Puzzle at a Glance
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Puzzle number in The Daily Telegraph
DT 29711 | |
Publication date in The Daily Telegraph
Friday, June 25, 2021 | |
Setter
silvanus | |
Link to full review
Big Dave's Crossword Blog [DT 29711]
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Big Dave's Crossword Blog review written by
Deep Threat | |
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
Early on in the solve, the pangram alarm went off. However, in the end, it was not to be, coming up well short. Nevertheless, an enjoyable puzzle from silvanus.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 | This writer, inspired by that virtually small // river (6) |
"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 a truncation indicator, virtually[5] is used in the sense of nearly or almost ⇒
the college became virtually bankrupt.
The Thames[5] is a river of southern England, flowing 338 km (210 miles) eastwards from the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire through London to the North Sea.
| 5a | Murder // drama in theatre that's bad? (4,4) |
The second part of the clue is a plausible literal interpretation of the solution.
| 9a | Student extremely anxious over labelling /for/ vinaigrette, perhaps (5,8) |
"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.
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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.
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| Automobile displaying an L-plate |
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| 10a | Top // pastry contains ultimate in Himalayan salt, according to chemist (8) |
NaCl is the chemical symbol for sodium chloride[5], the scientific name for table salt.
| 11a | Quarrel at home /making/ lunch (6) |
Tiffin[2] is a dated Anglo-Indian term for a light midday meal, especially as taken by members of the British Raj in India.
| 12a | Stars /seen in/ outwardly grotesque car (6) |
Mini[7] is an automobile brand, currently owned by BMW, but originally introduced as a model under the Austin and Morris marques by the now defunct British Motor Corporation (BMC).
Gemini[5] is a northern constellation (the Twins), said to represent the twins Castor and Pollux, whose names are given to its two brightest stars.
| 14a | Acrobats /in/ glasses? (8) |
| 16a | Real ale enthusiasts rejected imbibing good North American // brandy (8) |
The Campaign for Real Ale[7] (CAMRA)
is an independent voluntary consumer organisation headquartered in St
Albans, England, which promotes real ale (show more ), real cider and the
traditional British pub. It is now the largest single-issue consumer
group in the UK, and is a founding member of the European Beer
Consumers Union (EBCU).
Real ale[7] is the name coined by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in 1973 for a type of beer defined as "beer brewed from traditional ingredients, matured by secondary fermentation in the container from which it is dispensed, and served without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide". The heart of the definition is the maturation requirements. If the beer is unfiltered, unpasteurised and still active on the yeast, it is a real ale; it is irrelevant whether the container is a cask or a bottle.
CAMRA does not support the promotion and sale of keg* based craft beer. CAMRA's Internal Policy document states that real ale can only be served from cask without the use of additional carbonation. This policy means that "any beer brand which is produced in both cask and keg versions" is not admitted to CAMRA festivals or supported by CAMRA.[7]
* Here keg is used — not in the sense of a small barrel — but in the sense of a pressurized metal barrel with a valve at one end, used to store and dispense beer or other carbonated drinks.
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Real ale[7] is the name coined by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in 1973 for a type of beer defined as "beer brewed from traditional ingredients, matured by secondary fermentation in the container from which it is dispensed, and served without the use of extraneous carbon dioxide". The heart of the definition is the maturation requirements. If the beer is unfiltered, unpasteurised and still active on the yeast, it is a real ale; it is irrelevant whether the container is a cask or a bottle.
CAMRA does not support the promotion and sale of keg* based craft beer. CAMRA's Internal Policy document states that real ale can only be served from cask without the use of additional carbonation. This policy means that "any beer brand which is produced in both cask and keg versions" is not admitted to CAMRA festivals or supported by CAMRA.[7]
* Here keg is used — not in the sense of a small barrel — but in the sense of a pressurized metal barrel with a valve at one end, used to store and dispense beer or other carbonated drinks.
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Strictly speaking, one must parse "North American" as two independent words "North" and "American". The reason is that The Chambers Dictionary* does not list NA as an abbreviation for North American (North America, yes, but not North American). However, it does list N[1] as an abbreviation for North and A[1] as an abbreviation for American.
* The Chambers Dictionary is considered to be the "bible" for The Daily Telegraph puzzles
Armagnac[5] is a type of brandy traditionally made in Aquitaine in southwestern France.
| 19a | Overheard old man // that regularly lets off steam? (6) |
Although they are not pronounced the same in North America, the words geezer and geyser do sound the same when pronounced with a British accent.
| 21a | Hard work, many discovered, /to produce/ advertising jingle (6) |
The setter uses "discovered" to indicate that the solver must strip away the outer letters of the word [
| 23a | Rock musicians led away /to find/ air transport (8) |
Led Zeppelin[7] is an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group disbanded following drummer John Bonham's death in 1980.
The Zeppelin[5] was a large German dirigible airship of the early 20th century, long and cylindrical in shape and with a rigid framework. Zeppelins were used during the First World War for reconnaissance and bombing, and after the war as passenger transports until the 1930s.
| 25a | Screen actress /in/ minor role many condemned (7,6) |
Marilyn Monroe[5] (1926–1962) was an American actress; born Norma Jeane Mortenson; later Norma Jean Baker. Her film roles, largely in comedies, made her the definitive Hollywood sex symbol. She is thought to have died of an overdose of sleeping pills. Notable films: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), Some Like it Hot (1959), and The Misfits (1961).
| 26a | Wealth /of/ old coins impressing university lecturer initially (8) |
"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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Pence[5] is a plural* form of penny[5],
a British bronze coin and monetary unit. (show more ).
* Both pence and pennies have existed as plural forms of penny since at least the 16th century. The two forms now tend to be used for different purposes: pence refers to sums of money (five pounds and sixty-nine pence) while pennies refers to the coins themselves (I left two pennies on the table). The use of pence rather than penny as a singular (the chancellor will put one pence on income tax) is not regarded as correct in standard English.
Today, a penny is equal to one hundredth of a pound and is the smallest denomination in Britain's modern decimal currency system introduced in 1971. The abbreviation for the modern penny or pence is p[5].
In the British currency system used prior to 1971, a penny[5] (abbreviation d[5] [for denarius]) was a coin or monetary unit equal to one twelfth of a shilling or 240th of a pound.
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* Both pence and pennies have existed as plural forms of penny since at least the 16th century. The two forms now tend to be used for different purposes: pence refers to sums of money (five pounds and sixty-nine pence) while pennies refers to the coins themselves (I left two pennies on the table). The use of pence rather than penny as a singular (the chancellor will put one pence on income tax) is not regarded as correct in standard English.
Today, a penny is equal to one hundredth of a pound and is the smallest denomination in Britain's modern decimal currency system introduced in 1971. The abbreviation for the modern penny or pence is p[5].
In the British currency system used prior to 1971, a penny[5] (abbreviation d[5] [for denarius]) was a coin or monetary unit equal to one twelfth of a shilling or 240th of a pound.
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| 27a | Attention surrounds setter regularly /in/ certain time of year (6) |
Down
| 2d | Unfriendly // crowd that is gathering close to memorial (7) |
| 3d | City // rising in national importance (5) |
Milan[5] is an industrial city in north-western Italy, the capital of Lombardy region. A powerful city, particularly from the 13th to the 15th centuries, Milan is today a leading financial and commercial center (sic)*.
* Note the US spelling "center" in this entry is taken verbatim from the UK version of Lexico (Oxford Dictionaries).
| 4d | Son finding refusing starter /brings/ temptation (9) |
| 5d | Fine // rowing crew in good condition reportedly (7) |
A four[5] is a four-oared rowing boat or its crew ⇒
the British women's coxed four.
| 6d | Disconcert // group of persons on horseback? (5) |
Were one to split the solution (2,3), one might whimsically interpret it to denote the latter part of the clue.
| 7d | Benefit completely will stop, // in distressing fashion (9) |
Post Mortem
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| Although the solution is "painfully" evident, the parsing is not so obvious. I saw "completely" as cluing FULLY and then struggled to parse the remainder of the clue. I even tried to parse it as {PA (benefit) + FULLY (completely)} containing (will stop) IN (from the clue). I then wasted considerable time trying to find some British benefit program that goes by the acronym PA! The correct parsing is PAY (benefit) containing (will stop) IN FULL (completely). |
| 8d | Comparatively cross /when/ earring gets broken (7) |
| 13d | First // gun Laura shot, preceded by indecision originally (9) |
| 15d | Keeping quiet, explosive Egham individual // that usually raises voice (9) |
The definition cryptically describes a device used to amplify the human voice.
Scratching the Surface
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| Egham[7] is a university town in Surrey, England, approximately 19 miles (31 km) west of central London. It is the location of the main campus of Royal Holloway, University of London. |
| 17d | Pickled herring // to start followed by sponge (7) |
A rollmop[10] is a herring fillet rolled, usually around onion slices, and pickled in spiced vinegar.
Origin: from German Rollmops, from rollen to roll + Mops pug dog
| 18d | Painter, // unknown character meeting queen after church (7) |
"unknown character " = Z [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.
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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.
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Anne[7] (1665–1714) was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1702 to
1707 and Queen of Great
Britain and Ireland from 1707 until her death. (show more )
She became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Acts of Union, two of her realms, the kingdoms of England and Scotland, united as a single sovereign state, the United Kingdom of Great Britain. She continued to reign as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland until her death.
Anne was plagued by ill health throughout her life, and from her thirties, she grew increasingly ill and obese. Despite seventeen pregnancies she died without surviving issue and was the last monarch of the House of Stuart.
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She became Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Acts of Union, two of her realms, the kingdoms of England and Scotland, united as a single sovereign state, the United Kingdom of Great Britain. She continued to reign as Queen of Great Britain and Ireland until her death.
Anne was plagued by ill health throughout her life, and from her thirties, she grew increasingly ill and obese. Despite seventeen pregnancies she died without surviving issue and was the last monarch of the House of Stuart.
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Paul Cézanne[5] (1839–1906) was a French painter. He is closely identified with post-impressionism and his later work had an important influence on cubism. Notable works: Bathers (sequence of paintings 1890–1905).
| 20d | Possibly malevolent look // one vile Yemeni adopts (4,3) |
Scratching the Surface
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| A Yemeni[5]
is a native or inhabitant of Yemen*, or a person of Yemeni descent.
* Yemen[5]
is a country in the south and south-west of the Arabian peninsula. (show more )
An Islamic country since the mid 7th century, Yemen was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 16th century. It came under increasing British influence in the 19th century, and the port of Aden was developed as a British military base. After the Second World War civil war between royalist and republican forces ended with British withdrawal and the partition of the country (1967). South Yemen declared itself independent as the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, the North becoming the Yemen Arab Republic. In 1990 the countries reunited to form the Republic of Yemen; in 1994 the South briefly seceded but was defeated in a short civil war. hide |
| 22d | Stocking // only occasionally goes over large leg (5) |
"leg " = ON [cricket term]
In cricket, the leg[5] (also called leg side) is another name for the on[5] (also known as on side), the half of the field (as divided lengthways through the pitch) away from which the batsman’s feet are pointed when standing to receive the ball ⇒
The other half of the field is known as the off[5] (also called off side).
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In cricket, the leg[5] (also called leg side) is another name for the on[5] (also known as on side), the half of the field (as divided lengthways through the pitch) away from which the batsman’s feet are pointed when standing to receive the ball ⇒
he played a lucky stroke to leg.
The other half of the field is known as the off[5] (also called off side).
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| 24d | Acquires // finally valuable area for expansion purposes (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
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