Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29350 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Wednesday, April 29, 2020 | |
Setter
Jay (Jeremy Mutch) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29350]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
2Kiwis | |
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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Introduction
Jay has elected to give us a more challenging mental workout today.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 | Trace soldiers with a // wife abroad (7) |
Sign[10] is used in the sense of an indication or vestige ⇒
the house showed no signs of being occupied.
"soldiers " = OR [other ranks]
In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
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In the British armed forces, the term other ranks[5] (abbreviation OR[5]) refers to all those who are not commissioned officers.
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Signora[5] is a title or form of address used of or to an Italian-speaking married woman, corresponding to Mrs or madam.
| 5a | Game // that's unfair if not in front? (7) |
Not cricket[5] is an informal British expression meaning something contrary to traditional standards of fairness or rectitude.
| 9a | Point after heading off penalty /is/ useless (5) |
| 10a | How a drink ruined // production (9) |
| 11a | Protecting // poor NHS in regions so lacking (10) |
Scratching the Surface
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| NHS is the abbreviation for National Health Service[5], a system of national medical care in the UK paid for mainly by taxation and started by the Labour government in 1948. |
| 12a | Type of American /who's/ in now as president? (4) |
From a British perspective, Wasp[5] (also WASP) is a North American term for an upper- or middle-class American white Protestant, considered to be a member of the most powerful group in society.
Scratching the Surface
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| At times in his life, President Donald Trump[7] has been a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Reformed Church. He now describes himself as a non-denominational Christian. His personal pastor is televangelist Paula White[7] who he appointed to the White House Office of Public Liaison. (Her entry in Wikipedia certainly makes for interesting reading.) Incoming President Joe Biden[7] is a Roman Catholic. |
| 14a | Tense work /from/ Her Majesty after second long freeze (5-7) |
"Her Majesty " = 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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| 18a | Civil servant // floored chief after reorganisation (6-6) |
Civil Service[10] is the British term for the service responsible for the public administration of the government of a country. It excludes the legislative, judicial, and military branches. Members of the civil service have no official political allegiance and are not generally affected by changes of governments. In Australia and New Zealand — not to mention Canada — the term public service[10] is used.
| 21a | Question one -- capital of Zambia could be part of this (4) |
The entire clue provides the definition* in which the wordplay is embedded.
* if not a cryptic definition as I have marked it, the definition is certainly something other than a precise definition
| 22a | Copper /may be/ puffed, we hear, needing courage (10) |
Bottle[5] is an informal British term denoting the courage or confidence needed to do something difficult or dangerous ⇒
I lost my bottle completely and ran.
Bluebottle[5] is a dated informal British term for a police officer.
Scratching the Surface
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Puffed[5] (also puffed out) is a British term meaning out of breath ⇒ he felt puffed after climbing to the top of the apartment block. |
| 25a | Area of the Med -- // one in Asia being developed (6,3) |
The Med[5] is an informal, British name for the Mediterranean Sea.
The Ionian Sea[5] is the part of the Mediterranean Sea between western Greece and southern Italy, at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea*.
* The Adriatic Sea[5] is an arm of the Mediterranean Sea between the Balkans and the Italian peninsula.
| 26a | Spike covering new // weapon (5) |
| 27a | Heavy // old Roman emperor bust uncovered (7) |
"old " = O [linguistics]
In linguistics, O[12] is the abbreviation for Old ⇒ (i)
However, a second entry from this same source shows o (lower case) meaning old (not capitalized) suggesting that the use of this abbreviation may not necessarily be confined to the field of linguistics.
Another possibility arises from the British abbreviation OAP[5] standing for old-age pensioner.
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In linguistics, O[12] is the abbreviation for Old ⇒ (i)
OFr[Old French]; (ii)
OE[Old English].
However, a second entry from this same source shows o (lower case) meaning old (not capitalized) suggesting that the use of this abbreviation may not necessarily be confined to the field of linguistics.
Another possibility arises from the British abbreviation OAP[5] standing for old-age pensioner.
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Nero[5] (AD 37-68) was Roman emperor 54-68; full name Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Infamous for his cruelty, he wantonly executed leading Romans. His reign witnessed a fire which destroyed half of Rome in 64.
| 28a | Regularly seen wearing Lycra -- possibly // an offence! (7) |
Down
| 1d | She drops the man with pride broken, /finding/ rest (6) |
A spider[5] is a long-legged rest for a billiard cue that can be placed over a ball without touching it.
| 2d | Pole at work may be so // smeared! (6) |
It took some sleuthing to uncover the significance of the words "at work" in the clue — a piece of information without which the first part of the clue is virtually meaningless.
Greasy pole[7,10] is the British name for a pole covered with grease or other lubricants to make it slippery and difficult to grip, often used as entertainment. More specifically, it is the name of several events that involve staying on, climbing up, walking over or otherwise traversing such a pole. This kind of event exists in several variations around the world where it may sometimes be known as a grease pole or greased pole.
The term greasy pole[10] is used metaphorically in Britain to denote the hard route to the top of a profession ⇒
insufficiently ruthless to reach the top of the greasy pole.
| 3d | Performing troupes needing expert /for/ place lacking atmosphere (5,5) |
| 4d | Article about female // drained of colour (5) |
| 5d | Regular // design of coin in Panama perhaps (9) |
The Panama Canal is a canal about 80 km (50 miles) long, across the
Isthmus of Panama, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. (show more )
Its construction, begun by Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1881 but abandoned in 1889, was completed by the US between 1904 and 1914. Control of the canal remained with the US until 1999, at which date it was ceded to Panama.
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Its construction, begun by Ferdinand de Lesseps in 1881 but abandoned in 1889, was completed by the US between 1904 and 1914. Control of the canal remained with the US until 1999, at which date it was ceded to Panama.
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Canonical[5] is used in the sense of conforming to orthodox or well-established rules or patterns, as of procedure.
| 6d | Bird // is injected with thiamine (4) |
Thiamine[5] is vitamin B1.
The ibis[5] is a large wading bird with a long downcurved bill, long neck, and long legs.
| 7d | No barriers on air /for/ smart alecs (4-4) |
Know-all[5] is an informal British* term for a person who behaves as if they know everything ⇒ (i)
you're a bumptious little know-all at times; (ii) [as modifier]
a know-all panellist.*
* The equivalent term in North America, which may[5] — or may not[10,14] — be an alternative term in the UK, is know-it-all.
| 8d | Share // mainly preserved area in bitter surroundings (4,4) |
| 13d | Graves may be put here // once I lower rent (4,6) |
Graves[5] is a red or white wine from the district of Graves, to the south of Bordeaux in France.
| 15d | Part of UK greeting schedules /for/ extreme sceptics (9) |
"part of UK " = NI [Northern Ireland]
Northern Ireland[5] (abbreviation NI[5]) is a province of the United Kingdom occupying the northeast part of Ireland.
According to Oxford Dictionaries, Northern Ireland[5] is the only major division of the United Kingdom to hold the status of province, with England[5], Scotland[5] and Wales[5] considered to be countries.
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Northern Ireland[5] (abbreviation NI[5]) is a province of the United Kingdom occupying the northeast part of Ireland.
According to Oxford Dictionaries, Northern Ireland[5] is the only major division of the United Kingdom to hold the status of province, with England[5], Scotland[5] and Wales[5] considered to be countries.
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| 16d | Doctor and son left nothing /for/ carrier of disease (8) |
"doctor " = MO [medical officer]
A medical officer[5] (abbreviation MO[5]) is a doctor in charge of the health services of a civilian or military authority or other organization.
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A medical officer[5] (abbreviation MO[5]) is a doctor in charge of the health services of a civilian or military authority or other organization.
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| 17d | Plight /of/ a boyfriend after fine? (8) |
Plight[10] is an archaic or dialect term meaning a solemn promise, especially of engagement; a pledge.
Affiance[10] is an archaic term for a solemn pledge, especially a marriage contract.
| 19d | Example lacking in // approach (6) |
| 20d | This is why broadcast /is/ blasphemy (6) |
| 23d | Parliamentarian turned up holding // communication (5) |
| 24d | Staple food // like this needs a good filling (4) |
So[2] is used in the sense of in that [or this] state or condition [i.e., ‛like that’ or ‛like this’] ⇒ (i)
promised to be faithful, and has remained so; (ii)
She told him ‛I am single, and I plan to remain so.’.
Sago[7] is a starch extracted from the spongy centre, or pith, of various tropical palm stems. It is a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Moluccas — not to mention British boarding school students (to whom it is popularly — or, perhaps more accurately, unpopularly — known as frogspawn).
Sago is often produced commercially in the form of "pearls". Sago pearls can be boiled with water or milk and sugar to make a sweet sago pudding. Sago pearls are similar in appearance to tapioca pearls and the two may be used interchangeably in some dishes. In the UK, both sago and tapioca have long been used in sweet milk puddings which, apparently, are an unwelcome staple at British boarding schools.
Alternative Wordplay?
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From reading the comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, it has come to my attention that there may be some alternative wordplay in this clue:
However, I don't subscribe to this suggestion as the words "like this" would be entirely unnecessary. Had this been the intention of the setter, the clue could have simply been worded as:
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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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