Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29435 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Thursday, August 6, 2020 | |
Setter
RayT (Ray Terrell) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29435]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Kath | |
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
This is RayT at the top of his game and proved to be a pretty stiff mental workout for me.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 | Spread // gossip framing old lag (11) |
"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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Lag[5] is an informal British term for a person who has been frequently convicted and sent to prison ⇒
both old lags were sentenced to ten years' imprisonment.
| 10a | Bags /that could produce/ sound of instrument (5) |
| 11a | Terribly rapid rise /leading to/ ruin (9) |
| 12a | The woman's back in fix /for/ bust (9) |
What did she say?
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In her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog, Kath writesNick[5] is an informal British term meaning to arrest or apprehend (someone) ⇒bust as in ‘you’re nicked’. I got nicked for burglary. |
| 13a | Provide // Ecstasy and crack (5) |
"Ecstasy " = E [the illicit drug Ecstasy]
E[5] is an abbreviation for the drug Ecstasy* or a tablet of Ecstasy ⇒ (i)
* Ecstasy[5] is an illegal amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric effects, originally produced as an appetite suppressant. Also called MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
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E[5] is an abbreviation for the drug Ecstasy* or a tablet of Ecstasy ⇒ (i)
people have died after taking E; (ii)
being busted with three Es can lead to stiff penalties.
* Ecstasy[5] is an illegal amphetamine-based synthetic drug with euphoric effects, originally produced as an appetite suppressant. Also called MDMA (Methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
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| 14a | Novel // Kinks' song about sex (6) |
"Lola"[7] is a song released by English rock band the Kinks in 1970.
Delving Deeper
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| The song details a romantic encounter between a young man and a possible
cross-dresser, whom he meets in a club in Soho, London. In the song,
the narrator describes his confusion towards Lola, who "walked like a
woman but talked like a man". Originally, "Lola" saw controversy for its lyrics. Some radio stations would fade the track out before implications of Lola's biological sex were revealed and it was banned by some radio stations in Australia. The BBC banned the track for a different reason: the original stereo recording had the words "Coca-Cola" in the lyrics, but because of BBC Radio's policy against product placement, Kinks lead singer Ray Davies was forced to make a 6000-mile round-trip flight from New York to London and back* on June 3, 1970, interrupting the band's American tour, to change those words to the generic "cherry cola" for the single release. * What the ...! No studio time could be rented in New York? |
"sex " = IT
It[2,5] (usually written in quotation marks, "it") is an informal term for sex appeal* or sexual intercourse ⇒ (i)
* Chambers 21st Century Dictionary considers this sense to be an "old use" (Chambers' terminology for archaic, obsolete or old-fashioned).
"It"[7] (written in quotation marks) is a term that has come to mean sex appeal — although, in its earliest manifestation, it seems that the term pertained more to personality than to glamorous looks. Despite having been used as early as 1904 by Rudyard Kipling, the term was popularized in the 1927 film It starring Clara Bow (who became known as the "It Girl").
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It[2,5] (usually written in quotation marks, "it") is an informal term for sex appeal* or sexual intercourse ⇒ (i)
the only thing I knew nothing about was ‘it’; (ii)
they were caught doing ‘it’ in the back seat of his car.
* Chambers 21st Century Dictionary considers this sense to be an "old use" (Chambers' terminology for archaic, obsolete or old-fashioned).
"It"[7] (written in quotation marks) is a term that has come to mean sex appeal — although, in its earliest manifestation, it seems that the term pertained more to personality than to glamorous looks. Despite having been used as early as 1904 by Rudyard Kipling, the term was popularized in the 1927 film It starring Clara Bow (who became known as the "It Girl").
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Lolita[7] is a 1955 novel written by Russian American novelist Vladimir Nabokov. The novel is notable for its controversial subject: the protagonist and unreliable narrator—a middle-aged literature professor called Humbert Humbert—is obsessed with the 12-year-old Dolores Haze, with whom he becomes sexually involved after he becomes her stepfather. "Lolita" is his private nickname for Dolores.
| 16a | Hat put over hair // one's slept on? (8) |
| 18a | One working to perfect bust? (8) |
| 20a | Cover // special police unit facing explosive (6) |
From a British perspective, SWAT[10] is an acronym for Special Weapons and Tactics: a military-like unit within a US police force, trained to deal with especially dangerous situations, such as hostage-taking and riots.
HE[5] is the abbreviation for high explosive.
| 23a | Second rain overturned // sporting events (5) |
| 24a | Nose // for bad smell's so backed up (9) |
| 26a | Fruit // from entire can spoilt (9) |
| 27a | Gather leftovers, essentially aiding needy initially (5) |
You are almost guaranteed to find an acrostic clue such as this in a RayT puzzle. The entire clue provides the wordplay which indicates that the solution is formed from the initial letters of the fodder and the fodder itself serves as a descriptive definition which is a pretty accurate description of the practice.
Historically, glean[5] meant to gather (leftover grain) after a harvest ⇒
After the harvest the peasants enjoyed the collective right to glean and to graze livestock on the stubble.
| 28a | Nice bloater spread /for/ feast (11) |
Scratching the Surface
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| A bloater[5] is a herring cured by salting and light smoking. |
Down
| 2d | Run with elevated speed /getting/ run over (5) |
"run " = R [cricket notation]
| 3d | Most excellent, // male's consumed by desire (7) |
Lush[5] is an informal British term meaning very good or impressive ⇒
I received some really lush pressies [presents].
| 4d | Expendable soldiers // more curious following chief's rear (6) |
The clue alludes to the expression cannon fodder[5] which denotes soldiers regarded merely as material to be expended in war ⇒
Wars are lost when the leadership regards its soldiers as cannon fodder.
| 5d | Remaining // uplifting, praise one's Queen (8) |
"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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| 6d | Warning around mortgage's end // on that account (7) |
Thereat[5] is an archaic formal term meaning on account of or after that ⇒ (i)
The particular acts or conduct that amount to a criminal offence or attempt thereat may take many different forms; (ii)
Thereat he experiences feelings that are painful, sharp and severe.
| 7d | Firm // foundation (13) |
Despite Kath's assertion in her review on Big Dave's Crossword Blog that this clue is "not a double definition", that is exactly what it is.
Foundation[5] denotes the action of establishing an institution or organization ⇒
Larry was given an award last year for his extraordinary service to the organisation since its foundation in 1951.
| 8d | Most sensible // mutters circulating around American (8) |
Mature[5] (in reference to thought or planning) denotes careful and thorough ⇒
It's also important to have a mature rather than a gung ho approach.
| 9d | Winning // team inside pushing forward (13) |
Perhaps the setter had Western movies in mind, or maybe he was thinking of more modern usages.
Team[5] is used informally before another word to form the name of a real or notional group which supports or favours the person or thing indicated ⇒
When Brad Pitt left Jennifer Aniston and later set up home with Angelina Jolie, women across the U.S. wore T-shirts declaring them members of 'Team Aniston' or 'Team Jolie'.
Posse[5] is an informal term for a group of young people who socialize together, especially to go to clubs or raves* ⇒
A couple of girls in Jessica's posse strolled by and scowled at me.
* several usage examples (as in the case of the one cited) refer to the members of the group as supporters of an individual in the group
| 15d | Olivier possibly // getting to learn cue? (8) |
Laurence Olivier[5],
Baron Olivier of Brighton (1907–1989) was an English actor and director. (show more )
Following his professional debut in 1924, he performed all the major Shakespearean roles; he was also director of the National Theatre (1963–73). His films include Rebecca (1940), Henry V (1944), and Hamlet (1948).
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Following his professional debut in 1924, he performed all the major Shakespearean roles; he was also director of the National Theatre (1963–73). His films include Rebecca (1940), Henry V (1944), and Hamlet (1948).
hide
| 17d | Hash or hemp in // another drug (8) |
| 19d | Sheet shrouding a ship /in/ Channel (7) |
Scratching the Surface
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| In the surface reading, "Channel" is almost certainly a reference to the English Channel[5]. |
| 21d | Hammered // with harsh temperature (7) |
| 22d | Exhibitionist // regrets work being sent up (6) |
"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 ⇒
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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.
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| 25d | Doctrine /of/ communist infiltrating company (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)
[15] - CollinsDictionary.com (Penguin Random House LLC/HarperCollins Publishers Ltd )
Signing off for today — Falcon
This was a solid and enjoyable challenge which I was able to solve without hints or electronic aid. I did think that 3D was a weak clue until I read your explanation. The joys of trying to decipher British slang! NW corner was the longest holdout with 12A my last in. ***/**** for me as well.
ReplyDeleteAs you point out, clues often seem weak to those who aren't familiar with Britspeak. Such ignorance can sometimes work to the solver's advantage allowing us to avoid falling into traps the setter has laid, but then we miss out on the satisfaction derived from climbing out of those traps once having fallen in. I also think having an appreciation for the surface reading adds to one's enjoyment of the puzzle which is why I like to include such information even though it has little or no bearing on solving the clue -- and may, in fact, provide (intended) misdirection.
DeleteI do appreciate your “Scratching the Surface” notes as often even when I have successfully solved and parsed a clue, I have missed a Britspeak subtlety in the surface reading. Thanks!
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