Old Testament (OT) or the New Testament (NT). {...}
{...
Today, as is often the case, the clue provides no indication whether the reference is to the former or the latter.
...}
{...
... Often the clue does not specify whether the reference is to the former or the latter. However, today's setter specifies the required choice very precisely.
...}
hide
In Crosswordland, the term "books" — and related phrases such as "collection of books" or "religious books" — are commonly used to clue either the Old Testament (OT) or the New Testament (NT). {...}
{...
Today, as is often the case, the clue provides no indication whether the reference is to the former or the latter.
...}
{...
... Often the clue does not specify whether the reference is to the former or the latter. However, today's setter specifies the required choice very precisely.
...}
hide
| 25d | It's // nothing, // darling! (4) |
The clue is structured to place the link word at the beginning. Were a standard clue construction to be used, the clue might read along the lines of:
- Darling, /it's/ nothing! (4)
"love " = O [nil score in tennis]
In tennis, squash, and some other sports, love[5] is a score of zero or nil ⇒
Although folk etymology has connected the word with French l'oeuf 'egg', from the resemblance in shape between an egg and a zero, the term apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).
hide
In tennis, squash, and some other sports, love[5] is a score of zero or nil ⇒
love fifteen. The resemblance of a zero written as a numeral (0) to the letter O leads to the cryptic crossword convention of the word "love" being used to clue this letter.
Although folk etymology has connected the word with French l'oeuf 'egg', from the resemblance in shape between an egg and a zero, the term apparently comes from the phrase play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).
hide
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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