Puzzle at a Glance
| |
|---|---|
Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29720 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Tuesday, July 6, 2021 | |
Setter
Unknown | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29720]
| |
Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Mr K | |
BD rating
| |
| Difficulty - ★★★ | Enjoyment - ★★★★ |
Falcon's experience
┌────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┬────┐
███████████████████████████████████ └────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┴────┘ | |
|
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
| |
Introduction
I failed to solve a couple of clues in today's puzzle and had to resort to Mr K's hints on Big Dave's Crossword Blog for explanations.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 | |
|
|
| Click here for further explanation and usage examples of markup conventions used on this blog. | |
Across
| 1a | Stringed instrument initially captivated a // girl (7) |
A rebec[5] is a medieval stringed instrument played with a bow, typically having three strings.
| 5a | Allows // haircuts without sex appeal (7) |
"sex appeal " = 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").
hide
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").
hide
| 9a | Low energy following small // animal (5) |
| 10a | Article is surprisingly // true to life (9) |
| 11a | He spoke at sea for each // one who's flogged a lot? (10) |
| 12a | Just // this writer embraces the Queen (4) |
"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.
hide
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.
hide
"the 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.
hide
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.
hide
| 14a | Arrange magic /for/ Joanna (7,5) |
Concert[5] is used as a verb in a formal sense meaning to arrange (something) by mutual agreement or coordination ⇒
they started meeting regularly to concert their parliamentary tactics.
Magic[2,5] (adjective, also used as an exclamation) is a colloquial British* term denoting excellent, marvellous, great, wonderful, or exciting ⇒
Make it easy on yourself — enjoy the magic moments in life — they are too few and far between.
* I must say that after reading the usage example, this usage hardly seems foreign at all.
Joanna[10] is Cockney rhyming slang (show more ) for 'piano' (which a Cockney would pronounce as "pianna").
Cockneys[5,10], the natives of that part of East London known as the East End[5], speak a dialect (also known as cockney) that is characterised by dropping the aitch (H) from the beginning of words as well as the use of rhyming slang.
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. For example, butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, is cockney rhyming slang for ‘look’.
hide
Cockneys[5,10], the natives of that part of East London known as the East End[5], speak a dialect (also known as cockney) that is characterised by dropping the aitch (H) from the beginning of words as well as the use of rhyming slang.
Rhyming slang[5] is a type of slang that replaces words with rhyming words or phrases, typically with the rhyming element omitted. For example, butcher’s, short for butcher’s hook, is cockney rhyming slang for ‘look’.
hide
| 18a | Doctor gone -- I'm hoping // one returns (6,6) |
| 21a | Rubbish // tips in town often seem horrible (4) |
Tosh[5] is an informal British term meaning rubbish* or nonsense ⇒
it's sentimental tosh.
* in the sense of foolish words or speech
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
| As a noun, tip[10] is a British term for a dump for refuse, etc. and, as a verb, it means to dump (rubbish, etc.). |
| 22a | Paper // maybe not changing by the sound of it (10) |
| 25a | Commons //vote restricted by new Ohio centre of communication (3,6) |
Commons[5] is a historical term for the common people regarded as a part of a political system, especially in Britain ⇒
the state was divided into clergy, nobility, and commons.
Hoi polloi[5] (usually the hoi polloi) is a derogatory term for the masses or the common people ⇒
avoid mixing with the hoi polloi.
Scratching the Surface
| |
|---|---|
| In the surface reading, Commons[5] is short for House of Commons. |
| 26a | Faultless // theory by student (5) |
"student " = L [driver under instruction]
The cryptic crossword convention of L meaning learner or student arises from the L-plate[7], a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in various jurisdictions (including the UK) if its driver is a learner under instruction.
hide
The cryptic crossword convention of L meaning learner or student arises from the L-plate[7], a square plate bearing a sans-serif letter L, for learner, which must be affixed to the front and back of a vehicle in various jurisdictions (including the UK) if its driver is a learner under instruction.
 |
| Automobile displaying an L-plate |
hide
| 27a | Fast // tango and light dancing with unknown character (7) |
"unknown character " = Y [algebraic notation]
In mathematics (algebra, in particular), an unknown[10] is a variable, or the quantity it represents, the value of which is to be discovered by solving an equation ⇒
In mathematical formulae, unknowns are typically represented symbolically by the letters x, y and z.
hide
In mathematics (algebra, in particular), an unknown[10] is a variable, or the quantity it represents, the value of which is to be discovered by solving an equation ⇒
3y = 4x + 5 is an equation in two unknowns.
In mathematical formulae, unknowns are typically represented symbolically by the letters x, y and z.
hide
| 28a | Badger's home was first // inhabited (7) |
A sett[5] (also set) is the underground lair or burrow of a badger.
Down
| 1d | Negligent // match official ignoring last fumble (6) |
| 2d | Mistake // to express disapproval twice (6) |
| 3d | Bar on train // where travellers might be held up (10) |
| 4d | Grass cut after a golf // match (5) |
| 5d | It's beneath one to talk to god (6,3) |
Prayer rug is an alternative name for prayer mat[5], a small carpet used by Muslims for kneeling on when praying.
The Dictionaries May Not Be Gospel
| |
|---|---|
| There is an extensive discussion of prayer mats and prayer rugs on Big Dave's Crossword Blog. The expert and well-researched opinions presented there suggest that the dictionaries are incorrect and prayer rug is not, in fact, an alternative name for a prayer mat. The consensus is that prayer mats are used by Muslims and prayer rugs by Eastern Orthodox Christians. |
| 6d | Sally // runs with help (4) |
"runs " = R [cricket notation]
| 7d | Where shopping might be // secured (2,3,3) |
The first part of the clue is a literal interpretation of the idiomatic expression that is the solution to the clue.
Post Mortem
| |
|---|---|
| There is simply no excuse for having failed on this clue. |
| 8d | Follows // top players, going round university clubs with Charlie (8) |
A seed[5] is any of a number of stronger competitors in a sports tournament who have been assigned a specified position in an ordered list with the aim of ensuring that they do not play each other in the early rounds ⇒
he knocked the top seed out of the championships.
| 13d | One knows about soil // damaging to organism (10) |
| 15d | Hat -- it goes on friend // excellently (9) |
Capitally[5] is a dated informal British expression meaning excellently.
| 16d | Intensely emotional // snooker player who misses first time (5-3) |
Jimmie White[7] is an English senior snooker player* who has won three seniors World titles.
* nicknamed "The Whirlwind" because of his fluid, attacking style of play.
Post Mortem
| |
|---|---|
| Knowing little about snooker in general and nothing about British snooker players in particular, it is little wonder I failed on this clue. |
| 17d | Wicked // rat swallowing potatoes? (8) |
Sing[10] is a mainly US slang term meaning to confess or act as an informer.
Mash[5] is an informal British term for mashed potato ⇒
for supper there was sausages and mash.
| 19d | Give out // fries regularly with meat (6) |
| 20d | It shuts when one goes off (6) |
| 23d | Dogs -- // they could be wagging (5) |
| 24d | Hot stuff // gadget picked up (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
I suspect it was 14a and 16d that confounded you. Banged them in, but needed Mr K to explain the British references.
ReplyDeleteThe one's that confounded me are the two highlighted in red. I had little trouble with Joanna as that bit of Cockney slang has appeared on numerous occasions. It was the final word in 7d that flummoxed me (for no explainable reason). And, yes, the snooker player was the other one.
Delete7d? Ouch.
DeleteBTW, did you enjoy our utterly pointless election? We live in Vancouver Granville, one of a handful of ridings still undecided. The dipper and the flipper are deadlocked. Now, there are references only a Canadian would get.
ReplyDeleteI voted early in an advance poll and was in and out in less than 5 minutes. No way I would stand in line for hours to vote in this riding where the outcome is a forgone conclusion. In any event, it is not a case of voting for the best candidate but for the least worst candidate.
DeleteWe voted by mail, also a quick and painless process, hoping our ballots might count in a close race. But even with the left of centre vote equally split between Liberal and NDP, the CPC candidate is a distant third. Clearly, I'm out of step with the times.
Delete