Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29228 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Saturday, December 7, 2019 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29228 – Hints]Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29228 – Review] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
Senf (Hints)gnomethang (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
Like the majority of those commenting on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, I found this puzzle to be on the decidedly difficult side. However, after setting it aside and returning to it several times, it did eventually succumb to my efforts.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 | Vote /to get/ extra large notice dismantled (2-8) |
In cricket, an extra[5] is a run scored other than from a hit with the bat, credited (in most cases) to the batting side rather than to a batsman. The types of extra[7] are no ball, wide, bye, leg-bye, and penalty runs.
In cricket, a bye[5] is a run scored from a ball that passes the batsman without being hit (recorded as an extra, not credited to the individual batsman).
| 6a | One's precious // ring, left by father (4) |
| 9a | Flying squad // character joins prison guards, not taking sides (7) |
I consider the definition to be cryptic in that the setter clearly intends for us to think of a police flying squad (see box below).
Screw[5] is a prisoner's derogatory informal term for a warder* ⇒
she was frightened by the look of the screws.
Scratching the Surface
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Flying squad[5] is a British term for a division of a police force or other organization which is capable of reaching an incident quickly ⇒ (i) the gang were caught by the Flying Squad; (ii) a medical flying squad. |
| 10a | Short // cloak, cool -- no itch when used off and on (7) |
| 12a | Pedantic // phoney's love dismissed by the Queen (13) |
"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).
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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).
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"the Queen " = ER [regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth]
| 14a | Away from home, time to wear dead crumpled // old hat (8) |
| 15a | Rasp /needed for/ cunning plan (6) |
Wheeze[5] is a British informal term for a clever or amusing scheme, idea, or trick ⇒
a new wheeze to help farmers.
| 17a | Growth /of/ pleasure -- well, that's endless (6) |
| 19a | Sleazy club founder /gets/ attack from on high (4-4) |
| 21a | Like one who scoffs when folk get heated? (13) |
This priceless cryptic definition elicited a hearty chuckle from me. It will be interesting to see the reaction of Miffypops who always seems to appreciate the mention of food in a puzzle!
| 24a | Said /to be obsessed with study in retirement (7) |
| 25a | Revered figure, // royal, almost due to go walkabout (3,4) |
Our Lady[5] is a title for the Virgin Mary.
Walkabout[5] is a British term for an informal stroll among a crowd conducted by an important visitor ⇒
the prime minister went on an impromptu walkabout.
The phrase go walkabout[5] means to wander around from place to place in a protracted or leisurely way* ⇒
I thought I'd just go walkabout and see what I can dig up.
* On its own, walkabout[2,5] is a British term for an informal stroll among a crowd conducted by a celebrity, especially a member of the royal family or a politician ⇒
the prime minister went on an impromptu walkabout.
| 26a | Scruff /takes/ ecstasy, seeing little sleep ahead (4) |
"Ecstasy " = E [the illicit drug Ecstasy]
E[5] is an abbreviation for the drug Ecstasy* or a tablet of Ecstasy ⇒ (i)
* Ecstasy[5] is an illegal amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric effects, originally produced as an appetite suppressant. Also called MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
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E[5] is an abbreviation for the drug Ecstasy* or a tablet of Ecstasy ⇒ (i)
people have died after taking E; (ii)
being busted with three Es can lead to stiff penalties.
* Ecstasy[5] is an illegal amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric effects, originally produced as an appetite suppressant. Also called MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
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Scruff[5] is a British informal term for a person with a dirty or untidy appearance.
| 27a | Bed one rises to go to (4,6) |
My first thought was "upper bunk" or "upper berth".
Down
| 1d | Eating bit of chicken? (4) |
Another cryptic definition that drew a chuckle once the penny dropped.
| 2d | Parts of cereal crop burning /in/ distance we hear (7) |
A cryptic definition of one's audible range.
| 3d | Continental marriage? // It's hard to get out of it! (8,5) |
When this puzzle was published in the UK in December, Brexit would have been very much on the minds of Brits. It was less than one week before the UK General Election* on December 12, 2019 and less than two months before Britain left the UK on January 31, 2020 after a process that began with the referendum in June 2016.
* to which Senf alludes in his hint for this clue on Big Dave's Crossword Blog
| 4d | Cheers! Whisky with less water /is/ cheaper (8) |
Cheers[5] is an informal British expression of gratitude or acknowledgement for something ⇒
Billy tossed him the key. ‘Cheers, pal.’.
Ta[5] is a British informal exclamation signifying thank you ⇒
‘Ta,’ said Willie gratefully.
Whiskey[5] is a code word representing the letter W in what is commonly known as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet[7] (officially the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet).
Whiskey or Whisky
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| There is a discussion initiated by Harold at Comment #30 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog on whether the spelling of "Whisky" is correct in the context in which it is used in this clue. The Chambers Dictionary*, Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) and Collins English Dictionary all show Whiskey[1,4,10] or whiskey[1,5] as the spelling for the code word for the letter w in international radio communication. However, Chambers 21st Century Dictionary specifies the spelling as Whisky[2]. According to Wikipedia, the NATO phonetic alphabet[7], officially denoted as the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet, and also commonly known as the ICAO phonetic alphabet, and in a variation also known officially as the ITU phonetic alphabet and figure code, is the most widely used radiotelephone spelling alphabet. However, the article is somewhat ambiguous on the spelling of this word. In most cases, it shows the spelling as Whiskey However, a table in the section dealing with International Aviation[7] shows the ICAO spelling as Whiskey prior to 1956 and Whisky from 1956 onward. |
| 5d | One gawps, // regarding learner driver with turn coming up (5) |
"learner driver " = 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 |
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Gawp[5] is a British informal term meaning to stare openly in a stupid or rude manner.
| 7d | Slate and pine -- /that's/ style (7) |
Slate[5] is a British informal term meaning to criticize severely ⇒
his work was slated by the critics.
| 8d | China used by pub // meeting for Fulham and Chelsea perhaps (5,5) |
Local[5] is a British informal term for a pub convenient to a person’s home ⇒
had a pint in the local.
Derby[5] is a city in the Midlands of England, on the River Derwent, known for the manufacture of china*.
* The production of Derby porcelain[7] dates from the second half of the 18th century. The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company[7], based in Derby, is one of two English firms claiming to be the oldest remaining porcelain manufacturer in England. The company is particularly known for its high-quality bone china, having produced tableware and ornamental items since approximately 1750.
Therefore, "china used by pub" could be thought of as "local Derby" (i.e., Derby china belonging to a local).
Derby[2] (also local derby) is a British term for a race or a sports event or contest, especially a contest between teams from the same area.
Fulham[7] and Chelsea[7] are neighbouring areas in South West London, England each of which is "home"* to an English Football League (EFL) club. Chelsea Football Club[7] competes in the Premier League, the top division of English football while Fulham Football Club competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football.
* Chelsea's stadium, Stamford Bridge, is actually located just across the border in Fulham
Given that the teams currently compete in different hierarchical divisions of the EFL, they likely rarely — if ever — play each other (although that would change were Fulham to be promoted to the Premier League or Chelsea relegated to the Championship). Nevertheless, supposing the teams were to meet, the setter is suggesting that one might whimsically think of it as a "local derby".
| 11d | Kitty used by a merchant wandering round eastern // region for customers? (9,4) |
I presume the setter has included the question mark to indicate that the definition is cryptic given that the "customers" in question are typically not shoppers.
A catchment area[2] is the area served by a particular school, hospital, etc, encompassing those people who are expected to make use of the facilities within it.
| 13d | Literature that's lost the plot? (3-7) |
I am usually a fan of cryptic definitions but this one just does not float my boat.
| 16d | Belt one aristo/'s/ got on (3,2,3) |
Aristo[2] is a colloquial, often derogatory, short form for aristocrat.
Toff[5] is a derogatory, British informal term for a rich or upper-class person.
| 18d | On going in opposite directions, best /to be/ persistent (3-4) |
| 20d | Gold and green veg /and/ other food grown here (7) |
| 22d | A university occasionally copied, held up /as/ sound (5) |
| 23d | Caught Romeo escaping from relation /in/ blue (4) |
"caught " = C [cricket notation]
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[5] or c.[2,10] 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[5] or c.[2,10] denotes caught (by).
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"Romeo " = R [NATO Phonetic Alphabet]
In what is commonly known as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet[7]*, Romeo[5] is a code word representing the letter R.
* officially the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet
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In what is commonly known as the NATO Phonetic Alphabet[7]*, Romeo[5] is a code word representing the letter R.
* officially the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet
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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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