Puzzle at a Glance
|
|---|
Puzzle Number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29273 | |
Publication Date in The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, January 30, 2020 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to Full Review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29273] | |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog Review Written By
pommers | |
BD Rating
| |
| 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
| |
Introduction
Given I had to resort to a fair bit of electronic help to complete this puzzle, I was relieved to see that pommers awarded it four stars for difficulty in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog.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 | |
|
|
| Click here for further explanation and usage examples of markup conventions used on this blog. | |
Across
| 1a | Bill is welcome? Do this to show it! (4,2,3,3) |
I agree with pommers' suggestion in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog that this clue is likely intended to be a cryptic definition. The attempted misdirection probably lies in the fact that we are expected to see Bill as being a man's name. However, if — as was my case — one's mind fails to go there immediately, the cryptic effect is lost.
| 9a | Work at back of company /in/ small enclosure (4) |
"work " = OP [opus]
In music, an opus[5] (Latin 'work', plural opuses or opera) is a separate composition or set of compositions.
The abbreviation Op.[5] (also op.), denoting opus, is used before a number given to each work of a particular composer, usually indicating the order of publication. The plural form of Op. is Opp..
Opus[5] can also be used in other contexts to denote an artistic work, especially one on a large scale ⇒
hide
In music, an opus[5] (Latin 'work', plural opuses or opera) is a separate composition or set of compositions.
The abbreviation Op.[5] (also op.), denoting opus, is used before a number given to each work of a particular composer, usually indicating the order of publication. The plural form of Op. is Opp..
Opus[5] can also be used in other contexts to denote an artistic work, especially one on a large scale ⇒
he was writing an opus on Mexico.
hide
| 10a | What may help little person to see // fairy's garment (9) |
In Persian mythology, a peri[5] is a mythical superhuman being, originally represented as evil but subsequently as a good or graceful genie or fairy.
A cope[5] a long, loose cloak worn by a priest or bishop on ceremonial occasions.
| 12a | Like some verse /coming from/ this writer's biro? (6) |
"this writer's " = I AM
It is a common cryptic crossword convention for the creator of the puzzle to use terms such as (the or this) compiler, (the or this) setter, (the or this) speaker, (this) author, (this) writer, or this person to refer to himself or herself. To solve such a clue, one must generally substitute a first person pronoun (I or ME) for whichever of these terms has been used in the clue.
Today, the the creator of the puzzle has made the scenario more complicated by combining "this writer" with the verb "to be"* producing "this writer's" (a contraction of "this writer is") which must be replaced — not by the usual contraction "I'm" — but by "I am" in full.
* Although in the surface reading "this writer's" is showing possession, in the wordplay it is interpreted as a contraction of "this writer is".
hide
It is a common cryptic crossword convention for the creator of the puzzle to use terms such as (the or this) compiler, (the or this) setter, (the or this) speaker, (this) author, (this) writer, or this person to refer to himself or herself. To solve such a clue, one must generally substitute a first person pronoun (I or ME) for whichever of these terms has been used in the clue.
Today, the the creator of the puzzle has made the scenario more complicated by combining "this writer" with the verb "to be"* producing "this writer's" (a contraction of "this writer is") which must be replaced — not by the usual contraction "I'm" — but by "I am" in full.
* Although in the surface reading "this writer's" is showing possession, in the wordplay it is interpreted as a contraction of "this writer is".
hide
Biro[5] is a British trademark for a ballpoint pen. In Britain, the name is used generically for a ballpoint pen (in the same way that kleenex has become a generic term for facial tissue).
Origin: named after László József Bíró (1899–1985), the Hungarian inventor of the ballpoint pen
The Bic pen[5], an inexpensive disposable ballpoint pen manufactured by the French company Société Bic, is the best-selling pen in the world.
| 13a | Bird // hard for country person to bag (8) |
| 15a | 'Common' // Arabs maybe seen wandering about (5,5) |
Common[5] is an informal British term for common sense ⇒ (i)
Have a bit of common; (ii)
It comes down to being sage, and using a bit of common, really.
| 16a | Issue // of the day, say, being gone over (4) |
| 18a | State of irritation? // Blow! (4) |
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
In the surface reading, blow[5] is a British euphemism for damn ⇒ (i) ‘Well, blow me’, he said, ‘I never knew that.’; (ii) I'm blowed if I want to see him again. |
| 20a | Celebrity's vehicle /makes one/ deeply impressed (4-6) |
| 23a | A ranter's ridiculous // reports (8) |
| 24a | Hostile // African country with guns regularly seen (6) |
Mali[5]
is a landlocked country in West Africa, south of Algeria. Former name (until 1958)
French Sudan. (show more )
Conquered by the French in the late 19th century, Mali became part of French West Africa. It became a partner with Senegal in the Federation of Mali in 1959 and achieved full independence a year later, on the withdrawal of Senegal.
hide
Conquered by the French in the late 19th century, Mali became part of French West Africa. It became a partner with Senegal in the Federation of Mali in 1959 and achieved full independence a year later, on the withdrawal of Senegal.
hide
Malign[5,10] — as well as being a verb — is also an adjective meaning evil in influence, intention, nature or effect ⇒
Racism of some kind is just about universal but some forms are much more malign than others.
| 26a | What comes out /from/ English master meeting people (9) |
| 27a | Someone leaving /is/ energetic type (4) |
| 28a | Helpful folk // reforming parish system (12) |
Down
| 2d | One fairly quietly spoken /may be/ spoilt (8) |
Mezzo piano[5] (abbreviation mp[5]) is a music term (used especially as a direction) meaning moderately softly ⇒
this is a soft and gentle song and should be played mezzo piano.
| 3d | Military item of clothing? // Some fake piece (4) |
A kepi[5] is a French military cap with a horizontal peak.
| 4d | Chaps surer to go wrong /as/ those looking for a deal maybe (10) |
| 5d | Soldier /is/ impetuous, turning up to entertain us (6) |
Historically, the term hussar[5,10] refers to a member of any of various light cavalry regiments in European armies, renowned for their elegant dress which was modelled on that of the Hungarian hussars (a 15th century Hungarian light cavalry regiment).
| 6d | Excessively keen initially, excellent leader of men // prepared to shoot (4,3) |
| 7d | Amazing // function of device used by suspicious police (12) |
| 8d | Yesteryear's // class meeting important lady (6) |
In Britain, a form[5] is [or, perhaps more correctly,was] a class or year in a school, usually given a specifying number. This is similar to the North America concept of a grade although the numbering system for forms and grades are vastly different. (show more )
The term "form" seems to have become passé as Miffypops in his review of DT 28163 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog refers to "sixth-former" as "What a schoolchild would be during the year before university back in the old days. This would now be known as year 13 or 14." Furthermore, Wikipedia (see table below) characterizes the term "form" as an "alternative/old name".
A form[7] is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title. Pupils are usually grouped in forms according to age and will remain with the same group for a number of years, or sometimes their entire school career.
Forms are normally identified by a number such as "first form" or "sixth form". A form number may be used for two year groups and differentiated by the terms upper and lower [in general, this would seem to apply primarily for the sixth form]. Usually the sixth form is the senior form of a school [although this apparently does not hold true for New Zealand where they would appear to have a seventh form]. In England, the sixth form is usually divided into two year groups, the lower sixth and upper sixth, owing to the 3-year English college/university system. In Scotland or North America, the 6th form is usually a single year, owing to the 4-year college/university system. If there is more than one form for each year group they will normally be differentiated by letters, e.g., "upper four B", "lower two Y". Schools do not follow a consistent pattern in naming forms [in the foregoing quotation witness Miffypops' reference to "year 14", a term which does not appear in the table below].
Wikipedia would appear to be at best ambiguous and at worst inconsistent on the relationship between the British and American systems of naming school years. The article from which the table below is excerpted shows that the British first form is equivalent to the American 6th grade. On the other hand, the article cited above states "In North America, the 1st Form (or sometimes 'Form I') is equivalent to 7th Grade." However, this latter statement may in fact be a comparison between the few North American schools to use the form system and the vast majority of North American schools that don't rather than a comparison between British and American schools.
hide
The term "form" seems to have become passé as Miffypops in his review of DT 28163 on Big Dave's Crossword Blog refers to "sixth-former" as "What a schoolchild would be during the year before university back in the old days. This would now be known as year 13 or 14." Furthermore, Wikipedia (see table below) characterizes the term "form" as an "alternative/old name".
A form[7] is a class or grouping of students in a school. The term is used predominantly in the United Kingdom, although some schools, mostly private, in other countries also use the title. Pupils are usually grouped in forms according to age and will remain with the same group for a number of years, or sometimes their entire school career.
Forms are normally identified by a number such as "first form" or "sixth form". A form number may be used for two year groups and differentiated by the terms upper and lower [in general, this would seem to apply primarily for the sixth form]. Usually the sixth form is the senior form of a school [although this apparently does not hold true for New Zealand where they would appear to have a seventh form]. In England, the sixth form is usually divided into two year groups, the lower sixth and upper sixth, owing to the 3-year English college/university system. In Scotland or North America, the 6th form is usually a single year, owing to the 4-year college/university system. If there is more than one form for each year group they will normally be differentiated by letters, e.g., "upper four B", "lower two Y". Schools do not follow a consistent pattern in naming forms [in the foregoing quotation witness Miffypops' reference to "year 14", a term which does not appear in the table below].
Wikipedia would appear to be at best ambiguous and at worst inconsistent on the relationship between the British and American systems of naming school years. The article from which the table below is excerpted shows that the British first form is equivalent to the American 6th grade. On the other hand, the article cited above states "In North America, the 1st Form (or sometimes 'Form I') is equivalent to 7th Grade." However, this latter statement may in fact be a comparison between the few North American schools to use the form system and the vast majority of North American schools that don't rather than a comparison between British and American schools.
| Age Range | British System | American System | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Alternative/Old Name | Name | |
| 11-12 | Year 7 | First form | 6th grade |
| 12-13 | Year 8 | Second form | 7th grade |
| 13-14 | Year 9 | Third form | 8th grade |
| 14-15 | Year 10 | Fourth form | 9th grade |
| 15-16 | Year 11 | Fifth form | 10th grade |
| 16-17 | Year 12 | Lower sixth form | 11th grade |
| 17-18 | Year 13 | Upper sixth form | 12th grade |
hide
The phrase "important lady" is a reference to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and is being used to clue her regnal cipher "ER" (show explanation ).
| 11d | Pianists ignoring the bass clef? (5-7) |
Piano music[*] is written in the bass and treble clefs. The treble clef, or G clef, is used for the higher sounding notes, usually played with the right hand. The bass clef, or F clef, is used for the lower sounding notes, usually played with the left hand.
[*] Wikibooks, Piano/Treble Clef and Bass Clef
| 14d | Ungodly /and/ faint-hearted person is buried in barren land (10) |
According to The Chambers Dictionary, a hen[1] is a faint-hearted person.
Heath[5] is a British term for an area of open uncultivated land, typically on acid sandy soil, with characteristic vegetation of heather, gorse, and coarse grasses.
| 17d | More peculiar // person children are taught to avoid? (8) |
| 19d | Anger in agricultural business -- // one gets fired (7) |
| 21d | One person supervising journalists /in/ team? (6) |
Manchester United Football Club[7], commonly known as Man United or simply United*, is an English professional football [soccer] club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League (the top level in the English football league system).
* Although, in Britain, the word United[5] is commonly used in the names of soccer and other sports teams formed by amalgamation, it would seem that the name United in the absence of other context would customarily be assumed to be a reference to Manchester United.
| 22d | Expression of surprise about a vehicle /seen/ in the capital (6) |
Havana[5] is the the capital of Cuba, situated on the north coast.
| 25d | Aims // to finish before start of supper (4) |
Key to Reference Sources:
[1] - The Chambers Dictionary, 11th Edition
[2] - Search Chambers - (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary)
[3] - TheFreeDictionary.com (American Heritage Dictionary)
[4] - TheFreeDictionarycom (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)
Signing off for today — Falcon
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.