Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29340 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Friday, April 17, 2020 | |
Setter
silvanus | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29340]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Deep Threat | |
BD rating
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| Difficulty - ★★★ | Enjoyment - ★★★ |
Falcon's experience
┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
███████████████████████████████████ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ | |
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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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The National Post has skipped DT 29338 and DT 29339 which were published in The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 and Thursday, April 16, 2020 respectively.
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Introduction
I'm playing catch up today. The National Post has skipped a couple of puzzles so I had to ditch the review I was working on, solve the puzzle that was actually published, and compose a review for it — not to mention a few non-blogging activities.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
| 7a | Reportedly warm and sunny? /It's/ brief! (7) |
In the markup, I've considered brief to be a noun. However, were one to treat it as an adjective, the markup would be:
- Reportedly warm and sunny? // It's brief! (7)
* Barristers and solicitors[7] are two classes of lawyer. However, the distinction between them varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction around the world. The UK has a split legal profession in which barristers and solicitors have separate and distinct roles. (read more )
The following attempt to differentiate between barristers and solicitors is no doubt somewhat oversimplified.
In the UK, solicitors are attorneys which means they can act in the place of their client for legal purposes. However, a solicitor is not a member of the bar and therefore [with the possible exception of certain lower courts (see below)] cannot speak on behalf of a client in court. A barrister is not an attorney and is usually forbidden, either by law or professional rules or both, from "conducting" litigation. This means that while the barrister speaks on the client's behalf in court, he or she can do so only when instructed by a solicitor or certain other qualified professional clients, such as patent agents.
However, the foregoing would appear not to be strictly true. Collins English Dictionary defines a solicitor[10], in Britain, as a lawyer who advises clients on matters of law, draws up legal documents, prepares cases for barristers, etc, and who may represent clients in certain courts and a barrister[10] (also called barrister-at-law), in England [not Britain], as a lawyer who has been called to the bar and is qualified to plead in the higher courts.
In the US and Canada (with the exception of Quebec), there is generally no legal or regulatory distinction between a barrister and a solicitor - with any qualified lawyer being entitled to practice in either field. In the US, most lawyers call themselves attorneys while in Canada, lawyers will adopt different titles depending on the type of legal practice on which they choose to concentrate (barrister, solicitor, or barrister and solicitor).
hide explanation
The following attempt to differentiate between barristers and solicitors is no doubt somewhat oversimplified.
In the UK, solicitors are attorneys which means they can act in the place of their client for legal purposes. However, a solicitor is not a member of the bar and therefore [with the possible exception of certain lower courts (see below)] cannot speak on behalf of a client in court. A barrister is not an attorney and is usually forbidden, either by law or professional rules or both, from "conducting" litigation. This means that while the barrister speaks on the client's behalf in court, he or she can do so only when instructed by a solicitor or certain other qualified professional clients, such as patent agents.
However, the foregoing would appear not to be strictly true. Collins English Dictionary defines a solicitor[10], in Britain, as a lawyer who advises clients on matters of law, draws up legal documents, prepares cases for barristers, etc, and who may represent clients in certain courts and a barrister[10] (also called barrister-at-law), in England [not Britain], as a lawyer who has been called to the bar and is qualified to plead in the higher courts.
In the US and Canada (with the exception of Quebec), there is generally no legal or regulatory distinction between a barrister and a solicitor - with any qualified lawyer being entitled to practice in either field. In the US, most lawyers call themselves attorneys while in Canada, lawyers will adopt different titles depending on the type of legal practice on which they choose to concentrate (barrister, solicitor, or barrister and solicitor).
hide explanation
| 8a | Green // leader prepared to admit source of money (7) |
| 10a | Ethnic grouping // comprising half of Greece's constituents? (9) |
Although I arrived at the correct solution through the definition and checking letters, I totally failed to decipher the wordplay in this clue and eventually resorted to the 2Kiwis review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog for an explanation.
Half (three of six) constituent letters in the word "Greece" are the letter 'e'.
"E " = European [as in E number]
E[1,2] is the abbreviation for European (as in E number*).
* An E number[1,4,10,14] (or E-number[2,5]) is any of various identification codes required by EU law, consisting of the letter E (for European) followed by a number, that are used to denote food additives such as colourings and preservatives (but excluding flavourings) that have been approved by the European Union.
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E[1,2] is the abbreviation for European (as in E number*).
* An E number[1,4,10,14] (or E-number[2,5]) is any of various identification codes required by EU law, consisting of the letter E (for European) followed by a number, that are used to denote food additives such as colourings and preservatives (but excluding flavourings) that have been approved by the European Union.
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| 11a | City // detectives could be seeking them, we hear (5) |
| 12a | Drank to excess back /in/ warehouse (5) |
| 13a | Title /of/ private vessel the Queen goes aboard (9) |
"the Queen " = ER [regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth]
The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth is ER[5] — from the Latin Elizabetha Regina.
* A cipher[5] (also cypher) is a monogram[5] or motif of two or more interwoven letters, typically a person's initials, used to identify a personal possession or as a logo.
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The regnal ciphers (monograms) of British monarchs are initials formed from the Latin version of their first name followed by either Rex or Regina (Latin for king or queen, respectively). Thus, the regnal cipher of Queen Elizabeth is ER[5] — from the Latin Elizabetha Regina.
* A cipher[5] (also cypher) is a monogram[5] or motif of two or more interwoven letters, typically a person's initials, used to identify a personal possession or as a logo.
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| 15a | In haughty manner, // is it an indication toilet needs cleaning? (7) |
Split the solution (1,3,3) to get something that might be "an indication toilet needs cleaning".
Loo[5] is an informal British term for a toilet [either as a room or a plumbing fixture].
| 17a | Power failure crossing river /creates/ shock (7) |
| 18a | Score with ace /in/ card game (6-3) |
"ace " = ONE
To my mind, the most direct explanation may be that an ace[10] (also called hole in one) is a score of one on a hole in golf.
Although ace[10] can also mean:
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To my mind, the most direct explanation may be that an ace[10] (also called hole in one) is a score of one on a hole in golf.
Although ace[10] can also mean:
- any die, domino, or any of four playing cards with one spot
- a single spot or pip on a playing card, die, etc
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Twenty-one[5] is another name for the card game blackjack (also known in the UK as pontoon).
| 20a | Head of council, // stable occupant it's said (5) |
I initially thought this homonym to be quite a stretch. However I must admit that, pronounced in a British accent, the word "mayor" and "mare" do sound pretty much alike.
| 21a | Avoid // opening press release put out (5) |
PR[1,3] is the abbreviation for press release*.
* according to one British[1] and one US[3] dictionary
| 23a | Swiss location's extremely tolerable home /for/ composer (9) |
Bern (a variant spelling of Berne[5]) has been the capital of Switzerland since 1848.
Bernstein is the name of two American composers:
- Leonard Bernstein[5] (1918–1990) was a US composer, conductor, and pianist. He was a conductor with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra 1945–48 and 1957–69. Notable works: The Age of Anxiety (symphony, 1947–49), West Side Story (musical, 1957), and music for the movie On the Waterfront (1954).
- Elmer Bernstein*[7] (1922–2004) was an American composer and conductor who is best known for his many film scores. In a career which spanned fifty years, he composed music for hundreds of film and television productions. His most popular works include the scores to The Magnificent Seven, The Ten Commandments, The Great Escape, To Kill a Mockingbird, Ghostbusters, The Black Cauldron, Airplane!, The Rookies, Cape Fear, Animal House, and The Age of Innocence. He won an Oscar for his score to Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967).
The two men were not related but were friends. Within the world of professional music, they were distinguished from each other by the use of the nicknames Bernstein West (Elmer) and Bernstein East (Leonard). They pronounced their last names differently; Elmer pronounced his (BERN-steen), and Leonard's was (BERN-stine).
| 24a | Striking // entails getting beaten up (7) |
| 25a | Inclined to defend footballers /being/ vulgar (7) |
The Football Association[7], also known simply as the FA, is the governing body of football [soccer] in England. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game in England.
Down
| 1d | Hear MP's not changed // communication device (10) |
| 2d | Reprimand // Cairo poet appearing regularly in court (6) |
Carpet[5] is an informal British term meaning to reprimand severely ⇒
the Chancellor of the Exchequer [British minister of finance] carpeted the bank bosses.
* Although we do not use this expression in North America, we certainly do use the related expression on the carpet[5] meaning being severely reprimanded by someone in authority.
| 3d | Traffic system // upset club visiting outskirts of Grimsby (8) |
Rotary[5] (also Rotary International) is a worldwide charitable society of business and professional people, formed in 1905.
A gyratory[5] is a road junction or traffic system requiring the circular movement of traffic, larger or more complex than an ordinary roundabout [rotary].
Scratching the Surface
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| Grimsby[5] (official name Great Grimsby) is a port on the south shore of the Humber estuary in Lincolnshire in north-eastern England. |
| 4d | Compose a sonata piece /that's/ mellow (6) |
| 5d | English student fills up Bordeaux /in/ wine cabinet (8) |
"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 |
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Claret[5] is a red wine from Bordeaux, or wine of a similar character made elsewhere.
Cellaret[5] (US cellarette) is a historical term for a cabinet or sideboard for keeping alcoholic drinks and glasses in a dining room.
| 6d | Flimsy // fabric (4) |
Lamé[5] is a fabric with interwoven gold or silver threads.
| 7d | Resolute quality /of/ head chasing dates around hurriedly (13) |
| 9d | Flight /of/ criminal pair and escape (13) |
| 14d | Hard rock /yielding/ lead, maybe (5,5) |
| 16d | Was originator of // one-time TV sitcom? (8) |
Father Ted[5] is a British television sitcom that originally aired from 1995 to 1998. The show concerns three priests, exiled on a remote island off west coast of Ireland for various past incidents, who live together in the parochial house with their housekeeper. In 2019, Father Ted was ranked second to Fawlty Towers in a list of "the greatest British sitcoms" compiled by a panel of comedy experts for the British TV and radio listings magazine Radio Times.
| 17d | Left by pier, bananas // past sell-by date? (8) |
Sell-by date[5] is a British term for a date marked on a perishable product indicating the recommended time by which it should be sold.
| 19d | Courses /of/ some interest I brought up (6) |
| 20d | Male attending annual Royal occasion /displays/ charm (6) |
Royal Ascot[7] [Ascot, in brief] is a race meeting held at Ascot Racecourse*. Each of the five days of Royal Ascot begins with the Royal Procession at 2pm, when the Queen and other members of the royal family arrive down the straight mile in the Royal Landaus, accompanied by the playing of the National Anthem and the raising of the Royal Standard. This tradition was started in 1825 by King George IV.
* Ascot Racecourse[7] is a British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, which is used for thoroughbred horse racing — both flat racing (conducted on a course with no jumps) and National Hunt Racing (in which horses must jump obstacles). The course enjoys close associations with the British Royal Family, being approximately six miles from Windsor Castle.
| 22d | Fruit // crop each year from Puglia (4) |
The abbreviation p.a.[5] stands for per annum (Latin for 'per year').
The ugli or ugli fruit[7] is a Jamaican form of tangelo, a citrus fruit created by hybridizing a grapefruit (or pomelo), an orange and a tangerine. The name is a variation of the word "ugly", which refers to the fruit's unsightly appearance, with rough, wrinkled, greenish-yellow rind, wrapped loosely around the orange pulpy citrus inside.
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] - Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) (Oxford Dictionary of English)
[6] - Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) (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
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