Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29198 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, November 2, 2019 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29198 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29198 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Big Dave (Hints)crypticsue (Review) | |
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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As this was a Saturday "Prize Puzzle" in Britain, there are two entries related to it on Big Dave's Crossword Blog — the first, posted on the date of publication, contains hints for selected clues while the second is a full review issued following the entry deadline for the contest. The vast majority of reader comments will generally be found attached to the "hints" posting with a minimal number — if any — accompanying the full review.
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Introduction
As I recall, this was a moderately challenging puzzle.On Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Big Dave's statement in his hint for 13d "When you have solved the rest of the puzzle you will see why this innocuous clue should not have been used!" and crypticsue's reference to "the ‘deliberate error’ in 13d" relate to the fact that the solution to 6d is found word for word in the clue for 13d. Setters often use a cross reference such as the following to avoid such a circumstance:
- 6 and defiant when sub gets dropped (10)
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 | Aware huge set-to sorted out // once spies were here (9,5) |
Sleuths Needed Here
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| Once I had cracked the anagram, I supposed the clue was referring to the 1972 burglary at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C. However, as that event occurred at the Watergate Office Building[7] — which I had never heard referred to as Watergate House — I decided more investigation was warranted. I soon discovered Watergate House[7] in Chester, England which from 1907 to 1938 was the headquarters of the British Army's Western Command. This still did not appear to satisfy the "once spies were here" description. In the end, it was crypticsue who set me on the right path. The reference is to Watergate House[a] in London, England which was the first home of GCHQ, the UK's intelligence, security and cyber agency. Finally the spies had been revealed. [a] GCHQ website By the way, in reading through the comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, I see that several people — including some Brits, I believe — apparently thought the reference was to the Washington office building. |
| 9a | Former partner put on performance, accompanying in // woolly (7) |
Woolly[2] is used in the sense of vague and muddled; lacking in clarity ⇒ (i)
woolly thinking: (ii)
woolly-minded: (iii)
woolly argument.
Scratching the Surface
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| Woolly[5] is an informal British term for a garment made of wool, especially a pullover. On the other hand, in Australia, New Zealand and the western US, a woolly[3,5,11] is a sheep. |
| 10a | Someone to fleece on a farm? (7) |
Fleece[2] (verb) is used in the sense of to shear (sheep).
The setter cleverly uses an element of ambiguity inherent in this clue to create misdirection. If you were like me, your first thought was that the "someone" mentioned in the clue is the object on which the action is being performed; i.e., the target of a con man, perhaps. However, one must read the clue as though the "someone" mentioned is the subject performing the action. I believe the required interpretation may be easier to see in an example which has the same structure as the clue but where this ambiguity does not exist ⇒
she is one to party every weekend.
| 11a | Heard couple /will get/ something to eat (4) |
| 12a | Shares possibly // trendy clothing for priest (10) |
| 14a | Feel cross about // lease covering empty stable (6) |
| 15a | Early end to travel /in/ island (8) |
Alderney[5], the third largest of the Channel Islands, is an island in the English Channel to the north-east of Guernsey.
| 17a | Move there -- all/'s/ somewhat heavenly! (8) |
What could have been
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| In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, crypticsue originally showed the wordplay as an anagram (move) of THERE ALL. In Comment #1, Dawn points out that she saw the wordplay as a hidden word, adding "the fact it is in anagram too passed me by". In fact, the wordplay can not be an anagram as the fodder would be incorrect. However, a very minor tweak to the clue would create an anagram.
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| 18a | Fifty per cent chance /of/ drunk returning drink (4-2) |
"drink " = SUP
As a verb, sup[5] is a dated or Northern English term meaning to take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls ⇒ (i)
As a noun, sup[5] means
As a verb, sup[5] is a dated or Northern English term meaning to take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls ⇒ (i)
she supped up her soup delightedly; (ii)
he was supping straight from the bottle.
As a noun, sup[5] means
- a sip of liquid ⇒
he took another sup of wine
- (in Northern England or Ireland) an alcoholic drink ⇒
the latest sup from those blokes at the brewery
| 21a | One starts // giant riots all over the place (10) |
| 22a | Shake // cast-iron shields (4) |
Would James Bond, whose martini recipe distinctly specified
shaken, not stirred[7] , agree that shake and stir are synonyms?
| 24a | Typical // adult too old to go topless (7) |
"adult " = A [former British film certificate]
The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
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The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
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As an initial letter indicator, top[10] is used in the sense of beginning ⇒ (i)
the top of the hour; (ii)
at the top of the programme; (iii)
let's run through this piece one more time from the top.
| 25a | Indifferent // nature affected student (7) |
"student " = 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.
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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.
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| Automobile displaying an L-plate |
| 26a | Auntie with toys, lots broken, // like one that's 6? (14) |
The
numeral "6" is a cross
reference indicator to clue 6d (show more ).
To complete the clue, a solver must replace the cross reference indicator with the solution to the clue starting in the light* identified by the cross reference indicator.
The cross reference indicator may include a directional indicator but this is customarily done only in situations where there are both Across and Down clues originating in the light that is being referenced.
* light-coloured cell in the grid
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To complete the clue, a solver must replace the cross reference indicator with the solution to the clue starting in the light* identified by the cross reference indicator.
The cross reference indicator may include a directional indicator but this is customarily done only in situations where there are both Across and Down clues originating in the light that is being referenced.
* light-coloured cell in the grid
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Down
| 1d | Fancy a // cry (7) |
| 2d | This week's charts played // something excellent (3,4,8) |
The cat's whiskers[5] (or chiefly North American the cat's meow or the cat's pyjamas) is an informal expression denoting an excellent person or thing ⇒
this car is the cat’s whiskers.
| 3d | Shout /in/ row after run (4) |
Oar[5] (verb) means to propel with or as if with oars; in other words, row ⇒ (i)
oaring the sea like madmen; (ii)
oaring through the weeds.
"run " = R [cricket notation]
| 4d | Temporarily in charge // on stage? (6) |
| 5d | In good time, taking short walk /in/ bitter wind (8) |
Ironically, an easterly[10] is a wind that blows in a westerly direction.
| 6d | Where soldiers go in battle /is/ too much (4,3,3) |
| 7d | Cloth worker posed with members /and/ officials (9-2-4) |
"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.
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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.
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A sergeant-at-arms[2,5,10] is an official of a court, parliament, legislative assembly, or fraternal body whose duty includes maintaining order and security.
How Do You Spell That?
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Dictionaries differ on the spelling of this term. Most British dictionaries give the primary spelling as sergeant-at-arms (or sergeant at arms) with serjeant-at-arms (or serjeant at arms) as a variant spelling. However, Lexico (Oxford Dictionaries) shows the British spelling as serjeant-at-arms with sergeant-at-arms being a North American spelling. (show references )
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| 8d | Quite // mean about king (6) |
"king | Rex " = 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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| 13d | Over the top /and/ defiant when sub gets dropped (10) |
| 16d | Section housing a mostly enthusiastic // flier (8) |
| 17d | Priest set up pilgrimage for Muslims /to find/ prophet (6) |
"priest " = ELI
In the Bible, Eli[5] is a priest who acted as a teacher to the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1-3).
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In the Bible, Eli[5] is a priest who acted as a teacher to the prophet Samuel (1 Sam. 1-3).
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Haj is a variant spelling of hajj[5], the greater Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, which takes place in the last month of the year and which all Muslims are expected to make at least once during their lifetime if they can afford to do so. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Elijah[5] (9th century BC) was a Hebrew prophet in the time of Jezebel* who maintained the worship of Jehovah against that of Baal and other pagan gods.
* Jezebel (fl. 9th century BC) was a Phoenician princess, traditionally the great-aunt of Dido and in the Bible the wife of Ahab king of Israel. She was denounced by Elijah for introducing the worship of Baal into Israel (1 Kings 16:31, 21:5–15, 2 Kings 9:30–37). Her use of make-up was especially condemned by Puritan England.
| 19d | Talk to limit sulphur /in/ plant (7) |
| 20d | Boy on web /will get/ lines (6) |
| 23d | No limits in blue party // game (4) |
"party " = DO
Do[5,12] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[12] term* for a party or other social event ⇒
* although Webster’s New World College Dictionary[12] supports the contention by Oxford Dictionaries Online[5] that this usage is British, two other US dictionaries do not characterize do[3,11] used in this sense as a British term
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Do[5,12] is an informal British[5] or chiefly British[12] term* for a party or other social event ⇒
the soccer club Christmas do.
* although Webster’s New World College Dictionary[12] supports the contention by Oxford Dictionaries Online[5] that this usage is British, two other US dictionaries do not characterize do[3,11] used in this sense as a British term
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Ludo[5,7] (from Latin ludo, "I play") is the British name for a strategy board
game for two to four players, in which the players race their four
tokens from start to finish according to the rolls of a single die. Ludo is derived from the Indian game Pachisi, but simpler. (show more )
The earliest evidence of this game in India is the depiction of boards on the caves of Ajanta (which date to the 2nd century BC).
In England, Pachisi was modified to use a cubic die with dice cup and patented as "Ludo" in 1896.
The Royal Navy took Ludo and converted it into a board game called Uckers.
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The earliest evidence of this game in India is the depiction of boards on the caves of Ajanta (which date to the 2nd century BC).
In England, Pachisi was modified to use a cubic die with dice cup and patented as "Ludo" in 1896.
The Royal Navy took Ludo and converted it into a board game called Uckers.
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The game and its variations are popular in many countries and under various names. In North America, the game is sold under the brand name Parcheesi. Variations of the game are also sold under the brand names Sorry!, Aggravation, and Trouble.
As a child, I owned a copy of this game — part of a compendium of board games which must have been imported from the UK — and so I am very familiar with the British name.
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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