Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29349 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29349]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Mr K | |
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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This puzzle appears on the Monday Diversions page in the Saturday, December 19, 2020 edition of the National Post. | |
Introduction
My performance on this puzzle certainly was not one of my finer moments, While I had the right-hand side virtually complete, I was barely able to make an incursion into the left-hand side. I just could not seem to get onto the setter's wavelength. With ten clues remaining and having made no progress for an extended period of time, I threw in the towel and sought help from my electronic assistants. They helped me solve half the remaining clues and the checking letters provided by those enabled me to solve the other half.To rub salt in the wound, Mr K rates the puzzle as a mere two stars for difficulty.
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 | No doubt about force // going wrong way (3,6) |
| 8a | Weapon // point taken through wooden pole (5) |
| 10a | Soldiers go /and/ come back (6) |
"soldiers " = 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.
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| 11a | Tough // no longer working in theatre? (8) |
| 12a | War hero // caught stabbing other lunatic (6) |
"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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In Greek mythology, Hector[5] was a Trojan warrior, son of Priam and Hecuba and husband of Andromache. He was killed by Achilles, who dragged his body behind his chariot three times round the walls of Troy.
| 14a | Small/-/time? (6) |
This clue could work on many levels. I have marked it as a simple double definition. However, in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Mr K provides a more complex marking describing the clue as an all-in-one double definition:
- Small-time? (6)
| 16a | Worst // footballer? (4) |
Worst[5] (verb) is used in the sense of to get the better of or defeat* ⇒
this was not the time for a deep discussion—she was tired and she would be worsted.
Best[5] (verb) is used in the sense of to outwit or get the better of (someone)* ⇒
she refused to allow herself to be bested.
George Best[5] (1946–2005) was a Northern Irish footballer [soccer player]. A winger for Manchester United, he was named European Footballer of the Year in 1968.
| 17a | Artist // in Cuba condemned (5) |
Francis Bacon[5] (1909–1992) was a British painter, born in Ireland. His work chiefly depicts human figures in grotesquely distorted postures, set in confined interior spaces.
| 18a | Sack // composer drops at home (4) |
Frédéric Chopin[5] (1810–1849) was a Polish-born French composer and pianist. Writing almost exclusively for the piano, he composed numerous mazurkas and polonaises inspired by Polish folk music, as well as nocturnes, preludes, and two piano concertos (1829; 1830).
| 19a | Surprise cut short on // river (6) |
The Amazon[5]
is a river in South America, flowing over 6,683 km (4,150 miles)
through Peru, Colombia, and Brazil into the Atlantic Ocean. It drains
two fifths of the continent and in terms of water flow it is the largest
river in the world — and some claim it to also be the longest (show more ).
There are many factors, such as the source, the identification or the definition of the mouth, and the scale of measurement of the river length between source and mouth, that determine the precise meaning of "river length"[7]. As a result, the length measurements of many rivers are only approximations. In particular, there has long been disagreement as to whether the Nile or the Amazon is the world's longest river. The Nile has traditionally been considered longer, but in recent years some Brazilian and Peruvian studies have suggested that the Amazon is longer by measuring the river plus the adjacent Pará estuary and the longest connecting tidal canal.
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There are many factors, such as the source, the identification or the definition of the mouth, and the scale of measurement of the river length between source and mouth, that determine the precise meaning of "river length"[7]. As a result, the length measurements of many rivers are only approximations. In particular, there has long been disagreement as to whether the Nile or the Amazon is the world's longest river. The Nile has traditionally been considered longer, but in recent years some Brazilian and Peruvian studies have suggested that the Amazon is longer by measuring the river plus the adjacent Pará estuary and the longest connecting tidal canal.
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Origin: The river bore various names after it was first encountered by Europeans in 1500 and was finally called Amazon after a legendary race of female warriors believed to live on its banks.
| 21a | One // bashed in legs (6) |
| 24a | Dungeon holding gypsy with // general (8) |
A Rom[5] (another term* for Gypsy) is a member of the Roma[5], a people originating in South Asia and traditionally having an itinerant way of life, living widely dispersed across Europe and North and South America and speaking a language (Romani) that is related to Hindi..
* The word Gypsy is now sometimes considered derogatory or offensive, and has been replaced in many official contexts by Romani or Roma, but it remains the most widely used term for members of this community among English speakers.
Oliver Cromwell[5] (1599–1658) was an English general and statesman; lord protector of
the Commonwealth 1653–58. (show more )
Cromwell[5,7], nicknamed Old Ironsides, was the leader of the victorious Parliamentary forces (or Roundheads) in the English Civil War (1642-49). As head of state he styled himself Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England*, Scotland and Ireland, and refused Parliament’s offer of the Crown in 1657. His rule was notable for its puritan reforms in the Church of England. After his death from natural causes in 1658 he was buried in Westminster Abbey, but after the Royalists returned to power in 1660 they had his corpse dug up, hung in chains, and beheaded.
* England, at the time, included Wales
He was briefly succeeded by his son Richard (1626–1712), who was forced into exile in 1659.
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Cromwell[5,7], nicknamed Old Ironsides, was the leader of the victorious Parliamentary forces (or Roundheads) in the English Civil War (1642-49). As head of state he styled himself Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England*, Scotland and Ireland, and refused Parliament’s offer of the Crown in 1657. His rule was notable for its puritan reforms in the Church of England. After his death from natural causes in 1658 he was buried in Westminster Abbey, but after the Royalists returned to power in 1660 they had his corpse dug up, hung in chains, and beheaded.
* England, at the time, included Wales
He was briefly succeeded by his son Richard (1626–1712), who was forced into exile in 1659.
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| 26a | Railway out from very pleasant // city (6) |
Venice[5] is a city in north-eastern Italy (show more ).
Situated on a lagoon of the Adriatic, Venice is built on numerous islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. It was a powerful republic in the Middle Ages and from the 13th to the 16th centuries a leading sea power, controlling trade to the eastern Mediterranean. After the Napoleonic Wars Venice was placed under Austrian rule and was incorporated into a unified Italy in 1866.
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Situated on a lagoon of the Adriatic, Venice is built on numerous islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. It was a powerful republic in the Middle Ages and from the 13th to the 16th centuries a leading sea power, controlling trade to the eastern Mediterranean. After the Napoleonic Wars Venice was placed under Austrian rule and was incorporated into a unified Italy in 1866.
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| 27a | Briefly made advances, then elected // Communist (5) |
Vladimir Ilich Lenin[5] (1870–1924; born Vladimir Ilich Ulyanov) was the principal figure in the Russian Revolution and first premier of the Soviet Union 1918–24. He was the first political leader to attempt to put Marxist principles into practice. In 1917 he established Bolshevik control after the overthrow of the tsar and in 1918 became head of state.
| 28a | Bat perhaps /brings/ insect to leading lady (9) |
The phrase "leading lady" is a reference to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and is being used to clue her regnal cipher "ER" (show explanation ).
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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A bat[5] is a person batting, especially in cricket; in other words, a batsman ⇒
the team's opening bat.
Down
| 1d | Present i/n/ box unopened (5) |
| 2d | Man behind bars // butchers butchered? (8) |
Franz Schubert[5]
(1797–1828) was an Austrian composer. His music is associated with the
romantic movement for its lyricism and emotional intensity, but belongs
in formal terms to the classical age. His works include more than 600 secular vocal works (mainly Lieder) , the ‘Trout’ piano quintet (1819), and nine symphonies — although music scholars differ on the number of symphonies as he died leaving several incomplete works, including one of his most popular, the Unfinished Symphony (show more ).
Schubert completed seven symphonies[7]; nonetheless, one of his incomplete symphonies, the Unfinished Symphony is among his most popular works. Over the years, there has been considerable confusion surrounding the numbering of Schubert's symphonies[7]. Various numbering systems have placed the number of symphonies between eight and ten (including incomplete works). In most of these schemes, the Unfinished Symphony is designated as No. 8 but in one it is No. 7.
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Schubert completed seven symphonies[7]; nonetheless, one of his incomplete symphonies, the Unfinished Symphony is among his most popular works. Over the years, there has been considerable confusion surrounding the numbering of Schubert's symphonies[7]. Various numbering systems have placed the number of symphonies between eight and ten (including incomplete works). In most of these schemes, the Unfinished Symphony is designated as No. 8 but in one it is No. 7.
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| 3d | Fruit in this // boat around north-east (6) |
A punt[5] is a long, narrow flat-bottomed boat, square at both ends and propelled with a long pole, used on inland waters chiefly for recreation.
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Mr K describes the boat in question asThe River Cherwell[7] is a tributary of the River Thames in central England. It rises near Hellidon, Northamptonshire and flows southwards for 40 miles (64 km) to meet the Thames at Oxford in Oxfordshire. Easter and Summer punting is popular on the Oxford stretch of the river.[a] type of boat that one might propel along the Cherwell. |
Punnet[5] is a British term for a small light basket or other container for fruit or vegetables ⇒
a punnet of strawberries.
| 4d | Man being one // is extremely lithe (4) |
The Isle of Man[5]
(abbreviation IOM[5])
is an island in the Irish Sea (show more ).
The island is a British Crown dependency having home rule, with its own legislature (the Tynwald) and judicial system. It was part of the Norse kingdom of the Hebrides in the Middle Ages, passing into Scottish hands in 1266 for a time, until the English gained control in the early 15th century. Its ancient language, Manx, is still occasionally used for ceremonial purposes.
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The island is a British Crown dependency having home rule, with its own legislature (the Tynwald) and judicial system. It was part of the Norse kingdom of the Hebrides in the Middle Ages, passing into Scottish hands in 1266 for a time, until the English gained control in the early 15th century. Its ancient language, Manx, is still occasionally used for ceremonial purposes.
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| 5d | Very accurate // boy collects trophy (4,2) |
Pot[5] is an informal [seemingly British*] term for a prize in a sporting contest, especially a silver cup.
* based on the absence of the term from American dictionaries
| 6d | Flower // people seen under vehicle (9) |
| 9d | Local pump attendant? (6) |
Local[5] is a informal British term for a pub convenient to a person’s home ⇒
had a pint in the local.
The device used to dispense draught beer in a pub is known as a handpump[5] (as it is a pump operated by hand) ⇒
Add to that lots of great beers on the nine handpumps, and there is every reason to see your way to Blind Jack's.
| 13d | Beat music ultimately identifies // Stones (5) |
Scratching the Surface
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| The Rolling Stones[5] (often referred to as simply the Stones) are an English rock group featuring singer Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. Originally a rhythm-and-blues band, they became successful with a much-imitated rebel image, and are known for songs such as ‘Satisfaction’ (1965) and ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ (1968). |
| 15d | Another sales opportunity /in/ racing town? (9) |
Newmarket[5] is a town in eastern England, in Suffolk. It is a noted horse-racing centre and headquarters of the Jockey Club*.
* The Jockey Club[5] is an organization whose stewards are the central authority for the administration of horse racing in Britain. It was founded in 1750.
| 17d | Meat product /in/ crate (6) |
Banger[5] is an informal British term for a sausage ⇒
bangers and mash.
Origin: from the sound made when they explode during cooking
Banger[5] is an informal British term for an old car in poor condition ⇒
they’ve only got an old banger.
| 18d | Improvised corn deal // that won't hold water (8) |
| 20d | Dead man walking? (6) |
| 22d | Religious probationer // without blemish? (6) |
A novice[5] is a person who has entered a religious order and is under probation, before taking vows.
| 23d | What propels boat // south -- oarsmen? (5) |
| 25d | Fat // vicar's bottom pinched by groom (4) |
Groom[5] is an archaic or poetic term for a young man.
Scratching the Surface
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A vicar[5] is a member of the clergy, although the meaning of the term varies
among religious denominations (show more ).
The term vicar may mean:
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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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