Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29448 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Friday, August 21, 2020 | |
Setter
proXimal (Steve Bartlett) | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29448]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Big Dave | |
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
The four Xs — one in each quadrant — are a sure sign that today's puzzle is the handiwork of proXimal.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 | Salt's ruined important // meal with terrible consequences? (4,6) |
The Last Supper[5] is the supper eaten by Jesus and his disciples on the night before the Crucifixion, as recorded in the New Testament and commemorated by Christians in the Eucharist.
| 6a | Lead in flue depressed // sweep (4) |
Sweep[5] is used in the sense of move swiftly and smoothly ⇒
A cool breeze swept past me.
| 10a | Significant // lack of furniture? (7) |
| 11a | Keeping rook away, rip off // bit of bread (7) |
R[5] is an abbreviation for rook that is used in recording moves in chess. (show more )
A rook[5] (also known by the informal, old-fashioned term castle*[5]) is a chess piece, typically with its top in the shape of a battlement, that can move (if not obstructed by another chess piece or pawn) any number of spaces in any direction along a rank or file on which it stands. Each player starts the game with two rooks at opposite ends of the first rank.
* It is apparent from comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog that chess purists hold that the proper name for this piece is a rook and that under no circumstances whatsoever is it ever to be referred to as a castle. Furthermore, they take great umbrage should those of us less attuned to the niceties of the "game of kings" happen to commit this cardinal sin.
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A rook[5] (also known by the informal, old-fashioned term castle*[5]) is a chess piece, typically with its top in the shape of a battlement, that can move (if not obstructed by another chess piece or pawn) any number of spaces in any direction along a rank or file on which it stands. Each player starts the game with two rooks at opposite ends of the first rank.
* It is apparent from comments on Big Dave's Crossword Blog that chess purists hold that the proper name for this piece is a rook and that under no circumstances whatsoever is it ever to be referred to as a castle. Furthermore, they take great umbrage should those of us less attuned to the niceties of the "game of kings" happen to commit this cardinal sin.
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Scratching the Surface
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| The rook[5] is a gregarious Eurasian crow with black plumage and a bare face, nesting in colonies in treetops. |
| 12a | Bit of goofiness essentially // clever tricks (8) |
| 13a | Good leg exercise? Not beginner/'s/ messy stuff (5) |
Gunge[5] is an informal British term for an unpleasantly sticky or viscous substance.
| 15a | Amused; // second was in first place (7) |
Tick[5] is an informal British term for a moment ⇒ (i)
I shan’t be a tick; (ii)
I’ll be with you in a tick.
| 17a | Retold novel about origin of pearl // bead (7) |
| 19a | Rabbit with talent contracted 20% // of stomach (7) |
Rabbit[5] is an informal British term meaning:
- (noun) a conversation ⇒
we had quite a heated rabbit about it
- (verb) to talk at length, especially about trivial matters ⇒
stop rabbiting on, will you, and go to bed!
Delving Deeper
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| The term rabbit[5] (meaning talk) is Cockney rhyming slang arising from the expression
"rabbit and pork"[5]. In Cockney rhyming slang, a
word (in this case, "talk") is replaced by a phrase with which it rhymes (in this
case, "rabbit
and pork"). Although the entire rhyming phrase may sometimes be used, it is more often the case that the rhyming word (in this case, "pork"*) is dropped leaving the slang word (in this
case, "rabbit"). Thus, through
this process, "talk" becomes "rabbit".
* The word "pork" , when pronounced in a non-rhotic accent (show explanation
) typical of dialects found in many parts of Britain (especially
southeastern England), more or less rhymes with "talk" .
Non-rhotic accents omit the sound < r > in certain situations, while rhotic accents generally pronounce < r > in all contexts. Among the several dozen British English accents which exist, many are non-rhotic while American English (US and Canadian) is mainly rhotic. This is, however, a generalisation, as there are areas of Britain that are rhotic, and areas of America that are non-rhotic. For more information, see this guide to pronouncing < r > in British English. hide As for the expression "rabbit and pork", apparently it is common practice to combine these two meats in a dish (as a Google search for 'rabbit and pork recipe' will quickly prove). One recipe I found sheds some light on why these meats often appear together: "Rabbit can be dry some times so here it is cooked with belly pork and cyder to create a warming substantial casserole". |
While Collins English Dictionary says that talent[10] is an obsolete word for inclination, I would argue that this is a usage still very much in evidence ⇒
The politician displays a remarkable talent for putting his foot in his mouth.
Trick[10] is used in the sense of a behavioural trait, habit or mannerism.
| 21a | Those people hiding potentially valuable mass // proposition (7) |
| 22a | Sheep and rats emptied // water containers (5) |
| 24a | Small pressure against early locomotive // wheel (8) |
Stephenson's Rocket[7] was an early steam locomotive designed by English railway engineer Robert Stephenson in 1829. (show more )
Though the Rocket was not the first steam locomotive, it was the first to bring together several innovations to produce the most advanced locomotive of its day.
It is the most famous example of an evolving design of locomotives by Stephenson that became the template for most steam engines in the following 150 years. The locomotive was preserved and is now on display in the Science Museum in London.
hide
Though the Rocket was not the first steam locomotive, it was the first to bring together several innovations to produce the most advanced locomotive of its day.
It is the most famous example of an evolving design of locomotives by Stephenson that became the template for most steam engines in the following 150 years. The locomotive was preserved and is now on display in the Science Museum in London.
hide
| 27a | Offering // time, kid starts to unplug the earphones (7) |
| 28a | Entering affair, former lover/'s/ yielding (7) |
| 29a | Scoff about son's bearing (4) |
| 30a | Single // international agency regularly examined art trends (10) |
UNESCO[5] (also Unesco) is an agency of the United Nations set up in 1945 to promote the exchange of information, ideas, and culture.
Origin: Acronym from United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
Down
| 1d | Big cat /in/ golf course reported (4) |
| 2d | Pawns or knights /for/ corners? (3,6) |
I would call this a double definition in which the first definition is a whimsical interpretation of the solution.
To be (a piece) or not to be (a piece)? That is the question!
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| In chess, according to Lexico (Oxford Dictionaries), a piece[5] is a king, queen, bishop, knight, or rook, as opposed to a pawn. However, in a remarkable display of inconsistency, the very same dictionary defines a pawn[5] is a chess piece of the smallest size and value. |
In soccer, a corner[5] (also corner kick) is a place kick* taken by the attacking side from a corner of the field after the ball has been sent over the byline** by a defender.
* a place kick[5] is a kick made after the ball is first placed [in a stationary position] (in soccer) on the ground or (in rugby and North American football) on a tee
** in soccer, the byline[5] (also byeline) is the part of the goal line to either side of the goal
Set piece[5] is a British term for a carefully organized and practised move* in a team game by which the ball is returned to play, as at a scrum or a free kick** ⇒
in the 89th minute another set piece produced the third goal.
* a seemingly equivalent term — and one commonly heard in North American sport — is set play[5], a prearranged manoeuvre carried out from a restart by the team who have the advantage ⇒
the Germans scored the deciding goal on a set play, off a corner kick in the 15th minute
** in soccer and rugby, a free kick[5] is an unimpeded kick of the stationary ball awarded to one side as a penalty for a foul or infringement by the other side
| 3d | Dark // sword changing hands (5) |
Sable[5] is a literary or heraldic term for black.
| 4d | Happy, // place got calmer (7) |
| 5d | Covered // new trial described by top journalist (7) |
| 7d | Involved // old Communist having change of heart (3,2) |
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. (show more )
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.
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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.
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Let (someone) in (on something)[10] is a phrasal verb meaning to allow (someone) to know about or participate in (something).
| 8d | Men wittier when drunk -- // that includes Noel (10) |
| 9d | Ten gathered in mist admire // flower (8) |
Foxglove[5] is a tall Eurasian plant with erect spikes of pinkish-purple (or white) flowers shaped like the fingers of gloves. It is a source of the drug digitalis.| 14d | Leg beast broke tackling alien // insect (4,6) |
"alien " = ET [E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial[7] (often referred to simply as E.T.) is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a lonely boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, dubbed "E.T.", who is stranded on Earth. He and his siblings help the extraterrestrial return home while attempting to keep it hidden from their mother and the government.
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E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial[7] (often referred to simply as E.T.) is a 1982 American science fiction film co-produced and directed by Steven Spielberg. It tells the story of a lonely boy who befriends an extraterrestrial, dubbed "E.T.", who is stranded on Earth. He and his siblings help the extraterrestrial return home while attempting to keep it hidden from their mother and the government.
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The stag beetle[5] is a large dark beetle, the male of which has large branched jaws that resemble a stag's antlers.
| 16d | Birds half-destroyed purple // plant (8) |
* so "closely-related" that some authorities consider larkspur to be just another name for delphinium; others use the name larkspur for annual varieties and delphinium for perennial varieties
| 18d | Criminal // material about Republican brought up in street (9) |
"Republican " = R [member or supporter of US political party]
A Republican[5] (abbreviation R[5] or Rep.[5]) is a member or supporter of the Republican Party[5], one of the two main US political parties*, favouring a right-wing stance, limited central government, and tough, interventionist foreign policy. It was formed in 1854 in support of the anti-slavery movement preceding the Civil War.
* the other being the Democratic Party
Although, in the UK, republican[5] can refer to an advocate of a united Ireland, the abbreviation does not appear to apply to that usage.
hide
A Republican[5] (abbreviation R[5] or Rep.[5]) is a member or supporter of the Republican Party[5], one of the two main US political parties*, favouring a right-wing stance, limited central government, and tough, interventionist foreign policy. It was formed in 1854 in support of the anti-slavery movement preceding the Civil War.
* the other being the Democratic Party
Although, in the UK, republican[5] can refer to an advocate of a united Ireland, the abbreviation does not appear to apply to that usage.
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| 20d | Revolutionary in charge with tough-looking // tank (7) |
| 21d | Arguments involving a king/'s/ duties (7) |
"king " = R [Rex]
In the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms*, Rex[5] (abbreviation R[5]) [Latin for king] denotes the reigning king, used following a name (e.g. Georgius Rex, King George — often shortened to GR) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Rex v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).
* A Commonwealth realm[7] is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares the same person, currently Elizabeth II, as its head of state and reigning constitutional monarch, but retains a crown legally distinct from the other realms. There are currently sixteen Commonwealth realms, the largest being Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the remainder being smaller Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
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In the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms*, Rex[5] (abbreviation R[5]) [Latin for king] denotes the reigning king, used following a name (e.g. Georgius Rex, King George — often shortened to GR) or in the titles of lawsuits (e.g. Rex v. Jones, the Crown versus Jones — often shortened to R. v. Jones).
* A Commonwealth realm[7] is a sovereign state that is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and shares the same person, currently Elizabeth II, as its head of state and reigning constitutional monarch, but retains a crown legally distinct from the other realms. There are currently sixteen Commonwealth realms, the largest being Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom with the remainder being smaller Caribbean and Pacific island nations.
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| 23d | Leaves // are not imaginary, with tons to pick up (5) |
| 25d | Belief // constant over consuming wine (5) |
In mathematics, C[5] (or c) is a symbol used to represent either the third fixed constant to appear in an algebraic expression, or a known constant (show more ).
In mathematics, a constant[5] is a quantity or parameter that does not change its value whatever the value of the variables, under a given set of conditions.
In physics, a constant[5] is a number expressing a relation or property which remains the same in all circumstances, or for the same substance under the same conditions.
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In mathematics, a constant[5] is a quantity or parameter that does not change its value whatever the value of the variables, under a given set of conditions.
In physics, a constant[5] is a number expressing a relation or property which remains the same in all circumstances, or for the same substance under the same conditions.
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| 26d | Old // man greedy now and then (4) |
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
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