Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29355 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29355]
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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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Introduction
Today's workout proved to be not overly taxing. In a couple of instances, the parsing presented by Mr K in his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog differs slightly from mine which caused me to revisit those clues. However, after closely re-examining my parsing, I concluded it is valid.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 | Backlash /from/ Religious Education movement (8) |
In the UK, religious education[10] (abbreviation RE[5]) is a subject taught in schools which educates about the different religions of the world.
| 5a | Education shortened after girl // failed to attend (6) |
| 10a | Scratchier cat is spoiling // properties (15) |
| 11a | Stroke bird, /for/ example (7) |
| 12a | Complaint /from/ this writer as beer's missing head (7) |
"this writer " = ME
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.
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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.
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As is the case more often than not in Crosswordland, the complaint is medical in nature.
| 13a | Bill's // hands /and/ feet? (8) |
I consider this clue to consist of wordplay (a charade of a synonym for bill and the S that follows the apostrophe) followed by a double definition. In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Mr Kitty ignores the apostrophe and treats the first word in the clue as a plural rather than a possessive. I know it is permissible to ignore punctuation in wordplay, but I'm not sure it's cricket to ignore it in definitions.
In the wordplay, measure is used in the sense of a legislative bill ⇒
the Senate passed the measure by a 48–30 vote.
A hand[5] is a a unit of measurement of a horse’s height, equal to 4 inches (10.16 cm).
A foot[5], of course, is a unit of linear measure equal to 12 inches (30.48 cm).
Not that it has any bearing on the clue, but it just occurred to me that a foot is equal to three hands.
| 15a | The grasses -- regularly cut // short (5) |
Again, in this clue, Mr Kitty differs from me in his approach.
I consider cut to be a removal indicator — like a player being cut from a team. Thus, in my explanation, a regular sequence of letters (the even-numbered letters) is cut from the fodder.
Mr Kitty chooses to use a regular sequence of letters (in his case, the odd-numbered letters) from the fodder and expand the definition to include the word "cut".
As far as the wordplay goes, both approaches seem equally valid as the odd-numbered letters and the even-numbered letters are both regular sequences. The question then becomes, which definition — 'short' or 'cut short' — best matches the solution 'terse''? Or, are they equally good synonyms? You be the judge.
Based on the entry in Lexico:
I would say that 'short' is the better fit. However, I don't necessarily rule out the possibility that one might find a context in which 'cut short' might also be used.
I believe extra[5] is being used in the sense of a person engaged temporarily to fill out a crowd scene in a film or play. On the surface, given this is a Rambo movie, the script may well call for this person to be shot. Looking for a deeper meaning, the definition may allude to the fact that an extra in a film might momentarily be featured in a shot and thus be recognizable on screen or, perhaps, that such a gig may lead to a shot at stardom.
In the second definition, further[5] is used in the sense of to help the progress or development of (something); in other words, promote ⇒
In the US, a congressman[12] is a [male] member of Congress, especially of the House of Representatives.
In the US, a representative[12] is a member of the lower house of Congress (House of Representatives) or of a State legislature.
Flat[5] is the British term for what would be called an apartment[5] in North America.
The term apartment is used in Britain, but seemingly in a more restricted sense than in North America, applying to either temporary or upscale accommodation.
As Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) puts it, an apartment[5] is:
Maurice Ravel[5] (1875–1937) was a French composer. His works are somewhat impressionistic in style, employing colourful orchestration and unresolved dissonances. Notable works: the ballets Daphnis and Chloë (1912) and Boléro (1928) and the orchestral work La Valse (1920).
Ply is used in the sense of to provide someone with (food or drink) in a continuous or insistent way ⇒
| 18a | In next Rambo? // One might get shot (5) |
I believe extra[5] is being used in the sense of a person engaged temporarily to fill out a crowd scene in a film or play. On the surface, given this is a Rambo movie, the script may well call for this person to be shot. Looking for a deeper meaning, the definition may allude to the fact that an extra in a film might momentarily be featured in a shot and thus be recognizable on screen or, perhaps, that such a gig may lead to a shot at stardom.
| 20a | Nude sadly ordered to leave area // at once (8) |
| 23a | Additional // help (7) |
In the second definition, further[5] is used in the sense of to help the progress or development of (something); in other words, promote ⇒
he had depended on using them to further his own career.
| 25a | Show // article to be edited (7) |
| 26a | Family members ignoring large, round donation /for/ congressmen? (15) |
In the US, a congressman[12] is a [male] member of Congress, especially of the House of Representatives.
In the US, a representative[12] is a member of the lower house of Congress (House of Representatives) or of a State legislature.
| 27a | Dirty place was first /to be/ given a makeover? (6) |
| 28a | Prisoner insists losing 'cool' // is made up (8) |
Down
| 1d | Repeats // expression of hesitation over headwear (6) |
| 2d | Flat // broke meant pinching to some degree (9) |
Flat[5] is the British term for what would be called an apartment[5] in North America.
The term apartment is used in Britain, but seemingly in a more restricted sense than in North America, applying to either temporary or upscale accommodation.
As Lexico (formerly Oxford Dictionaries Online) puts it, an apartment[5] is:
- (British) a flat, typically one that is well appointed or used for holidays [vacations] ⇒
self-catering holiday apartments
; - (North American) any flat ⇒
the family lived in a rented apartment
.
| 3d | Tense composer's // journeys (7) |
Maurice Ravel[5] (1875–1937) was a French composer. His works are somewhat impressionistic in style, employing colourful orchestration and unresolved dissonances. Notable works: the ballets Daphnis and Chloë (1912) and Boléro (1928) and the orchestral work La Valse (1920).
| 4d | Frequently // dull without leader (5) |
| 6d | Isn't worried by insect/'s/ heartbeat (7) |
| 7d | Son to take out // gift (5) |
| 8d | Good-looking person cutting end off flower // -- catastrophe! (8) |
What did he say?
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In his review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Mr K refers to the first part of the wordplay as denoting aWhile the intent of his statement is that the term is passé, I can't help but note that the description is also very apropos as such a person would likely rarely be lacking for suitors. However, I am surprised that Mr K employs a masculine pronoun as I always think of this word as applying only to a female.dated good-looking person. |
| 9d | For 50% of medics, bandaging is // guaranteed (8) |
| 14d | Kept // cool (8) |
| 16d | Awfully versatile // folks? (9) |
| 17d | What entertainer does // for each class so nothing is forgotten (8) |
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.
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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 |
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| 19d | Adult allowed to wear the // jumper, perhaps (7) |
"adult " = A [former British film certificate]
The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
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The A (Adult) certificate is a former film certificate[7] issued by the British Board of Film Classification. This certificate existed in various forms from 1912 to 1985, when it was replaced by the PG (Parental Guidance) certificate. [Despite its demise in the real world, it continues to find widespread use in Crosswordland.]
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| 21d | Former lover refers to // thrills (7) |
| 22d | Bishop survives // reprimands (6) |
| 24d | About to provide // answer (5) |
Ply is used in the sense of to provide someone with (food or drink) in a continuous or insistent way ⇒
she plied me with tea and scones.
| 25d | Relation // in Detroit arranged to be picked up (5) |
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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